Abstract: A motor vehicle, particularly a convertible, with a vehicle body to which longitudinally moving struts are assigned and with a supporting frame which includes a longitudinally moving strut, is constructed so that at least one of the struts is constructed so that its length can be varied and has assigned to it an absorbing unit for determining a longitudinal stress, a control element for bringing about a counterforce as well as a control unit for the control element.

Abstract: A space frame including at least two elongate structural frame elements arranged side by side and being interconnected by a plurality of elongate struts spaced along the length of the elements, each structural frame element comprising an elongate hollow body having one or more strut connection nodes located along its length at predetermined positions, each connection node being in the form of a socket extending internally of the element, the socket comprising a socket wall depending from one side wall of the hollow body, the socket wall defining a socket recess and being formed by hydro-forming from said one side wall of the hollow body, each opposite end of each strut being in the form of a plug received within the socket defined by a co-operating respective connection node. The hydro-forming process may include the use of any type of pressurised hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: A support assembly 14 for a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly 14 offers added support to the body of the vehicle between the front and rear wheel wells of the vehicle. The support assembly 14 is particularly adaptable for use in convertible type vehicles.

Abstract: An end member is disclosed which is installable on a structural portion of a vehicle body, to block an opening leading to a hollow passage inside of the structural portion, in order to reduce or eliminate wind noise from air moving through the hollow passage. The end member includes a blocking portion for blocking an opening in a vehicle body section, and an engaging portion for contacting an edge of the vehicle portion, the engaging portion being attached to the cover portion. Preferably, the cover portion and engaging portion are formed as a unit. The end member may include a plug body formed of a heat-resistant plastic, and an attached engaging portion formed of a second, thermally deformable plastic. A method of sealing a structural portion of a vehicle body includes a step of blocking an opening in a structural portion of a vehicle body, wherein the opening communicates with a hollow passage in the structural portion, with a plastic end member.

Abstract: A hollow structural member is reinforced by a housing in the form of a framework exposed structural foam on the housing. The housing is placed in the structural member at an orientation with its longitudinal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the structural member so that the foam is disposed directly against opposed walls of the structural member. Upon curing the foam becomes intimately bonded to the opposed walls of the structural member and to the housing for reinforcing the structural member. Preferably the housing is formed by extrusion so that it can be cut to size across its extrusion axis.

Abstract: A frame construction includes at least one nodal connection element and several tube-shaped frame elements connected thereto. The frame elements and the nodal connection elements are manufactured by hydraulic internal high pressure forming and are joined via plug-type connections. Each nodal connection element has at least two connections for adjoining frame elements. The nodal connection element consists of at least two internal-high-pressure-formed tube-shaped hollow bodies in a nested configuration. The hollow bodies are made of different materials, and have different cuts in the area of the connections--viewed in the longitudinal direction of the respective connection, allowing connection with frame elements made of corresponding different materials. In the area of each connection, one of the two hollow bodies, in addition to being connected in a plug-type connection with the adjoining frame elements made of the same material, is connected by an additional connection.

Abstract: A reinforcing construction for rear wheel housings in automobiles, provided on the right and left sides of a car body, which comprises a connection member (24) having engagement portions at two axial ends thereof, respectively, and extending between right and left suspension towers, a first restraint device (26) mounted on one of the right and left rear wheel housings for restraining one of the two engagement portions on the connection member, and structures mounted on the other of the right and left rear where housings for restraining the other of the two engagement portions. The first restraint device comprises two lock levers (32, 34) supported independently of each other and swingably on the rear where housings to be capable of releasing and restraining one of the two engagement portions on the connection member, each of the lock levers having an inclined surface (33, 35) which is adapted to come into frictional contact with one of the engagement portions.

Abstract: A contoured frame member or other car body parts for car bodies of motor vehicles, particularly convertibles, for which the contoured frame member or the car body part bounds a cavity reinforced with a foamed metallic foam material, is formed in such a manner that a structural component is disposed in the interior of the cavity extending in the longitudinal direction of the latter, and in that the foamed metallic foam material occupies the space between the inner wall of the contoured frame member and the structural component lying therein. The internal cavity in the longitudinal direction, has partial regions filled with reinforcing parts of a metallic foam material and, between individual, reinforced regions, remaining hollow regions, the reinforcing parts being connected with the inner walls of the chassis part by way of metallic bonding. A method is also provided for reinforcing regions of car body parts, particularly of components of the type named above.

Abstract: A box-shaped structure is defined by an inner projection of a rear inner panel forming a side portion of a vehicle body and a roof rail outer member of a roof rail extending transversely of the vehicle body at an upper portion of a rear part of the roof rail. The box-shaped structure includes as bracing an outer projection of a rear pillar stiffener for reinforcing the rear inner panel and a stiffener projection of a hinge stiffener for reinforcing the roof rail outer member, which extend diagonally within the box-shaped structure to thereby divide the structure into a plurality of closed sections. A rear portion of the rear inner panel and the rear panel stiffener joint comprise a rear pillar. With the structure thus constructed, the connection between the rear pillar and the roof rail will be imparted increased stiffness against a twisting stress and against external stresses applied from the directions of the corners of the closed sections.

Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle frame joint structure that is used in a ladder frame structure and in space frame type structures. The joint includes at least a first member, a second member, and a third member extending thereinbetween. Each of these three members has an upper surface, a lower surface, and opposed side walls. The third member, which is adapted to extend thereinbetween has an upper surface that extends beyond its opposed side walls and lower surface. Each of the first and second members has therein a relief adapted to receive the third member such that the third member's extending upper surface is in close relationship with the first and second members' upper surface. Also, the third members' side surfaces proximate the extending upper surfaces at each end thereof are in close relationship with the opposed side walls of each of the first and second members.

Abstract: An engine cradle for use in a vehicle frame assembly is described wherein the integral central portion of an engine cradle is provided towards the rear end of the vehicle/body frame assembly such that the leg portions of the engine cradle extend forwardly therefrom. The central portion of the engine cradle is formed integrally with the legs to form a single unitary "U"-shaped member. A separate cross member is provided which extends between the two leg portions of the engine cradle and is secured thereto.

Abstract: An integral structural element particularly well suited as a component of a body-in-white comprises an elongated hollow member with a first end and a second end opposite thereto. A first region, a second region, and a third region extend between a first end and a second end of the hollow member. A first flange extends substantially the length of the elongated hollow member. A second flange extends substantially the length of the elongated hollow member's first region. A first socket or connecting structure is adapted to receive therein a roof header and is disposed on the elongated hollow member between the first region and the second region. A second socket is adapted to receive therein a B-post disposed on the elongated hollow member between the second region and the third region. This integral structural element is a component of a motor vehicle's body-in-white.

Abstract: A private care body with a front part, rear part, floor pan and body sides and a roof part includes a body lower part and a body superstructure with a beam structure welded fast on top of it; the beam structure includes a thin-walled, flange-free profile parts with closed cross sections made by roll-forming and welded together to each other with the component parts of the beam structure being hardened so that the material in the constituent profile parts has a yield limit of the order of 900-1000 N/mm.sup.2.

Abstract: A hollow frame member of an aluminum alloy for a vehicle body frame includes a front pipe portion. The front pipe portion has an annular end surface as a surface receiving a collision load at a front end thereof. In the front pipe portion, a cross sectional area is gradually increased from a base end toward the receiving surface, and a thickness is gradually decreased from the base end toward the receiving surface. Thus, the front pipe portion can be crushed early and stably from the receiving surface upon collision of the vehicle to enhance the collision energy absorbing efficiency.

Abstract: A space frame includes a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending side rail structures and longitudinally spaced pairs of laterally spaced upright structures having joints at their lower ends with the pair of side rail structures. The longitudinal spaced pairs of laterally spaced upright structures extend upwardly from the side rails structures and define a plurality of pairs of pillars, including a pair of forward A pillars, a longitudinally spaced pair of B pillars, and a longitudinally spaced pair of rearward end pillars. A pair of the side roof structures has joints with the pair of A pillars. The pair of side roof structures extends longitudinally rearwardly from the pair of A pillars and have joints with the pair of B pillars and with the pair of rearward end pillars. Longitudinally spaced cross structures have joints with the pair of side rail structures, with the pair of A pillars and with the pair of side roof structures.

Abstract: A laminate for reinforcing a structural member having a plurality of side walls comprises a carrier having at least one inclined support surface. Each support surface has an outer edge disposed toward a respective side wall. A layer of extruded uncured structural foam is on each support surface and terminates inwardly of the outer edge. The foam expands when cured and tumbles down the inclined support surface of the carrier to become bonded to the side wall as well as the carrier. By being spaced from the outer edge of the support surface, the tendency for the foam to wipe against the side wall is minimized as is the tendency for a worker to touch the foam when the worker places the carrier into the structural member.

Abstract: A laminate bulkhead comprises an expandable polymer sandwiched between two stiff members which are of a structure so that the expandable polymer is flared out or thicker in the area or along the line where the polymer expands and is bonded to the walls of a hollow structure in which the bulkhead is placed. The direction of expansion of the polymer results from the polymer being constrained by the stiff members on either side of the expanding polymer.

Abstract: In a body structure for a motor vehicle of a space frame type in which a rear pillar made of an extruded aluminum alloy member and joining a roof side member and a floor side member includes an inwardly curved section to avoid an interference with a rear wheel, a damper mounting base is welded to a part of the rear pillar adjoining the part having the smallest curvature or where the stress tends to concentrate so that the mechanical strength of this part may be reinforced without requiring any special reinforcing member. Thus, both an increase in the rigidity and a reduction in the weight of a vehicle body can be achieved in an efficient manner.

Abstract: A lightweight metal automobile framework having a hollow, impact-absorbing member, wherein the impact-absorbing member absorbs any impact by axial plastic deformation and has inner ribs passing through a center axis thereof. The impact-absorbing member may also have an axial end face partially removed to lessen an area on which a load is imposed at an instant of impact, thereby raising the average stress of the impact and lowering peak deceleration. Also, automobile framework members forming a front-end portion of the automobile framework may be detachably coupled to the automobile framework.

Abstract: The invention concerns a heating/air conditioning installation for the passenger compartment of a vehicle.It comprises treatment means produced in the form of at least one removable box suitable for being installed underneath the floor of the vehicle and containing an air inlet, an optional evaporator, a heating radiator and at least one air outlet suitable for being connected to distribution vents distributed within the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A car body reinforcing bar means (2) comprising bar members (9) and (10) connected by a turn buckle (16) at one ends and provided with fixing portions (6) and (7) at the other ends thereof to a car body (1), length of the reinforcing bar means (2) being about the same as inside width of the car body (1).

Abstract: In a floor structure of a vehicle comprising: left and right side sills; a substantially flat floor panel extending between the left and right side sills; and a cross member for connecting the left and right side sills, the cross member comprises: left and right upper members which extend inwardly from the left and right side sills, respectively, and attached to a top surface of the floor panel with their opposing inward ends spaced from each other; and a lower member extending laterally across a part of a lateral length of the vehicle and attached to an under surface of the floor panel. In the above floor structure, an open space formed beside the lower member can accommodate external piping under the floor panel, and the floor surface can be substantially flat by placing front seats over the upper members. Thus, a floor structure is achieved in which the floor surface is substantially flat and the floor is placed at a lower position.

Abstract: A vehicle body frame structure is comprised of plurality of loop-shaped members each formed by a hollow pieces extruded from a light alloy. Each loop-shaped member is polygonal in cross section. The vehicle body frame structure is partly formed by a plurality of such loop-shaped members joined sidewise together. Each loop-shaped member is comprised of at least two hollow extruded pieces joined together by a core coupling or a split muff coupling. Part of each loop-shaped member is stepped so that it can be joined with a companion loop-shaped member by mating the stepped portions of the two loop-shaped members one over the other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a beam made of metal intended to be included as a construction element in a coachwork body for buses, trams and similar vehicles in order to be connected, in the coachwork body, to other profiled elements (16, 26, 56) which extend at right angles to said beam (1, 2). What is characteristic of the beam is that it has in profile a closed cavity (3, 43, 83) in one corner of the profile, that at least four legs (11-14, 51-54) extend out in pairs in different directions from the closed cavity, and that the legs in each pair are mutually parallel. The invention also relates to the coachwork in which the beam is included as a part.

