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:
Aug. 30, 2011
Filed:
Mar. 17, 2010
Ryan Craig, Harrison Township, MI (US);
Ryan Craig, Harrison Township, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
An energy distributing side structure for a vehicle is disclosed. The side structure includes a B-pillar having a wide base and an internal reinforcing tube, a rocker having an internal bulkhead, a rear rocker, and at least one cross-member extending vehicle-inward from the rocker. The cross-member may extend to the vehicle tunnel and may be attached to a tunnel brace. One or more additional cross-members may be provided which also extend vehicle-inward from the rocker and define secondary load paths. By this arrangement loading is transferred to the floor and cross-members of the vehicle during a lateral impact event.