US3883171A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Crush resistant compartment for vehicles
Assignee: Volkswagen AG
•
Filing: 1973-07-20
•
Granted: 1975-05-13
•
Expires: 1993-07-20
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure concerns a crush resistant structure for a vehicle door opening at least partially defined by a fixed support member along a boundary. A movable closure (door) is provided for opening and closing the opening. At least one impact resistant element may be formed as part of the closure and extends transversely across the opening. The impact resistant element is provided with a pair of substantially mutually perpendicular interior bearing surfaces adapted when the opening is closed, for proximate juxtaposition with respect to corresponding exterior surfaces on the fixed support. In some vehicles, the fixed support divides the opening thereby necessitating a pair of closures. Each closure may be provided with a similar impact resistant element. When the openings are closed, the bearing surfaces of the impact resistant elements lie closely adjacent to and substantially surround the fixed support on three sides. In some instances, the compartment may be provided with a pair of fixed supports aligned on parallel side walls. In these circumstances, each fixed support may be provided with an integral substantially perpendicular extension which forms part of an adjacent wall of the compartment. These extensions may be joined together substantially at the center of the compartment to form a continuous supportive cross beam between the supports.
Inventors
- 👤 Andreas Bauer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 02:20
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D25/00; B62D25/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A crush resistant compartment for a vehicle having an access opening flanked by a pair of fixed support columns extending between upper and lower walls of the compartment, and a movable closure member for opening and closing the opening, said compartment comprising: a reinforcing impact resistant beam forming part of the closure member and extending transversely across the opening substantially between and adjacent each of the fixed columns when the opening is closed, said beam having a projecting outer portion adjacent its outer surface, said projecting outer portion defining an inwardly facing bearing surface overlapping one of said columns for abutting the column upon lateral impacting of the beam inwardly, said beam having a second bearing surface located between said projecting outer portion and an inner surface thereof and facing said one column within said opening when the opening is closed by said closure, the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface defining therebetween a recess receiving said one column.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A crush resistant compartment for a vehicle having an access opening flanked by a pair of fixed support columns extending between upper and lower walls of the compartment, and a movable closure member for opening and closing the opening, said compartment comprising: a reinforcing impact resistant beam forming part of the closure member and extending transversely across the opening substantially between and adjacent each of the fixed columns when the opening is closed, said beam having a projecting outer portion adjacent its outer surface, said projecting outer portion defining an inwardly facing bearing surface overlapping one of said columns for abutting the column upon lateral impacting of the beam inwardly, said beam having a second bearing surface located between said projecting outer portion and an inner surface thereof and facing said one column within said opening when the opening is closed by said closure, the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface defining therebetween a recess receiving said one column.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The crush resistant compartment of claim 1 in which each of said first and second bearing surfaces respectively overlies an outwardly facing surface and an adjoining side surface of said one column.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The crush resistant compartment of claim 2 in which said reinforcing impact resistant beam is provided with a second projecting outer portion having a bearing surface overlapping an outwardly facing surface of the other of the columns flanking the opening and a further bearing surface facing an adjoining side surface of said other column.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The crush resistant compartment of claim 3 in which said adjoining side surfaces of each of said flanking columns face substantially in opposite directions across the opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
The crush resistant compartment of claim 4, wherein said one column flanks a second access opening having a second movable closure, and said compartment comprises, in addition, a second reinforcing impact resistant beam forming part of the second movable closure and extending transversely across the second opening upon closing thereof, said second beam being substantially linearly aligned with said first beam when the access openings are simultaneously closed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The crush resistant compartment of claim 5, wherein adjacent end portions of each of said impact resistant beams are provided with a substantially planar abutment surface formed on and terminating projecting outer portions of each of said beams, each of said abutment surfaces, facing the other when the access openings are closed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
81 words
The crush resistant compartment of claim 6, in which said second beam is provided with a further recess having first and second substantially planar bearing surfaces, the first bearing surface adapted to overlap said one column and the second bearing surface adapted to face said one column on a side opposite the second surface of said first beam, whereby said one column is substantially surrounded on three sides by bearing surfaces of said beams when the access openings are simultaneously closed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The crush resistant compartment of claim 7, wherein said one column is provided with an integral substantially perpendicular extension protruding substantially transversely at Least partly across one of the upper and lower walls of the compartment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The crush resistant compartment of claim 8 comprising in addition a complementary column substantially diametrically across the compartment from and parallel to said one column, said complementary column having an integral substantially perpendicular extension protruding substantially transversely at least partly across said one of the upper and lower walls of the compartment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The crush resistant compartment of claim 9, in which the distal end portions of said integral extensions are joined together to form a continuous cross beam.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-12 | 1978-11-11 | 1979-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-12 | 1982-11-11 | 1983-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-12 | 1986-11-11 | 1987-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |