Abstract: A vehicle body frame is such as to be provided with cast hollow frame members 40 such as side frames extending longitudinally along a vehicle body. A plurality of ribs 53 . . . are provided at certain regular intervals p11 on an inner circumferential surface 41 of the cast hollow frame member so as to partition the interior of the hollow frame member longitudinally at the certain regular intervals p11. The hollow frame member buckles and deforms subsequently from one end 42 thereof at the certain regular intervals so that the crash energy can be absorbed stably and sufficiently.

Abstract: A vehicle body frame is such that hollow frame members 40 such as side frames extending longitudinally along a vehicle body are provided thereon. Two inner partition plates 42, 43 are integrally formed in the interior of each of the hollow frame member in such a manner that the two inner partition plates extend in a longitudinal direction of the frame member and are close to each other along plate surfaces 42a, 43a thereof, so that a central space portion 44 defined by the two inner partition plates therebetween is formed in the interior of the hollow frame member, whereby side plates 41 constituting the hollow frame member can be dissociated at portions of the side plates which face the central space portion by virtue of a buckling load.

Abstract: An arrangement in passenger vehicles, that diverts the impact energy in impacts away from the passengers to the remaining mass of the vehicle thereby protecting the passengers, and in the same arrangement provides utilitarian access to the vehicle, such utilitarian access making it possible to both install multi-element contoured surround seats for passengers and the driver, and also a safety device for head-on collision protection that obviates the need for conventional seat belts and front impact airbags. An indo-skeletal structural arrangement proposed for the vehicle, provides further benefits by targeting the strength of the vehicle to protect passengers while minimizing other massive elements in the vehicle.

Abstract: A device for increasing strength of a hollow shaped part with a closed cross-section for a vehicle body has at least one reinforcing element extendable at least partially into an inner space of the hollow shaped part and connectable with the hollow shaped part, and an aperture provided in the hollow shaped part and formed so that the reinforcing element extends into the inner space of the hollow shaped part.

Abstract: An automobile front pillar (1; 40; 50) includes, at a portion thereof positioned closely to a passenger compartment (16) of an automobile (10), a weak portion (27b; 47b; 62) for initiating the buckling of the front pillar upon application of a shock to that part of the front pillar positioned remotely from the compartment. When an obstacle collides with the front pillar portion positioned remotely from the compartment, the weak portion collapses by the resulting collision shock to cause the front pillar to buckle. The collision shock is partly absorbed by the buckling front pillar, whereby the shock applied to the obstacle is significantly damped.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an improved doorbeam having increased impact strength and reduced weight. The doorbeam is formed from a continuous metal web having opposing lateral edges and a varying thickness therebetween. The stock is rolled into a tubular configuration, and the lateral edges are welded together. The resultant beam provides extra reinforcing material where needed to provide a balance between weight and strength.

Abstract: A personal conveyance is herein disclosed wherein a space frame or roll cage of an integral passenger and engine compartment is fabricated from at least two (2), preferably elliptical, roll bars that are directly or indirectly associated with a floor pan. In each case, at least one (1) roll bar is integral with and supportive of the perimeter of the floor pan and preferable permanently bonded (e.g. welded) thereto. A second, (and possible multiple roll bars), is then arranged inboard of said horizontal roll bar, in a linear array along the length of the vehicle, and at an inclined angle relative to the plane of the floor pan. The horizontal roll bar is affixed to the inclined roll bar at each point of intersection or coincidence thereof, so as to form an essential unitary structure or roll cage sufficient to accommodate both passenger and power plant compartments.

Abstract: A roof side rail has a closed cross-section formed by integrating side rail outer and inner, and a part of the side rail forms an upper edge of a vehicle body side opening. A pipe-shaped reinforcing member is inserted into the side rail from the front side thereof to a part forming the upper edge of the opening, and is fixed to the side rail inner. Therefore, even when cross-sectional areas between the front side of the side rail and the part of the side rail forming the upper edge of the opening differ, both of which are connected to each other via a step part deviated to the largest degree, the stiffness of the step part is increased, and the number of parts and man-hours required for welding are reduced.

