US Patent No: 6,561,571

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

Structurally enhanced attachment of a reinforcing member

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Importance

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Abstract

A structurally enhanced attachment for use in reinforcing automotive rocker assemblies. An expandable material, such as a polymer-based foam, is disposed on a surface of an aluminum extrusion prior to integration of the extrusion into the vehicle and final assembly of the vehicle by the vehicle manufacturer. The system is activated as the vehicle undergoes the final vehicle assembly process, which activates and transforms the expandable material, preferably during an automobile paint operation, to expand, bond and fill the rocker assembly structure thereby structural adhering the extrusion with the rocker assembly and facilitating enhanced structural reinforcement.

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First Claim

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddressTotal Patents
ZEPHYROS, INC.ROMEO, MI132

International Classification(s)

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Brennecke, Eric Troy, MI 9 315

Cited Art

Patent Info (Count) # Cites Year
 
HENKEL CORPORATION (24)
5,884,960 Reinforced door beam 133 1996
6,058,673 Internal reinforcement for hollow structural elements 71 1997
6,068,424 Three dimensional composite joint reinforcement for an automotive vehicle 88 1998
6,099,948 Encapsulation of pre-expanded elastomeric foam with a thermoplastic 81 1998
6,168,226 Composite laminate automotive structures 107 1998
5,992,923 Reinforced beam assembly 96 1998
6,096,403 Reinforced structural members 104 1998
6,233,826 Method for reinforcing structural members 88 1998
6,237,304 Laminate structural bulkhead 96 1998
6,276,105 Laminate reinforced beam with tapered polymer layer 81 1999
6,003,274 Lightweight laminate reinforcing web 117 1999
6,092,864 Oven cured structural foam with designed-in sag positioning 98 1999
6,149,227 Reinforced structural assembly 75 1999
6,270,600 Reinforced channel-shaped structural member methods 94 1999
6,079,180 Laminate bulkhead with flared edges 78 1999
6,348,513 Reduced tack compositions useful for the production of reinforcing foams 67 1999
6,103,784 Corrosion resistant structural foam 61 1999
6,341,467 Internal reinforcement for hollow structural elements 85 1999
6,189,953 Reinforced structural assembly 78 2000
6,332,731 Three dimensional composite joint reinforcement for an automotive vehicle 77 2000
6,272,809 Three dimensional laminate beam structure 75 2000
6,406,078 Composite laminate automotive structures 81 2000
6,287,666 Reinforced structural members 89 2000
2002/0053,179 Internal reinforcement for hollow structural elements. 70 2001
 
SIKA CORPORATION (15)
5,373,027 Dry expansible sealant and baffle composition and product 80 1993
5,506,025 Expandable baffle apparatus 114 1995
5,731,069 Composite gage and drain hole sealer 27 1995
5,725,272 Drain assembly for acoustic baffle system 80 1996
6,150,428 Expansion temperature tolerant dry expandable sealant and baffle product and method of preparing same 84 1999
6,199,940 Tubular structural reinforcing member with thermally expansible foaming material 98 2000
6,253,524 Reinforcing member with thermally expansible structural reinforcing material and directional shelf 76 2000
6,305,136 Reinforcing member with beam shaped carrier and thermally expansible reinforcing material 77 2000
6,368,438 Sound deadening and structural reinforcement compositions and methods of using the same 77 2000
6,382,635 Double walled baffle 76 2000
6,413,611 Baffle and reinforcement assembly 79 2000
6,281,260 Expansion temperature tolerant dry expandable sealant and baffle product 83 2000
6,319,964 Acoustic baffle with predetermined directional expansion characteristics 79 2000
D457120 Ribbed structural reinforcing member 60 2001
2002/0074,827 Structural reinforcing member with ribbed thermally expansible foaming material 72 2001
 
ZEPHYROS, INC. (10)
5,358,397 Apparatus for extruding flowable materials 106 1993
5,985,435 Magnetized hot melt adhesive articles 106 1996
5,648,401 Foamed articles and methods for making same 46 1996
6,103,341 Self-sealing partition 89 1997
6,033,300 Automotive vehicle HVAC rainhat 72 1998
6,131,897 Structural reinforcements 98 1999
6,296,298 Structural reinforcement member for wheel well 85 2000
6,383,610 Self-sealing partition 67 2000
6,321,793 Bladder system for reinforcing a portion of a longitudinal structure 70 2000
6,311,452 Structural reinforcements 90 2000
 
NOVAMAX TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS, INC. (8)
4,751,249 Reinforcement insert for a structural member and method of making and using the same 144 1985
4,901,500 Lightweight composite beam 115 1988
4,908,930 Method of making a torsion bar 87 1988
4,922,596 Method of manufacturing a lightweight composite automotive door beam 117 1988
4,995,545 Method of reinforcing a structure member 110 1988
4,978,562 Composite tubular door beam reinforced with a syntactic foam core localized at the mid-span of the tube 183 1990
5,755,486 Composite structural reinforcement member 154 1995
5,888,600 Reinforced channel-shaped structural member 117 1996
 
GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION (5)
4,610,836 Method of reinforcing a structural member 111 1984
4,695,343 Method of reinforcing a structural member 62 1986
4,732,806 Structural member comprising glass macrospheres 64 1987
5,806,919 Low density-high density insert reinforced structural joints 82 1996
5,988,734 Passenger vehicle structure 43 1998
 
CHRYSLER GROUP LLC (4)
5,934,737 Dynamic impact energy absorbing assembly 29 1996
6,129,410 Apparatus for reinforcing a body side panel of a motor vehicle 50 1998
6,254,488 Hydroformed drive shaft and method of making the same 22 1999
6,196,621 Apparatus for transferring impact energy from a tire and wheel assembly of a motor vehicle to a sill 66 2000
 
NEO-EX LAB, INC. (4)
5,806,915 Support structure for supporting foamable material on hollow structural member 80 1996
5,642,914 Support structure for supporting foamable material on hollow structural member 87 1996
5,649,400 Support structure for supporting foamable material on hollow structural member 35 1996
6,247,287 Structure and method for closing and reinforcing hollow structural members 90 1998
 
NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD. (4)
5,102,188 Vehicle body structure producing method and flowable resin damming arrangement therefor 67 1989
5,213,391 Body skeleton element of vehicle and manufacturing method thereof 87 1991
5,707,098 Door structure for vehicle 44 1995
6,059,342 Car body structure 57 1999
 
WILHELM KARMANN GMBH (4)
5,803,533 Motor vehicle body, particularly for a convertible 37 1996
6,090,232 Component made from a metallic foam material 33 1997
6,135,542 Car body part, particularly a contoured frame member 69 1997
6,094,798 Component made from a metallic foam material 30 1999
 
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (3)
4,917,435 Truck cab construction 46 1989
5,395,135 Energy absorbing vehicle door and side panels 63 1994
5,560,672 Energy absorbing beam 55 1996
 
HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA (3)
6,004,425 Rubber-based structural white-shell adhesives 50 1997
5,994,422 Hot-curing rubber foams with high structural strength 42 1997
6,096,791 Sulphur-free expanding, hot hardening shaped parts 40 1999
 
HENKEL KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT AUF AKTIEN (3)
5,932,680 Moisture-curing polyurethane hot-melt adhesive 91 1996
6,165,588 Reinforcement of hollow sections using extrusions and a polymer binding layer 109 1998
6,372,334 Reinforcement laminate 61 1999
 
HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA (3)
4,762,352 Synthetic resin bumper assembly 72 1986
5,941,597 Structural member of vehicle 67 1997
6,435,602 Structure for attaching pillar garnish 11 2000
 
ESSEX SPECIALTY PRODUCTS, INC. (2)
4,803,108 Honeycomb reinforcing sheet for the reinforcement of panels and method of reinforcing panels 58 1987
6,153,709 Chip resistant, vibration damping coatings for vehicles 42 1999
 
FORD MOTOR COMPANY (2)
4,397,490 Low profile bumper 54 1981
4,559,274 Composite components of sandwich construction 45 1983
 
METALDYNE TUBULAR PRODUCTS, INC. (2)
5,580,120 Vehicle door intrusion beam 50 1995
5,785,376 Vehicle door beam 53 1996
 
