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:
Jan. 09, 2001
Filed:
May. 19, 1998
Toshio Hirose, Handa, JP;
Tokai Kogyo Co., Ltd., Aichi-Pref, JP;
Abstract
An improved rocker panel construction includes a substantially convex show surface, a substantially concave hidden surface opposite the show surface, and a clip house mounting structure disposed on the hidden surface. The clip house structure includes a substantially planar clip surface, and substantially planar top and bottom legs attaching the clip surface to the hidden surface. The improvement consists of providing at least one hollow channel surrounded by a reinforcing rib connecting at least one of the legs to the hidden surface. The channel and reinforcing rib may run substantially longitudinally the length of the rocker panel. The channel and reinforcing rib provide a substantial increase in the strength of the attachment of the clip house mounting structure to the hidden surface while preventing the formation of sink marks in the show surface opposite the channel. The rocker panel may be made by gas-assisted injection molding wherein a mold including a mold cavity having the desired final shape, including one or more channel cavities, is provided. A predetermined amount of thermoplastic material is then injected into the mold cavity. Gas is injected into the one or more channel cavities at a predetermined pressure. The thermoplastic material is then allowed to set while the gas pressure is maintained.