US 12,459,576 B2
Vehicle structural assembly
Dragan B. Stojkovic, Taylor, MI (US); Joseph Antoni, South Lyon, MI (US); Andre Jurkiewicz, Northville, MI (US); and Karen Nuler, Canton, MI (US)
Assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed by Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed on Oct. 11, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/963,349.
Prior Publication US 2024/0116572 A1, Apr. 11, 2024
Int. Cl. B62D 25/08 (2006.01); B62D 21/12 (2006.01); B62D 24/00 (2006.01); B62D 25/04 (2006.01); B62D 27/02 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 25/082 (2013.01) [B62D 21/12 (2013.01); B62D 24/00 (2013.01); B62D 25/04 (2013.01); B62D 25/081 (2013.01); B62D 27/023 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A structural assembly of a vehicle comprising:
a left hinge pillar and a right hinge pillar;
a left channel member and a right channel member, wherein the left channel member includes a left vertical wall, a left top wall, and a left bottom wall, wherein the left vertical wall is secured to the left hinge pillar, wherein the left top wall and the left bottom wall extend outboard from the left vertical wall, the left bottom wall being spaced apart from and below the left top wall to define a left cavity therebetween, the right channel member includes a right vertical wall, a right top wall, and a right bottom wall, wherein the right vertical wall is secured to the right hinge pillar, wherein the right top wall and the right bottom wall extend outboard from the right vertical wall, the right bottom wall being spaced apart from and below the right top wall to define a right cavity therebetween; and
a left upper rail and a right upper rail, wherein a longitudinal portion of the left upper rail is secured to the left channel member and at least partially received in the left cavity, the longitudinal portion of the left upper rail extending from a rear end of the left channel member toward a front end of the left channel member along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle above a left wheel well of the vehicle, wherein a longitudinal portion of the right upper rail is secured to the right channel member and at least partially received in the right cavity, the longitudinal portion of the right upper rail extending from a rear end of the right channel member toward a front end of the right channel member along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle above a right wheel well of the vehicle.