SIKA AG, VORM. KASPAR WINKLER & CO. (2)
5,894,071 Two-component adhesive-, sealing- or coating composition and it's use 50 1996
6,006,484 Sound-damping partition 69 1998
 
AB VOLVO (1)
6,073,991 Stress-bearing assembly 48 1997
 
ALCOA INC. (1)
6,139,094 Rocker to pillar joint 30 1998
 
BASF AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT (1)
5,122,398 Recyclable bumper system 56 1990
 
CHRYSLER CORPORATION (1)
5,344,208 Reinforcement assembly for vehicle panels 78 1991
 
COGNIS IP MANAGEMENT GMBH (1)
6,303,672 Self-dispersing curable epoxy resins, dispersions made therewith, and coating compositions made therefrom 59 1995
 
DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG (1)
6,152,260 Method of filling cavities in workpieces or semi-finished products and structural components parts for mounting on or in a motor vehicle 27 1998
 
DEXTER CORPORATION (1)
4,989,913 Barrier for use in hollow channel in motor vehicle body and method for producing same 33 1990
 
E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY (1)
5,266,133 Dry expansible sealant and baffle composition and product 106 1993
 
ESSEX COMPOSITE SYSTEMS, 29605 PARKWAY, ROSEVILLE, MICHIGAN 48066, A CORP. OF MICHIGAN (1)
4,853,270 Knee blocker for automotive application 118 1988
 
ESSEX COMPOSITE SYSTEMS, A GENERAL PRTNERSHIP OF MICHIGAN (1)
4,923,902 Process and compositions for reinforcing structural members 146 1988
 
ESSEX STRUCTURAL PARTS, INC., 615 GRISWOLD, DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226 A MICHIGAN CORP. (1)
4,861,097 Lightweight composite automotive door beam and method of manufacturing same 130 1987
 
EXXON CHEMICAL PATENTS INC. (1)
5,160,465 Process of insulating a body cavity 40 1990
 
GEC ALSTHOM TRANSPORT SA (1)
5,660,116 Impact-absorber devices, impact-absorption method, and framework and vehicle including such impact-aborber devices 41 1996
 
GREENWICH PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED (1)
4,813,690 Sealing member 83 1987
 
HENKEL KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT AUF AKTIEN HENKEL KGA (1)
4,836,516 Filled tubular torsion bar and its method of manufacture 113 1988
 
HYTEC, INC. (1)
6,102,379 Torsion springs with visco-elastic damping 29 1997
 
IGM GROUP B.V. (1)
6,232,433 Radiation curable polyesters 51 1997
 
IIDA INDUSTRY CO., LTD. (1)
4,898,630 Thermosetting highly foaming sealer and method of using it 72 1988
 
IIDA SANGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA (1)
5,804,608 Heat-foamable filling reinforcement and reinforced closed-section structural-member making use of the same 40 1996
 
KIA MOTORS CORPORATION (1)
2002/0033,618 Center pillar for automobiles 23 2001
 
KYOHO MACHINE WORKS, LTD. (1)
6,082,811 Reinforcement for vehicle hollow structural member, having decreasing-thickness end portions 34 1998
 
L&L PRODUCTS, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN (1)
6,263,635 Tube reinforcement having displaceable modular components 85 1999
 
L&L PRODUCTS, INC. (1)
4,463,870 Closure plate for an opening 80 1983
 
LEAR CORPORATION (1)
5,786,394 Durable, energy-absorptive EPP/PUR structural composites 38 1996
 
MAGNA EXTERIOR SYSTEMS GMBH OF OBERTSHAUSEN (1)
5,766,719 Composite material 101 1995
 
MAGNA PEBRA GMBH (1)
6,102,473 Molding for covering longitudinal member of an automobile 36 1998
 
MANGA PEBRA GMBH (1)
5,984,389 Bumper 46 1997
 
MANNESMANN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT (1)
5,255,487 Door reinforcement tube 56 1991
 
MASCOTECH AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, INC. (1)
4,457,555 Conversion of vehicle bodies 57 1981
 
MELEA LIMITED (1)
4,613,177 Vehicle bumper 34 1985
 
METEOR GUMMIWERKE K.H. BADJE GMBH & CO. (1)
6,244,601 Sealing system for the roof frame of a hard-top, coupe, or convertible 29 1999
 
