Metallic Reinforcements Patents (Class 296/30)
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Patent number: 8267467Abstract: A cab in a construction machine, the cab including frame members including a hollow first frame member connected to a second frame member in order to form a corner portion, the first frame member including a pass-through portion formed at a first side surface portion of the first frame member; a reinforcing member that is installed at the corner portion, wherein at least one of two sides of the reinforcing member passes through the pass-through portion and abuts against an inner surface of a second side surface portion of the first frame member that is at an opposite side of the first side surface portion; and a reinforcing plate that abuts against an outer surface of the second side surface portion, wherein the at least one of two sides of the reinforcing member is supported and reinforced by the reinforcing plate.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2009Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignees: Caterpillar Japan Ltd., Press Kogyo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tetsuji Takaoka, Eiji Akahane, Kazushige Tasaki, Masayoshi Nakajima, Teruyuki Yamada, Yusuke Harayama, Tomoya Hirano
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Publication number: 20120181809Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle body structure having a body reinforcement behind the second row of seats, the body reinforcement including a beam assembly which is formed from two opposite longitudinal side beams (9, 10), a floor crossbeam (4) and two vertical side beams (5, 6), of which in each case a left-side longitudinal side beam (9), an associated end of the floor crossbeam (4) and a left-side vertical side beam (5) are connected at a left-side nodal point (11) and, correspondingly, the second longitudinal side beam (10) is connected to the other end of the floor crossbeam (4) and the second vertical side beam (10) at a right-side nodal point, and, at the two nodal points, corner reinforcements being fitted for increased stiffening in the transverse plane of the floor crossbeam (4) and the vertical side beams (5, 6).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2010Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: Audi AGInventors: Sönke Kühl, Klaus-Dieter Carle, Tobias Urban, Oliver Thaysen
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Patent number: 8205925Abstract: There is provided a vehicle body reinforcing structure capable of improving the structural durability of a side body against a load applied from the front and capable of connecting a front body and the side body more firmly to each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2011Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Suzuki Motor CorporationInventor: Nobuhiko Hattori
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Patent number: 8167359Abstract: An assembly configuration for a motor vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to a first assembly and a second assembly, a channel being at least partially implemented between the first assembly and the second assembly, a bulkhead plate being positioned transversely to the main direction of the channel and a gap being at least partially implemented between the lateral edge of the bulkhead plate and at least one of the assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Jörg Öhlmann
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Patent number: 8132852Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes: a floor tunnel bulging from a center of a floor of a vehicle chamber; a pair of seats flanking the floor tunnel from left and right sides of the floor tunnel; a load receiving member placed on an upper part of the floor tunnel; a left floor cross member extending from a left side of the floor tunnel in the vehicle width direction; and a right floor cross member extending from a right side of the floor tunnel in the vehicle width direction. The load receiving member contacts the seat when the seat receives an impact load from a side of the vehicle body. In addition, the load receiving member transmits the impact load to the floor of the vehicle body. Left and right side rim parts of the load receiving member are connected respectively to the left and right floor cross members.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2010Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jogen Yamaki
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Patent number: 8087717Abstract: The exemplary embodiments generally relate to a device for reinforcing an automotive roof assembly. Some embodiments include a stiffening member for attaching to a cross member of an automotive roof assembly. The stiffening member may have a plurality of supports for providing additional stiffness in longitudinal, lateral, and/or vertical directions. Some embodiments relate to methods of making and/or using the device.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2008Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Nobuo Aizawa
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Patent number: 8075047Abstract: An automotive vehicle body structure including a dash panel separating an engine room from a passenger compartment, a front pillar extending vertically along each outboard edge of the dash panel and a wheel house portion connected between an outboard edge of the dash panel and an opposing side of a lower part of the front pillar, a reinforcing member extends along a boundary between the outboard edge of the dash panel and wheel house portion and defines a closed cross section jointly with the dash panel and wheel house. The wheel house portion has a three dimensional contour bulging toward the passenger compartment and relatively high rigidity to reinforce the dash panel by reinforcing the boundary between the wheel house portion and dash panel. The impact load applied to the dash panel during a frontal crash is evenly distributed to various structural parts and a favorable crash safety is achieved.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2009Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takayuki Yamada, Yusuke Takayama
