Sill Patents (Class 296/209)
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Patent number: 8011721Abstract: Side sill includes a side sill body formed of a steel plate, and a side sill reinforcing member formed by extruding an aluminum alloy and provided inside the side sill body. Reinforcing bracket formed by casting an aluminum alloy covers the outer surface of the side sill body. The reinforcing bracket has protruding portions projecting, through through-holes formed in the side sill body, generally toward the interior of the side sill to be fixed to portions of the side sill reinforcing member, so that the side sill reinforcing member is restrainedly held by the reinforcing bracket.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2009Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takayuki Yamada, Yusuke Takayama
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Patent number: 8007038Abstract: According to the invention, a side sill of a vehicle body of a motor vehicle comprises an outer shell and an inner shell connected to each other via flanges. A reinforcement is removably attached to the outside of the outer shell, which reinforcement extends essentially over the entire length of the side sill in the vehicle longitudinal direction. By means of this reinforcement, a load introduced onto a point of the side sill is absorbed and distributed. This is especially relevant to achieving better crash characteristics in a side pole crash.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2009Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventor: Peter Stoeckl
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Patent number: 8007037Abstract: A motor vehicle, preferably a two door sports car, is provided with a side wall section, in particular comprising a fender, which forms at least partially the outer wall of a wheel housing. A sill panel which covers a lateral sill of the motor vehicle in the connected state to the side wall section forms an outer wall of an air guiding channel.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2008Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AGInventor: Werner Wolkersdorfer
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Patent number: 8002339Abstract: A side sill of a body of a motor vehicle of sheet metal shell construction is composed of a sheet metal outer shell and a sheet metal inner shell which are welded to one another. A rolled profile for stiffening can be inserted into the side sill from an open end side and can be fastened to the side sill. In this way, a side sill can be stiffened by assembling the rolled profile after the basic construction of the body of the motor vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2007Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AGInventors: Roland Rill, Oliver Meyer, Horst Schuster, Paul Blowing
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Patent number: 7963588Abstract: An object is to suppress vehicle body deformation in a side collision without sacrificing a vehicle interior space. Provided is a first reinforcing member 10 disposed in a locker 12 at a vehicle lateral direction inner side, and a second reinforcing member 20 disposed in locker 12 at a vehicle lateral direction outer side, which opposes first reinforcing member 10 in a vehicle lateral direction, and which is provided with a side surface 20A and an end surface 20E (engaging portions) that engage with first reinforcing member 10 when locker 12 deforms. When locker 12 begins to deform due to a side collision to a vehicle 18, end surface 20E of second reinforcing member 20 contacts and engages flange 10E of first reinforcing member 10, and a torsional deformation can be suppressed, and side surface 20A contacts flange 10D, and a crushing deformation of locker 12 in a vehicle lateral direction can be suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2007Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shunsuke Kanagai, Akihiro Sarada
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Publication number: 20110140482Abstract: A sill panel made of plastic extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is connected to the vehicle body. The sill panel is of an arched configuration and has an upper, upright fastening flange, which is connected to the vehicle body by fastening devices. Vertically oriented, upwardly open slots are provided in the fastening flange, between the fastening devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: EBERHARD PALMER, HEINZ-ARNO KRUSCHHAUSEN
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Publication number: 20110127797Abstract: A vehicle side door structure includes a door and a rocker panel providing a show surface beneath the door. The rocker panel includes a trim portion providing the show surface and a connecting portion moveably connected to the trim portion by a region of weakness such that the connecting portion is movable relative to the trim portion while connected thereto between an unlatched position and a latched position. The trim portion includes a lowest point and an upwardly extending section that locates a lowermost point of the region of weakness above the lowest point of the trim portion with the connecting portion in the latched position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2009Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Charles Christopher Garnett, Mingher F. Shen
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Patent number: 7942473Abstract: An underframe for an automobile including two side rails, a transverse crossbar, a first floor member attached on the side rails and, on either side, a lateral reinforcing member, and a second floor member. Each of the rails includes an extension in a form of a portion under the crossbar, attached to the lower face of the central crossbar and connected to an attachment portion including a front portion that extends gradually towards the respective lateral reinforcement member and that is attached on a longitudinal portion of the respective lateral reinforcement member.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.Inventors: Alain Bellanger, Thibaud Hacquard
