# US 2014/0191538 A1 · Detachable positioning and reinforcement structure and method of disassembling a front end assembly for a vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0191538 A1 - Document ID: US20140191538A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/734,488 - Filed: 2013-01-04 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-04 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: James M. Townson; Mark L. Felzien; Alexander C. Winter - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140191538A1 ## CPC - B62D 67/00: Systematic disassembly of vehicles for recovery of salvageable components, e.g. for recycling (for disposal of vehicles by destroying or transformation B09B3/00, B09B5/00 {; general arrangement of separating plants B03B9/00; recovery of plastics B29B17/00}) - B62D 25/085: {Front-end modules} - Y10T 29/49815: Disassembling - 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) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A detachable positioning and reinforcement structure includes a first wing structure operably coupled to a first automotive component. Also included is a second wing structure operably coupled to a second automotive component. Further included is a central portion removably coupled to the first wing structure, the second wing structure and a third automotive component disposed rearwardly of the central portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A detachable positioning and reinforcement structure comprising: a first wing structure operably coupled to a first automotive component; a second wing structure operably coupled to a second automotive component; and a central portion mechanically fastened to the first wing structure, the second wing structure, and a third component in a repeatedly removable manner, wherein the third automotive component is disposed rearwardly of the central portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The detachable positioning and reinforcement structure of claim 1, the first automotive component comprising a first fender assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The detachable positioning and reinforcement structure of claim 2, the first fender assembly comprising a first fender flange having a first plurality of apertures for receiving a first plurality of protrusions extending from a first side flange of the first wing structure. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The detachable positioning and reinforcement structure of claim 1, the second automotive component comprising a second fender assembly. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The detachable positioning and reinforcement structure of claim 4, the second fender assembly comprising a second fender flange having a second plurality of apertures for receiving a second plurality of protrusions extending from a second side flange of the second wing structure. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The detachable positioning and reinforcement structure of claim 1, the central portion comprising a first side member mechanically fastened to the first wing structure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The detachable positioning and reinforcement structure of claim 1, the central portion comprising a second side member mechanically fastened to the second wing structure. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The detachable positioning and reinforcement structure of claim 1, the third automotive component comprising a radiator support. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The detachable positioning and reinforcement structure of claim 8, the radiator support mechanically fastened to the detachable positioning and reinforcement structure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The detachable positioning and reinforcement structure of claim 1, wherein decoupling of the central portion from the first wing structure, the second wing structure and the third automotive component provides access to a plurality of front end assembly components. ### Claim 11 A method of disassembling a front end assembly for a vehicle comprising: decoupling a central portion of a positioning and reinforcement structure from a first wing structure and a second wing structure, wherein the first wing structure is mechanically fastened to a first side member and the second wing structure is mechanically fastened to a second side member; and decoupling the central portion from an automotive component disposed rearwardly of the central portion for providing access to a plurality of front end assembly components. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of disassembling a front assembly of claim 11, wherein the automotive component disposed rearwardly of the central portion comprises a radiator support. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of disassembling a front end assembly of claim 12, further comprising decoupling the radiator support from a frame of the vehicle. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of disassembling a front end assembly of claim 11, wherein decoupling the central portion from the automotive component comprises removing a plurality of mechanical fasteners. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of disassembling a front end assembly of claim 11, wherein the first wing structure remains operably coupled to a first fender assembly upon decoupling of the central portion from the first wing structure. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of disassembling a front end assembly of claim 11, wherein the second wing structure remains operably coupled to a second fender assembly upon decoupling of the central portion from the second wing structure.