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Patent number: 8070216Abstract: A vehicle frame includes a plurality of hollow tubular members welded together. An opening in a side wall of the frame which receives a door or window of the vehicle is bordered by at least two hollow tubular members which are interconnected by a non-tubular, reinforcing corner member. The reinforcing corner member includes a pair of solid parallel plates spaced apart by a perpendicular cross-member. Each plate of the reinforcing corner member has integral first and second elongated portions extending on either side of a continuous curve therebetween which has a substantially constant radius of curvature such as to define a smooth transition between the integral first and second elongated portions of the plate. The reinforcing corner member distributes stress away from the curved corner and to the tubular members, thereby preventing stress concentration at a joint between the two tubular members surrounding the opening in the frame.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2008Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Nova Bus, Division de Groupe Volvo Canada Inc.Inventors: Frédéric Defoy, Stéphane Gagnon
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Patent number: 8047593Abstract: A joint for an automotive vehicle may be formed by applying an adhesive to at least one of a first member and a first surface of a composite member, placing the first member in contact with the first surface of the composite member, applying an adhesive to at least one of a second member and a second surface of the composite member, positioning a divot portion of the second member within an aperture of the composite member, placing the second member in contact with the second surface of the composite member, attaching the divot portion of the second member with the first member and curing the adhesives.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2010Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignees: United States Council for Automotive Research, United States Automotive Materials Partnership, LLCInventors: John P. Fuchs, John D. Fickes, Erik Arthur Banks, Elisabeth Jane Berger
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Patent number: 8042862Abstract: A reinforcing brace is disclosed. The reinforcing brace supports a collar of a fastener. In addition, the reinforcing brace is configured to strengthen the connection between a frame rail and a cross member. By aligning side walls of the reinforcing brace with walls of the cross member, the reinforcing brace can continue the walls of the cross member through the frame rail to strengthen the connection between the frame rail and the cross member.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2010Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jared S. Cox
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Publication number: 20110254317Abstract: In a side vehicle body structure of a vehicle, which is provided with a shoulder anchor part 2 for a seat belt, a shoulder reinforcement 9 of the shoulder anchor part 2 extends to the joint portion of a side body outer panel 7 and a quarter panel 8, and the shoulder reinforcement 9, the side body outer panel 7, and the quarter panel 8 are jointed together in the state in which the three elements are lapped together.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2011Publication date: October 20, 2011Inventors: Hayato NAKAMURA, Junji SUZUKI
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Patent number: 8033595Abstract: A reinforcement member 30 integratedly includes a top surface 31, a rear surface 32, a first side 33, and a second side 34. The top surface 31 has an air deflector attaching portion 35. An air deflector arranged on top of a roof panel 2 is attachable to the air deflector attaching portion 35. The second side 34 includes a base 40 and a seatbelt anchor attaching portion 41. The base 40 is formed in approximately the same plane as the first side 33. The seatbelt anchor attaching portion 41 extends inward from the base 40 along the vehicle width and is in contact with a rear pillar inner section. A seatbelt anchor arranged on the inner side of the rear pillar inner section is attachable to the air deflector attaching portion 41.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2007Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Isuzu Motors LimitedInventor: Taku Orii
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Patent number: 8029048Abstract: An insert for reducing deflection of a vehicle fender or wing panel includes an attachment member for attachment to a lamp cluster or lamp housing of a vehicle and a head for lying between the panel and the cluster or housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2007Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd.Inventor: Tim Parkinson
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Patent number: 8020927Abstract: The reinforcement member of a body structure is composed of two member elements which are of u-shaped profile in cross section and which are arranged nested one inside the other. Turned-up limb portions of the outer member element have edge-side retaining lugs between which are arranged edge-side cutouts. The retaining lugs can be connected to turned-up limb portions of the inner member element, and connecting points to the bodywork outer shell are arranged in the interposed cutouts. The outer member element is composed of a high-strength steel material, with the inner member element being composed of a relatively low-strength steel material, and the terminating bodywork outer shell is formed from an aluminium material.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2009Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Tim Schmidt, Klaus Heinle
