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US 7,407,221 B2Granted
Support structures using tubes having variable wall thicknesses
AssigneeL & W Engineering
InventorsJames Kring, Gene Goins, Dean Richardson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A support structure for components within a vehicle is provided. The support structure includes a beam comprising a hollow metal tube coupled to vehicle's body. The tube is constructed of a single piece of tubing having first and second portions. The first portion has a first diameter and a first thickness, the second portion has a second diameter and a second thickness. The second diameter is larger than the first diameter and the second thickness is greater than the first thickness.
Claims18
A cross vehicle structure member for a vehicle extending across the vehicle between the vehicle pillars comprising:
- a beam comprising a hollow metal tube extending across the vehicle between the vehicle pillars, the tube is constructed of a single monolithic piece of tubing having a first portion, coupled to a first side of the vehicle and having a first outer diameter, a first inner diameter and a first thickness;
- a second portion, coupled to a second side of the vehicle and having a second outer diameter, second inner diameter and a second thickness, said first inner diameter and outer diameter being smaller than the second inner diameter and outer diameter;
- a secondary cross beam member extending generally parallel the primary cross beam member and having generally the same length as the primary cross beam member;
- at least one structure supporting bracket secured between the primary cross beam and the secondary cross beam;
- and
- at least one second bracket configured to support a steering column coupled to the second portion.
3 more elements
A cross vehicle structural member comprising:
- a primary cross beam member including a beam comprising a hollow monolithic metal tube extending substantially between two interior surfaces of the vehicle, the tube being constructed of a single piece of tubing having first and second portions, the first portion, coupled to a first side of a vehicle and having a first inner diameter and a first thickness, the second portion, coupled to a second side of the vehicle and having a second inner diameter and a second thickness, the second inner diameter is greater than the first inner diameter and the second thickness is greater than the first thickness;
- a secondary cross beam member extending generally parallel the primary cross beam member and having generally the same length as the primary cross beam member;
- a plurality of brackets secured between the primary cross beam and the secondary cross beam including a first bracket secured at a first end of said primary cross beam member and a first end of said secondary cross beam member and a second bracket secured at a second end of said primary cross beam member and a second end of said secondary cross beam member;
- and
- a bracket configured to support a steering column coupled to the second portion.
2 more elements
A support structure for supporting an instrument panel within a vehicle comprising:
- a primary cross beam member including a hollow metal tube coupled to the vehicle body, the tube being constructed of a single monolithic piece of tubing having a first portion, coupled to a first side of the vehicle and having first inner and outer diameters and a first thickness and a second portion, coupled to a second side of the vehicle and having a cylindrical outer surface and second outer and inner diameters and a second thickness, said first thickness being smaller than the second thickness;
- a secondary cross beam member extending generally parallel the primary cross beam member and having generally the same length as the primary cross beam member;
- at least one bracket secured between the primary cross beam member and the secondary cross beam member;
- a plurality of instrument panel supporting brackets welded to the hollow metal tube;
- and
- a steering column support bracket welded to the cylindrical outer surface.
3 more elements
A support structure for supporting a component within a vehicle comprising:
- a primary cross beam member including a single piece of tubing having first and second portions for supporting the vehicle component, the first portion has a first outer diameter and a first thickness, the second portion has a second inner diameter and a second thickness, the second inner diameter is larger than the first outer diameter and the second thickness is greater than the first thickness;
- a secondary cross beam member extending generally parallel the primary cross beam member and having generally the same length as the primary cross beam member;
- a plurality of brackets disposed between the primary cross beam member and the secondary cross beam member and welded to the tubing, at least a subset of said brackets configured to be coupled to the vehicle component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.