Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Ezequiel Alvarez Ruiz

Michael Shawn Watterworth

Rabin Bhojan

Christina Dung Nguyen

Tad J Siedlecki

Siavash Osooli

Cynthia Wetzel

A vehicle includes a cross-member and a hinge. The cross-member has a horizontal surface converging with a vertical surface. The vertical surface has a generally flat profile and defines at least one curved recess proximate to a hinge support area located on the horizontal surface. The cross-member has a yield strength that is greater proximate to the curved recess relative to the remaining generally flat profile. The hinge is secured to the hinge support area.

Vehicle frame structure

A reinforced liftgate is provided for a vehicle. That reinforced liftgate includes an inner panel having a first aperture and a first reinforcing plate having a second aperture. The first reinforcing plate engages the inner panel so that the first and second apertures are aligned. A first ball stud is mounted to the inner panel in the first and second apertures. In one embodiment the liftgate also includes a hinge reinforcement.

Reinforced liftgate for a vehicle

Growing community of inventors

Mexico City, Mexico

Ezequiel Alvarez Ruiz