# US 10,480,556 B1 · Member joining method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,480,556 B1 - Document ID: US10480556B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 16/089,413 - Filed: 2016-04-28 - Published: 2019-11-07 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2016-04-28 - Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Yutaka Yano - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480556B1 ## CPC - B29C 65/02: by heating, with or without pressure - F16B 11/006: {by gluing (gluing of plastics material B29C65/48)} - B29C 44/128: {Internally reinforcing constructional elements, e.g. beams} - B29C 44/18: Filling preformed cavities {(B29C44/1204 takes precedence)} - B29C 66/5221: {for forming coaxial connections, i.e. the tubular articles to be joined forming a zero angle relative to each other} - B29C 69/00: Combinations of shaping techniques not provided for in a single one of main groups B29C39/00 - B29C67/00, e.g. associations of moulding and joining techniques; Apparatus therefore {(B29C48/001 takes precedence)} - B62D 25/04: Door pillars {; windshield pillars} - B62D 27/023: {Assembly of structural joints} - B62D 27/026: {Connections by glue bonding (in general F16B11/00; processes C09J5/00)} - B62D 29/002: {a foamable synthetic material or metal being added in situ (shaping of substances in a plastic state by foaming, in general B29C44/00)} - B62D 29/005: {preformed metal and synthetic material elements being joined together, e.g. by adhesives} - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## Abstract A member joining method includes applying a first resin member to a first member and a second resin member to a second member and joining end portions of the first and second members together. The member joining method further includes integrally joining the first resin member of the first member and the second resin member of the second member by heat deformation to mix and cure areas adjacent the end portions at a time of coating. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of joining comprising: providing a first outer member and a first inner member, wherein the first outer member has an end portion and the first inner member has an end portion; providing a second outer member and a second inner member, wherein the second outer member has an end portion and the second inner member has an end portion; arranging a first resin member on the first outer member, wherein the first resin member has an end portion; arranging a second resin member on the second outer member, wherein the second resin member has an end portion; performing a first joining step comprising joining the respective end portions of the first and second outer members to each other; performing a second joining step comprising joining the respective end portions of the first and second inner members to each other; performing a third joining step comprising joining the first outer member to the first inner member to define a first space therebetween, wherein the first resin member is covered by the first inner member and is located within the first space; performing a fourth joining step comprising joining the second outer member to the second inner member to define a second space therebetween, wherein the second resin member is covered by the second inner member and is located within the second space; wherein the combined first, second, third and fourth joining steps produce an assembly comprising the first and second inner members, the first and second outer members, and the first and second resin members respectively located within the first and second spaces; and heating the assembly to cause the first and second resin members to expand such that the respective end portions of the first and second resin members join to each other and mix with each other, the step of heating the assembly further causing the first and second resin members to cure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of joining according to claim 1, wherein: the first resin member and the second resin member each comprise a foamable epoxy that foams when heated. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of joining according to claim 2, wherein: the assembly forms part of a front pillar of an automobile. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of joining according to claim 1, wherein: the assembly forms part of a front pillar of an automobile.