The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 21, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 18, 1997
Richard Kleinhoffer, Macomb Township, MI (US);
Eugene M Schoenherr, Shelby Township, MI (US);
Shing Lo, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
James Chapp, Jr, West Bloomfield, MI (US);
Chrysler Corporation, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
A cross-car beam extends laterally between a pair of upwardly directed B-pillars on opposite sides of a vehicle passenger compartment and is structurally and functionally interconnected with each of the B-pillars. The cross-car beam provides the sole support for the rearward bottom portion of the front seat assemblies and preferably the hand brake, thus eliminating the need for stanchions supporting these assemblies. The cross-car beam is spaced above the floor of the passenger compartment and has a rearwardly and upwardly sloped portion of its lower surface, thus providing greatly enhanced foot space for rear seat passengers. In an alternate embodiment, the cross-car beam protrudes into at least a portion of each B-pillar assembly and can also be used to temporarily locate and support the body side aperture assembly prior to its being welded in its final location on the assembly line.