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Publication number: 20110089722Abstract: The invention relates to a rocker panel (2) for a motor vehicle (1), having a first oblong rocker panel part (3), on which a second oblong rocker panel part (4), having longitudinal axis (A) parallel thereto, is fastened so it is movable in relation thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2007Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: Frank Leopold
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Patent number: 7900995Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes at least one side sill and at least one outrigger, the at least one side sill being connected to the at least one outrigger, wherein the at least one side sill is made of an extruded material and has a front end portion protruding vehicle frontward from a connecting portion between the at least one side sill and the at least one outrigger. In the vehicle body structure, the front end of the side sill is disposed frontward from a front end of a side sill in a conventional vehicle body structure and the front end of the side sill is formed to be a part for receiving a front wheel.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2008Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koji Sato, Hideyuki Okada
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Patent number: 7850229Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a vehicle body frame, a closure connected to the vehicle body frame, a garnish connected to the vehicle body frame, and a closure stopper seat body disposed between the garnish and the vehicle body frame. The closure is movable between an open position and a closed position. The stopper seat body is configured to absorb an impact from the movable closure when the movable closure moves toward the closed position. The closure stopper seat body can be used with a number of different closures including a door, a tailgate, a trunk lid, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2008Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshitomo Ihashi, Wesley A. Johnson
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Publication number: 20100270830Abstract: A vehicle body lateral side portion structure including a side sill which has a closed cross-sectional structure formed from an inner panel and an outer panel, and is arranged along the vehicle longitudinal direction, wherein: an outer side wall of the outer panel includes a plurality of step portions; an arch surface which protrudes towards a vehicle exterior side taking, as an apex point, a vicinity of a join position with a center pillar of the vehicle body is formed in a portion of the outer side wall; the outer panel includes a planar portion adjoining the arch surface and a rectilinear portion extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction; a distal end portion of the side sill is connected to a front side frame of the vehicle body; and a rear end portion of the side sill is connected to a rear frame portion of the vehicle body.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2008Publication date: October 28, 2010Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Kazuhiko Maruyama
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Patent number: 7753437Abstract: Motor vehicle with a body having a floor structure and at least one reinforcing element for reinforcing the floor structure, wherein the reinforcing element is designed wave-shaped, wherein the waves run across the vehicle longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2006Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventor: Stanislaw Klimek
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Publication number: 20100140981Abstract: In a motor vehicle body, plates of a rocker panel reinforcement situated inside a rocker panel are led up to a terminus part manufactured from plastic. A front wall of the terminus part is led up almost to a tire envelope curve. In the event of a crash of the motor vehicle, occurring forces are introduced particularly early into the plates of the rocker panel reinforcement.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2009Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Udo MILDNER, Thomas ENDERICH, Lothar TESKE
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Publication number: 20100109385Abstract: Side sill includes a side sill body formed of a steel plate, and a side sill reinforcing member formed by extruding an aluminum alloy and provided inside the side sill body. Reinforcing bracket formed by casting an aluminum alloy covers the outer surface of the side sill body. The reinforcing bracket has protruding portions projecting, through through-holes formed in the side sill body, generally toward the interior of the side sill to be fixed to portions of the side sill reinforcing member, so that the side sill reinforcing member is restrainedly held by the reinforcing bracket.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2009Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takayuki Yamada, Yusuke Takayama
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Publication number: 20100078969Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly, system and method includes a vehicle frame assembly having a variable length longitudinal frame component. The longitudinal frame component is formed at a first length when used on a first vehicle type and formed at a second length when used on a second vehicle type.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2009Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Eric Boettcher, Robb Augustine
