# US 11,110,875 B2 · Vehicle frame tie bar > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,110,875 B2 - Document ID: US11110875B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/999,101 - Filed: 2017-02-21 - Published: 2021-02-04 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2016-02-19 - Assignees: A.G. Simpson (USA), Inc - Applicants: A.G. Simpson (USA), Inc - Inventors: Jeremy A. Panasiewicz; Uwe Sehling; Rory B. Patterson; Matthew O'Lear - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11110875B2 ## CPC - B60R 19/34: destroyed upon impact, e.g. one-shot type - B60R 19/03: characterised by material, e.g. composite (B60R19/18 takes precedence) - B62D 21/152: {Front or rear frames} - B62D 29/004: {the metal being over-moulded by the synthetic material, e.g. in a mould} - F16F 7/003: {One-shot shock absorbers (using plastic deformation of members, e.g. using sacrificial, fibre-reinforced composite members F16F7/12)} - F16F 7/12: using plastic deformation of members {(F16F9/30 takes precedence; yieldable means for mounting bumpers on vehicles B60R19/26; yieldable or collapsible steering columns B62D1/192)} - F16F 7/121: {the members having a cellular, e.g. honeycomb, structure} - B60R 2019/1806: {Structural beams therefor, e.g. shock-absorbing} - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - 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) - F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION ## Abstract A composite tie bar assembly for distributing loads to a support frame of an automotive vehicle. The tie bar assembly includes a pair of spaced apart. reinforcement bars extending longitudinally between opposing ends. A tie bar shell is supported by the reinforcement bars and extends between opposite first and second distal cods. The tie bar shell has a first support plate extending between the reinforcement bars adjacent the first distal end and a second support plate extending between the reinforcement bars adjacent the second distal end. Bach of the support plates includes a plurality of structural ribs formed Integral therewith for distributing loads from the reinforcement bars to the support frame of the vehicle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tie bar assembly for distributing loads to a support frame of an automotive vehicle, said tie bar assembly comprising: a pair of spaced apart reinforcement bars extending longitudinally between opposing ends; and a tie bar shell supported by said reinforcement bars and extending between opposite first and second distal ends, said tie bar shell having a first support plate extending between said reinforcement bars adjacent said first distal end and a second support plate extending between said reinforcement bars adjacent said second distal end, wherein each of said support plates includes a base portion extending laterally between said reinforcement bars and a plurality of intersecting structural ribs projecting outwardly from said base portion of each of said support plates and formed integral therewith forming a grid pattern extending between said reinforcement bars for distributing loads from said reinforcement bars to the support frame of the vehicle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tie bar assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tie bar shell includes an upper frame rail fixedly secured to one of said reinforcement bars and a lower frame fixedly secured to the other one of said reinforcement bars. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The tie bar assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein the first support plate extends between said upper and lower frame rail adjacent said first distal end and said second support plate extends between said upper and lower frame rail adjacent said second distal end defining an opening therebetween. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The tie bar assembly as set forth in claim 3 further including a collapsible crush can fixedly secured to each of said first and second support plates for absorbing energy from an impact force on said tie bar assembly. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The tie bar assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said reinforcement bars are formed of metal and said tie bar shell is formed of plastic and overmolded to said reinforcement bars. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The tie bar assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said reinforcement bars are formed of metal and said tie bar shell is formed of composite material overmolded to said reinforcement bars. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The tie bar assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said crush can is formed integral with said first and second support plate, projecting outwardly from said base portion thereof and forming a hollow cavity therebetween. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The tie bar assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said crush can is formed of metal, plastic or composite material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The tie bar assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said crush can is filled with energy absorption material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The tie bar assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said crush can is formed with a honeycomb construction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5, 6) The tie bar assembly as set forth in claim 5 or 6 wherein said reinforcement bars include at least one overflow hole for receiving overmolded material of said tie bar shell therethrough to secure said tie bar shell to said reinforcement bar. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The tie bar assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second support plates include longitudinally extending channels and said reinforcement bars are received in said channels for securing said support plates to said reinforcement bars.