Patent ID: 8573023

Claim:
A method of manufacturing a press-molded product using a preform, the preform comprising a pair of spaced side walls connected by a connecting wall and having a cross sectional thickness, the preform having a protrusion along a partial length thereof, with the protrusion defining the partial length as a prearranged portion of the preform and being such that a cross sectional periphery of the preform is longer along the prearranged portion than along a portion of the preform surrounding the prearranged portion, the method comprising: pressing the preform within a mold cavity formed between a die portion and a punch portion received within the die portion, the cavity having a cross sectional thickness when the punch portion is fully received in the die portion that is greater than the cross sectional thickness of the preform; and increasing the cross sectional thickness of the preform along the prearranged portion by compressing the protrusion to flow material of the protrusion into the connecting wall and at least one of the side walls of the prearranged portion.