Filler panel apparatus and method for reinforcing a vehicle body
OwnerJena B. Frederickinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A filler panel for inserting within a vehicle body section that has a plurality of slats positioned substantially parallel with respect to one another, and each slat has a slat connector mechanism. The apparatus further has a molded encasing exhibiting a shape suitable for insertion into the vehicle body section, and the molded encasing contains each of the plurality of slats secured substantially parallel with respect to one another within the molded encasing such that each connector mechanism associated with each of the plurality of slats protrudes from the encasing such that each connector mechanism is positioned to be affixed to the vehicle body section.
Claims18
A filler panel for inserting with a vehicle body section, comprising:
- a plurality of slats positioned substantially parallel with respect to one another, each slat having a slat connector mechanism;
- and
- a molded encasing having a shape suitable for insertion into the vehicle body section, the vehicle body section having an interior panel and an exterior panel that form a hollow cavity, the molded encasing containing each of the plurality of slats and securing each of the plurality of slats parallel with respect to one another with the molded encasing such that each connector mechanism associated with each of the plurality of slats protrudes from the encasing and each connector mechanism is positioned to be affixed to the vehicle body section, the molded encasing positioned within the hollow cavity.
A filler panel comprising a plurality of slate positioned substantially parallel with respect to one another, each slat having a slat connector mechanism and a molded encasing having a shape and/or curvature suitable for installing into the vehicle body section, wherein the molded encasing containing each of the plurality of slats is positioned such that each connector mechanism associated with each of the plurality of slats protrudes from the molded encasing;
- and each connector mechanism is positioned to be affixed to the vehicle body section, for securing said filler panel to the exterior of the vehicle section via slat connector mechanisms, in conjunction with an interior body panel, but not encompassed by an exterior metal body panel, leaving said molded encasing exposed to exterior and positioned such that it becomes a replacement for the exterior metal body panel.
A method for reinforcing a vehicle body section, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a plurality of substantially parallel slats enclosed within a molded encasing, each of the slats having a protruding connector mechanism for installing the filler panel into the vehicle body section in conjunction with an interior body panel, but not encompassed by a metal exterior panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.