Abstract:
A bracket for preventing deflection of a wheel under a side sill of a motor vehicle during an offset collision. The bracket includes a substantially vertical plate attached to a forward portion of the side sill of the motor vehicle. The vertical plate extends below a bottom edge of the side sill. A brace is connected between the side sill and the plate.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally pertains to automobile frames and, more particularly, toward a device for directing crash loads toward a side sill of an automobile frame. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Sport utility vehicles have a frame that includes forward A-pillars, a plurality of transverse beam members, and a pair of lateral or side sills. The A-pillars extend downwardly from the roof between the front windshield and the front passenger door openings. A lower end of each A-pillar is welded to, or formed with, the forward end of the associated side sill. Due to the high ride-height, there is a tendency for the front tires, especially during certain front offset collisions, to be forced under the vehicle. During particularly violent and directed impacts, the front wheel may be forced under the vehicle and upwardly into the passenger compartment. Hence, there is a need for an improved structure for stopping the wheel at the A-pillar and thereby preventing penetration of wheel into the passenger compartment. 
     Since there is no means for transferring the load toward the side sill, the crash load must be borne by the other portions of the forward frame. However, the side sill is better able to bear the load, or at least part of the load, than other portions of the automobile frame. Therefore, there is a need for a device that facilitates transfer of crash loads to the side sill. 
     At least some of the foregoing problems have been recognized, but most of the prior efforts have focused on trying to control the path of the wheel within the wheel well or wheel housing during a crash. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,881,742 discloses a motor vehicle having an energy absorbing structure that includes deflector elements. During a crash, the deflector elements deflect the front wheels outwardly as the front end of the automobile collapses rearwardly. U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,436 discloses a similar deflecting structure, wherein an inside surface of the wheel wells is shaped so as to deflect the wheels during offset collisions. 
     There exists a need in the art for a structure that will better distribute the load of front offset crashes. There further exists a need in the art for a device that will prevent, or reduce the likelihood of, a front tire being forced under the automobile during a front offset collision. There further exists a need in the art for a device for transferring crash loads to the side sill. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed toward a structure to distribute the load of front offset impacts so that at least a portion of the crash load is distributed to the side sill of the automobile frame. The present invention is further directed toward a device that prevents or minimizes the possibility of a front tire being forced under the automobile during a front offset collision. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a bracket for preventing deflection of a wheel under a side sill of an automobile during an offset collision includes a vertical plate and a brace. The vertical plate is attached to a forward portion of the side sill and extends below a bottom edge of the side sill. The plate essentially forms an extension of the side sill, and downwardly and laterally extends the forward-facing profile of the side sill. 
     In further accordance with the present invention, the brace is connected to the side sill. The brace is substantially L-shaped, and includes a substantially vertical member attached to the vertical plate and a substantially horizontal member attached to the side sill. The horizontal member of the brace preferably runs parallel to the side sill. 
     In further accordance with the present invention, a bracket is provided for preventing deflection of the wheel from the wheel well under a side sill of the automobile during a front offset collision. The bracket is also provided for transferring the wheel crash load to the side sill. The bracket includes a substantially vertical plate attached to a forward portion of the side sill. The vertical plate extends downwardly below a bottom edge of the side sill and laterally outboard of the side sill. 
     The vertical plate includes a structural member for absorbing contact with the wheel and a flange for connecting the structural member to the side sill. The flange is preferably shaped to form a tight fit with the side sill. The bracket also includes a brace that is connected to the side sill. The brace is substantially L-shaped and has a substantially vertical member attached to the vertical plate and a substantially horizontal member attached to the side sill. 
     The vertical plate is advantageously located in a position to receive the wheel during a front offset collision and thereby prevents the wheel from passing under the side sill and, thus, under the automobile. The plate limits the movement of the wheel and, via the brace, serves to transfer loads from the wheel to the side sill. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and further features of the present invention will be apparent with reference to the following description and drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a side and rear perspective view a bracket according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the inventive bracket secured to the side sill of the automobile; 
     FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an automobile incorporating the bracket according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference to the drawing figures, a bracket  10  of the present invention is illustrated both alone and in its intended operating position secured to a side sill  11  of an automobile frame. In the following description, the present invention is illustrated and described as a separate part that is attached to form an extension, both lateral and vertical, of the side sill. However, it is contemplated that the bracket, under certain circumstances, could be integrally formed with the side sill. It is further contemplate that the bracket will be shaped to match the configuration of the automobile side sill without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     With reference to FIG. 1, the bracket  10  according to the present invention includes a plate  12  and a brace  14 . The plate  12 , when installed, is generally vertical and includes a forward face  16  and a rearward face  18 . The forward face  16  is directed toward the wheel  20  and is available to for engagement with the wheel should a crash occur. The rearward face  18  of the plate  12  has the brace  14  attached thereto and extending rearwardly therefrom. The plate  12  and brace  14  are preferably formed as separate pieces and subsequently attached to one another by welding or other conventional means. Alternatively, the plate and brace may be formed from a single piece of metal by known metal forming techniques. 
