IP Library Granted Patent US 9,701,250
Granted Patent B1
US 9,701,250 · App. 15/178,145 · Granted Jul 11, 2017

Motor vehicle hybrid shelf assembly

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,701,250
App. No.
15/178,145
Granted
Jul 11, 2017
Kind
B1
Abstract

A motor vehicle hybrid shelf assembly includes a metallic sheet body. A body shelf defines a plane having multiple apertures. Each of the apertures is at least partially surrounded by a peripheral flange created from a portion of the shelf extending away from the plane defined by the shelf. A first leg of the peripheral flange of each of the apertures is integrally connected to the shelf and is angularly oriented with respect to the shelf, and a second leg of the peripheral flange is angularly oriented with respect to the first leg. A reinforcement member of a polymeric material is integrally connected to at least the second leg of the peripheral flange. Multiple ribs formed of the polymeric material directly contact a surface of the body to stiffen the body. The ribs extend between successive peripheral flanges and integrally connect to the reinforcement member of the peripheral flanges.

Claims (38)

1. A motor vehicle hybrid shelf assembly, comprising:

a body formed of a metallic sheet;

a shelf of the body defining a plane having at least one aperture created therein, the at least one aperture at least partially surrounded by a peripheral flange created from a portion of the shelf extending away from the plane defined by the shelf; and

a reinforcement member of a polymeric material integrally connected to the peripheral flange.

2. The motor vehicle hybrid shelf assembly of claim 1 , wherein the peripheral flange defines an L-shape having a first leg integrally connected to the body and oriented substantially parallel to the body, and a second leg angularly oriented with respect to the first leg.

3. The motor vehicle hybrid shelf assembly of claim 2 , wherein the reinforcement member entirely covers the second leg.

4. The motor vehicle hybrid shelf assembly of claim 3 , wherein the reinforcement member further covers a portion of the first leg.

5. The motor vehicle hybrid shelf assembly of claim 1 , wherein the peripheral flange defines an S-shape having a first leg integrally connected to the body and angularly oriented with respect to the body, a second leg angularly oriented with respect to the first leg, and a third leg angularly oriented with respect to the second leg.

6. The motor vehicle hybrid shelf assembly of claim 5 , wherein the reinforcement member entirely covers the third leg.

7. The motor vehicle hybrid shelf assembly of claim 6 , wherein the reinforcement member further covers a portion of the second leg.

8. The motor vehicle hybrid shelf assembly of claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement member covers at least a portion of a perimeter of the peripheral flange.

9. The motor vehicle hybrid shelf assembly of claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement member is connected to the body by multiple integrally formed interlocks.

10. The motor vehicle hybrid shelf assembly of claim 1 , wherein the body further includes opposed side portions adapted to be welded, riveted or fastened to a structure of the motor vehicle.

11. The motor vehicle hybrid shelf assembly of claim 10 , wherein:

the body defines a metal material including one of aluminum and steel; and

the side portions define a metal material including one of aluminum and steel and are fixed to the body.

12. The motor vehicle hybrid shelf assembly of claim 1 , wherein the body further includes a beam defining a reinforcing structure for the body.

13. The motor vehicle hybrid shelf assembly of claim 12 , wherein the beam is positioned proximate to a vehicle front facing portion of the body.

14. The motor vehicle hybrid shelf assembly of claim 1 , wherein the body includes:

multiple second apertures each having a peripheral flange with a reinforcement member of a polymeric material integrally connected to each peripheral flange; and

a rib connected to the body between the at least one aperture and each of the second apertures.

15. A motor vehicle hybrid shelf assembly, comprising:

a body formed of a metallic sheet;

a shelf of the body defining a plane having multiple apertures created therein, each of the apertures at least partially surrounded by a peripheral flange created from a portion of the shelf extending away from the plane defined by the shelf;

a first leg of the peripheral flange of each of the apertures integrally connected to the shelf and angularly oriented with respect to the shelf, and a second leg of the peripheral flange of each of the apertures angularly oriented with respect to the first leg; and

a reinforcement member of a polymeric material integrally connected to at least the second leg of the peripheral flange of each of the apertures.

