Space frame joint construction
AssigneeFord Motor Company
InventorAdam M. Janotik
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A space frame for an automotive vehicle includes a plurality of structural members. Each of the structural members has a channel. The space frame also includes a connector disposed in the channel of each of the structural members and a joint structure and/or adhesive for joining the connector and the structural members together.
Claims16
A space frame for an automotive vehicle comprising:
- a plurality of longitudinally extending structural members, each of said structural members having means forming a channel;
- a connector disposed in said channel of each of said structural members;
- and
- joint means for joining said connector and said structural members together, said joint means comprising means forming a groove on each of a pair of opposed sides of said connector, and means forming a tab on each of a pair of opposed sides of each of said structural members adjacent said channel thereof, said tabs being disposed in said grooves.
A space frame for an automotive vehicle comprising:
- a plurality of longitudinally extending structural members, each of said structural members having means forming a channel;
- a connector having a pair of opposed grooves and being disposed in said channel of each of said structural members;
- and
- an adhesive disposed between said connector and said channels;
- each of said channel forming means comprising a pair of side walls spaced and substantially parallel to each other and a base wall interconnecting said side walls, and a tab at a free end of each of said side walls adjacent said channel thereof, said tabs being disposed in said grooves to join said structural members and said connector together.
A method of constructing a space frame for an automotive vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
- forming a plurality of longitudinally extending structural members, each of the structural members having a channel and a tab on each of a pair of opposed sides of the channel;
- forming a connector with a groove on each of a pair of opposed sides thereof;
- disposing the connector in the channel of each of the structural members;
- and
- joining the connector and the structural members together by deflecting the tabs as the connector is disposed in the channels and disposing the tabs in the grooves.
A method of constructing a space frame for an automotive vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
- forming a plurality of longitudinally extending structural members having a channel;
- orientating the structural member with the channel facing upward;
- disposing adhesive in the channel;
- disposing a connector in the channel;
- joining the connector and the structural members together;
- and
- securing the connector to the structural members.
A method of constructing a space frame for an automotive vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
- forming a plurality of longitudinally extending structural members having outer surfaces and a channel with tabs on opposed sides of the channel;
- forming a connector with grooves on opposed sides;
- orientating the structural members with the channel facing upward;
- disposing adhesive in the channel;
- disposing a connector in the channel;
- and
- deflecting the tabs as the connector is disposed in the channel and disposing the tabs in the grooves.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.