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:
Jun. 09, 2009
Filed:
Oct. 11, 2006
Xiaoming Chen, Canton, MI (US);
Omar Faruque, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Thierry Guimberteau, Livonia, MI (US);
Louis Ratsos, Commerce Township, MI (US);
Dean Gericke, Brighton, MI (US);
Daniel Szalay, Belleville, MI (US);
Xiaoming Chen, Canton, MI (US);
Omar Faruque, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Thierry Guimberteau, Livonia, MI (US);
Louis Ratsos, Commerce Township, MI (US);
Dean Gericke, Brighton, MI (US);
Daniel Szalay, Belleville, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Vari-Form, Inc., Warren, MI (US);
Abstract
A support rail for a vehicle has an A-pillar portion and a roof rail portion. The roof rail and A-pillar are formed with a tubular body portion and longitudinally extending support flanges. The support flanges are formed by pinching the blank during the hydroforming process to provide a double thickness flange. A windshield support flange, roof support flange and door opening flange are formed to extend outwardly from the tubular body portion. Front and rear tube connectors include blind openings or notches to facilitate welding.