Structural reinforcement system for automotive vehicles
AssigneeL&L Products, Inc.
InventorsWilliam J. Barz, Thomas L. Coon, Michael J. Czaplicki
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automotive vehicle frame reinforcement system has a skeleton member designed to be secured to a vehicle frame, such as a roof or pillar section. An expandable material, such as an epoxy-based reinforcing foam, is disposed on the skeleton member. Once the system is attached to the frame, the foam expands and cures during an automobile assembly operation, bonding the reinforcement system to the frame. As a result, the reinforcement system provides enhanced load distribution over the vehicle frame without adding excessive weight.
Claims21
A system for reinforcement of an automotive vehicle frame, comprising:
- (a) a skeleton member having a plurality of reinforcing ribs incorporated therein adapted for placement in a cavity defined in an automotive vehicle frame;
- and
- (b) an expandable material over at least a portion of said skeleton member.
A member for use in a system for reinforcement of an automotive vehicle frame in response to an external load, comprising:
- (a) a first portion having a plurality of beam elements with a longitudinal axis generally non-parallel to the load;
- and
- (b) a second portion contiguous with said first portion, the second portion having a surface adapted for carrying an expandable material, which upon expansion helps distribute load over said surface in response to said load.
A reinforced roof and pillar system for an automotive vehicle, comprising:
- (a) an automotive vehicle frame for a roof and pillar of an automotive vehicle, said frame having a plurality of wall portions defining a cavity therein;
- and
- (b) a skeleton member disposed within said cavity and having a structural foam material in sealing contact with said skeleton member and at least one of said plurality of wall portions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.