Patent · US Expired

Seal apparatus for an improved front-end to body-side joint of a vehicle

US7090273B2 · kind B2 · utility

16Cited by
14References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 12, 2005
Grant dateAug 15, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 3, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB62D25/082
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention is a seal apparatus (16) for an improved front-end to body-side joint (10) of a vehicle. The seal apparatus (16) includes a ring portion (36), a gate portion (38), and an intermediate portion (40) extending between the ring portion (36) and the gate portion (38). The ring portion (36) is utilized for receiving an open-ended tubular front-end structure (12) of the improved front-end to body-side joint (10). Additionally, the ring portion (36) is utilized for sealing an interface between the front-end structure (12) and a body-side structure (14). Further, the gate portion (38) is sized for insertion into an interior cavity (42) of the front-end structure (12) and for blocking communication through the interior. Also, the ring portion (36) and/or the intermediate portion (40) have a self-locating construction for positioning the seal apparatus (16) in a predetermined location (50) on the front-end structure (12).

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.