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Patent number: 7988212Abstract: A bracket for attaching and aligning a forward-looking radar (FLR) having a front face is disclosed according to one embodiment. The bracket includes a bracket frame having an attachment feature for attaching the FLR to the bracket frame. The bracket also includes a first mounting feature extending from the bracket frame for coupling the bracket face and the first mounting surface of the conveyance to define a first mounting surface angle. The bracket also includes a bracket member extending from the bracket frame. The bracket member includes an end portion disposed proximate to the bracket face and a distal end portion, which includes a second mounting feature for coupling the bracket member and the second mounting surface thereby defining a second mounting surface angle and aligning the FLR front face to an alignment angle.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2007Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Jeffrey Alan Hartley, Paul Schmitt, John V. Bond, III, John Wuerth, Michael Czarnecki, Joseph Ciaravino, John Juronoc, Aaron Mills, Kurt Peterson, Paul L. Stanko, John Wilds, Sr., Harish Dutt
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Patent number: 7988227Abstract: In a fender panel fixing structure of a passenger vehicle according to the present invention, a notch portion of a fender panel is provided with a first flat plate-shaped projection strip that is capable of being inserted into a space between an upper end periphery of a fixed window and a side body and has an engagement portion, and a second flat plate-shaped projection strip that is capable of being inserted into a space between a lower end periphery of the fixed window and the side body and has an engagement portion. The side body has a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion that are disposed in portions covered by the upper end periphery and the lower end periphery of the fixed window. The first and second engaging portions are respectively capable of engaging the first flat plate-shaped projection strip and the second flat plate-shaped projection strip.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2009Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenichi Kanada, Ryoichi Yamamoto
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Patent number: 7971887Abstract: In a method of making a subframe of a motor vehicle profile elements made of hollow sections of steel are placed in a casting tool. Subsequently, aluminum material is filled into the casting tool to casting around the profile elements so as to form plural cast nodes on the profile elements in spaced-apart relationship.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2008Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbHInventors: Jochen Dörr, Michael Wibbeke
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Patent number: 7905533Abstract: The invention relates to a rear module for fitting to a motor vehicle, the module comprising a large door for being pivotally mounted about an axis, the large door extending in a direction parallel to said axis between two stiffener uprights both presenting a cross-section of thickness, taken perpendicularly to the door, that is not less than a first thickness, the large door having an opening extending as far as said uprights in the direction parallel to said axis; and a small door mounted on the large door to move between an open position uncovering said opening, and a closed position closing said opening, the small door extending in the direction parallel to the axis between two stiffener uprights both having a cross-section of thickness, taken perpendicularly to the door, that is not less than a second thickness, the uprights of the small door covering the uprights of the large door when the small door is in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2007Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Compagnie Plastic OmniumInventors: Gérald Andre, Guilherme Amorin, Jérôme Fillon, Fabien Delwal, Denis Barral
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Patent number: 7854474Abstract: A reinforcing brace is disclosed. The reinforcing brace supports a collar of a fastener. In addition, the reinforcing brace is configured to strengthen the connection between a frame rail and a cross member. By aligning side walls of the reinforcing brace with walls of the cross member, the reinforcing brace can continue the walls of the cross member through the frame rail to strengthen the connection between the frame rail and the cross member.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2008Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jared S. Cox
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Patent number: 7854472Abstract: A vehicle body structure in which a panel is reinforced by a pair of reinforcing members, and a connecting member is included. The pair of reinforcing members intersects with each other and the reinforcing members are provided along one surface of the panel. The connecting member is connected to both of the pair of reinforcing members in a portion where the pair of reinforcing members intersects with each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2008Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tetsuya Gomi
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Patent number: 7841649Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a cross member extending across a lateral direction of a vehicle, wherein the cross member is coupled to a vehicle body component and a reinforcing member installed to the cross member wherein the reinforcing member is spaced apart from a coupling portion of the cross member and the vehicle body component. A method to reinforce a cross member of a vehicle body includes installing at least one reinforcing member along the cross member and locating at least one edge of the at least one reinforcing member a selected distance from at least one coupling portion between the cross member and a vehicle body component.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2008Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masashi Konishi, Hidekazu Saitou