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Publication number: 20100072789Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly, system and method includes a vehicle frame assembly having a variable length longitudinal frame component. The longitudinal frame component is formed at a first length when used on a first vehicle type and formed at a second length when used on a second vehicle type.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2009Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Eric Boettcher, Robb Augustine
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Publication number: 20100038931Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a vehicle body frame, a closure connected to the vehicle body frame, a garnish connected to the vehicle body frame, and a closure stopper seat body disposed between the garnish and the vehicle body frame. The closure is movable between an open position and a closed position. The stopper seat body is configured to absorb an impact from the movable closure when the movable closure moves toward the closed position. The closure stopper seat body can be used with a number of different closures including a door, a tailgate, a trunk lid, and the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2008Publication date: February 18, 2010Inventors: Yoshitomo Ihashi, Wesley A. Johnson
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Patent number: 7644978Abstract: A cross member passes a longitudinal member. The cross member is connected, on its outer end, to a side sill assembly and includes a connecting portion that divides the cross member into a remote cross member portion from the outer end of the cross member, and the other cross member portion. A reinforcement element extends through the connecting portion into the remote cross member portion and terminates in at its inner end spaced by a gap from a top wall of the longitudinal member, and it extends into the other cross member portion and terminates in at its outer end in the neighborhood of the side sill assembly. It is connected to an upper inner wall of the remote cross member portion, but spaced from an upper inner wall of the other cross member portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2008Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasuhiro Tosaka, Nobuyoshi Suzuki
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Patent number: 7628447Abstract: A harness clip includes a base portion having a leg portion for engagement with a rocker panel, a side wall portion standing on and extending from one side edge of the base portion, and a harness holding portion which is connected to the side wall portion through a hinge portion, and a lock portion for engagement with the base portion at a distal end edge portion of the harness holding portion. The distal end edge portion of the harness holding portion is formed into a substantially L-shape when viewed from an end surface thereof to provide an angular portion, and this angular portion is locked to the base portion in contacting relation to an upper surface of the base portion. Therefore, even when a load is applied to the harness clip, the harness can be stably held without canceling the engagement of the lock portion with the base portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2006Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Piolax, Inc.Inventors: Naoki Sugimoto, Hiromasa Akaho
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Patent number: 7614684Abstract: A floor structure for a vehicle body whereby a load transmitted to left and right floor frames is reduced, and a reduction in weight is achieved. A cross member extends between the left and right floor frames. Both ends of the cross member are inclined inward in a width direction of a vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle body; and a front portion of the cross member has a concave shape.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2007Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shigeto Yasuhara, Shinya Takei
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Publication number: 20090261622Abstract: A side sill of a body of a motor vehicle of sheet metal shell construction is composed of a sheet metal outer shell and a sheet metal inner shell which are welded to one another. A rolled profile for stiffening can be inserted into the side sill from an open end side and can be fastened to the side sill. In this way, a side sill can be stiffened by assembling the rolled profile after the basic construction of the body of the motor vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2007Publication date: October 22, 2009Inventors: Roland Rill, Oliver Meyer, Horst Schuster, Paul Blowing
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Publication number: 20090206634Abstract: According to the invention, a side sill of a vehicle body of a motor vehicle comprises an outer shell and an inner shell connected to each other via flanges. A reinforcement is removably attached to the outside of the outer shell, which reinforcement extends essentially over the entire length of the side sill in the vehicle longitudinal direction. By means of this reinforcement, a load introduced onto a point of the side sill is absorbed and distributed. This is especially relevant to achieving better crash characteristics in a side pole crash.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2009Publication date: August 20, 2009Inventor: Peter Stoeckl
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Publication number: 20090189417Abstract: A motor vehicle, preferably a two door sports car, is provided with a side wall section, in particular comprising a fender, which forms at least partially the outer wall of a wheel housing. A sill panel which covers a lateral sill of the motor vehicle in the connected state to the side wall section forms an outer wall of an air guiding channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2008Publication date: July 30, 2009Applicant: Dr. Inc. h.c.F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventor: Werner WOLKERSDORFER
