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US 2009/0021050 A1Published application
Structural reinforcement system for an automotive vehicle
AssigneeSpecialty Vehicle Acquistion Corp.
InventorsJames E. Robertson, Robert G. Storc, Mostafa Rashidy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A structural reinforcement system is provided for an automotive vehicle. In another aspect of the present invention, an upper structural beam is employed which extends in a cross-vehicle direction adjacent to a vehicle belt-line. A further aspect of the present invention employs an upper structural beam with a recessed central portion. Yet another aspect of the present invention uses a structural reinforcement system in a convertible roof vehicle.
Claims65
An automotive vehicle comprising:
- a first passenger seating area;
- a front door located laterally adjacent the first seating area;
- a second passenger seating area located rearwardly of the first seating area;
- a second door located laterally adjacent the second seating area, the second door being located on the same side as and rearwardly of the first door;
- and
- a structural reinforcement located between the first and second seating areas, the reinforcement being laterally elongated and having a lower structural beam and an upper structural beam;
- a majority of the lower beam being located substantially adjacent a vehicle floor area;
- and
- the upper structural beam being located substantially adjacent a vehicular belt-line area;
- wherein the lower beam of the structural reinforcement is raised adjacent the fore-and-aft extending centerline of the vehicle.
7 more elements
An automotive vehicle comprising:
- a first passenger seating area;
- a front door located laterally adjacent the first seating area;
- a second passenger seating area located rearwardly of the first seating area;
- a second door located laterally adjacent the second seating area, the second door being located on the same side as and rearwardly of the first door;
- and
- a structural reinforcement located between the first and second seating areas, the reinforcement being laterally elongated and having a lower structural beam and an upper structural beam;
- a majority of the lower beam being located substantially adjacent a vehicle floor area;
- and
- wherein the structural reinforcement further comprises a first diagonal beam extending between the upper and lower beams;
- and
- wherein the structural reinforcement further comprises a second diagonal beam crossing the first diagonal beam and extending between the upper and lower beams.
8 more elements
An automotive vehicle comprising:
- a first passenger seating area;
- a front door located laterally adjacent the first seating area;
- a second passenger seating area located rearwardly of the first seating area;
- a second door located laterally adjacent the second seating area, the second door being located on the same side as and rearwardly of the first door;
- and
- a structural reinforcement located between the first and second seating areas, the reinforcement being laterally elongated and having a lower structural beam and an upper structural beam;
- a majority of the lower beam being located substantially adjacent a vehicle floor area;
- and
- wherein the upper beam of the structural reinforcement is lower in height adjacent a fore-and-aft extending centerline of the vehicle.
6 more elements
An automotive vehicle comprising:
- a front passenger seat;
- a rear passenger seat located substantially behind the front seat;
- a left structural rocker panel;
- a right structural rocker panel;
- and
- a structure extending in a substantially cross-vehicle direction between the front and rear seats, a first portion of the structure being adjacent at least a vehicular beltline, a second portion of the structure being coupled to the rocker panels, the structure including at least two crossing diagonal beams;
- the front seat being movable in a fore-and-aft direction independent of the structure.
4 more elements
An automotive vehicle comprising:
- a front passenger seat;
- a rear passenger seat located substantially behind the front seat;
- a left structural rocker panel;
- a right structural rocker panel;
- and
- a structure extending in a substantially cross-vehicle direction between the front and rear seats, a first portion of the structure being adjacent at least a vehicular beltline, a second portion of the structure being coupled to the rocker panels;
- the front seat being movable in a fore-and-aft direction independent of the structure;
- wherein the first portion of the structure device is an upper structural beam which is lower in height adjacent a fore-and-aft extending centerline of the vehicle.
5 more elements
An automotive vehicle comprising:
- a body having a front seating area and a rear seating area;
- at least one front passenger door opening positioned to allow access to the front seating area;
- at least one rear passenger door opening positioned to allow access to the rear seating area;
- a convertible roof movable from a raised position, covering at least one of the seating areas, to a retracted position;
- a structural reinforcement extending in a substantially cross-vehicle direction between the seating areas, the structural reinforcement including a substantially hollow upper beam extending in a cross-vehicle direction substantially adjacent a beltline of the body;
- and
- at least two front seats located in the front seating area, the front seats being independently movable and not attached to the structural reinforcement.
