Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Machine or implement
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-10
2001-07-24
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Machine or implement
C052S309900
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263635
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to structural reinforcements, and more particularly to a reinforcement assembly designed to reinforce complex tubular structures and having a plurality of pillars connected together in a resilient manner to allow the reinforcement to fit through varying cross-sectional areas and bends in the tubular structure.
BACKGROUND ART
Complex tubular members including hydroformed tube structures are used in many applications, such as in automobile A-pillars, B-pillars, C-pillars, the hinge pillar area, rocker panels, the wheel hub area, motor rails, and similar structures. In these tube structures, it is often desirable to place reinforcements at selected areas for added strength. In more complex tube structures, however, it can be difficult to place a reinforcement at a desired location because of bends and varying cross-sectional areas in the structure. Any reinforcement member for such a structure needs to be small enough to fit through the entire length of the tube, including the bends and narrower areas, and yet still be able to stay in place at a desired reinforcement location, even if the location has a larger cross-sectional area. Commonly, either the reinforcement member is too large to pass through smaller areas of the tube structures to reach the desired location, or the reinforcement member is too small to stay secured at the desired location once it is positioned.
Structural foam materials, often used with a carrier, can be used to create a reinforcement member that conforms to the tube structure and provides reduced stress distribution along the reinforcement. Placing and keeping the structural foam at the desired reinforcement location before the foam is expanded and cured, however, still can be difficult for the reasons noted above.
There is a need for a reinforcement assembly that is small enough to fit around curves and through smaller cross-sectional areas in a tubular structural member, yet will not shift position once it is placed at a desired location within the tube structure, even if the tube structure is moved before the reinforcement assembly is attached permanently to the tube structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a reinforcement assembly for reinforcing complex tube structures, particularly tube structures having bends and/or varying inner cross-sectional areas. The assembly includes a plurality of modular pillars arranged in a spaced relationship and held together at least at one location by a retainer, such as a plurality of fingers from a positioning mechanism or a resilient retaining mechanism. Many other retention mechanisms can be envisioned. For example, the retainer can be placed away from the end and held in place by a recessed area in the structural foam coating. Each pillar is coated with a load distributing medium, such as an expandable structural foam layer, on its outer surface. To reinforce a tube structure, the assembly is placed inside the tube and guided to the desired location to be reinforced. As the assembly passes through bends and smaller cross-sectional areas in the tube structure, the individual pillars move closer together so that the assembly will not become trapped in the tube. If the assembly moves into an area that has a larger cross-sectional area, the retainer allows the individual pillars to move back outward, holding the assembly in place at a desired location before the tube structure undergoes final processing.
To complete the tube structure reinforcement, the load distributing medium is expanded, causing the individual pillars to fuse together and form a rigid reinforcement structure. The medium on the outer surface of each pillar presses against or bonds to the inner walls of the tube structure or to adjacent pillars, ensuring that the reinforcement assembly stays in place and distributes loads properly.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3123170 (1964-03-01), Bryant
patent: 3493257 (1970-02-01), Fitzgerald et al.
patent: 3665968 (1972-05-01), DePutter
patent: 4019301 (1977-04-01), Fox
patent: 4082825 (1978-04-01), Puterbaugh
patent: 4238540 (1980-12-01), Yates et al.
patent: 4397490 (1983-08-01), Evans et al.
patent: 4732806 (1988-03-01), Wycech
patent: 4751249 (1988-06-01), Wycech
patent: 4762352 (1988-08-01), Enomoto
patent: 4803108 (1989-02-01), Leuchten et al.
patent: 4836516 (1989-06-01), Wycech
patent: 4853270 (1989-08-01), Wycech
patent: 4861097 (1989-08-01), Wycech
patent: 4898630 (1990-02-01), Kitoh et al.
patent: 4901500 (1990-02-01), Wycech
patent: 4908930 (1990-03-01), Wycech
patent: 4922596 (1990-05-01), Wycech
patent: 4923902 (1990-05-01), Wycech
patent: 4978562 (1990-12-01), Wycech
patent: 4995545 (1991-02-01), Wycech
patent: 5124186 (1992-06-01), Wycech
patent: 5213391 (1993-05-01), Takagi
patent: 5255487 (1993-10-01), Wieting et al.
patent: 5266133 (1993-11-01), Hanley et al.
patent: 5344208 (1994-09-01), Bien et al.
patent: 5373027 (1994-12-01), Hanley et al.
patent: 5395135 (1995-03-01), Lim et al.
patent: 5506025 (1996-04-01), Otto et al.
patent: 5575526 (1996-11-01), Wycech
patent: 5580120 (1996-12-01), Nees et al.
patent: 5707098 (1998-01-01), Uchida et al.
patent: 5725272 (1998-03-01), Jones
patent: 5731069 (1998-03-01), Delle Donne et al.
patent: 5755486 (1998-05-01), Wycech
patent: 5766719 (1998-06-01), Rimkus
patent: 5785376 (1998-07-01), Nees et al.
patent: 5786394 (1998-07-01), Slaven
patent: 5855094 (1999-01-01), Baudisch et al.
patent: 5884960 (1999-03-01), Wycech
patent: 5885688 (1999-03-01), McLaughlin
patent: 5888600 (1999-03-01), Wycech
patent: 5934737 (1999-08-01), Abouzahr
patent: 5984389 (1999-11-01), Nuber
patent: 5992923 (1999-11-01), Wycech
patent: 6003274 (1999-12-01), Wycech
patent: 6022066 (2000-02-01), Tremblay et al.
patent: 6058673 (2000-05-01), Wycech
patent: 0 891 918 A1 (1999-01-01), None
patent: 0 893 331 A1 (1999-01-01), None
patent: 0 893 332 A1 (1999-01-01), None
patent: 5-38992 (1993-02-01), None
patent: PCT/JP88/00029 (1989-07-01), None
patent: PCT/US97/10693 (1997-06-01), None
patent: PCT/US97/07644 (1997-11-01), None
patent: PCT/US97/19981 (1997-11-01), None
patent: PCT/US98/08980 (1998-11-01), None
patent: PCT/US98/16461 (1999-02-01), None
Co-pending U.S. Application Ser. No. 09/428,243, filed Oct. 27, 1999.
Co-pending U.S. Application Ser. No. 09/459,756, filed Dec. 10, 1999.
Dobrusin Darden Thennisch & Lorenz PC
Friedman Carl D.
L&L Products Inc.
Varner Steve
LandOfFree
Tube reinforcement having displaceable modular components does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Tube reinforcement having displaceable modular components, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Tube reinforcement having displaceable modular components will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2475012