Abstract: A pillar structure which includes a pillar member connected to an upper potion and a lower portion of a transversely outer vehicle body. The pillar member is formed into a channel open toward a compartment, with a transversely outer base wall, and a pair of side walls which are thinner than the base wall and extend from both front and rear sides of the base wall. Each side wall is formed to have a first tapered portion gradually reducing in thickness from a base end portion of the side wall to a substantially center portion of the width thereof. Stiffening projections are formed on an inner surface of each side wall at predetermined intervals in a pillar longitudinal direction, and extend from a distal end portion of the side wall to the base end portion thereof.

Abstract: A rail (14) for an automotive frame (12) is provided for absorbing kinetic energy in front end crashes. The rail (14) is a metal bar having a front portion and a plurality of indentations (40A, 40B, 40C, 40D) integrally formed therein along the longitudinal axis (42). The indentations (40A, 40B, 40C, 40D) are intended to permit the deformation of the metal bar so as to enhance the absorption of the kinetic energy of a front end crash.

Abstract: A framing structure around a vehicle door opening has a hydraulically tube-formed tubular framework disposed inside the vehicle door opening to form a basic framing. The outer panel and the tubular framework are joined directly together by welding. The inner side of the tubular framework is an inner wall within the vehicle. The outer side of the tubular framework, facing the outer panel, is a stiffening wall. The stiffening wall is hidden within a closed space between the outer panel and the inner wall.

Abstract: The present invention is a hollow article with an integral impact absorbing rib and the method of manufacturing the same. The apparatus is a hollow article made of thermoplastic resin and integrally formed by blow molding, comprising a first wall and a second wall confronting across a spacing. There is an integral rib between the first wall and the second wall, wherein the integral rib comprises a flat rib between the walls and one or more hollow ribs adjacent to each of two side ends of the flat rib. The impact absorbing rib is disposed at intervals and in an impact action direction. The rib is uniform in shape, dimensions and wall width, and free from reduction of wall width of the inner rib, yet possessing proper structural support and mechanical strength, and excellent in impact absorbing performance.

Abstract: A bodywork frame for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, has two lateral load bearing columns. The columns are supported on each other at a roof side via a pressure-stable cross member and at a floor side on a longitudinal tunnel and via pressure-stable seat cross members.

Abstract: A seal attachment fixture and method are provided for attaching a seal to an encapsulated gasket disposed on a work piece, for example, an automotive window assembly. The seal attachment fixture includes fixture members, which slidably move into contact with openable lip portions on the gasket, thus exposing a retention slot defined therein. With the gasket retention slot open, a seal is then inserted within the slot.

Abstract: A vehicle body frame hollow member has an external contour whose cross section forms a polygon and has a plurality of plates, each defining a circumferential wall of the hollow member, each of points of intersection being formed by intersecting prolongations from exterior surfaces of the adjacent two plates, ribs connecting respective apical angles of the polygon with a center shaft thereof; and an elongated projection projecting outwardly of a circle tangent to the points of intersection and extending along an edge of each of the apical angles.

Abstract: A rear vehicle body structure including a rear side member, a side sill inner, and a rear floor. The rear side member includes a front portion connected to the side sill inner, a middle portion, and a rear portion disposed on a transversely inner side of the front portion. The rear portion has a first wall on its transversely outer side, and the middle portion has a second wall continuously provided from the first wall to the front portion. The side sill inner has a third wall accommodated within width of the rear side member and connected to the rear side member and the rear floor. The third wall has, on its rear end, a flange portion fixed to the rear side member at a vicinity of a transition point from the first wall to the second wall, on substantially the same plane as the third wall.

Abstract: A reinforcement, which is arranged in the side member of a vehicle body and comprises a reinforcing tube, is connected by way of fastening consoles with the vehicle body or with the columns of the vehicle body. So that tolerances of the reinforcing tube can be compensated and the center vehicle column is not deformed, compensating elements are connected between the center fastening console and the reinforcing tube, to which the fastening console can be fastened while tolerances are compensated and can be connected with the B-column.

