Floor module
AssigneeDow Gobal Technologies Inc.
InventorsSamar R. Teli, Allan James, Blair S. Patty
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A floor module (10) and method of inserting a floor module are provided. The floor module comprises a floor section (18) and a pair of side walls (20) at the peripheral edges of the floor section. The side walls (14) are adhesively secured to the side rails of the vehicle load bearing structure (12). A damper (30) is applied to the bottom of the floor section. The floor module (10) is inserted into the vehicle during the assembly process. Heat activated adhesives (24, 28) secure the floor module to the loading bearing structure (12) of the vehicle during an e-coating process.
Claims21
A floor module for disposition in a vehicle having a load bearing having side rails and at least one lower cross member disposed between the side rails, said floor module comprising:
- a floor section for disposition on the load bearing structure to comprise the floor of the vehicle,
- at least one wall extending transversely from said floor section and adapted to be secured to the load bearing structure;
- and
- said wall including a mounting flange portion having an adhesive layer on at least a portion thereof, said adhesive layer adapted to secure said module to the load bearing structure.
A method of constructing a floor module and securing the floor module in a vehicle having a load bearing structure having side rails and at least one lower cross member disposed between the side rails, said method comprising the steps of:
- molding a floor section and at least one wall extending transversely to the floor section;
- placing a heat activated adhesive film on at least a portion of the at least one wall;
- placing the module in a vehicle so that the at least one wall and the adhesive film contact the load bearing structure;
- and
- e-coating at least a portion of the module and simultaneously activating the adhesive film to thereby secure the floor module to the load bearing structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.