Reinforcement assembly for vehicle panels
US5344208A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 9, 1991 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 9, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29C44/188
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved one-piece plastic bracket for supporting a sealer block of heat expandable reinforcement material on the substructure of a vehicle. The sealer block is adapted, upon being heated during an assembly line operation, to form a closed cell foam stiffener bridging a tolerance varying space between the substructure and an exterior panel. The one-piece bracket provides an initial function of readily supporting the sealer block in a snap-action manner on the vehicle substructure. Additionally, the bracket is operative to precisely guide the heat activated sealer into a predetermined foamed-in-place configuration wherein it sealingly bonds to both the substructure and the opposed inner surface of the panel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.