Load management device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9365245-B2
Application number	US-201414529329-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 31, 2014
Priority date	Nov 8, 2013
Publication date	Jun 14, 2016
Grant date	Jun 14, 2016

Abstract

A bracket for protecting a flange of a body of a vehicle includes a first portion, a second portion, and a channel defined between the first and second portions. The channel receives the flange. The bracket includes a back side and adhesive disposed on the back side. A front side of the bracket is disposed opposite the back side. A transition surface on the front side slopes inwardly from the first portion to the second portion for deflecting a wheel away from the flange during an offset impact.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A vehicle body assembly comprising:
a vehicle body presenting a flange; and
a bracket including a first portion, a second portion, and a channel defined between the first and second portion and receiving the flange;
the bracket presenting a back side facing the flange and a front side opposite the back side; and
the bracket including a transition surface on the front side sloping inwardly from the first portion to the second portion;
wherein the vehicle body includes a hinge pillar and a bulkhead, and the flange is defined by the hinge pillar and the bulkhead.

2. The vehicle body assembly as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a frame spaced from the bracket and a rear blocker extending from the frame toward the bracket.

3. The vehicle body assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein the bracket defines a cut-out receiving the rear blocker.

4. The vehicle body assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first portion is thicker than the second portion between the front side and the back side.

5. The vehicle body assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the vehicle body defines a hole and the bracket supports a fastener engaged with the hole.

6. The vehicle body assembly as set forth in claim 1 further comprising adhesive disposed between the bracket and the vehicle body.

7. The vehicle body assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein the adhesive is heat-activated adhesive.

8. The vehicle body assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the bracket includes a reinforcement member along the channel.

9. The vehicle body assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein the reinforcement member receives the flange.

10. A bracket for protecting a flange of a body of a vehicle, the bracket comprising:
a first portion, a second portion, and a channel defined between the first and second portions for receiving the flange;
a back side and adhesive disposed on the back side;
a front side opposite the back side; and
a transition surface on the front side sloping inwardly from the first portion to the second portion for deflecting a wheel away from the flange during an offset impact.

11. The bracket as set forth in claim 10 further comprising a reinforcement member along the channel.

12. The bracket as set forth in claim 11 wherein the reinforcement member is U-shaped.

13. The bracket as set forth in claim 10 wherein the first portion is thicker than the second portion between the front side and the back side.

14. The bracket as set forth in claim 10 wherein the first portion is longer than the second portion along the channel.

15. The bracket as set forth in claim 10 wherein the back side extends along first portion and second portion.

16. The bracket as set forth in claim 10 wherein the adhesive is heat-activated adhesive.

17. The bracket as set forth in claim 10 wherein the back side define s a track receiving the adhesive.

18. The bracket as set forth in claim 10 further comprising a hole extending through the front side and the back side, and a fastener extending through the hole.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Donabedian Edgar Edward
• Ko Fungtai Charles
• Shaner Leonard Anthony

Classifications

• B62D25/16 Primary

  Mud-guards or wings; Wheel cover panels (equipped with means for freeing wheels or tyres from foreign matter B60S) · CPC title

• B62D25/04 Primary

  Door pillars {; windshield pillars} · CPC title

• B62D25/00

  Superstructure {or monocoque structure} sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for {(having impact absorbing means B62D21/15; running-boards, steps, or the like as superstructure sub-unit B60R3/00)} · CPC title

• B62D65/00 Primary

  Designing, manufacturing, e.g. assembling, facilitating disassembly, or structurally modifying motor vehicles or trailers, not otherwise provided for · CPC title