Abstract: A body structure of a vehicle having a cabin C and a compartment F.C, R.C is provided. The body structure includes a pair of laterally spaced side frame members 13,14 extending forwardly of the cabin at sides of the compartment. The side frame members 13,14 include widthwise rigidity lowering sections 21,52, respectively, to allow inward bending of a rear section 13R, 14R of each side frame member in a widthwise direction to provide an increased collapsible stroke for thereby effectively absorbing an energy in a wide range typically in a frontal impact.

Abstract: A vehicle body and frame assembly includes a pair of longitudinally extending side rails having a plurality of transverse cross members extending therebetween. The cross member is a multiple piece structure, including a central portion having a pair of end portions secured thereto. The central portion of the cross member is preferably formed from a first metallic material, while the end portions are preferably both formed from a second metallic material. The end portions of the cross member are preferably formed from the same metallic material as the respective side rails to which they are secured. The end portions of the cross member can be secured to the ends of the central portion by any desired process, such as by magnetic pulse welding. Similarly, the cross member can be secured to the side rails by any desired process, such as by magnetic pulse welding or by conventional welding. The end portions of the cross member can extend either partially or completely through the respective side rails.

Abstract: In a body pillar for a motor vehicle, which is put together from a plurality of profiled shells to form a hollow pillar which includes a wall pillar section and a roof pillar section angled with respect thereto, a reinforcing tube being fastened within the hollow pillar, the tube extending in the longitudinal direction of the roof pillar section into the wall pillar section. The reinforcing tube is supported in the transition region between the roof pillar and wall pillar section by an end of a strut which extends in the vertical direction of the wall pillar section and encloses a supporting angle with the reinforcing tube.

Abstract: A molded article, e.g., a cross car beam (3), which includes a rigid support (a) having a plurality of perforations, e.g., rigid support (12), and a rigid hollow thermoplastic member (b), e.g., an air duct (15), attached thereto is described. A portion of the thermoplastic material of rigid hollow member (b) extends through at least some of the perforations of rigid support (a), embedding the edges of the perforations therein. The thermoplastic material extending through the perforations forms an attachment element, e.g., an attachment head (24), that serves to fixedly attach rigid hollow member (b) to rigid support (a). Also described is a method of preparing the molded article of the present invention, in which the rigid hollow member (b) is fixedly attached to the rigid support (a) during the blow mold fabrication of rigid hollow member (b).

Abstract: A reinforced sleeve including a carrier member and a reinforcing medium supported by the carrier member. The carrier is an elongated polymer member, and the reinforcing medium extends along at least a portion of the length of the carrier member. The reinforcing medium is preferably an epoxy-based resin. More particularly, the reinforcing medium is preferably a heat-activated structural foam.

Abstract: A door seal interface structure for a motor vehicle space frame includes a longitudinally extending hydroformed tubular rail portion, a hydroformed tubular pillar portion connected at a joint to the rail portion and a transition structure. The rail portion and the pillar portion provide respective surface portions constructed and arranged to sealingly engage a door seal to seal a peripheral portion of a closed vehicle door. The pillar and rail surface portions are angularly related to one another in the vicinity of the joint. The transition structure is mounted on the rail portion and the pillar portion in the vicinity of the joint and provides a transition surface that provides a transition between the pillar and rail surfaces of the pillar and rail portions, the transition surface portion being constructed and arranged to sealingly engage a portion of the door seal to seal the closed vehicle door and thereby provide a door seal-engagable surface in the vicinity of the joint.

Abstract: The present invention relates to (with reference to FIG. 3) a land vehicle having a pillar (16) which is a structural component of the vehicle and which is secured in position by setting of a root portion of the pillar (16) in resinous material (20) provided in a cavity defined in a pillar support structure (15).