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Patent number: 7828370Abstract: A vehicle body structure in which the rigidity of a flat floor panel is increased by increasing the rigidity of intersecting portions between a cross member and floor frames. A plurality of floor frames extending in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle body are aligned in straight rows in the longitudinal direction on either sides of a cross member extending in the vehicle width direction. Terminal ends of the plurality of floor frames are positioned in proximity to the cross member. The intersecting portions between the floor frames and the cross member are joined together by T-shaped connecting members in order to increase rigidity.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2008Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiaki Ohi, Tetsuya Gomi
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Patent number: 7828357Abstract: An aluminum roof outer panel (2) is spot welded to a roof side rail (3) consisting of galvanized steel sheet. The outer panel (4) of the roof side rail is made of galvannealed steel sheet that has a favorable property but cannot be favorably welded to the aluminum roof outer panel, but the inner panel (5, 6) of the roof side rail is made of non-galvannealed steel sheet that can be favorably welded to the aluminum roof outer panel. Flanges of the outer panel (4) and inner panel (5, 6) overlap each other, and the flange of the outer panel is provided with a plurality of notches (11) along an edge of the outer panel. A corresponding flange of the roof outer panel is welded to the parts of the inner panel exposed by the notches of the outer panel.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Noboru Hayashi, Kazuyoshi Doira, Masaaki Fujimoto, Takayuki Yamada, Mitsuhiko Ueki, Kouji Furudate, Takuji Ishimoto
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Patent number: 7823958Abstract: A vehicle deck structure that can suppress deformation of a deck floor is provided. The vehicle deck structure includes a deck floor that extends in a vehicle body front-rear direction and a vehicle width direction, a cross member disposed at a lower side of the deck floor and whose longitudinal direction corresponds to the vehicle width direction, and a top plate as a reinforcing member interposed between the deck floor and the cross member. The top plate has a plurality of ridges, whose longitudinal directions each correspond to the vehicle body front-rear direction, and which are arranged in parallel in a vehicle width direction, and these ridges overhang at both sides in the vehicle front-rear direction with respect to the cross member.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2008Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kenji Sato
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Publication number: 20100270828Abstract: A vehicle frame sub-assembly including a hinge pillar assembly and A-pillar assembly. A high strength hinge pillar reinforcement and A-pillar reinforcement are provided to increase the support in roof crush tests. Collision impact loads are transferred through an upper load path, lower load path, upper intermediate load path, and lower intermediate load path. A back-up rail receives loads from the front rail. The back-up rail transfers loads to the rocker and through a back-up rail extension to the hinge pillar assembly. An upper intermediate load path transfers loads from the upper rail through a fork rail to the hinge pillar assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2009Publication date: October 28, 2010Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Mohamed R. Baccouche, Timothy Alan Mouch, Viktor Kostrominov
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Patent number: 7819463Abstract: A truck box frame includes first and second laterally extending frame members and a frame side rail assembly. The frame side rail assembly includes first and second frame side rails. The first and second frame side rails generally extend between and are coupled to the first and second laterally extending frame members. The first and second laterally extending frame members are extendable laterally, creating a variable width truck box frame. The first and second frame side rails may be curved or swept so that the intermediate portions extend inwardly toward one another, forming a tapered portion of the frame side rail assembly. The length and curvature, or sweep, of the side frame rails may also be varied to create a variable length truck box frame.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2009Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventor: Mark F. Werner
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Publication number: 20100187800Abstract: A reinforcement member is used to join directly two hydroformed tubular members in an automotive vehicle. The reinforcement member is formed with two spaced triangular plates joined to an orthogonal doubler plate in an integral configuration, providing mating surfaces for connection to orthogonally joined tubular members. The parallel triangular plates improve the joints vertical bending stiffness because the parallel plates provide an increased footprint at the joint. The parallel plates also enhance the lateral bending performance of the joint by locking relative movement of the two tubular members at the joint. The vertical doubler plate increases the thickness of the cross tubular member at the joint to allow a lighter gage tubular member to be utilized. The reinforcement member can be joined by MIG welding techniques on one side or on opposite sides of the cross tubular member for welding to the primary frame member.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2009Publication date: July 29, 2010Inventors: Xiaoming N. Chen, David Anthony Wagner, Parameswararao Pothuraju, Sunil K. Kasaragod, Daniel Joseph Szalay
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Patent number: 7762622Abstract: A structural member of a motor vehicle, e.g., a “B” pillar, comprises a reinforcing member having an elongate core of ultra high strength steel and a casing of aluminum alloy, the casing having a constant section profile with a closed section cavity. The core is encased within the casing and the core and the casing bonded together by co-drawing the core and the casing through a die. The casing has a pair of spaced flanges which connect the reinforcing member to aluminum alloy pressings to form the structural member. The reinforcing member has considerable yield strength from the use of the ultra high strength steel in the core while the flanges, being of aluminum alloy, are readily joined by self-piercing rivets.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2007Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Alex John Lakic
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Patent number: 7735909Abstract: A body reinforcement device comprises a rigid reinforcement member that connects two vehicle body portions to be reinforced. The body reinforcement device also comprises a damping force member that spans the space between the two vehicle body portions. The rigid reinforcement member and the damping force member preferably extend generally parallel to each other.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2005Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masahiro Satou, Katsuhiro Kondou
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Patent number: 7726718Abstract: A structural support for a bolt collar in an automotive vehicle main structural support is provided and includes a rear wall having a rounded portion, a pair of side walls extending substantially perpendicular from the rear wall and a base extending from a lower portion of the rear wall and from a lower portion of the rounded portion in a direction opposite to that of the pair of side walls. The rounded portion extends outwardly from the rear wall in the same direction as the base in an arc-like fashion and forms a recess on an inside surface of the rear wall. Further, the rounded portion extends approximately halfway up the rear wall from the base.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2007Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jamison Weirup
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Patent number: 7717487Abstract: A seat holding portion structure has a side member that extends substantially in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The side member has a kick portion whose front and rear end sides are bent and that joins a front portion and a rear portion of the side member that are offset in a vehicle vertical direction. A floor reinforcement is installed within the side member from an opening portion of a vehicle body floor. A rear end portion of an elongated seat holding member is inserted in the floor reinforcement. A connecting body having a closed cross-sectional structure is fixed to a rear end portion of the seat holding member and is disposed at a rear end side bent portion of the kick portion, and, together with the floor reinforcement, is mounted to the side member.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroyuki Kurokawa
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Patent number: 7695040Abstract: There is disclosed a reinforcement member with a carrier member and a reinforcement material disposed on the carrier member.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2008Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Zephyros, Inc.Inventor: Eric Brennecke
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Patent number: 7686387Abstract: A tubular beam assembly having a tubular member with first and second spaced apart sides and an internal portion. The first side has an insertion opening and a first fastener receiving opening that open into each other. The second side has a second fastener receiving opening and a shoulder defining opening that open into each other. A reinforcement sleeve includes a fastener receiving sleeve portion and a protrusion that supports the reinforcement sleeve in a fastener receiving position within the internal portion of the tubular member. The protrusion is supported by one or both of the insertion opening and the shoulder defining opening. The fastener receiving sleeve portion is aligned with the first and second fastener receiving openings when the reinforcement sleeve is in the fastener receiving position.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2007Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert Franklin Yustick, Richard Kip Mushisky, Gregg John Davies
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Patent number: 7677642Abstract: A butt joint assembles side panels of a side wall of a trailer to the base rail of the trailer. The butt joint positions the side panels over the base rail and vertically aligns the outer surfaces of the side panels and the base rail, which provides for an improved trailer side wall.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2008Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.Inventor: Andrzej Wylezinski
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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: 7631918Abstract: A rear structure of a vehicular body has side sills disposed at lateral ends of the vehicular body. The rear structure further has side rear members having a hat-shaped cross-section and having a kick-up portion that is upwardly inclined. The side rear members are bonded to the side sills at bonded portions, and extend toward a rear of the vehicular body. The rear structure further has a cross member connecting side sills in a lateral direction across the vehicular body. The cross member is connected to each of the side sills at connected portions at a rear of the kick-up portions. The rear structure further has reinforcements having a closed cross-section in a longitudinal plane and in a lateral plane. The reinforcements are disposed in the side rear members between the bonded portions and the connected portions.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2007Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Satoshi Yasukouchi, Hiroshi Satou
