Christopher S Weatherbie

US Patent:

6786538, Sep 7, 2004

Filed:

Jun 3, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/453185

Inventors:

Daniel Turk - Dublin OH
Sachin K. Raje - Dublin OH
Christopher S. Weatherbie - Marysville OH

Assignee:

Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Tokyo

International Classification:

B60J 700

US Classification:

29621601, 296210

Abstract:

A reinforcing support frame structure, for use in a roof portion of a vehicle body, includes a panel enclosure with an opening for supporting a roof panel therein. The panel enclosure includes an intermediate portion, which may have two parts situated at different levels, with a curved border therebetween. The reinforcing frame also includes a brace operatively attached to the panel enclosure. The brace may include a triangular portion, having a narrow end facing toward the opening of the panel enclosure. The reinforcing frame structure may also include a plurality of interconnected crossmembers, which are operatively connected to the panel enclosure. Where used, the crossmembers give additional strength to the structure. The reinforcing frame structure may be substantially symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis thereof.