Freightliner Corporation

James Edward Hill

Homer Franklin Wright, Jr

Edmond Kalstiantz

Steven W Hallstrom

James L Brown

James S Tregaskis

Richard C Jeffries

A sealing method and apparatus involves positioning sealant carriers in a gap between first and second components to be sealed. Sealant is applied to a first major surface of the sealant carriers. As the first and second components are tightened together, the carriers are compressed and cause sealant to travel from the first major surface and through the carriers to a second major surface which is opposed to the first major surface. The sealant carriers may be positioned on respective carrier supports while sealant is being applied to the first major surface of the sealant carriers. The supports are used in initially positioning the sealant carriers in place and then are removed prior to tightening the first and second components together. The supports may include alignment mechanisms for use in aligning the sealant carriers with one of the first and second components. The sealant adheres the sealant carriers to such one of the first and second components following removal of the supports.

Method and apparatus for sealing joints between components of vehicles

A sidewall skin is provided having a front edge, rear edge, top edge, and bottom edge, and a first exterior side and a second interior side. An inwardly directed front flange is provided along the front edge, and an inwardly directed flange is also provided along the top edge. The sidewall skin has a inwardly stepped transition region spaced rearwardly of the front edge. A rear corner is formed in the skin at a location forwardly of the rear edge and rearwardly of the transition region. A portion of the skin between the rear edge and rear corner forms part of the back wall of the truck cab. The sidewall skin is preferably adhesively secured to a sidewall framework with fasteners being virtually eliminated during the sidewall assembly process. The adhesive may be heat cured, which may involve a first partial heat curing step to provide the sidewall with handling strength followed by a second heat curing step. The second step is typically accomplished during curing of paint after a truck cab is assembled.

Truck cab sidewall and method for making the same

A truck cab sidewall assembly and method for making the same are disclosed. A sidewall skin is provided having a front edge, rear edge, top edge, and bottom edge, and a first exterior side and a second interior side. An inwardly directed front flange is provided along the front edge, and an inwardly directed flange is also provided along the top edge. The sidewall skin has a inwardly stepped transition region spaced rearwardly of the front edge. A rear corner is formed in the skin at a location forwardly of the rear edge and rearwardly of the transition region. A portion of the skin between the rear edge and rear corner forms part of the back wall of the truck cab. The rear comer is preferably formed by a roll forming technique. The transition region is preferably formed by a die-press.

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West Linn, OR, United States of America

James Edward Hill