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Patent number: 7588285Abstract: A cargo box for a pickup truck having a header panel with integral welding braces or struts. The cargo box has left and right sidewalls defining the left and right sides of the cargo box, respectively, a tailgate attached to the rear end of at least one of the left and right sidewalls, a cargo box floor spanning the left and right sidewalls, and a header panel having a main body spanning the front ends of the left and right sidewalls to form a front side of the cargo box. The header panel has integral left and right lateral sides extending from and integral with its main body and these are welded directly to the left and right sidewalls without any intervening brace above the level of the cargo bed floor. Left and right braces are welded to the lower end of the header panel and the left and right sidewalls at and below the cargo bed floor, so that a majority of the mass of the brace is below the lower edge of the header panel.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2007Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.Inventor: Ismail Mohammed
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Publication number: 20090115224Abstract: A structural support for a bolt collar in an automotive vehicle main structural support is provided and includes a rear wall having a rounded portion, a pair of side walls extending substantially perpendicular from the rear wall and a base extending from a lower portion of the rear wall and from a lower portion of the rounded portion in a direction opposite to that of the pair of side walls. The rounded portion extends outwardly from the rear wall in the same direction as the base in an arc-like fashion and forms a recess on an inside surface of the rear wall. Further, the rounded portion extends approximately halfway up the rear wall from the base.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2007Publication date: May 7, 2009Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Jamison Weirup
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Patent number: 7510234Abstract: A vehicle frame structure includes an outer pillar panel, an inner pillar panel and a bulkhead. The outer pillar panel includes an outer upper end, an outer lower end and an outer bulkhead attachment section located between the outer lower end and the outer upper end and at or above a mid-point of the outer pillar panel. The inner pillar panel includes an inner upper end, an inner lower end and an inner bulkhead attachment section located between the inner lower end and inner upper end and at or above a mid-point of the inner pillar panel. The bulkhead is fixedly coupled to the outer and inner bulkhead attachment sections.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2006Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.Inventors: Ken Ameloot, Rajesh Mishra, Basavapatna Naganarayana, Erik Anderson, Daniel Moll
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Patent number: 7475931Abstract: A stiffening structure for an automotive outer panel of the present invention has an outer-panel side member fixed to the automotive outer panel. Further, the stiffening structure has an annexed member adhered onto an inner surface of the automotive outer panel while interposing an adhesive therebetween at least one end of the annexed member is joined to the outer-panel side member. Furthermore, the stiffening structure has a position adjuster provided on a joint portion of the annexed member and the outer-panel side member. The position adjuster makes the annexed member movable in a direction of approaching the automotive outer panel or moving away therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2007Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Eisuke Moroishi
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Publication number: 20090001745Abstract: Vehicles, such as all terrain vehicles, can be provided with a frame and a fender assembly. The fender assembly can have layered fender panels attached together with a bolt and T-nut. A channel can be formed between the fender panels to facilitate passage of fluid along a predetermined pathway. A seat includes a compression surface for sandwiching the fender assembly with respect to the frame. Front and rear fender assemblies can be attached to the frame by a midpoint fastener passing through respective apertures in each of the front and rear fender assemblies, through a grommet, and into the frame. A stay assembly attaches a mudguard to the fender assembly, and can involve a swivel clip. Methods are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2007Publication date: January 1, 2009Inventors: Stephen Hlopick, Darin D. King, Daniel Thomas Sellars, Matthew Alexander, Scott Daniel Batdorf
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Patent number: 7469950Abstract: A structural support bracket for a rear cargo pan of a vehicle includes a forward end that is secured to a rear cross member and a rearward end that is secured to the rear cargo pan adjacent a center portion thereof so as to support the rear cargo pan against deflection during use. The forward end of the support bracket is secured to both a downwardly directed surface and a rearwardly directed surface of the rear cross member. The structural support bracket reduces deflection of the cargo pan and reduces generation of impact boom noises otherwise caused thereby.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2007Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jared Cox, Patrick Ellison, Robb Augustine
