Stamped rear frame bolster

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11840277-B2
Application number	US-202117357484-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 24, 2021
Priority date	Aug 7, 2018
Publication date	Dec 12, 2023
Grant date	Dec 12, 2023

Abstract

A cargo transport rear frame includes a pair of posts, an upper cross member, and a rear bolster. The posts are spaced in a width direction, and extend in a height direction. The upper cross member extends along the width between the posts. The rear bolster extends between lower ends of the posts such that the rear bolster is spaced below the upper cross member. The posts, the upper cross member, and the rear bolster bound the rear cargo opening. The rear bolster has a first side facing in a forward direction, and the rear bolster has a second side facing in a rearward direction to be exposed to a rear side of the cargo transport rear frame. The rear bolster comprises a sheet metal stamping including a base surface and a relief embossed in the rearward direction from the base surface to form a loading dock engagement feature.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A cargo transport rear frame defining a rear cargo opening, the cargo transport rear frame comprising:
a pair of posts spaced apart in a width direction, each of the pair of posts extending in a height direction;
an upper cross member extending along the width direction between respective upper ends of the pair of posts; and
a rear bolster extending along the width direction between respective lower ends of the pair of posts such that the rear bolster is spaced below the upper cross member in the height direction, wherein the pair of posts, the upper cross member, and the rear bolster bound the rear cargo opening,
wherein the rear bolster has a first side facing in a forward direction that is perpendicular to both the width and height directions, and the rear bolster has a second side facing in a rearward direction to be exposed to a rear side of the cargo transport rear frame,
wherein the rear bolster comprises a sheet metal stamping including a base surface and a relief embossed in the rearward direction from the base surface to form a loading dock engagement feature configured to withstand repeated loading dock impacts,
wherein the loading dock engagement feature includes taillight surround portions extending at least partially around taillight mounts at outboard ends of the rear bolster in the width direction,
wherein the embossed relief further includes an additional central connecting portion extending between the taillight surround portion, and
wherein the central connecting portion is extended farther in the rearward direction than the taillight surround portions.

2. The cargo transport rear frame of claim 1 , wherein the stamping is from a single monolithic sheet of metal.

3. The cargo transport rear frame of claim 1 , wherein the central connecting portion is extended farther in the rearward direction than the taillight surround portions by at least 10 mm and not more than 50 mm.

4. The cargo transport rear frame of claim 3 , wherein the central connecting portion is extended farther in the rearward direction than the taillight surround portions by at least 20 mm.

5. The cargo transport rear frame of claim 1 , wherein each of the taillight surround portions has a curved rear end profile in cross-section taken perpendicular to the width direction.

6. The cargo transport rear frame of claim 1 , wherein the rear bolster further comprises a backing plate formed separately from the sheet metal stamping having the embossed relief, the backing plate providing a reinforcement along the first side that covers at least a portion of the embossed relief.

7. A rear bolster for a cargo transport rear frame, the rear bolster comprising:
a sheet metal stamping including:
a base surface having lateral outboard ends spaced in a width direction and having
a top edge and a bottom edge spaced in a height direction;
a first side facing in a forward direction that is perpendicular to both the width and height directions;
a second side facing in a rearward direction to be exposed to a rear side of the cargo transport rear frame having the rear bolster; and
a relief embossed in the rearward direction from the base surface to form a loading dock engagement feature configured to withstand repeated loading dock impacts,

wherein the loading dock engagement features includes taillight surround portions extending at least partially around taillight mounts at outboard ends of the rear bolster in the width direction,
wherein the embossed relief further includes a central portion extending between the taillight surround portion, and
wherein the central portion is extended farther in the rearward direction than the taillight surround portions.

8. The rear bolster of claim 7 , wherein the central portion and the taillight surround portions are formed continuous.

9. The rear bolster of claim 7 , wherein the central portion is extended farther in the rearward direction than the taillight surround portions by at least 10 mm and not more than 50 mm.

10. The rear bolster of claim 7 , wherein the central portion is extended farther in the rearward direction than the taillight surround portions by at least 20 mm.

11. The rear bolster of claim 7 , wherein in each of the taillight surround portions, the embossed relief has a curved rear end profile in cross-section taken perpendicular to the width direction.

12. The rear bolster of claim 7 , further including an additional panel bent in the forward direction from the top edge or the bottom edge.

13. The rear bolster of claim 7 , wherein the rear bolster further comprises a backing plate formed separately from the sheet metal stamping having the embossed relief, the backing plate providing a reinforcement along the first side that covers at least a portion of the embossed relief.

14. A rear bolster for a cargo transport rear frame, the rear bolster comprising:
a sheet metal stamping including:
a base surface having lateral outboard ends spaced in a width direction and having
a top edge and a bottom edge spaced in a height direction;
a first side facing in a forward direction that is perpendicular to both the width and height directions;
a second side facing in a rearward direction to be exposed to a rear side of the cargo transport rear frame having the rear bolster;
a relief embossed in the rearward direction from the base surface to form taillight surround portions configured to withstand repeated loading dock impacts.

Assignees

• Sti Holdings Inc

Inventors

• Fenton Gary L
• Drost Jason Alan

Classifications

• B62D21/03 Primary

  transverse members providing body support · CPC title

• B62D23/00

  Combined superstructure and frame, i.e. monocoque constructions ({having impact absorbing means B62D21/15; } superstructure {or monocoque structure} sub-units {or parts or details thereof} B62D25/00 {; characterised by the material thereof B62D29/00}) · CPC title

• B62D33/04

  Enclosed load compartments {; Frameworks for movable panels, tarpaulins or side curtains (side curtains per se B60J5/065; tarpaulins per se B60J7/00, B60P7/04)} · CPC title

• B62D21/20

  trailer type, i.e. a frame specifically constructed for use in a non-powered vehicle · CPC title

• B62D33/046

  built up with flat self-supporting panels; Fixed connections between panels (B62D29/045, B62D33/048 take precedence) · CPC title