US4373665A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Deformable light-weight housing structure
Assignee: Mahle Behr GmbH and Co KG
•
Filing: 1979-12-20
•
Granted: 1983-02-15
•
Expires: 1999-12-20
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a light-weight deformable housing structure suitable for use as a collapsing component in a vehicle comprising a load-bearing lattice structure having a predetermined axis of collapse and a non-load-bearing skin enclosing the lattice structure. Also disclosed is a heater unit for a vehicle including a heater and a housing according to the invention surrounding the heater.
Inventors
- 👤 Kurt Dietzsch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:28
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60H; B60H1/00; B60H1/00507; B60H1/00514; B29; B29C; B29C45/00; B60H1/00321; B60H1/00457; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/04; B60R21/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A light-weight deformable air-conducting housing for use as a collapsing component in a vehicle, comprising: a load-bearing latice structure comprising a plurality of elongated members of a first thickness interconnected together in a rigid truss-like configuration having a predetermined axis of collapse and a plurality of open spaces between said elongated members; a non-load-bearing skin of a second thickness which is smaller than said first thickness of said elongated members, said skin closing in an airtight manner the open spaces between said elongated members and defining therein at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet; means on said housing for attaching said lattice structure to the body of a vehicle so that said predetermined axis of collapse of said housing coincides substantially with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle; and wherein said housing comprises a heater housing attached beneath the dashboard of a vehicle and contains a heater positioned therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A light-weight deformable air-conducting housing for use as a collapsing component in a vehicle, comprising: a load-bearing latice structure comprising a plurality of elongated members of a first thickness interconnected together in a rigid truss-like configuration having a predetermined axis of collapse and a plurality of open spaces between said elongated members; a non-load-bearing skin of a second thickness which is smaller than said first thickness of said elongated members, said skin closing in an airtight manner the open spaces between said elongated members and defining therein at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet; means on said housing for attaching said lattice structure to the body of a vehicle so that said predetermined axis of collapse of said housing coincides substantially with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle; and wherein said housing comprises a heater housing attached beneath the dashboard of a vehicle and contains a heater positioned therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A housing structure according to claim 1, wherein said lattice structure comprises a separate structure to which said skin is attached.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A housing structure according to claim 2, wherein said lattice structure is produced by stamping from a flat sheet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A housing structure according to claim 1, wherein said lattice structure and said skin are integrally formed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A housing structure according to claim 4, wherein said lattice structure and said skin are injection molded from a synthetic resinous material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A housing structure according to claim 1, 2 or 4, wherein said lattice structure comprises a plurality of points of intended collapse comprising points of weakened cross-section at predetermined locations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A housing structure according to claim 6, wherein said points of weakened cross-section comprise notches in the lattice structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3170509A
Cited
GB1160879A
Cited
GB1093020A
Cited
US3834482A
Cited
US3806154A
Cited
US3861711A
Cited
US3831997A
Cited
GB1550436A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-02-14 | 1986-08-16 | 1987-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-02-14 | 1990-08-16 | 1991-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-02-14 | 1994-08-16 | 1995-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |