Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Structural member making
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-31
2001-10-30
Rosenbaum, I Cuda (Department: 3726)
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Structural member making
C029S421100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308412
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to vehicle frame components and in particular to an improved structure for a joint between a cross member and a side rail in a vehicle frame assembly, wherein the cross member has ends that are circumferentially enlarged relative to a central portion thereof, and wherein the enlarged ends extend to or through the side rail of the frame assembly.
Virtually all land vehicles in common use, such as automobiles and trucks, include a frame which serves as a platform upon which the remainder of the vehicle is built. Many vehicle frame structures are known in the art. Most of these known vehicle frame structures are formed from a number of individual metallic components which are permanently joined together. For example, a typical full perimeter vehicle frame assembly includes a pair of longitudinally extending side rails which are joined together at the front by a forward cross member, at the rear by a rearward cross member, and at intermediate locations by one or more intermediate or auxiliary cross members. The cross members not only connect the two side rails together, but also provide desirable lateral, vertical, and torsional rigidity to the vehicle frame assembly. In some vehicle frame assemblies, the side rails are formed from open channel structural members, i.e., structural members which have a non-continuous cross sectional shape (U-shaped or C-shaped channel members, for example). In other vehicle frame assemblies, the side rails are formed from closed channel structural members, i.e., structural members which have a continuous cross sectional shape (box-shaped or tubular channel members, for example). Regardless of the specific structure of the structural members, the side rails and cross members, once joined together, form a rigid frame for supporting the remaining portions of the vehicle thereon.
Typically, the cross members extend transversely relative to the two parallel side rails, and the ends of the cross members are permanently secured to the side rails at joints to form a generally rectangular vehicle frame assembly. In some instances, the joints between the cross members and the side rails are sufficiently strong that the ends of the cross members can be secured directly to the side rails, such as by welding, rivets, bolts, and the like. In other instances, the ends of the cross members are connected by brackets or similar reinforcing structures to the side rails. In these latter instances, it has been found that the use of such additional brackets or similar reinforcing structures adds undesirable cost and complexity to the vehicle frame assembly. Thus, it would be desirable to provide an improved structure for a joint between a cross member and a side rail in a vehicle frame assembly that eliminates the need for such brackets or similar reinforcing structures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an improved structure for a joint between a cross member and a side rail in a vehicle frame assembly that eliminates the need for brackets or similar reinforcing structures to increase the strength thereof. The vehicle frame assembly includes a pair of longitudinally extending side rails and having at least one cross member extending transversely therebetween. The side rails are hollow members including inner and outer side walls. The ends of the cross member are enlarged circumferentially relative to a central portion thereof. Each of the enlarged ends extends to or through the side rail of the frame assembly and is secured thereto. In a first embodiment, the enlarged ends of the cross member extend through both the inner and outer walls of the side rails and are secured thereto, such as by welding. In a second embodiment, the enlarged ends of the cross member extend through only the inner walls of the side rail and are secured thereto, such as by welding. In a third embodiment, the enlarged ends of the cross member are disposed adjacent to the inner walls of the cross member and secured thereto, such as by welding.
Various objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
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Christofaro Paul A.
Kiehl Mark W.
Cuda Rosenbaum I
Dana Corporation
MacMillan Sobanski & Todd LLC
Nguyen T.
LandOfFree
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