Abstract: A skid plate and cross member assembly for a vehicular frame includes a skid plate having a platform and a cross member having a body. A locking element, preferably having holes or slots, is formed in the body of the cross member. A moldable material in a moldable state is placed in a mold for the skid plate. The cross member is pressed into the moldable platform of the skid plate so that the locking element is immersed and the moldable material fills the voids of the locking element. After the moldable material has cured, the cross member is interlocked with the skid plate to form a lightweight skid plate and cross member assembly. This assembly is secured to side rails of a vehicular frame to protect lower components of a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a perimeter frame including laterally spaced right and left side rails of tubular construction and front and rear bumper rails of tubular construction extending between the side rails. A structural tunnel extends longitudinally of the vehicle midway between the side rails and has front and rear ends. The structural tunnel includes an inverted U-shaped channel having vertically depending the first and second legs, and a close-out plate which extends horizontally between the legs. First and second front shear walls extend forwardly and diagonally from the first and second legs at the front of the tunnel to the respective right and left side rails of the perimeter frame. Similarly, first and second rear shear walls extend generally rearward and diagonally from the first and second legs at the rear end of the tunnel to the respective left and right side rails of the perimeter frame.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle can be built to include a one piece plastic outer body and a metal support frame underlying the outer body. The outer body is preferably formed by a blow molding process or rotational casting process, so that the body has integral hollow double wall sections that are relatively strong and resistant to bending or twisting forces. The plastic body can include various built-in features, e.g. an integral self-contained fuel tank formed by the molding process. The metal support frame is preferably made up of longitudinal and transverse tubular frame elements. Support pads are provided at selected points on the frame for connecting the plastic body to the frame.

Abstract: A space frame for a low profile, light truck with triangulation members of the space frame located under the floor is described having a passenger compartment, and front and rear wheel assemblies. The space frame comprises a front clip portion above the front wheel assembly, a rear clip portion above the rear wheel assembly, and a tub portion supporting the base of the passenger compartment. The tub portion includes a plurality of structural members at least two of which are disposed in horizontal coplanar relation relative to one another wherein additional structural members of the tub portion are connected together in a triangulated configuration at an elevation at or below the at least two horizontal coplanar structural members of the tub portion. Foldable rollbars are also provided.

Abstract: A cross-car beam extends laterally between a pair of upwardly directed B-pillars on opposite sides of a vehicle passenger compartment and is structurally and functionally interconnected with each of the B-pillars. The cross-car beam provides the sole support for the rearward bottom portion of the front seat assemblies and preferably the hand brake, thus eliminating the need for stanchions supporting these assemblies. The cross-car beam is spaced above the floor of the passenger compartment and has a rearwardly and upwardly sloped portion of its lower surface, thus providing greatly enhanced foot space for rear seat passengers. In an alternate embodiment, the cross-car beam protrudes into at least a portion of each B-pillar assembly and can also be used to temporarily locate and support the body side aperture assembly prior to its being welded in its final location on the assembly line.

Abstract: An impact reinforcement for a curved rail in a motor vehicle includes a base portion extending longitudinally for attachment to a curved portion of a curved rail, and a flange portion connected to the base portion and extending longitudinally into a straight portion of the curved rail.

Abstract: An aluminum extruded node for interconnecting a longitudinal frame rail and a lateral frame member of a vehicle frame. The extruded node having a pair of longitudinal side walls received within an interior volume defined by the longitudinal frame rail and a pair of transverse side walls received within an interior volume defined by the lateral frame member. Interior wall portions extend between each of the pairs of longitudinal and transverse side walls to define closed cells for increasing the stiffness and structural integrity of the node. The longitudinal frame rail is peripherally welded around an end thereof to the node. The lateral frame member is peripherally welded around an end thereof to the node.

Abstract: A floor assembly for a passenger car includes a double-walled floor provided with local reinforcements between laterally external side members and a center tunnel. To reduce the cost of manufacturing and assembly of the floor assembly, the double-walled floor on the driver and passenger sides is formed by at least one hollow member manufactured by the internal high-pressure shaping method. The respective hollow members abut the associated laterally external side member and the center tunnel and are permanently connected therewith. The reinforcements are formed by wall sections of the respective hollow body that are adjacent to one another areawise and are opposite one another.

Abstract: A structural member having a closed section of vehicle formed by plate members of light alloy, such as a front pillar of vehicle formed by an outer panel, pillar stiffener and inner pillar made of light alloy, is reinforced by a reinforcing member made of extruded light alloy material which has a substantially same outer shape as an inner shape of the closed section of the structural member and is fitted into the closed section portion.

Abstract: A vehicle, in particular road or railway vehicle such as tour bus or the like having a skeleton frame comprising side-wall parts containing vertical sections and joining these panel-like floor and roof elements, a roof beam being provided on both sides of the roof element--is such that the structural roof beam is in the form of channel section that is open downwards, and, forming a roof space which opens on the upwards facing side, is fitted to the downwards facing end of the inner flange of the roof beam. Further, both roof beam flanges are joined by transverse rods or plates which are spaced apart from each other and are attached at one end to the downward facing end of the inner roof beam. Vertical sections or columns of the side-wall part are situated opposite holding rails which are attached to the inner channel flange of the roof beam.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle having a spray shielding panel arranged below a windshield, having two A-columns and having a crossbeam which is arranged, running substantially horizontally, in front of said spray shielding panel between said A-columns, and having a support between said crossbeam and said spray shielding panel, by means of which said crossbeam is protected against buckling in the event of an impact, the support is configured in such a way that, in the installed state, said crossbeam and said spray shielding panel are not joined to one another in the region of said support, and are arranged at a distance of a few millimeters.

Abstract: A joint member is used for positioning a first square tubular section made of aluminum or aluminum alloy and a second square tubular section made of aluminum or aluminum alloy with the sections' end portions butting against each other so as to weld the butt end portions together. The joint member includes an angle retainment portion and first and second anchorage portions. The angle retainment portion is applied onto the outer or inner surfaces of walls of the first and second square tubular sections, the walls intersecting each other with an angle equal to or smaller than 180.degree. when the first and second tubular sections are caused to butt against each other. The first and second anchorage portions branch off and extend from the angle retainment portion so as to fixedly hold the walls of the first and second square tubular sections, respectively, in cooperation with the angle retainment portion.

Abstract: A method of producing a rail-bound rail vehicle for passenger transport, includes providing at least one trough-like superstructure with a floor and adjoining side walls formed in a framework construction from side-wall posts, lower longitudinal members and upper longitudinal flanges or chords. The upper longitudinal flanges are supported against one another by connecting members. The side walls have windows and access areas with doors. The side-wall posts are disposed in a zigzag manner and are rigidly connected to the lower longitudinal members and the upper longitudinal flanges, and serve as supporting elements for the windows and side paneling elements fastened thereto. The superstructure is assembled from shaped pieces and bar parts which have been cut to length.

Abstract: A vehicle-body structural member which extends in the fore-and-aft direction of a vehicle and axially receives a compressive force in the event of a collision of the vehicle. An embodiment of structural member is comprised of a front portion of a polygonal cross-section, an intermediate portions and a rear portion of a polygonal cross-section. The intermediate portion is formed to continuously change its cross-section from a cross-section of the front portion to a cross-section of said rear portion. Further, the intermediate portion has a compressive strength which is greater than those of the front and rear portions, the intermediate portion supports a predetermined weight such as an engine. Therefore, the front portion receives an inertia force which is larger than that applied to the rear portion in the event of a front-end collision of the vehicle so that the front portion is compressingly deformed.

Abstract: An improved vehicle chassis for motor homes and busses is provided. According to the invention, the chassis has a front frame chassis subcomponent, a rear chassis subcomponent and a center floor rail system. Each subcomponent has contained within it the appropriate subcomponents associated with the chassis; the front subcomponent, for example, has a suspension unit and steering apparatus while the rear subcomponent has transmission, motor and suspension.The front and rear frame chassis subcomponents have longitudinally extending frame rails which connect to one another via a plurality of longitudinally extending floor rails and perpendicular steel plates found in the center floor rail system.The inventive device integrates the chassis and superstructure. Incorporating the superstructure into the chassis lowers vehicle height, and therefore, the center of gravity. This results in better handling and ride characteristics for the finished vehicle.

Abstract: A metallic connector (48) secures the terminal end (50) of a first metallic tubular member (28) to an intermediate portion (52) of a second metallic tubular member (30). The connector (48) includes an end connection portion (54) having an opening (56) that receives the terminal end (50) of the first tubular member (28) and also includes a saddle portion (58) that extends from the end connection portion and receives the intermediate portion (52) of the second tubular member (30). Opposite ends (60) of the saddle portion (58) each includes a pair of spaced clamp attachers (62) for securing a clamp to permit the assembly by a connection (64) that includes a filler alloy (66) that is preferably a brazing material. The first and second tubular members (28,30) as well as the connector (48) are preferably made from stainless steel.

Abstract: A support of a body structure of a vehicle is formed by hydraulic expansion of hollow blanks. In order to achieve that the support is adapted to the locally occurring loads, it is provided that, at least along a partial area of its longitudinal course, the support is composed of at least two form-lockingly connected, hydraulically expanded, mutually in parallel extending hollow profiles.

