# US 9,434,418 B2 · Hood assembly for a vehicle and method of aligning front end assembly components for a vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,434,418 B2 - Document ID: US9434418B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/491,411 - Filed: 2014-09-19 - Published: 2015-01-08 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2012-09-05 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: James M. Townson; Derek L. Patterson; Robert T. Gazda; Mark L. Felzien - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9434418B2 ## CPC - B62D 25/12: Parts or details thereof (locks E05B, {E05B83/16; devices for holding open E05C17/00, e.g. while carrying oversize objects E05C17/042}; hinges E05D; counterbalancing means E05F; {checks, stops, buffers E05F5/00; } springs, {e.g. pneumatic springs} F16F) - B62D 25/084: {Radiator supports} - B62D 25/105: {for motor cars} - B62D 65/06: the sub-units or components being doors, windows, openable roofs, lids, bonnets, or weather strips or seals therefor {(assembling sealing arrangements with vehicle parts, e.g. doors, windows B60J10/45)} - G01B 5/24: for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes - G01B 5/25: for testing the alignment of axes - Y10T 29/49622: Vehicular structural member making - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A hood assembly for a vehicle includes a hood having a top side and an underside. Also included is a centering tool operatively coupled to a top support member of a positioning and reinforcement structure, the centering tool extending upwardly from the positioning and reinforcement structure. Further included is a hood locating aperture defined by the hood and located at the underside of the hood, the hood locating aperture configured to receive the centering tool therein for locating the positioning and reinforcement structure to the hood. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hood assembly for a vehicle comprising: a hood having a top side and an underside; a centering tool operatively coupled to a top support member of a positioning and reinforcement structure, the centering tool extending upwardly from the positioning and reinforcement structure; and a hood locating aperture defined by the hood and located at the underside of the hood, the hood locating aperture configured to receive the centering tool therein for locating the positioning and reinforcement structure to the hood. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The hood assembly of claim 1, the centering tool comprising a base portion and a pin portion extending away from the base portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The hood assembly of claim 2, wherein the pin portion is detachable from the base portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The hood assembly of claim 2, wherein the pin portion and the base portion are integrally formed. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The hood assembly of claim 1, wherein the centering tool comprises a first end operatively coupled to the positioning and reinforcement structure and a second end located distally therefrom, wherein the second end comprises a blunt end. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The hood assembly of claim 1, wherein the positioning and reinforcement structure is centered relative to the hood upon insertion of the centering tool into the hood locating aperture. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The hood assembly of claim 6, wherein the positioning and reinforcement structure comprises a plurality of locating and securing components for a plurality of front end assembly components. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The hood assembly of claim 7, wherein the positioning and reinforcement structure provides a datum reference point for the plurality of front end assembly components. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The hood assembly of claim 1, wherein the positioning and reinforcement structure is fixed in a cross-car direction upon insertion of the centering tool into the hood locating aperture. ### Claim 10 A method of aligning a plurality of front end assembly components for a vehicle comprising: operatively coupling a centering tool to a top support member of a positioning and reinforcement structure to orient the centering tool in an upwardly disposed manner; pivoting a hood downwardly to bring a hood locating aperture proximate the centering tool, wherein the hood locating aperture is defined by an inner panel of the hood at an underside of the hood; aligning the hood locating aperture with the upwardly extending centering tool; and pivoting the hood further downwardly to insert the centering tool into the hood locating aperture for fixing the positioning and reinforcement structure in a cross-car direction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising removing at least a portion of the centering tool subsequent to fixing the positioning and reinforcement structure in a cross-car direction. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein fixing the positioning and reinforcement structure in the cross-car direction centers the positioning and reinforcement structure relative to the hood. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising locating an aligning a plurality of front end assembly components relative to the positioning and reinforcement structure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising providing a datum reference point for the plurality of front end assembly components with the positioning and reinforcement structure. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein aligning the hood locating aperture comprises displacing the positioning and reinforcement structure relative to a radiator support disposed proximate an aft surface of the positioning and reinforcement structure.