Abstract: An automotive vehicle frame reinforcement system has a skeleton member designed to be secured to a vehicle frame, such as a roof or pillar section. An expandable material, such as an epoxy-based reinforcing foam, is disposed on the skeleton member. Once the system is attached to the frame, the foam expands and cures during an automobile assembly operation, bonding the reinforcement system to the frame. As a result, the reinforcement system provides enhanced load distribution over the vehicle frame without adding excessive weight.

Abstract: A joint structure is ideally suited for use in the manufacture of assemblies and subassemblies in aluminum structures. More particularly, the alternative joint structures and methods of forming joint structures facilitate the assembly of a vehicle body-in-white. The friction welded joints of this invention provide assemblies in which lineals and sheet, cast, or extruded components are joined together.

Abstract: A supporting pillar for a body frame of a passenger motor vehicle comprises a pillar-shaped hollow body with at least one profile shell. In the hollow body, a tubular body is arranged which essentially extends longitudinally through the hollow body and is attached to it. A lower region of the tubular body is held in a bracket attached to the profile shell. The bracket comprises two walls spaced apart from each other longitudinally. Each wall comprises a receiving aperture into which the lower region of the tubular body has been inserted, with the tubular body being attached at the receiving aperture to this bracket. The tubular body rests against, and is attached to the profile shell along a straight line, and is inclined in relation to a vertical line perpendicular to the walls of the bracket. The tubular body has an elbow between its lower region, and the region resting against the profile shell along the line.

Abstract: A roof component adapted to be secured to a vehicle body which includes a pair of roof rails secured to a roof module such that the roof component forms a single piece component. The roof module, in one embodiment, includes a openings for receiving therethrough each outermost end of each roof rail. The outermost ends are secured to separate body pillars of the vehicle body. The roof rail is secured by welding, adhesives or by threaded fasteners to the roof module. The roof component thus forms a modular component of the vehicle and eliminates the need for attaching the roof rail components in a subsequent manufacturing step after the assembly of the vehicle is completed.

Abstract: A tapered octagonal frame rail tip for use with automotive bumpers is configured to axially crush in a controlled manner in the event of a vehicle impact. The rail tip is tuned to carry a constant load while crushing to absorb a higher amount of energy than alternative crush modes. Body mounts for attaching front end sheet metal or other body components to the frame rail tip are configured to centrally align loading to avoid interference with the desired axial crush.

Abstract: A vehicle roof structure including a front header, a pillar support member, a side roof rail, and a roof rail outer front member. The front header has a substantially box-shaped cross-section. The pillar support member has an elongated member extending between a windshield opening and a door opening, a short first member at one end of the elongated member extending along the windshield opening, and a short second member at the end extending along the door opening. The first member includes a first edge adjoining an end of the front header. The side roof rail has a substantially box-shaped cross-section and adjoins a second edge of the pillar support second member. The roof rail outer front member is affixed to the pillar support member. The roof rail outer front member adjoins the end of the front header in a region of the first edge, adjoins the side roof rail in a region of the second edge, and extends along at least a portion of the elongated member of the pillar support member.

Abstract: A supporting structure of a unitized body includes at least one hollow support that is made up of two longitudinal segments, the longitudinal segments being joined to each other in the area of a joining plane extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the hollow support, the end areas of the longitudinal segments being joined to each other so as to overlap. The end areas of the longitudinal segments, which overlap each other, extend diagonally with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the hollow support in the joining area.

Abstract: An automobile body structure having a crossbeam connecting left and right center pillars. The crossbeam has a pipe-like beam body and gussets mounted to the opposite ends of the beam body. A load inputted to one of the center pillars is transmitted via the crossbeam to the other center pillar. The inputted load is dispersed through those two center pillars to prevent the center pillar from deformation having received the input load.

Abstract: A structurally enhanced attachment for use in reinforcing automotive rocker assemblies. An expandable material, such as a polymer-based foam, is disposed on a surface of an aluminum extrusion prior to integration of the extrusion into the vehicle and final assembly of the vehicle by the vehicle manufacturer. The system is activated as the vehicle undergoes the final vehicle assembly process, which activates and transforms the expandable material, preferably during an automobile paint operation, to expand, bond and fill the rocker assembly structure thereby structural adhering the extrusion with the rocker assembly and facilitating enhanced structural reinforcement.