4 more elements
An automotive vehicle comprising:
- a body having a front seating area and a rear seating area;
- at least one front passenger door opening positioned to allow access to the front seating area;
- at least one rear passenger door opening positioned to allow access to the rear seating area;
- a convertible roof movable from a raised position, covering at least one of the seating areas, to a retracted position;
- a structural reinforcement extending in a substantially cross-vehicle direction between the seating areas, the structural reinforcement including a substantially hollow upper beam extending in a cross-vehicle direction substantially adjacent a beltline of the body;
- and
- a structural rocker panel attached to the structural reinforcement.
4 more elements
An automotive vehicle comprising:
- a body having a front seating area and a rear seating area;
- at least one front passenger door opening positioned to allow access to the front seating area;
- at least one rear passenger door opening positioned to allow access to the rear seating area;
- a convertible roof movable from a raised position, covering at least one of the seating areas, to a retracted position;
- a structural reinforcement extending in a substantially cross-vehicle direction between the seating areas, the structural reinforcement including a substantially hollow upper beam extending in a cross-vehicle direction substantially adjacent a beltline of the body;
- and
- a central floor tunnel attached to the structural reinforcement.
4 more elements
An automotive vehicle comprising:
- a body having a front seating area and a rear seating area, the body also having a floor;
- at least one front passenger door opening positioned to allow access to the front seating area;
- at least one rear passenger door opening positioned to allow access to the rear seating area;
- a convertible roof movable from a raised position, covering at least one of the seating areas, to a retracted position;
- and
- a structural reinforcement extending in a substantially cross-vehicle direction between the seating areas, the structural reinforcement including a first beam having a majority portion extending in a cross-vehicle direction spaced away from the floor;
- wherein the structural reinforcement further comprises a second beam upwardly extending in a diagonal manner from the first beam adjacent a substantially vertically extending B-pillar.
4 more elements
An automotive vehicle comprising:
- a body having a front seating area and a rear seating area, the body also having a floor;
- at least one front passenger door opening positioned to allow access to the front seating area;
- at least one rear passenger door opening positioned to allow access to the rear seating area;
- a convertible roof movable from a raised position, covering at least one of the seating areas, to a retracted position;
- a structural reinforcement extending in a substantially cross-vehicle direction between the seating areas, the structural reinforcement including a beam having a majority portion extending in a cross-vehicle direction spaced away from the floor;
- and
- an entertainment system attached to the structural reinforcement.
4 more elements
An automotive vehicle comprising:
- a body having a front seating area and a rear seating area, the body also having a floor;
- at least one front passenger door opening positioned to allow access to the front seating area;
- at least one rear passenger door opening positioned to allow access to the rear seating area;
- a convertible roof movable from a raised position, covering at least one of the seating areas, to a retracted position;
- a structural reinforcement extending in a substantially cross-vehicle direction between the seating areas, the structural reinforcement including a beam having a majority portion extending in a cross-vehicle direction spaced away from the floor;
- and
- a rear passenger safety restraint attached to the structural reinforcement.
4 more elements
A method of manufacturing a portion of an automotive vehicle including two front passenger door openings, at least two rear passenger door openings, substantially vertical pillars each located between the front and rear door openings, a vehicle floor, an internal structure, and front passenger seats, the method comprising:
- (a) creating the internal structure from a rigid material to comprise at least two elongated and generally parallel members;
- (b) securing the internal structure to the pillars with a majority of each of the members extending in a generally cross-vehicle direction from at least a center of the vehicle to at least one of the pillars, substantially below a vehicle beltline and above the vehicle floor;
- (c) allowing the front passenger seats to move independently of the internal structure;
- and
- (d) mounting a convertible roof to the automotive vehicle.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.