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. 25, 2001
Filed:
Mar. 17, 2000
Stephen M. Lapic, Shillington, PA (US);
Andrew R. Simboli, Coatesville, PA (US);
Kenneth J. Bonnville, Peoria, AZ (US);
Dana Corporation, Toledo, OH (US);
Abstract
A vehicle frame assembly has an energy absorbing structure including a first portion having a first generally uniform dimension. A second portion extends from the first portion and has a second generally uniform dimension that is greater than the first generally uniform dimension of the first portion, thereby defining a first shoulder between the first portion and the second portion. A third portion extends from the second portion and has a third generally uniform dimension that is less than the first generally uniform dimension of the first portion, thereby defining a second shoulder between the second portion and the third portion. The second portion has at least one stiffening rib formed therein. The third portion has at least one stiffening rib formed therein that is discontinuous with the stiffening rib formed in the second portion. The energy absorbing structure is adapted to be deformed during a collision such that the third portion is moved within the second portion to absorb energy.