16. The motor vehicle hybrid shelf assembly of claim 15 , wherein the reinforcement member is also integrally connected to the first leg of the peripheral flange of each of the apertures.

17. The motor vehicle hybrid shelf assembly of claim 15 , further including multiple ribs formed of the polymeric material of the reinforcement member, the ribs directly contacting and extending away from a surface of the body and act to stiffen the body, wherein the ribs extend between successive ones of the peripheral flanges and are integrally connected to the reinforcement member of the successive ones of the peripheral flanges and define an integrally extending member joined between multiple ones of the apertures.

18. The motor vehicle hybrid shelf assembly of claim 15 , further including opposed end portions of a ferrous material different than a material of the body, the opposed end portions fixed to the body and adapted to be welded to a structure of the motor vehicle, wherein the metallic sheet of the body is an aluminum material.

19. The motor vehicle hybrid shelf assembly of claim 15 , wherein the polymeric material is adapted to be applied in an over-molding process and defines a fiber reinforced material.

20. A motor vehicle hybrid shelf assembly, comprising:

a body formed of a metallic sheet having multiple raised stiffening members;

a shelf of the body defining a plane having multiple apertures created therein, each of the apertures at least partially surrounded by a peripheral flange created from a portion of the shelf extending away from the plane defined by the shelf;

a first leg of the peripheral flange of each of the apertures integrally connected to the shelf and angularly oriented with respect to the shelf;

a second leg of the peripheral flange of each of the apertures angularly oriented with respect to the first leg; and

a reinforcement member of a polymeric material integrally connected to at least the second leg of each peripheral flange; and

multiple ribs formed of the polymeric material, the ribs directly contacting and extending away from a surface of the body and acting to stiffen the body;

wherein the ribs extend between successive ones of the peripheral flanges and are integrally connected to the reinforcement member of the successive ones of the peripheral flanges and define an integrally extending member joined between multiple ones of the apertures.

Assignments (11)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 13, 2026
From: ECLIPSE BUSINESS CAPITAL LLC
To: GROUPER ACQUISITION COMPANY, LLC; DUS OPERATING INC.; GROUPER STAMPING, LLC
Reel/Frame 075646/0684 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 31, 2025
From: GROUPER ACQUISITION COMPANY, LLC; DUS OPERATING INC.; GROUPER STAMPING, LLC
To: CERBERUS BUSINESS FINANCE AGENCY, LLC
Reel/Frame 070077/0487 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 20, 2024
From: GROUPER ACQUISITION COMPANY, LLC; DUS OPERATING INC.; GROUPER STAMPING, LLC
To: ECLIPSE BUSINESS CAPITAL LLC, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 067799/0694 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 4, 2023
From: BLUE TORCH FINANCE LLC
To: DURA AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS U.K., LTD.; DUS OPERATING INC.; GROUPER STAMPING LLC; GROUPER ACQUISITION COMPANY, LLC
Reel/Frame 064502/0136 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 14, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: DUS OPERATING INC.
Reel/Frame 059783/0288 →
PATENT AND TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 13, 2022
From: DURA AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS U.K., LTD; DUS OPERATING INC.; GROUPER STAMPING, LLC; GROUPER ACQUISITION COMPANY, LLC
To: BLUE TORCH FINANCE LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 059704/0131 →
RELEASE OF PATENT AND TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 10, 2022
From: BLUE TORCH FINANCE LLC
To: DURA AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS U.K., LTD; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GMBH; DUS OPERATING, INC.
Reel/Frame 058671/0253 →
PATENT AND TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 5, 2021
From: DURA AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS U.K., LTD; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GMBH; DUS OPERATING INC.
To: BLUE TORCH FINANCE LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 055224/0756 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 5, 2021
From: DUS OPERATING INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 055228/0843 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 27, 2021
From: DURA OPERATING, LLC
To: DUS OPERATING INC.
Reel/Frame 055130/0931 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 13, 2017
From: REDDY RANGA, SUHANT PRAJWAL; LANGREET, ALEX MARK
To: DURA OPERATING, LLC
Reel/Frame 043856/0050 →