Abstract: A multi-section support rail has a first section with an outer circumferential wall, a parallel inner circumferential wall and a transverse web extending longitudinally therealong, a second section hollow tubular section with an outer circumferential wall and a parallel inner circumferential wall. The outer circumferential walls are substantially identical dimensionally. The sections are joined at mating surfaces. The joined sections are pre-bent at the second section and then hydroformed to a final desired shape. The transverse web retains the extruded dimensions throughout the hydroforming process.

Abstract: A multi-section support rail has a first section with an outer circumferential wall, a parallel inner circumferential wall and a transverse web extending longitudinally therealong, a second section hollow tubular section with an outer circumferential wall and a parallel inner circumferential wall. The outer circumferential walls are substantially identical dimensionally. The sections are joined at mating surfaces. The joined sections are pre-bent at the second section and then hydroformed to a final desired shape. The transverse web retains the extruded dimensions throughout the hydroforming process.

Abstract: A multi-section support rail has a first section with an outer circumferential wall, a parallel inner circumferential wall and a transverse web extending longitudinally therealong, a second section hollow tubular section with an outer circumferential wall and a parallel inner circumferential wall. The outer circumferential walls are substantially identical dimensionally. The sections are joined at mating surfaces,. The joined sections are pre-bent at the second section and then hydroformed to a final desired shape. The transverse web retains the extruded dimensions throughout the hydroforming process.

Abstract: A structure absorbs impact energy in an upper vehicle body portion provided with a vehicle body structural member and an interior trim spaced inward from the structural member. The structure includes an energy absorbing member disposed in the interval between the structural member and the interior trim and extending along the structural member in a lengthwise direction of the structural member, and a spacer substantially filling a gap formed between the energy absorbing member and the interior trim. The energy absorbing member is formed so that a section thereof taken on an imaginary plane perpendicular to the lengthwise direction has a substantially uniform shape along the lengthwise direction. The energy absorbing member may be an extended pipe or a hybrid pipe including a core member formed from a metal foil, and sheets of a different material laminated on opposite surfaces of the core member.

Abstract: A reinforcement device may include at least one elongated reinforcement body having a longitudinal axis and at least one foamable member that produces a foamed product when heated. The foamable member is preferably disposed along the longitudinal axis of the reinforcement body so that the foamed product will extend along the longitudinal axis of the reinforcement body. Preferably, the foamed product bonds the reinforcement body to a hollow structural member in order to reinforce the hollow structural member.

Abstract: A structural member (10) for a motor vehicle formed from metallic material, having a tubular configuration, and extending longitudinally, the structural member comprising a first substantially flat planar side (12) having first and second longitudinal edges (14,16); a second side (18) connected to the first side at or adjacent to the first longitudinal edge and at an angle to the first side; a third side (20) connected to the first side at or adjacent to the second longitudinal edge and at an angle to the first side; and a curved side (26) connecting the second and third members such that the cross-section of the structural member is substantially D-shaped. Provides a structural member which maintains a deformation force at a high level, and without collapsing.

Abstract: A cab is described for an agricultural vehicle having front and rear corners and two rear wheel fenders arranged one on each side at the rear of the cab. The cab comprises a frame that includes two rear support members. The rear support members having lower portions disposed at the back of the cab between the two fenders and upper portions disposed above the fenders and offset laterally outwards from the lower portions.

Abstract: According to a body structure of the present invention, a floor panel member is reinforced by a pair of first members, and the second member comprised of plural pipes is disposed along the width of a vehicle so as to integrate the first members. An end of the second member is extended along the longitudinal side of the vehicle and is fixed by welding in the state of penetrating into a side sill. There is no necessity of providing any reinforcement material because the second member has a high strength continuously along the width of the vehicle. Moreover, there is no necessity of increasing a board thickness for the purpose of securing the rigidity because the second member penetrates into the side sill. On the other hand, the second member can be manufactured by cutting an existing steel pipe to a predetermined side. It is therefore possible to cope with the change in the width of the vehicle only by changing a cutting size.

