Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

David Gary Dahlstrom

Joseph Paul Tekelly

Peter Miskech

Keith Alan Kuzmich

James Posa

Karen Diane Wallag

Earl Ray Dover

Steve Frank

A structural bonding and sealing system for motor vehicle structural joints may include a first structural joint member including a first bonding and sealing surface, and a second structural joint member including a second bonding and sealing surface. The system further includes the first bonding and sealing surface disposed generally adjacent the second bonding and sealing surface, and the first and second structural joint members generally forming the motor vehicle structural joint. An expandable structural adhesive may be disposed between the first and second structural joint members adjacent the respective first and second bonding and sealing surfaces. The expandable structural adhesive may be expandable to substantially fill an area between the first and second structural joint members, to substantially bond the first and second structural joint members, and to substantially seal the first and second structural joint members from water and air intrusion without use of a separate sealant material.

Method of bonding and sealing automotive structural component joints

A tailgate assembly having an inner panel and an outer panel which is selectively coupled to the inner panel. The tailgate assembly further includes at least one stiffening member which is selectively and operatively contained between the panels and which increases the strength and durability of the tailgate assembly.

Tailgate assembly

A material applicator assemblywhich includes a rotor memberhaving a plurality of dispenser aperturesand a deformable material application ringaround the outer periphery of the rotor member. The assemblybeing rotatably coupled to a centrally mounted tubular member. Memberhaving at least one aperture through which an adhesive materialis forced into each of the plurality of aperturesas the rotor memberis rotated about member, thereby injecting the adhesive materialinto the application ringto deposit the adhesive materialupon componentshaving varying cross-sectional shapes.

Material applicator assembly and a method for using the same

A vehicle bed assembly has a floor pan , a front wall , and substantially identical side walls . The front wall and the side walls are coupled to the floor pan . The vehicle bed assembly further includes a rear wall which is deployed upon a tailgate which is selectively coupled to the floor pan , and a pair of substantially identical top rail members which overlay and receive a unique one of the side walls and a bracket which overlays and receives the front wall and which is coupled to the top rail member by a pair of end cap members . Particularly, the end cap members and the top rail members cooperatively provide a direct load path from any location on each of the side walls to the bracket which may be coupled to a portion of the vehicle , thereby reducing the likelihood of damage to the sidewalls and the front wall . The assembly may further include reception members which allow a raised platform to be constructed or placed within the vehicle bed assembly , and stake pockets and

Vehicle bed assembly and a method for making a vehicle bed assembly

A vehicle bed assembly including a frontwall, a pair of sidewalls, a backwall, and a bed portion. The walls and the bed portion include stiffening ribs that cooperatively allow the bed assembly to be easily cleaned and allow the bed assembly to be formed from relatively lightweight material. The vehicle bed assembly further includes side mounting assemblies which allow the assembly to be secured to the vehicle frame.

Vehicular bed assembly

A vehicular bed assembly and a method for making the vehicular bed assembly by a process which requires the use of a roll of material . Particularly, material from the roll is continually fed through a stamping or mold assembly which forms raised stiffening beads on the material . The material is then continually fed through a cutter in which the received material is selectively cut, thereby forming panels or segments, such as and without limitation segment or panel , which are used to form the walls and which are further used to form the floor pan . In this manner, the methodology allows for a variety of dissimilarly sized bed assemblies to be easily and efficiently produced.

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Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, United States of America

David Gary Dahlstrom