# US 2016/0084433 A1 · Tubular structure support with variable dimensions and mechanical properties > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0084433 A1 - Document ID: US20160084433A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/837,326 - Filed: 2015-08-27 - Published: 2016-03-24 - Earliest claimed: 2014-09-18 - Assignees: L & W Engineering - Applicants: L & W Engineering - Inventors: Jim Wines - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160084433A1 ## CPC - B21C 3/06: with adjustable section (B21C3/08 takes precedence) - B21C 1/22: specially adapted for making tubular articles (bending sheet metal into tubular form by drawing B21D5/10) - B21C 1/24: by means of mandrels - B21C 3/16: Mandrels; Mounting or adjusting same - B21C 37/16: Making tubes with varying diameter in longitudinal direction - B21C: MANUFACTURE OF METAL SHEETS, WIRE, RODS, TUBES, PROFILES OR LIKE SEMI-MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS OTHERWISE THAN BY ROLLING; AUXILIARY OPERATIONS USED IN CONNECTION WITH METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL ## Abstract A support may include a hollow metallic tube extending over an axis and may include two opposing ends. The tube may include a plurality of sections disposed along the axis. A first section may be disposed at an end of the tube and include a first inner diameter, a first outer diameter, and a first wall thickness. A second section may be separated from the first section via a first transition zone. The second section may include a second inner diameter, a second outer diameter, and a second wall thickness. A third section may be disposed remote from the first section and be separated from the second section via a second transition zone. The third section may have a third inner diameter, a third outer diameter, and a third wall thickness. The wall thickness, inner diameter and outer diameter may vary along the tube between the plurality of sections. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A support, comprising: a hollow metallic tube extending along an axis and including two opposing ends, the tube defining an inner surface and a radially outer surface with respect to the longitudinal axis, wherein the tube includes a plurality of sections disposed along the axis, the plurality of sections including: a first section disposed at an end of the tube, the first section having a first axial length, a first inner diameter, a first outer diameter and a first wall thickness; a second section separated from the first section via a first transition zone, the second section having a second axial length, a second inner diameter, a second outer diameter and a second wall thickness; and a third section remote from the first section and separated from the second section via a second transition zone, the third section having a third axial length, a third inner diameter, a third outer diameter and a third wall thickness; wherein the first wall thickness is greater than the second wall thickness, and wherein the third inner diameter is less than at least one the first inner diameter and the second inner diameter, and the third outer diameter is less than at least one of the first outer diameter and the second outer diameter. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The support of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sections further include a fourth section disposed at the end of the tube opposite the first section, the fourth section having a fourth axial length, a fourth inner diameter, a fourth outer diameter and a fourth wall thickness, wherein a third transition zone is disposed between the fourth section and the third section. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The support of claim 2, wherein the fourth inner diameter is less than the third inner diameter and the fourth outer diameter is less than the third outer diameter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The support of claim 3, wherein the fourth wall thickness is substantially equal to the third wall thickness. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The support of claim 2, wherein the fourth section includes a strength greater than a strength of at least one of the first section, the second section and the third section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The support of claim 1, wherein the inner surface and the outer surface of the second transition zone extend obliquely to the axis and parallel to each other. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The support of claim 1, wherein the second section includes a strength greater than a strength of the first section. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The support of claim 1, wherein the third wall thickness of the third section is substantially equal to the second wall thickness of the second section. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The support of claim 8, wherein the third section includes a strength greater than a strength of the second section. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The support of claim 1, wherein the first transition zone includes a triangular cross-section with respect to the axis. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The support of claim 1, wherein the first inner diameter is substantial equal to the second inner diameter, and wherein the second inner diameter is greater than the third inner diameter. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The support of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the second section is smoother than the inner surface of the first section. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The support of claim 1, wherein the first length is greater than the second length, and wherein the second length is greater than the third length. ### Claim 14 A structure support for a vehicle, comprising: a hollow metallic tube extending along a longitudinal axis and including two opposing ends, the tube defining an inner surface and a radially outer surface, wherein the tube is plastically deformed via mechanical forces to include a plurality of sections disposed along the longitudinal axis, the plurality of sections including: a first section disposed at one end of the tube, the first section having a first inner diameter, a first outer diameter and a first wall thickness; a second section separated from the first section via a first transition zone, the second section having a second inner diameter, a second outer diameter and a second wall thickness; a third section remote from the first section and separated from the second section via a second transition zone, the third section having a third inner diameter, a third outer diameter and a third wall thickness; and a fourth section disposed at the other end of the tube, the fourth section having a fourth inner diameter, a fourth outer diameter and a fourth wall thickness, wherein a third transition zone is disposed between the fourth section and the third section; wherein the first wall thickness is greater than the fourth wall thickness, and wherein the fourth inner diameter is less than the third inner diameter and the fourth outer diameter is less than the third outer diameter. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The structure support of claim 14, wherein the fourth section includes a strength greater than a strength of the first section. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The structure support of claim 14, wherein the third inner diameter is less than at least one of the first inner diameter and the second inner diameter, and wherein the third outer diameter is less than at least one of the first outer diameter and the second outer diameter. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The structure support of claim 14, wherein at least one of the second transition zone and the third transition zone defines a rectangular cross-section extending obliquely to the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The structure support of claim 14, wherein the third section includes a strength greater than at least one of a strength of the second section and a strength of the first section. ### Claim 19 A method of producing a tubular support, comprising: providing a hollow metallic blank defining an axis having a uniform initial wall thickness, a uniform initial inner diameter and a uniform initial outer diameter; drawing the blank a first length to define a first section having a first inner diameter, a first outer diameter and a first wall thickness, wherein at least one of the first outer diameter and first wall thickness is reduced in relation to the initial outer diameter and the initial wall thickness; forming a first transition zone to define a triangular cross-section with respect to the axis; drawing the blank a second length to define a second section having a second inner diameter, a second outer diameter and a second wall thickness, wherein the second outer diameter is less than the first outer diameter; forming a second transition zone to define a rectangular cross-section with respect to the axis; and drawing the blank a third length to define a third section having a third inner diameter, a third outer diameter and a third wall thickness, wherein the third inner diameter is less than the second inner diameter and the third outer diameter is less than the second outer diameter, and wherein the second transition zone extends obliquely to the axis; wherein the first wall thickness is greater than the second wall thickness and the third wall thickness. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the axis is a longitudinal axis and wherein the third section includes a strength greater than a strength of the first section and a strength of the second section.