     The plate  12  includes a first lateral portion  22  and a second lateral portion  24 . The first lateral portion or structural member  22  is generally planar, and extends laterally and vertically from the forward profile of the associated side sill  11 . Accordingly, the first lateral portion  22  defines an operative extension of the side sill  11  in the vertical and horizontal directions, as illustrated. The first lateral portion  22  will extend or project from the automobile and be readily visible. 
     The second lateral portion or flange  24  will extend inboard of the automobile and generally be concealed within the wheel well  26 . The second lateral portion or flange  24  is preferably contoured to match the shape or configuration of the forward end  28  of the side sill  11  so as to form a tight fit therewith, as will be apparent from the following description. The second lateral portion  24  includes one or more openings  30  through which a mounting screw (not shown) may be inserted to help secure the bracket  10  to the automobile. 
     The rearward face  18  of the plate  12 , which engages the side sill, has the brace  14  secured thereto and extending rearwardly therefrom. The brace  14  is secured near the intersection of the first lateral portion  22  and the second lateral portion  24  of the plate  12 . The brace  14  is generally L-shaped, having a vertically-directed first leg or member  32  and a horizontally-directed second leg or member  34 . The first leg  32  is attached to the rearward face  18  of the plate  12 , preferably by welding. The second leg  34  includes an upper, horizontal portion  36 , a lower, vertical portion  38 , and an upstanding tab  40 . 
     The horizontal and vertical portions  36 ,  38  of the second leg  34  are integrally formed, and designed to extend along corresponding surfaces of the side sill  11  and form a tight fit therewith, as illustrated. The horizontal portion  36  has first and second opposed edges  36   a,    36   b.  The vertical portion  38  extends downwardly from the first edge  36   a  and the tab extends upwardly from the second edge  36   b.    
     The vertical portion  38  extends virtually the entire length of the horizontal portion  36 , and merges or connects with the first, vertical leg  32 . The upstanding tab  40  is comparatively shorter in length, and is disposed substantially only at a distal end  36   c  of the horizontal portion  36  that is remote from the first, vertical portion  38 . Both the vertical portion  38  and the upstanding tab  40  provide openings  38   a,    40   a  to permit releasably securing the brace  14  to the side sill  11  with bolts or the like (not shown). 
     A secondary bracket or bracing member  42  is preferably provided at a location generally defined by the intersection of the first leg  32  and the second leg  34 , as illustrated. The secondary bracket  42  may, in some applications, not be necessary, and may therefore be considered optional. 
     With specific reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the bracket  12  according to the present invention is shown in its operating position secured to an automobile preferably at a location behind the front wheel  20 . The A-pillar  44  of the automobile merges with the side sill  11  at the location that the bracket  10  is mounted. The generally planar first lateral portion  22  of the plate  12  extends laterally and downwardly from the side sill  11 , while the contoured second lateral portion  24  of the plate forms a tight fit with the forward end  28  of the side sill  11 . The second lateral portion or flange of the plate is secured over the forward face of the side sill  11 . 
     The brace  14  extends rearwardly along the lateral or outwardly-directed surface  11   a  of the side sill  11 . The side sill has a stepped profile that matches the configuration of the brace such that the brace  14  is in face-to-face contact with the side sill  11  along at least two surfaces, as illustrated. Conventional fasteners may be used to secure the brace to the side sill. Alternatively, the bracket may be welded in place, if desired. 
     During a front offset collision, the wheel  20  on the vehicle may be driven toward the underside of the automobile. With the bracket  10  according to the present invention, the forward face  16  of the plate  12  will be engaged by the wheel  20  and prevent the wheel from being deflected downwardly and under the automobile. Typically, the wheel will be stopped at the A-pillar  44 , and the force or load on the plate  12  is efficiently transferred to the subjacent side sill  11 . 
     It is noted that the bracket according to the present invention is in a location that has been traditionally occupied by a flexible rubber piece that serves as a mud flap or similar device to prevent dirt, rocks, and road debris from being flung by the wheel onto the exterior side surface of the vehicle. In order to maintain that traditional function, the bracket according to the present invention may be incorporated into, or otherwise integrated with, a mudflap. For example, the forward face of the plate may be covered by a flexible elastomeric cover. Alternatively, either the plate alone, or the entire bracket, may be encased in a flexible elastomeric material. It is considered apparent that numerous methods and devices for attaching a flexible mud flap or cover to the bracket of the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     While the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described herein, it is to be understood that the same is not so limited but shall cover and include any and all modifications thereof which fall within the purview of the invention.