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Patent number: 7455340Abstract: The invention relates to a reinforced section for a vehicle supporting frame, said section connecting two pillars (8) of the vehicle supporting frame, in particular the C-pillars or D-pillars at their bases in the form of a transversal wall, whose ends, which are configured as pillar connection zones (6a, 7a), extend onto the pillars (8) by means of rounded corner reinforcements (6, 7). The invention is characterised in that the reinforced section and the corner reinforcements (6, 7) are configured as a one-piece double shell consisting of two blanks (10) produced in an internal high-pressure forming process and welded together around their periphery.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2004Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Steel AGInventors: Axel Grüneklee, Lothar Patberg, Ernst Weckenmann
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Patent number: 7441831Abstract: An attachment mount apparatus connects a subframe component to the lower frame midrail structure for an automotive vehicle that is formed from a pair of tubular members manufactured through a hydroforming process. The two tubular members are formed with a pair of opposing semi-cylindrical depressions to receive a cylindrical mounting member internally of the frame structure. One of the semi-cylindrical depressions and the corresponding outer wall of the tubular member are pierced to receive the cylindrical mount and a mounting plate. The opposing semi-cylindrical depression serves as a stop to locate the cylindrical mount along the centerline of the frame structure. The mounting plate spans the entire frame structure and is supported on four wall thicknesses to provide a stable mount structure for subframe components. The cylindrical mounting member is threaded to receive a fastener for the mounting of the subframe member.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2007Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ari Caliskan, Dean Gericke
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Patent number: 7431378Abstract: A joint assembly for joining a tubular B-pillar to a tubular roof rail. The joint assembly includes an inner bracket plate and an outer bracket plate that are welded to each other around the roof rail and B-pillar. The outer bracket plate extends across the B-pillar, over the roof rail, and laterally inwardly from the roof rail to provide an attachment surface for a roof support bow.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2007Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Xiaoming Chen, Omar Faruque, Everett Kuo, Thierry Guimberteau, Raj Mehta, James Zimmerman
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Patent number: 7416242Abstract: A reinforcement plate for a floor pan of a front foot well of an automotive vehicle. The reinforcement plate has impact resistant surfaces for reinforcing the floor pan against impacts in two and preferably three different directions.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2006Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Chrysler LLCInventors: Peter R. Godfrey, Prashenjit Pal, Gursharn Sanghera, Henry Jon Ziaja
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Patent number: 7407223Abstract: In an automotive floor panel assembly comprising a floor panel (1) stamp-formed of sheet metal and including a recess (21, 22) defining an upper concave surface and a lower convex surface, a compound longitudinal floor frame is formed by a lower reinforcement (24) extending longitudinally across a part of the lower convex surface of the floor panel and an upper reinforcement (25) extending longitudinally across a part of the upper concave surface of the floor panel. The lower and upper reinforcements include a first vertical wall having an upper edge closely following a contour of the lower convex surface a second vertical wall having a lower edge closely following a contour of the supper concave surface, respectively. The compound longitudinal floor frame is thus provided with a substantially constant cross section and extends substantially linearly over the entire length of the floor panel and hereby.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2006Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideaki Ito, Hirokuni Kumekawa
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Patent number: 7380874Abstract: In an automotive floor panel assembly (1) comprising a floor panel (1M) stamp-formed of sheet metal and including a longitudinal floor tunnel (2) extending longitudinally in a laterally central part of the floor panel and a lateral floor tunnel (3) extending laterally across the longitudinal floor tunnel, a first reinforcement member (7), which may have a stepped cross section, attached to and extending along a front surface of a front wall (1fw) of the lateral floor tunnel so as to define a closed cross section jointly with the front wall of the lateral floor tunnel. Thereby, a closed cross section is defined jointly by the first reinforcement member and the front wall of the lateral floor tunnel immediately under the front end of the front seats (4) so that the floor panel can be favorably reinforced without limiting the leg rooms of the vehicle occupants of the front seats and without interfering with the space for receiving the fuel tank (10).Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2006Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideaki Ito, Yoshinori Taguchi, Yasuyuki Shibata
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Patent number: 7374219Abstract: There is disclosed a reinforcement member with a carrier member and a reinforcement material disposed on the carrier member.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2005Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Zephyros, Inc.Inventor: Eric Brennecke
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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