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:
Jul. 20, 2010
Filed:
Jul. 29, 2008
Lou Ratsos, Commerce Township, MI (US);
John T. Reed, Hudson, OH (US);
Frank J. Day, South Lyon, MI (US);
Gregory S. Frederick, Shelby Township, MI (US);
Hikmat F. Mahmood, Bloomfield Hills, MI (US);
Lou Ratsos, Commerce Township, MI (US);
John T. Reed, Hudson, OH (US);
Frank J. Day, South Lyon, MI (US);
Gregory S. Frederick, Shelby Township, MI (US);
Hikmat F. Mahmood, Bloomfield Hills, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A body side rail construction for an automotive vehicle is formed in a dual cell configuration. A reversed C-shaped channel is welded to the closed section of the conventional roof side rail member to enable the body side rail member to be a smaller section that is less susceptible to buckling as the body side rail member transfers load to the front and rear corner pillars. The C-shaped cross-sectional configuration presents advantages for manufacturing as it can be shaped to provide the attaching brackets and horns for mounting the front header, roof bow, and rear header members to the body side rail without the addition of individual end items to serve this function. From a shipping density standpoint, this design gives maximum structure while maintaining good rack density that enables relatively straight parts to be nested together while still providing the increased section strength required for enhanced roof performance.