US4004124A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of forming a seam in a body outer panel of a vehicle
Assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
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Filing: 1975-08-13
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Granted: 1977-01-18
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Expires: 1995-08-13
Abstract
Abstract End portions of first and second panel plates to be joined together are displaced toward the inside and outside of the panel, respectively, by an amount substantially equal to the thickness of the panel plates adjacent a seam to be formed, whereupon, with a plate piece of a similar thickness being applied to the inside of said first panel plate adjacent its displaced end portion, transient portions of said first and second panel plates between their basic portions and displaced end portions as well as said plate piece are welded together by spot-welding, the displaced end portions of said second panel plate being thereafter substantially removed by grinding.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoneji Nakane
- 👤 Toshikazu Nakamura
- 👤 Hiromichi Magota
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:04
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D27/00; B62D27/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A method of forming a seam in a body outer panel of a vehicle like an automobile, comprising the steps of displacing end portions of first and second panel plates toward the outside and inside of the panel, respectively, each of said panel plates being displaced by an amount substantially equal in thickness of a panel plate adjacent a seam to be formed, laying one of said panel plates over the other in a manner such that the outside surface of a basic portion of said first panel plate contacts the displaced end portion of said second panel plate and the inside surface of a basic portion of said second panel plate contacts the displaced end portion of said first panel plate, applying a plate piece to an inside surface portion of said first panel plate located adjacent its displaced end portion, said plate piece having substantially the same thickness as said first panel plate, connecting the overlapped portions of said two panel plates together by spot-welding under the compression and substantially removing the displaced end portion of said second panel plate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
182 words
A method of forming a seam in a body outer panel of a vehicle like an automobile, comprising the steps of displacing end portions of first and second panel plates toward the outside and inside of the panel, respectively, each of said panel plates being displaced by an amount substantially equal in thickness of a panel plate adjacent a seam to be formed, laying one of said panel plates over the other in a manner such that the outside surface of a basic portion of said first panel plate contacts the displaced end portion of said second panel plate and the inside surface of a basic portion of said second panel plate contacts the displaced end portion of said first panel plate, applying a plate piece to an inside surface portion of said first panel plate located adjacent its displaced end portion, said plate piece having substantially the same thickness as said first panel plate, connecting the overlapped portions of said two panel plates together by spot-welding under the compression and substantially removing the displaced end portion of said second panel plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said spot-welding is applied at least by two steps, the first step of spot-welding is a provisional welding of said first and second panel plates while the second step of welding is a substantial welding which not only welds said first and second panel plates together but also welds said first panel plate and said plate piece.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said first step of welding is applied to form co-welded portions between said first and second panel plates, said co-welded portions being spaced apart a relatively large distance along said seam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said second step of welding is applied to form co-welded portions which are disposed along said seam so as to overlap with adjacent welded portions thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said plate piece is provisionally welded by spot-welding to said first panel plate thereby forming co-welded portions therebetween, said co-welded portions being spaced apart a relatively large distance along said seam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said spot-welding is applied by a couple of electrodes pressed against opposite sides of said overlapped portions of said two panel plates, the first one of said electrodes being applied to the displaced end portion of said second panel plate while the second one of said electrodes is applied to both the displaced end portions of said first panel plate and said plate piece.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 6, wherein a back bar having a relatively large contacting surface is interposed between said first electrode and said displaced end portion of said second panel plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
135 words
A seam formed in a body outer panel of a vehicle such as an automobile, comprising first and second panel plates which define panel outer surfaces on opposite sides of the seam, said first panel plate having an extension displaced from its basic portion which defines said panel outer surface by an amount substantially equal to one thickness of the panel plate, said extension being laid over the inside surface of said second panel plate and connected with said second panel plate by spot-welding, and a plate piece laid over the inside surface of said basic portion of said first panel plate, wherein an end portion of said second panel plate, a transient portion of said first panel plate between said basic portion and said extension and said plate piece are welded together by spotwelding.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
135 words
A seam formed in a body outer panel of a vehicle such as an automobile, comprising first and second panel plates which define panel outer surfaces on opposite sides of the seam, said first panel plate having an extension displaced from its basic portion which defines said panel outer surface by an amount substantially equal to one thickness of the panel plate, said extension being laid over the inside surface of said second panel plate and connected with said second panel plate by spot-welding, and a plate piece laid over the inside surface of said basic portion of said first panel plate, wherein an end portion of said second panel plate, a transient portion of said first panel plate between said basic portion and said extension and said plate piece are welded together by spotwelding.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The seam of claim 8, wherein the welding between said extension of said first panel plate and the inside surface of said second panel plate is effected by co-welded portions spaced apart a relatively large distance along the seam.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The seam of claim 8, wherein the welding among the end portion of said second panel plate, said transient portion of said first panel plate and said plate piece is effected by co-welded portions which are disposed along the seam so as to overlap with adjacent welded portions thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The seam of claim 8, wherein said end portion of said second panel plate is edged to have a gradually reduced thickness toward its end in a manner to compensate for displacement of said first panel plate at said transient portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The seam of claim 11, wherein said edged end portion of said second panel plate is formed by grinding.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The seam of claim 8, wherein said plate piece and the inside surface of said basic portion of said first panel plate are welded together with co-welded portions spaced apart a relatively large distance along the seam.
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) | 1980-01-18 | 1980-07-19 | 1981-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-01-18 | 1984-07-19 | 1985-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-01-18 | 1988-07-19 | 1989-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |