Patent ID: 6096403
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: B29C,B60J,B60R,B62D,Y10T

Abstract:
A reinforced structural member, comprising:a structural member of channel shape terminating in free ends spaced from each other and interconnected by a wall having an outer compression face;a reinforcement shell having a length less than the length of said channel;said reinforcement shell and said structural member being interconnected;a layer of structural foam disposed between a portion of said structural member and a portion of said reinforcement shell to define a trilaminate region, said layer of structural foam being bonded to said structural member and to said reinforcement shell; andsaid trilaminate region having an arch-shaped surface, said arch shaped surface extending in the direction of said compression face adapted to receive impact of a collision, said arch shaped surface having diverging sloping walls for distributing force over a generalized area away from the concentration points at the locations of interconnection of said reinforcement shell and said structural member and for maximizing resistance to bending and buckling.