Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Machine or implement
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-23
2001-12-25
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Machine or implement
C052S749100, C052S749100, C296S146600, C296S182100, C138S115000, C138S177000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06332302
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an impact bar built into an automobile door and method of manufacture.
Recently, in order to protect the driver and passenger from a side-on collision of an automobile, a pipe-shaped impact bar is incorporated into a side door. A conventional impact bar is generally made up of a steel round pipe. As shown in
FIG. 5
, the impact bar
20
is assembled in a space between an inner panel
23
and an outer panel
24
by welding and fixing press-formed mounting members
21
,
22
to both ends of the impact bar
20
, as shown in FIG.
4
. The mounting members
21
,
22
are fixed to a door frame (not shown) or the like. In this space, the impact bar
20
is adhered and supported by a gumdrop
25
applied to the inner surface of the outer panel
24
.
Lately, consumers have demanded higher safety in side-on collisions. In order to meet this need, the strength of the side impact bar must be further enhanced. In the conventional impact bar, however, the strength is determined by the wall thickness of the round pipe. Accordingly, the thickness of the impact bar must be increased to obtain a higher strength, which results in an increased weight of the impact bar.
Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide an impact bar having an enhanced strength against an external force from a radial direction while suppressing any weight increase.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To achieve the object, the impact bar of the invention comprises a cylindrical portion formed of a plate material in a cylindrical form, and a flat rib portion formed by extending and mutually overlaying both ends of the plate material to an inner side of the cylindrical portion, with a leading end close to or in contact with the inner surface of the cylindrical portion.
The strength is further increased by fixing the leading end of the rib portion and the cylindrical portion by laser welding.
The impact is manufactured by forming a pipe member by folding both end of a plate member in a same direction to form raised parts. A plate material is rolled between both raised parts in a cylindrical form with the raised parts inside and overlaying the raised parts mutually so that the leading end of the raised parts are closed to or contacted with the inner surface of the cylindrical portion. The cylindrical portion of the pipe member and the leading end of the raised parts are then fixed by laser welding.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3336056 (1967-08-01), Cassel et al.
patent: 4251907 (1981-02-01), Bleckmann et al.
patent: 4389138 (1983-06-01), Soderstrom
patent: 5580120 (1996-12-01), Nees et al.
patent: 5813718 (1998-09-01), Masuda et al.
patent: 5901988 (1999-05-01), Aihara et al.
Arent Fox Kintner & Plotkin & Kahn, PLLC
Friedman Carl D.
Horton Yvonne M.
Sanyo Machine Works, Ltd.
LandOfFree
Impact bar and its manufacturing method does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Impact bar and its manufacturing method, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Impact bar and its manufacturing method will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2585775