Patent · US Active

Integral structural bulkhead for cargo vans

US8424944B2 · kind B2 · utility

8Cited by

10References

15Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Echo Automotive, Inc. · US

Inventors

Hadrian A. Rori · Farmington Hills, US
David B. Busch · Holland, US
Rollin E. Nothwehr · Holland, US

Key dates

Filing date	Apr 21, 2010
Grant date	Apr 23, 2013
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Mar 13, 2031

Classification

Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
CPC primaryB62D33/077
WIPO fieldTransport
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A cargo van includes an integral structural bulkhead to separate a passenger compartment from a cargo area. The cargo van is designed such that the bulkhead wall contributes to the structural rigidity of the vehicle for purposes of meeting National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requirements. That is, without the bulkhead, the cargo van would not meet NHTSA requirements. By designing the vehicle in this way, the overall vehicle weight is reduced as compared to vehicles in which bulkheads are optional add-ons.

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