Abstract: A structural assembly at a front or rear of a vehicle frame includes a longitudinal member extending in a longitudinal direction of the frame. The longitudinal member has a part that extends at an angle to such longitudinal direction. A transverse member extends transversely of the longitudinally direction and includes a straight central part and an end part extending at an angle to the straight central part and at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the frame that is substantially equal to the angle of the part of the longitudinal member. The part of the longitudinal member and the end part of the transverse member are aligned and joined to form a nested joint that extends at the angle to the longitudinal direction of the frame. A side member extends in the longitudinal direction of the frame, and the nested joint is joined to the side member, thus forming a triple joint connection between the longitudinal, transverse and side members.

Abstract: A frame forming member includes a member body formed from an extrudate having a closed sectional structure portion, and a junction for another member, which is integral with the member body and formed by expanding a portion of a peripheral wall of the closed sectional structure portion.

Abstract: An vehicle frame reinforcing beam for absorbing an impact applied thereto, which is capable of effectively absorbing an impact applied thereto and evenly distributing the impact. In addition, the vehicle frame reinforcing beam is not easily broken with respect to the impact applied thereto. The vehicle frame reinforcing beam includes an inner and outer panel of a vehicle door, an elliptical outer pipe having a longer distance and shorter distance, with a predetermined portion of the elliptical outer pipe being fixedly attached to a portion of the outer panel, and a circular inner pipe having a predetermined outer diameter, with the circular inner pipe being fixedly inserted within the elliptical outer pipe, where the outer diameter of the circular inner pipe is identical to the shorter distance of the elliptical outer pipe.

Abstract: A recyclable, low cost, collision-resistant automobile chassis and body and method for fabricating the same. The method of manufacture comprises; fabricating a plurality of generally planar bulkheads from a metal alloy; disposing the bulkheads in a generally and mutually parallel orientation, each bulkhead perpendicular to and aligned generally transversely and symmetrically relative to a common central horizontal longitudinal axis; fabricating a plurality of chassis segments from the metal alloy, each segment comprising a multiplicity of spaced hollow cells fixed at one end in a common surface; interposing and rigidly attaching at least one of said pluralities of chassis segments between respective bulkheads to form a plurality of chassis sections, a section defined as the portion of the fabricated chassis between two adjacent bulkheads; and permeating the plurality of chassis sections with liquefied polymer between and around said hollow cells.

Abstract: A frame assembly for an operator's compartment includes an upper roof portion, a lower base portion, and first and second side support assemblies connected between the roof portion and the base portion. Each side support assembly includes a straight part, comprised of a formed tube, and a curved part, formed as a fabricated box section having several individual wall plates. The fabricated box section curved parts are stronger than the formed tubes and are, therefore, in the area of highest stress.

Abstract: A framework of a vehicle body structure comprises an outer panel and an inner panel. These outer and inner panels are joined to constitute a longitudinally extending hollow structure. The inner panel includes a center panel part facing toward the interior of the vehicle body, and first and second side panel parts extending obliquely outward from laterally opposed edges of the center panel part. The center panel part has a rigidity higher than each of the first and second side panel parts.

Abstract: The present invention includes the use of a low density composite or foam core to support a high density rigid composite or foam layer or shell within a structural joint. The high density rigid layer or shell is located in areas immediately adjacent the joint welds while a substantial portion of the void in the joint is filled with a low density composite or foam core. A high density layer precursor may be molded onto the outside of a lightweight low density core. The reinforcement insert is dropped into the space between body panels before the panels are welded together to form a structural joint. The body panels with insert may thereafter be subjected to high temperature processes greater than 300.degree. F. causing the high density layer precursor to cure, further rigidify, and adhere the high density layer to the metal body panels to substantially stiffen the joint. The low density foam supports the high density layer precursor during the curing process.

Abstract: A vehicle body construction (10) includes a tubular metallic space frame (11) to which panels are secured by adhesive connections (126) of elongated shapes. Each adhesive connection (126) includes elastomeric spacers (128) having a nominal thickness between the associated panel and tubular member in the range of 2 to 6 millimeters, and each adhesive connection also includes an adhesive (130) that extends between the associated panel and the tubular member intermediate the spacers and has a Shore A scale hardness in the range of 40 to 60.

Abstract: A framework, in particular an at least partially hollow framework, has nodes and members. The nodes are formed by at least a projection on a hollow framework member and by at least a further hollow member mounted and secured thereon. Also disclosed is a process for producing this framework and its use in land, air and water vehicles, in building construction, in civil and underground engineering, scaffolds, shelving systems and furniture.