Composite reinforcement for a roof assembly
US7942475B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 10, 2008 |
| Grant date | May 17, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 10, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49622
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A composite reinforcement for a vehicle roof opening that provides several advantages over the prior art metal ring design. The reinforcement is a composite bonded to the roof, can be polyurethane, and may include fiberglass, such as long fiber injection (LFI) or glass fiber mat. A honeycomb core can also be disposed within the polyurethane made from cardboard or aluminum. Steel inserts can also be formed within the composite to provide attachment points for a variety of functions, such as sunroof module, structural brackets, and locating assemblies. The steel inserts can have external threads to allow composite material to physically capture the insert during formation of the reinforcement. This roof assembly can be mounted to the vehicle in an optimized manner for ease of assembly, color matching, and to provide structure to support a mounted sunroof assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.