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Publication number: 20090167010Abstract: A one-piece-construction vehicle part may include both a mudguard portion and a side-sill-garnish portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2007Publication date: July 2, 2009Inventors: Adam Rompage, Darcy Letourneau, Erin Stringer
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Publication number: 20090134668Abstract: A motor vehicle bodywork has a floor assembly with an upwardly convex and downwardly open longitudinal center tunnel and two side sills parallel thereto. Floor elements are disposed between the longitudinal center tunnel and the side sills. A driver side and a passenger side are each provided with at least one front and one rear seat crossmember, seen in the direction of travel. The seat cross-members extend in the transverse direction of the vehicle and rest on the associated floor elements. It is important that the driver side and/or passenger side seat cross-members are each connected to each other in their upper regions via a plate-like thrust element.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2008Publication date: May 28, 2009Applicant: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Ali Oezkan, Klaus Bohnert, Gernot Jenisch
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Patent number: 7527326Abstract: A vehicle floor structure including a floor panel which includes: a plurality of arc beads which are provided on a surface of the floor panel so as to be arranged in parallel with each other and to extend from a side sill inner toward a middle cross member while being bent; and a bracket which is provided in the vicinity of the side sill inner for fixing an auto part, wherein: at least one of the beads in the vicinity of the side sill inner is diverged and connected to the beads at a farther side with respect to the side sill inner; the bracket is fixed so as to cover the bead in the vicinity of the side sill inner; and a farther end portion of the bracket with respect to the side sill inner is fixed so as to straddle the diverged beads.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasuhisa Egawa, Shigeto Yasuhara
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Patent number: 7523982Abstract: A sealing structure for sealing a gap between a side sill of a vehicle body and a side sill garnish includes a generally tabular lip portion, a connecting portion branching from an intermediate region of a backside of the lip portion, and a fixing portion connecting with a lower end of the connecting portion and extending along the back side of a top end portion of a side sill garnish. The side sill garnish has an upper wall, a lower wall, and a channel on an end face of a top end portion. The upper wall, the lower wall, and the channel extend in the longitudinal direction of the side sill garnish. The lip portion is inserted into the channel and the fixing portion is adhered to the back side of the top end portion by double-sided adhesive tape.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2007Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Moriroku Company, Ltd.Inventor: Takayuki Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 7520563Abstract: According to a vehicle V equipped with a passenger frame having a small height from the ground level of an embodiment of the invention, the vehicle is equipped with a passenger frame F, to have a height (vehicle height) from the ground level smaller than a vehicle equipped with a common frame F? that is disposed at a distance from side sills S and side frames f of the passenger frame F of the structure are inserted in spaces formed under the side sills S that forms the sides of the bottom of vehicle V. Therefore, the length of the passenger frame F protruding to the ground level is reduced, which reduces the height (vehicle height) of vehicle V from the ground level that is determined by the passenger frame F.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2007Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Yongdok An, Munsoo Cha, Jongboo Park, Hakyeol Bae
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Patent number: 7494180Abstract: A side wall formed in one piece with an outer shell of a side sill from high-strength sheet steel is described. The side wall merges without gradation into the adjoining side sill in the region of at least one vehicle pillar, so that the sheet steel is subjected to significantly less strain. A side sill of shell construction for a motor vehicle is partially formed by a side wall which may be composed of high-strength sheet steel. The side sill includes, in one case, at least one inner shell and an outer shell which are connected to one another by upper and a lower flanges. The outer shell is formed by the lower section of a side wall to which an outer panel is attached for providing a downward extension, so that the inner shell and the outer panel are connected to one another in the lower flange, and the inner shell and the side wall are connected to one another in the upper flange.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2007Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventor: Roland Rill
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Patent number: 7481485Abstract: An apparatus is provided for transferring a side load from a vehicle body rocker structure to a vehicle body frame rail that is spaced laterally away from the rocker structure. The apparatus is an energy absorbing strut that is attached to one of the rocker structure and the frame rail and extends toward the other of the rocker structure and the frame rail and into proximity therewith but spaced therefrom. Accordingly, during normal operating conditions of the vehicle the strut carries no load, but upon side load induced excursion of the rocker structure toward the frame rail, the strut deforms and absorbs energy as it transfers the side load from the rocker structure to the frame rail.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2006Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Xiu Juan Ma, Jianrong Pan, Frank J. Daley, Adam S. Kline, Jane H. Sternemann
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Patent number: 7464986Abstract: Improved side sill or rocker panel trim part and methods of molding same are provided. In the methods, a substantially “C” like cross-sectional shaped mold cavity is provided having a pair of terminal cavity portions therein. A living hinge-forming cavity space is provided between a midpoint of the cavity and one of the terminal end portions. The part comprises a longitudinal axis extending therealong and a pair of leg portions and an intermediate section interconnecting the leg portions. The part includes a substantially “C” shaped cross-section transverse to the longitudinal axis with the intermediate section including a show surface side with the legs extending away from the show surface side. A hinge joint is provided adjacent one of the legs so that the part is bendable at the hinge to form a substantially closed “C” position.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2007Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Green Tokai Co., Ltd.Inventor: Renji Maki
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Patent number: 7434871Abstract: There is provided a lower vehicle body structure, in which a floor panel is provided between a pair of side sills extending longitudinally, a tunnel portion extending longitudinally is provided at a central portion of the floor panel, and a seat is provided between the side sill and tunnel portion, wherein there are provided a seat support member outer to support the seat, which extends longitudinally inside the side sill, and a plurality of cross members extending in the vehicle width direction with a specified distance therebetween longitudinally, outside end portions of which are connected to the seat support member outer and inside end portions of which are connected to the tunnel portion. Accordingly, both layout of the seat and sufficient vehicle body rigidity against a vehicle side crash can be provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2006Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Takashi Mizuma, Naomune Moriyama
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Patent number: 7419186Abstract: A working machine includes a pipeline disposed along a side deck in a front-back direction and connecting a hydraulic pump and a control valve. The hydraulic pump is mounted at a back portion of an upper frame of an upper rotating body and the control valve is mounted at a front portion of the upper frame. In the working machine, a reinforcing member having a space for accommodating the pipeline is mounted in the front-back direction of the side deck to an outermost side of the side deck in a widthwise direction thereof. The pipeline is passed through the reinforcing member.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2006Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaaki Murakami, Tomohiko Ochi
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Publication number: 20080179920Abstract: A rocker board assembly for a motor vehicle includes a housing adapted to be attached to the motor vehicle. An arm is slidable relative to the housing. A pivot housing is pivotal relative to the arm. A step is fixedly secured to the pivot housing. The rocker board assembly also includes a tilt link extending between the housing and the pivot housing for urging pivotal movement of the pivot housing as the arm slides relative to the housing to move the step between a stowed position and a deployed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2007Publication date: July 31, 2008Inventor: Bradley Eugene Watson
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Patent number: 7390052Abstract: A recreational vehicle includes a hull coupled to a chassis where the hull is formed by coupling pre-formed panels together using two piece channel members, and/or the chassis is formed by mechanically coupling pre-formed segments together. In some instances, the two piece channel members will interconnect substantially perpendicular panels such as by coupling wall panels to a floor panel, to a ceiling panel, and to adjacent wall panels. Such a vehicle can be quickly assembled from space efficient pre-formed pieces by lower skilled assemblers than are typically required in manufacturing a recreational vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2005Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Jim Bertoch, Ken Biddle, Larry Budica, Scott Craig
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Publication number: 20080106119Abstract: An apparatus is provided for transferring a side load from a vehicle body rocker structure to a vehicle body frame rail that is spaced laterally away from the rocker structure. The apparatus is an energy absorbing strut that is attached to one of the rocker structure and the frame rail and extends toward the other of the rocker structure and the frame rail and into proximity therewith but spaced therefrom. Accordingly, during normal operating conditions of the vehicle the strut carries no load, but upon side load induced excursion of the rocker structure toward the frame rail, the strut deforms and absorbs energy as it transfers the side load from the rocker structure to the frame rail.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2006Publication date: May 8, 2008Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Xiu Juan Ma, Jianrong Pan, Frank J. Daley, Adam S. Kline, Jane H. Sternemann
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Patent number: 7364226Abstract: A structural assembly, such as for use as a rocker panel in an automotive vehicle and which includes an outer rocker cover and an inner attached and reinforcing member. The reinforcing member is constructed from a continuous steel grade and roll formed material and includes first and second spaced apart wall portions which converge at upper and lower extending ends. An integrally formed web interconnects the inner and outer portions at the lower extending end and exhibits a bulbous shaped configuration defined by an inner radius. Drainage holes are formed through bottommost facing locations of said web, at preselected distances along its length, and in order to evacuate water and paint.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2005Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Noble Advanced TechnologiesInventors: Frank G. McNulty, Edward Engler
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Publication number: 20080093892Abstract: A pillar to rocker joint assembly comprising a tubular pillar having a pinched flange near a lower end of the pillar is joined to a rocker assembly including a side sill and rocker reinforcement. A method of making a pillar to rocker joint assembly that comprises a vehicle structural support is formed by welding a structural support pillar to an outer body panel through an access opening in the pillar and welding a rocker reinforcement to a side sill. The rocker reinforcement is welded to the pillar through an access opening in the side sill, an access hole in the body outer panel, and an access opening in the pillar that is vertically spaced relative to the first access opening. A bottom flange of the B-pillar is welded to a lower edge flange of the rocker reinforcement and a lower edge flange of the side sill.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2006Publication date: April 24, 2008Applicants: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, VARI-FORM INC.Inventors: Xiaoming Chen, Omar Faruque, Thierry Guimberteau, Everett Kuo, Raj Mehta, Louis Ratsos, Parameswararao Pothuraju, Dean Gericke, Daniel Szalay
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Publication number: 20080088157Abstract: A support rail for a vehicle is disclosed that has an A-pillar portion and a roof rail portion. The roof rail and A-pillar are formed with a tubular body portion and longitudinally extending support flanges. The support flanges are formed by pinching the blank during the hydroforming process to provide a double thickness flange. A windshield support flange, roof support flange and door opening flange are formed to extend outwardly from the tubular body portion. Front and rear tube connectors may be provided that include blind openings or notches to facilitate welding.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2006Publication date: April 17, 2008Applicants: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, VARI-FORM INC.Inventors: Xiaoming Chen, Omar Faruque, Thierry Guimberteau, Louis Ratsos, Dean Gericke, Daniel Szalay
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Patent number: 7354102Abstract: The invention provides an automotive vehicle plastic panel including a show surface and a hidden surface opposite the show surface. A molded fastener is foldably joined to the plastic panel by a living hinge. The molded fastener, the plastic panel and the living hinge are integrally formed. The molded fastener has a base and a clip member supported on the base. The molded fastener can be fastened to the plastic panel by folding the molded fastener about the living hinge so that the molded fastener engages the hidden surface of the plastic panel in an install position. The clip member is used to fasten the automotive vehicle molding, such as a rocker panel, to a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2004Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventors: Alan C. Cave, Fabian Farkas, Ben Zywicki, Dwight K. Buckle, Lawrence G. Landrith, Darrel S. Vassallo, William S. Kemeny
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Publication number: 20080073941Abstract: A rear frame of a trailer has an elongated horizontal sill having a closed cross-section which is rigid in bending and in torsion. The elongated horizontal sill is formed of a fantail and a base plate attached to an underside of the fantail. The base plate has front and rear sections that are not notched as notching of the sill can weaken it. The front section is horizontal and the rear section is angled upwardly relative to the horizontal front section at a predetermined angle of approximately 22 degrees. The angling of the base plate provides a specialized geometry for accommodating a tuck-under lift gate. The sill also has minimal vertical dimensions to aid in the non-interference with legs of the tuck-under lift gate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2007Publication date: March 27, 2008Inventor: ANDRZEJ WYLEZINSKI
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Patent number: 7347491Abstract: A process for connecting a hydroformed front rail member of an automotive frame to the body side inner (rocker) beam does not require a substantive re-design of the frame to accommodate an overlapping parallel orientation of two tubular frame members. The hydroformed front rail member is laser cut at the rearward end thereof to remove a portion of a side wall of the tubular member to form a C-shaped section. The front rail member is formed with a vertical dimension that provides a nesting relationship between the C-shaped section of the front rail member and the body side inner member so that the rocker beam can be received into the C-shaped section. Welding between the two members can be accomplished using either MIG-welding or spot-welding processes. A body side reinforcement can be added to provide a stiff frame joint as the reinforcement is swept off the rail structure to provide a box section.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2006Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Tim Mouch, Musa Azzouz, Michael Azzouz
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Patent number: 7325867Abstract: The invention relates to a jack bracket (12) for a motor vehicle, which is fixed to a sill of the motor vehicle with flanges and an opening (16) for a receiving element in which the jack is placed. The invention also relates to a method for the production of said bracket (12). In order to simplify the production and configuration of the bracket (12) without comprising its stability, the bracket (12) is comprised of a tubular hollow profile (6) and a lid (13), which is fixed on the end (10) opposite the sill of the hollow profile (6) covering said end (10) and which has the opening (16) for the receiving element.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2004Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventors: Juergen Gade, Heinz Koslowski, Joachim Neumann, Rudolf Nowak, Frank Schmuck
