Patent ID: 8087717

Claim:
An automotive roof reinforcing member, comprising: a cross member having a longitudinal channel, wherein the longitudinal channel comprises a front wall, back wall and floor; and a stiffening member disposed at least partially in the longitudinal channel, the stiffening member having: a continuous longitudinal support extending in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal channel and substantially parallel to the floor of the longitudinal channel; at least one lateral support extending from the longitudinal support and substantially parallel to the floor of the longitudinal channel; and at least one vertical support extending in the vertical direction of the longitudinal channel and extending from the lateral support; wherein the at least one lateral support has a first end attached to the front wall of the longitudinal channel and a second end in a fixed mechanical relation to the back wall of the longitudinal channel; and wherein the at least one vertical support has a first end attached to the lateral support and a second end attached to the floor of the longitudinal channel.