# US 2014/0197664 A1 · Vehicle structural support member reinforced with ultra high strength laminate > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0197664 A1 - Document ID: US20140197664A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/740,856 - Filed: 2013-01-14 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-14 - Assignees: The NanoSteel Company, Inc.; GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC; Nanosteel Company, Inc. - Inventors: Hesham A. Ezzat; Charles D Tuffile; Marcel R. Cannon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197664A1 ## CPC - B62D 25/00: Superstructure {or monocoque structure} sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for {(having impact absorbing means B62D21/15; running-boards, steps, or the like as superstructure sub-unit B60R3/00)} - B62D 25/087: {Luggage compartments} - B62D 29/005: {preformed metal and synthetic material elements being joined together, e.g. by adhesives} - B62D 29/007: {predominantly of special steel or specially treated steel, e.g. stainless steel or locally surface hardened steel} - Y10T 29/49622: Vehicular structural member making - 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 method of manufacturing a structural support member for a vehicle includes forming a first portion, forming a second portion, and connecting the first portion and the second portion together. The first portion and the second portion may be formed from one of an aluminum material, a magnesium material, a cold-formable steel material, a glass fiber composite material, or a plastic material. The first portion and the second portion are connected together such that the second portion is disposed in a tensile loading condition in response to an impact load applied to the first portion. A laminate layer is attached to the second portion. The laminate layer includes an ultra high strength material having a yield strength equal to or greater than five hundred fifty (550) MPa. The laminate layer may include, for example, an iron based glassy metal foil or an iron based glassy metal foil fabric. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of manufacturing a structural support member for a vehicle, the method comprising: forming a first portion; forming a second portion; connecting the first portion and the second portion together; and attaching a laminate layer directly to a surface of the second portion, wherein the laminate layer includes an ultra high strength material having a yield strength equal to or greater than fifteen hundred (1500) MPa, and wherein the laminate layer includes one of an iron based glassy metal foil, an iron based glassy metal foil fabric, or a fiber or iron based glassy metal foil reinforced polymer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein connecting the first portion and the second portion together is further defined as connecting the first portion and the second portion together such that the second portion is disposed in a tensile loading condition in response to an impact load applied to the first portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the structural support member is one of an automotive A-pillar, an automotive B-pillar, an automotive hinge pillar, an automotive roof rail, an automotive rocker panel support, an automotive frame member, or an automotive door beam support. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the laminate layer may be attached to the second portion by one of a welding process, a bonding or adhesion process, or a mechanical joining process. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein forming the first portion is further defined as forming the first portion from one of an aluminum material, a magnesium material, a cold-formable steel material, a glass fiber composite material, or a plastic material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein forming the second portion is further defined as forming the second portion from one of an aluminum material, a magnesium material, a cold-formable steel material, a glass fiber composite material, or a plastic material. ### Claim 7 (canceled) ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein forming the first portion and forming the second portion includes selecting a specific material for and defining a cross sectional thickness of the first portion and the second portion respectively based upon the tensile load carrying capacity of the laminate layer, to minimize an overall mass of the structural support member. ### Claim 9 A method of manufacturing a structural support member that is optimized for gross geometry and minimal mass, the method comprising: forming a first portion from one of an aluminum material, a magnesium material, a cold-formable steel material, a glass fiber composite material, or a plastic material; forming a second portion from one of an aluminum material, a magnesium material, a cold-formable steel material, a glass fiber composite material, or a plastic material; connecting the first portion and the second portion together such that the second portion is disposed in a tensile loading condition in response to an impact load applied to the first portion; and attaching a laminate layer directly to a surface of the second portion, wherein the laminate layer includes an ultra high strength material having a yield strength equal to or greater than fifteen hundred (1500) MPa, and wherein the laminate layer includes one of an iron based glassy metal foil, an iron based glassy metal foil fabric, or a fiber or iron based glassy metal foil reinforced polymer. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein the structural support member is one of an automotive A-pillar, an automotive B-pillar, an automotive hinge pillar, an automotive roof rail, an automotive rocker panel support, an automotive frame member, or an automotive door beam support. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein the laminate layer may be attached to the second portion by one of a welding process, a bonding or adhesion process, or a mechanical joining process. ### Claim 12 (canceled) ### Claim 13 A structural support member for a vehicle, the structural support member comprising: a first portion; a second portion attached to the first portion, wherein the second portion is disposed in a tensile loading condition in response to an impact load applied to the first portion; and a laminate layer directly attached to a surface of the second portion, wherein the laminate layer includes an ultra high strength material having a yield strength equal to or greater than fifteen hundred (1500) MPa, and wherein the laminate layer includes one of an iron based glassy metal foil, an iron based glassy metal foil fabric, or a fiber or iron based glassy metal foil reinforced polymer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A structural support member as set forth in claim 13 wherein the first portion and the second portion are each manufactured from and include one of an aluminum material, a magnesium material, a cold-formable steel material, a glass fiber composite material, or a plastic material. ### Claim 15 (canceled) ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) A structural support member as set forth in claim 13 wherein the second portion and the laminate layer include a combined cross sectional thickness between the range of 0.5 mm and 2.5 mm. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) A structural support member as set forth in claim 13 further comprising a tensile member disposed between and interconnecting the first portion and the second portion.