Cosma International Inc.

Tommy J Skudutis

The present invention relates to a method for making a vehicle frame member having a shock absorbing mounting portion constructed ad arranged to be mounted to a structural component within a motor vehicle. The method comprises hydroforming a tubular blank within a hydroforming die by supplying pressurized fluid to the hollow interior of the blank. A drawforming member is moved inwardly with respect to the cavity of the hydroforming die while the fluid is pressurized so that the drawforming member deforms a portion of the tubular wall inwardly to form a recessed portion having an annular side wall portion and a bottom wall portion. The formed tubular blank is then removed from the hydroforming die and a mounting structure is disposed inside the recessed portion and the blank and mounting structure are then disposed within an injection molding die. Molten shock absorbing material is injected into the recessed portion so that the molten material surrounds the mounting structure. The molten shock absorbing material is thereafter solidified. Preferably, a pair of such recessed portions are formed. The present invention also relates to a vehicle frame member to be joined to a structural component in shock absorbing relation.

Vehicle frame member having a shock absorbing mounting portion and a

The present invention relates to a method for making a vehicle frame member having a shock absorbing mounting portion constructed and arranged to be mounted to a structural component within a motor vehicle. The method comprises hydroforming a tubular blank within a hydroforming die by supplying pressurized fluid to the hollow interior of the blank. A drawfornming member is moved inwardly with respect to the cavity of the hydroforming die while the fluid is pressurized so that the drawforming member deforms a portion of the tubular wall inwardly to form a recessed portion having an annular side wall portion and a bottom wall portion. The formed tubular blank is then removed from the hydroforming die and a mounting structure is disposed inside the recessed portion and the blank and mounting structure are then disposed within an injection molding die. Molten shock absorbing material is injected into the recessed portion so that the molten material surrounds the mounting structure. The molten shock absorbing material is thereafter solidified. Preferably, a pair of such recessed portions are formed. The present invention also relates to a vehicle frame member to be joined to a structural component in shock absorbing relation.

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Newmarket, Canada

Tommy J Skudutis