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Patent number: 7234765Abstract: The disclosure relates to vehicles and door sills for vehicles. In one aspect, the disclosure relates to door sills having an interior channel configured to receive a retractable panel installed within a vehicle door. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to impact-absorbing door sills for motor vehicles, for example, an automobile. The disclosure also provides methods for forming a shaped composite article from a metal foam and attaching the shaped composite article to a side frame of a vehicle chassis.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2005Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: Nissan Design America, Inc.Inventors: Anke Mazzei, Richard Plavetich, John Cupit
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Patent number: 7234764Abstract: In a sensor mounting structure, a sensor is mounted in an outer portion of the floor panel in a width of the vehicle, and a step garnish, extending in a length of the vehicle, is attached above the outer portion so as to cover the sensor. The step garnish may have a rib extending in the length of the vehicle; and the sensor may be positioned inside the rib in the width of the vehicle. Preferably, the step garnish has a plurality of ribs extending in the length of the vehicle; each rib has clip portions for attaching the step garnish to the floor panel; and the sensor is positioned between two of the ribs. Typically, the rib protrudes downward from a lower face of the step garnish. The floor panel may have a concave portion; and the sensor may be attached to a bottom of the concave portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2005Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Teruaki Aizawa, Kazuaki Miyamoto, Masayuki Shiga
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Patent number: 7216924Abstract: An automotive vehicle comprises a frame having a pair of side rails interconnected by a plurality of cross members. A rocker panel substantially parallel to and spaced from each side rail creates a gap. An energy transfer member seats within the gap for transferring energy between the rocker panel and the side rail in a side impact event. The energy transfer member is sufficiently stronger than the side rail such that impact energy deforms the rocker panel and travels through the energy transfer member to deform the side rail prior to any deformation of the energy transfer member, thereby maintaining the gap to reduce side structure intrusion into an occupant compartment. An accelerometer mounted within the vehicle inboard of the side rails senses vehicle frame acceleration, and activates a vehicle airbag system as necessary.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2004Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Haoming Li, Bryan J. Gilpin
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Patent number: 7188893Abstract: A front part structure of a vehicle body for efficiently absorbing collision energy acting from the front of the vehicle body is provided. The front part structure of the vehicle body includes right and left front side members extending longitudinally of the vehicle body within an engine compartment separated by a dashboard. A crossmember is attached to the dashboard and extended between the right and left front side members. A floor tunnel extending longitudinally of the vehicle body is joined to a rear end portion of an extension of the crossmember. Collision energy acting from the front of the vehicle body is transmitted from the front side members to the crossmember, and then is transmitted through the extension of the crossmember to the floor tunnel and dispersed throughout the vehicle body.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kosuke Akasaka
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Patent number: 7168757Abstract: A side sill garnish at the outside of a side sill of a vehicle has a garnish main body as an outer surface of the side sill garnish; and a sound absorbing member provided on the inside of the garnish main body, and has a rigid member at an outer periphery of the sound absorbing member. The rigid member is attached to the garnish main body. Preferably, the sound absorbing member is made of a foam material, and the rigid member is formed by compressing the foam material. For example, the sound absorbing member, made of a foam material, has portions for fastening the sound absorbing member to the main body using clips; and these portions are formed by compressing the foam material. In another example, the sound absorbing member has rigid members on opposite sides in the outer periphery, and the rigid members are attached to the main body.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2005Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Akira Futatsuhashi
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Patent number: 7159933Abstract: Rocker panel/clip house combination is shown wherein a first support member of the clip house is connected to the rocker panel at a first junction that is located between the top surface of the part and a depending side surface. The side surface is connected to a part surface at a second juncture or radiused section. A second support member of the clip house is attached to the surface at a location that is laterally spaced from the second juncture.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2003Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Green Tokai Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroaki Yamamoto