Magna International Inc.

Hao Chen

Martin Robert Matthews

Ameil A Kapadia

A structural joint for a vehicle is provided that includes a first tubular beam with forward and rear faces extending in a non-fore and aft direction. A bracket has a first leg abutting the first beam's forward face and a second leg transverse to the forward and rearward faces. The bracket has a third leg extending generally outward from the second leg. A mound is connected with the bracket and extending outwardly from the bracket's third leg provides a presentation surface spaced away from the bracket third leg. A second tubular beam has an end with a generally inverted U-shaped rear face with a central portion that abuts the mound. The second beam rear face also has vertical end portions abutting the bracket third leg. The second tubular beam has a front face which is spaced from the bracket third leg. Threaded fasteners connect the bracket and the second tubular beam together. The above noted arrangement causes the first and second beam to be joined in a very strong joint wherein the stress is experienced by the beams along their forward and rearward faces are generally communicated with one another in a manner akin to that of a bent corner of a single hydro-formed beam.

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Madison Heights, MI, United States of America

Hao Chen