MOLLER PLAST GMBH (1)
6,315,938 Method for foaming or foam-coating components 70 2000
 
MPA DIVERSIFIED PRODUCTS CO. (1)
5,124,186 Composite tubular door beam reinforced with a reacted core localized at the mid-span of the tube 181 1990
 
MPA DIVERSIFIED PRODUCTS, INC. (1)
4,769,391 Reinforcement insert for a structural member and method of making and using the same 96 1987
 
NEO-EX LABO (1)
5,904,024 Mount construction of foam substrate in hollow structures 60 1997
 
NITTO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. (1)
4,378,395 Reinforcing material 73 1982
 
NOBLE POLYMERS, LLC (1)
6,146,565 Method of forming a heat expandable acoustic baffle 65 1998
 
PEGUFORM FRANCE (1)
6,050,630 Molded composite stack 42 1997
 
PULLMAN COMPANY, THE (1)
5,885,688 Steel reinforced filled polymer torque rod 27 1996
 
SANDIA NATIONAL LABORATORIES (1)
6,110,982 Epoxy foams using multiple resins and curing agents 31 1999
 
SIKA CHEMIE GMBH (1)
6,077,884 Aqueous dispersion of epoxy resin and blend of epoxy resin-polyoxyalkylene amines 50 1998
 
SIKA SCHWEIZ AG (1)
6,389,775 Reinforcement element for load-carrying or load-transferring structural parts and method for fixing said reinforcement element to the surface of a structural part 58 2000
 
SUBJECT TO AGREEMENT RECITED SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS. (1)
4,238,540 Fiber reinforced composite shaft with metallic connector sleeves mounted by connector ring interlock 89 1979
 
T.A.L.C. LTD. (1)
5,888,642 Syntactic foam core material for composite structures 45 1996
 
THOR TECH, INC. (1)
6,022,066 Door extension for vehicle doors 28 1998
 
TII INDUSTRIES, INC. (1)
5,575,526 Composite laminate beam for radiator support 158 1994
 
TOKAI RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD. (1)
5,866,052 Process of manufacturing structural body for automotive vehicle 42 1997
 
TYCO INTERNATIONAL LTD., A CORPORATION OF BERMUDA (1)
5,931,474 Cavity sealing article and method 58 1998
 
ULTRAFRAME PLC OF ENTERPRISE WORKS (1)
5,901,528 Building elements 33 1997
 
VOLKSWAGEN AG (1)
5,997,077 Deformable structure for protection of vehicle occupants 38 1998
 
YMOS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT INDUSTRIEPRODUKTE (1)
5,855,094 Motor vehicle door 27 1996
 
OTHER [CHECK PATENT PROFILE FOR ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION] (4)
4,440,434 Vehicle body construction 71 1981
4,705,716 Integral car body made of composite material 52 1986
4,984,406 Building panel 73 1989
5,652,039 Sandwich panel for angular forming 37 1995

Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cites

Patent Info (Count) # Cites Year
 
ZEPHYROS, INC. (59)
6,855,652 Structurally reinforced panels 28 2001
6,729,425 Adjustable reinforced structural assembly and method of use therefor 42 2001
6,941,719 Structural reinforcement 35 2001
7,011,315 Expandable pre-formed plug 16 2002
7,169,344 Method of reinforcing at least a portion of a structure 1 2002
6,887,914 Structural hot melt material and methods 27 2002
6,786,533 Structural reinforcement system having modular segmented characteristics 53 2002
6,926,784 Sound absorption system for automotive vehicles 6 2002
6,793,274 Automotive rail/frame energy management system 47 2002
7,318,873 Structurally reinforced members 10 2003
6,774,171 Magnetic composition 8 2003
7,043,815 Method for applying flowable materials 5 2003
6,846,559 Activatable material 35 2003
6,969,551 Method and assembly for fastening and reinforcing a structural member 18 2003
7,077,460 Reinforcement system utilizing a hollow carrier 29 2003
7,144,071 Multi segment parts 20 2003
7,125,461 Activatable material for sealing, baffling or reinforcing and method of forming same 9 2003
6,921,130 Structural reinforcement system for automotive vehicles 31 2003
7,004,536 Attachment system and method of forming same 13 2003
6,920,693 Dynamic self-adjusting assembly for sealing, baffling or structural reinforcement 40 2003
6,923,499 Multiple material assembly for noise reduction 23 2003
6,928,736 Method of reinforcing an automobile structure 37 2003
6,883,858 Structural reinforcement member and method of use therefor 6 2003
7,041,193 Method of adhering members and an assembly formed thereby 7 2003
7,105,112 Lightweight member for reinforcing, sealing or baffling 14 2003
7,194,804 Method of forming a hydroform 6 2003
7,313,865 Process of forming a baffling, sealing or reinforcement member with thermoset carrier member 11 2003
6,953,219 Reinforcing members 33 2003
6,880,657 Adjustable reinforced structural assembly and method of use therefor 28 2004
7,111,899 Structural reinforcement member and method of use therefor 8 2004
6,890,021 Structural reinforcement system having modular segmented characteristics 36 2004
7,255,388 Reinforcing members 14 2004
7,114,763 Automotive rail/frame energy management system 14 2004
6,938,947 Structural reinforcement system for automotive vehicles 27 2004
7,199,165 Expandable material 13 2004
6,905,745 Structural foam 28 2004
7,025,409 Automotive rail/frame energy management system 21 2004
7,469,459 System and method employing a porous container for sealing, baffling or reinforcing 7 2004
6,932,421 Structural reinforcement member and method of use therefor 28 2004
7,180,027 Method of applying activatable material to a member 2 2005
7,160,491 Structural reinforcement system for automotive vehicles 13 2005
7,290,828 Baffle system 10 2005
8,070,994 Panel structure 2 2005
7,479,246 Overmoulding 6 2005
7,790,280 Structural reinforcement 0 2005
7,521,093 Method of sealing an interface 5 2005
7,392,929 Weldable synthetic material 2 2005
7,478,478 Method of providing reinforcing members 3 2005
7,374,219 Structural reinforcement member and method of use therefor 7 2005
7,467,452 Method for applying flowable materials 1 2006
7,503,620 Structural reinforcement member and method of use therefor 15 2006
7,296,847 Reinforcement system utilizing a hollow carrier 7 2006
7,438,782 Activatable material for sealing, baffling or reinforcing and method of forming same 3 2006
7,926,179 Reinforcements, baffles and seals with malleable carriers 0 2006
7,838,589 Sealant material 0 2007
8,236,128 Adhesive materials, adhesive parts formed therewith and their uses 0 2007
8,128,780 Reinforcement system utilizing a hollow carrier 0 2007
7,695,040 Structural reinforcement member and method of use therefor 0 2008
8,079,146 Reinforcements, baffles and seals with malleable carriers 1 2010
 
DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES INC. (6)
7,041,355 Structural reinforcement parts for automotive assembly 2 2001
6,896,320 Reinforced structural body 13 2003
7,097,794 Vehicular structural members and method of making the members 4 2003
7,084,210 Heat activated epoxy adhesive and use in a structural foam insert 0 2003
7,250,124 Structural reinforcement article and process for preparation thereof 1 2004
7,838,100 Vehicular structural members and method of making the members 2 2006
 
TAC TECHNOLOGIES, LLC (6)
7,213,379 Engineered structural members and methods for constructing same 10 2005
7,930,866 Engineered structural members and methods for constructing same 2 2007
7,882,679 Engineered structural members and methods for constructing same 2 2007
7,721,496 Composite decking material and methods associated with the same 2 2007
8,065,848 Structural member 1 2008
8,266,856 Reinforced structural member and frame structures 1 2008
 
SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG (4)
7,621,373 Acoustic drain 3 2004
8,020,924 Integrated reinforcing crossmember 0 2007
8,293,360 Baffle 0 2008
8,133,929 Method for incorporating long glass fibers into epoxy-based reinforcing resins 0 2008
 
OTHER [CHECK PATENT PROFILE FOR ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION] (1)
8,438,808 Reinforced structural member and frame structures 0 2012

Maintenance Fees

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11.5 Year Payment $7400.00 $3700.00 $1850.00 Nov 13, 2014
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