Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Dashboards
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-16
2001-08-21
Pape, Joseph D. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Dashboards
C280S090000, C029S897200, C029S421100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276740
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method of making an elongate structural member and a structural member made according to the method and in particular to a beam for use in a motor vehicle.
It is known to provide a transverse beam for a motor vehicle extending from one side of the motor vehicle to the other side of the motor vehicle behind a dashboard of the motor vehicle in order to support an airbag housing for a passenger of the motor vehicle. The transverse beam acting as a structural member able to withstand the forces imposed upon it by an airbag fitted within the airbag housing.
It is a problem with known transverse beam arrangements that they are difficult and expensive to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method of securing two or more components together the method comprising, selecting a tubular member having a predetermined length, width, height and wall thickness, locating a component having a corresponding aperture therein upon said tubular member, sealing the ends of said tubular member, introducing fluid to the interior of the tubular member to plastically deform the tubular member into engagement with said component so as to provide an interference fit therebetween and releasing the pressure within the tubular member.
There may be several components secured to the tubular member each having an aperture corresponding in size and shape to that of the tubular member.
The tubular member and the or each component may be made from dissimilar materials.
The tubular member may be made from structural steel tube and the components may be made from a non ferrous material such as aluminium alloy.
The components may be made by extrusion.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a structural member made in accordance with the method as described above in which the member comprises of an elongate tubular member having at least one component secured thereto used to fasten the structural member to other structural elements.
The structural member may be a transverse beam for fitment behind the dashboard of a motor vehicle.
The transverse beam may have a fixing bracket secured near to each end by said process, the brackets being used to secure the transverse beam to part of the structure of the motor vehicle to which the beam is fitted.
The transverse beam may have a steering column support bracket secured thereto by said process.
The steering column support bracket and one of the fixing brackets may be formed as a one piece component.
The transverse beam may have an airbag housing secured thereto by said process.
The airbag housing and one of the fixing brackets may be formed as a one piece component.
Alternatively, the airbag housing may be a separate component fixed to the transverse beam using a housing bracket. The airbag housing being secured to the housing bracket using a key element or rail. The airbag housing could be secured to the housing bracket either prior to or subsequent to securing the housing bracket to the transverse beam.
The airbag housing and housing bracket may be locked together through a lock element therebetween.
The tubular member may be made from thin walled steel tube.
At least one of said components may be made from extruded aluminium alloy.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4660269 (1987-04-01), Suzuki
patent: 4882825 (1989-11-01), Nakamura
patent: 5238286 (1993-08-01), Tanaka et al.
patent: 5752718 (1998-05-01), Schnabel et al.
patent: 5806916 (1998-09-01), Sinner et al.
patent: 5868426 (1999-02-01), Edwards et al.
patent: 5934733 (2000-08-01), Manawaring
patent: 5951045 (1999-09-01), Almefelt et al.
patent: 5951087 (1999-09-01), Bittinger et al.
patent: 6110037 (2000-08-01), Yoshinaka
patent: 6139082 (2000-10-01), Davis, Jr. et al.
patent: 19548341 (1996-12-01), None
patent: 0338923 (1989-10-01), None
patent: 0760330 (1997-03-01), None
patent: 0284271 (1998-09-01), None
patent: 2100641 (1983-01-01), None
Mellor Michael
Shergold Michael David
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
Davis & Bujold P.L.L.C.
Engle Patricia
Pape Joseph D.
LandOfFree
Method of securing components together and a structural... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method of securing components together and a structural..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method of securing components together and a structural... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2468438