Front end module

US6955393B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• General Electric Company · US
• Carlisle Engineered Products, Inc. · US
• VARI-FORM, INC. · CA

Inventors

• James Staargaard · Farmington Hills, US
• Eric D. Kowal · Chesterfield Township, US
• Thomas M. Goral · Oakland Charter Township, US
• Mitch Brown · Laingsburg, US
• Keith Panter · Ann Arbor, US
• Larry D. Butterfield · Bellevue, US
• Blair Longhouse · Tillsonburg, CA
• Jerry Klanges · Woodstock, CA
• Terry Nardone · Waterford, US
• Dennis Gaida · Clarkston, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 19, 2003
• Grant date: Oct 18, 2005
• Expiry date: Dec 19, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B29L2031/3002
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A front end module including a plastic component connected to a metallic substrate. The metallic substrate can be formed by hydroforming and shaped into a substantially unitary member. The plastic component is then molded about the metallic substrate and simultaneously forms connections thereto at discrete locations along the length of the metallic substrate.