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:
Feb. 25, 2014
Filed:
Jul. 12, 2012
Mike James Freeman, Allen Park, MI (US);
Philip John Leonetti, Plymouth, MI (US);
Gene A. Senn, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Christopher Kunkel, Macomb Township, MI (US);
Shadi M. Al-thabteh, Ypsilanti, MI (US);
Mike James Freeman, Allen Park, MI (US);
Philip John Leonetti, Plymouth, MI (US);
Gene A. Senn, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Christopher Kunkel, Macomb Township, MI (US);
Shadi M. Al-Thabteh, Ypsilanti, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A mechanism for increasing stiffness of the side-structure of a vehicle, for transferring loads and strain energy, and for improving rigidity from the lower portion of a side pillar, to the underbody structural components of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a hydroformed tube having a horizontal portion, a vertical portion and an arcuate central portion. The upper end of the vertical portion is spot welded to the lower portion of the side pillar. The horizontal portion is received into, and spot welded to, an inner portion of a structural member. The structural member is an L-shaped bracket, and its major portion is spot welded to an inner portion of an elongated beam. The beam is fixedly attached to the side rail of the vehicle. The tubular member, the structural member, and the elongated beam, when connected, form a closed continuous box shaped structure, which reinforces the side-structure of the vehicle.