Exposed structural corner reinforcement
AssigneeZephyros, Inc.
InventorsMax Vanraaphorst, Jeffery T. Shantz, Garrett Taylor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present teachings generally relate to a structural reinforcement, a body member comprising the structural reinforcement, and a method of using the structural reinforcement. The structural reinforcement comprises a first wall, a second wall extending from a first side of the first wall. Spacer legs extend from a second side of the first wall and define a first channel Spacer legs extend from a second side of the second wall and define a second channel. The structural reinforcement is configured to reinforce a joint.
Claims20
A structural reinforcement, for a vehicle, comprising:
- (a) a first wall,
- (b) a second wall extending perpendicularly from an edge of a first side of the first wall,
- (c) a third wall coupled to and extending perpendicularly between the first wall and the second wall,
- (d) one or more spacer legs extending from a second side of the first wall and defining a first channel,
- (e) one or more spacer legs extending from a second side of the second wall and defining a second channel, and
- (f) a curable adhesive disposed in the first channel and the second channel and on the third wall;
- wherein the structural reinforcement is configured to reinforce a joint;
- and
- wherein the one or more spacer legs of the first wall and the one or more spacer legs of the second wall each include two spacer legs coupled to opposing edges respectively of the first wall and the second wall.
A structural reinforcement, for a vehicle, comprising:
- a first wall, a second wall extending perpendicularly from an edge of a first side of the first wall, a third wall coupled to and extending perpendicularly between the first wall and the second wall, two spacer legs extending from a second side of and from opposing edges of the first wall and defining a first channel, two spacer legs extending from a second side of and from opposing edges of the second wall and defining a second channel, and a curable adhesive disposed as two discrete strips in each of the first and second channels, and on the third wall;
- wherein the structural reinforcement is configured to reinforce a joint;
- wherein the first wall, the second wall, or both comprise an opening adapted to accept a fastener;
- and wherein the structural reinforcement is fabricated from a fiber-filled polymeric material.
A reinforced vehicle joint system comprising:
- (a) a joint having three interfacing surfaces;
- (b) a structural reinforcement comprising:
- a first wall, a second wall extending perpendicularly from an edge of a first side of the first wall, a third wall coupled to and extending perpendicularly between the first wall and the second wall, two spacer legs extending from a second side of and from opposing edges of the first wall and defining a first channel, two spacer legs extending from a second side of and from opposing edges of the second wall and defining a second channel, and a curable adhesive disposed as two discrete strips in each of the first and second channels, and the curable adhesive is disposed on the third wall;
- wherein the structural reinforcement is configured to reinforce the joint;
- wherein the first wall, the second wall, or both comprise an opening adapted to accept a fastener which extends into the joint;
- wherein the structural reinforcement is fabricated from a fiber-filled polymeric material;
- and wherein the two spacer legs of the first wall are engaged on a first of the three interfacing surfaces, the two spacer legs of the second wall are engaged on a second of the three interfacing surfaces, and the third wall is adhered to a third of the three interfacing surfaces via the curable adhesive.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.