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.

Date of Patent:
Feb. 13, 2007

Filed:

Apr. 16, 2004
Applicants:

Kent S. Tarbutton, Lake Elmo, MN (US);

Joseph M. Lendway, Iv, Dryden, MI (US);

Inventors:

Kent S. Tarbutton, Lake Elmo, MN (US);

Joseph M. Lendway, IV, Dryden, MI (US);

Assignees:

3M Innovative Properties Company, Saint Paul, MN (US);

General Motors Corporation, Detroit, MI (US);

Attorneys:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B62D 21/12 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract

A hydroformable frame element is formed from the combination of at least two elements. The at least two elements are designed with a partially overlapping region, with an annular space defined within the overlapping region. The annular space is filled with adhesive, which is then cured to bond the at least two elements together. The adhesive bond is designed to withstand the stresses caused by the hydroforming operation and to retain its strength so that the hydroformed article is then usable as a vehicular frame element.


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