Patent ID: 6523884
Filing Date: 2003-02-25
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A system having a hydroformed structural member of an automotive vehicle and portions for reinforcing the hydroformed structural member, the system comprising:(a) a hydroformed tube; (b) a first portion that includes a first member and an expandable material molded upon the first member, the first portion also including an upper surface and the first portion being configured for insertion into the hydroformed tube; and (c) a second portion that includes a second member and an expandable material molded upon the second member, the second portion configured to be affixed to the upper surface of the first portion while in the hydroformed tube; wherein, i) the first portion is placed within the hydroformed tube followed by placement of the second portion within the hydroformed tube; ii) the first portion nests with the second portion upon placement of the first portion and the second portion into the tube thereby locking the first portion to the second portion together; and iii) the expandable material of the first portion and second portion expands to fixedly position the first portion and second portion within the hydroformed tube.