End member for a hollow structural piece on a vehicle, and method of using same

A method of blocking an opening formed in an end of a structural portion of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• force fitting an end member into blocking relation in said opening in said structural portion;
• and
• affixing said end member to the structural portion in such a way that the end member is retained blocking the opening;
• wherein said affixing step comprises applying heat to melt a portion of said end member.

An end member for installing on an end of a hollow structural portion of a vehicle body, said end member comprising:

• a plug body adapted to be force fitted for interfering placement in an opening in a hollow structural portion of a vehicle body, said plug body formed from heat-resistant plastic and having a reduced diameter portion;
• and
• a sealing member attached to said plug body for contacting an inner side edge of the vehicle body portion,
• wherein said sealing member comprises a thermally deformable thermoplastic which is operatively connected to said reduced diameter portion and adapted to melt and form a seal when heated.

An end member for installation on an end of a hollow structural portion of a vehicle body, said end member comprising:

• a blocking body which comprises
• a blocking portion for blocking an opening in an end of a hollow structural portion of a vehicle, and
• an engaging portion attached to said blocking portion for contacting an edge of the vehicle structural portion;
• wherein said blocking body has an outer periphery sized and shaped similar to an inner periphery of the end of the hollow structural portion, and is adapted to be force fitted into the end of the structural portion to fully block the end;
• and
• a sealing member operatively connected to said blocking body, said sealing member being operable to adhere the said end member in place in the opening.

An end member for installation on an end of a hollow structural portion of a vehicle body, said end member comprising:

• a blocking body which comprises
• a blocking portion for blocking an opening in an end of a hollow structural portion of a vehicle, and
• an engaging portion attached to said blocking portion for contacting an edge of the vehicle structural portion;
• and
• a sealing member operatively connected to said blocking body, said sealing member being disposed around a portion of the blocking body and operable to adhere said end member in place in the opening.