Abstract: A vehicle space frame for constructing a motor vehicle includes a body module and a front module. The body module includes a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending main side rail structures and a pair of rearward-most upright structures each being connected to a respective main side rail structure and extending upwardly therefrom to form a pair of rearward-most pillars thereon. The body module further includes a pair of hydroformed upper longitudinal members each being defined by an outwardly deformed tubular metallic wall fixed in a predetermined irregular exterior surface configuration and each including a pillar-forming portion and a longitudinally extending portion.

Abstract: A vehicle body frame hollow member has an external contour whose cross section forms a polygon and has a plurality of plates, each defining a circumferential wall of the hollow member, each of points of intersection being formed by intersecting prolongations from exterior surfaces of the adjacent two plates, ribs connecting respective apical angles of the polygon with a center shaft thereof; and an elongated projection projecting outwardly of a circle tangent to the points of intersection and extending along an edge of each of the apical angles.

Abstract: A four-wheeled utility vehicle has a driver's and passenger's compartment having open front and lateral sides, and an assist grip (32) that can be grasped by a passenger seated in a natural position on a passenger seat (4b). The assist grip (32) includes a core pipe (33) and an elastic coating member (31) coating the core pipe (33). The assist grip (32) is attached detachably to an upper part of an inclined front side part (21d) on the side of the passenger seat (4b) of a front frame member (21) of a cabin frame (5). The assist grip (32) protrudes toward the passenger seat (4b) to enable the passenger seated on the passenger seat (4b) to grasp the assist grip (32) easily.

Abstract: The present invention relates to (with reference to FIG. 3) a land vehicle having a pillar (16) which is a structural component of the vehicle and which is secured in position by setting of a root portion of the pillar (16) in resinous material (20) provided in a cavity defined in a pillar support structure (15).

Abstract: A front side member extending in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle is comprised of a kick up portion, and a cylindrical front side member body with an octagonal sectional form extending from the front end to the rear end in front of the kick up portion. The kick up portion and the front side member body are integrated together by joining an inner member and an outer member. The respective portions of the inner member and the outer member between the kick up portion and the front side member are concaved to be in contact with each other, and are welded together to form a joint. A first closed section is formed at the upper side of the joint, and a second closed section is formed at the lower side of the joint. The result realizes a vehicle body structure having a lightweight front side member with an improved impact resistance and a high energy absorbing efficiency.

Abstract: A framing structure around a vehicle door opening has a hydraulically tube-formed tubular framework disposed inside the vehicle door opening to form a basic framing. The outer panel and the tubular framework are joined directly together by welding. The inner side of the tubular framework is an inner wall within the vehicle. The outer side of the tubular framework, facing the outer panel, is a stiffening wall. The stiffening wall is hidden within a closed space between the outer panel and the inner wall.

Abstract: A device for increasing strength of a hollow shaped part with a closed cross-section for a vehicle body has at least one reinforcing element extendable at least partially into an inner space of the hollow shaped part and connectable with the hollow shaped part, and a recess provided in the hollow shaped part and formed so that the reinforcing element extends into the inner space of the hollow shaped part.

Abstract: A reinforced sleeve including a carrier member and a reinforcing medium supported by the carrier member. The carrier is an elongated polymer member, and the reinforcing medium extends along at least a portion of the length of the carrier member. The reinforcing medium is preferably an epoxy-based resin. More particularly, the reinforcing medium is preferably a heat-activated structural foam.

Abstract: A reinforced sleeve including a carrier member and a reinforcing medium supported by the carrier member. The carrier is an elongated polymer member, and the reinforcing medium extends along at least a portion of the length of the carrier member. The reinforcing medium is preferably an epoxy-based resin. More particularly, the reinforcing medium is preferably a heat-activated structural foam.