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US 7,111,899 B2Granted
Structural reinforcement member and method of use therefor
AssigneeL&L Products, Inc.
InventorTodd Gray
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A structural reinforcement member include a carrier member and a reinforcement material disposed upon the carrier member. The reinforcement member also includes at least one locating member. The reinforcement member has been found particularly useful for forming a structural system for articles of manufacture such as automotive vehicles.
Claims27
A structural system of an automotive vehicle, the system comprising:
- a structure of the automotive vehicle, the structure defining a cavity;
- a reinforcement member located within the cavity of the structure, the reinforcement member including:
- i. a carrier member formed as a shell and having an inner surface and an outer surface;
- and
- ii. a reinforcement material disposed upon the outer surface of the carrier member;
- and
- at least one locating member attached to the reinforcement member, the at least one locating member assisting in locating the reinforcement member with the cavity of the structure;
- wherein the at least one locating member is attached to the carrier member with a mechanical fastener or an adhesive;
- and
- wherein at least 80% of the carrier has a section thickness of no greater than 1 centimeter.
7 more elements
A structural system of an automotive vehicle, the system comprising:
- a structure of the automotive vehicle, the structure defining a cavity;
- a reinforcement member located within the cavity of the structure, the reinforcement member including:
- i. a carrier member formed as a shell and having an inner surface and an outer surface;
- and
- ii. a reinforcement material disposed upon the outer surface of the carrier member;
- and
- at least one locating member attached to the reinforcement member, the at least one locating member assisting in locating the reinforcement member with the cavity of the structure;
- wherein the at least one locating member includes a panel that overlays a surface of the reinforcement member;
- and
- wherein at least 80% of the carrier has a section thickness of no greater than 1 centimeter.
7 more elements
A structural system of an automotive vehicle, the system comprising:
- a structure of the automotive vehicle, the structure defining a cavity;
- a reinforcement member located within the cavity of the structure, the reinforcement member including:
- i. a carrier member having an outer surface;
- and
- ii. a reinforcement material disposed upon the outer surface of the carrier member;
- and
- at least one baffle member attached to the reinforcement member, the at least one baffle member being shaped as a panel and including a sealant material disposed thereon wherein the sealant material is expanded to seal the cavity against passage of materials therethrough and the baffle member physically separates portions of the cavity from each other and wherein the sealant material is different from the reinforcement material and wherein the baffle member overlays at least one surface of the carrier member.
4 more elements
A structural system of an automotive vehicle, the system comprising:
- a structure of the automotive vehicle, the structure defining a cavity;
- a reinforcement member located within the cavity of the structure, the reinforcement member including:
- i. a carrier member formed as a shell and having an inner surface and an outer surface;
- and
- ii. a reinforcement material disposed upon the outer surface of the carrier member;
- and
- at least one locating member attached to the reinforcement member, the at least one locating member assisting in locating the reinforcement member with the cavity of the structure;
- wherein the at least one locating member includes a panel that overlays a surface of the reinforcement member;
- wherein the structure is a pillar of the automotive vehicle and wherein the at least one locating member includes a first locating member and a second locating member and the second locating member includes a spring mechanism and the second locating member flexes while the first locating member contacts walls of the structure for locating the reinforcement member in the cavity.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.