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:
May. 11, 2004
Filed:
Jul. 02, 2002
Andrew R. Simboli, Coatesville, PA (US);
Dana Corporation, Toledo, OH (US);
Abstract
A closed channel structural member, such as a side rail or a cross member, for use in such a vehicle body and frame assembly that includes an internal reinforcing structure to increase the strength and rigidity thereof. The side rail can be generally rectangular in cross sectional shape, including first and second side rail sections having generally C-shaped cross sectional shapes. The reinforcing structure can be generally hat-shaped or W-shaped in cross sectional shape, including a central reinforcing portion extending between a pair of base portions. The central reinforcing portion can either be laterally spaced apart from or directly abut a central web portion of one of the side rail sections. The base portions can be generally L-shaped in cross sectional shape, including legs that terminate adjacent to the ends of the other of the side rail sections to facilitate the assembly process. A pair of such reinforcing structures can be disposed within the side rail and abut one another in end-to-end fashion. Alternatively, tabs extending from each of the reinforcing structures can is partially overlap one another to provide additional strength and rigidity.