Vehicle body side structure
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle body side structure comprising:
- a first pillara second pillar,an inner side panel defining an inner window opening and an attachment flange formed adjacent to and surrounding the inner window opening; and
an outer side panel having an uninterrupted outer surface, the outer side panel extending between the first pillar and the second pillars, a section of the uninterrupted outer surface being contoured and shaped to define an outer window-like area and a window sash formed adjacent to and surrounding the outer window-like area, the attachment flange of the inner side panel being rigidly attached to the window sash of the outer side panel along a connection area to prevent movement of the inner side panel relative to the outer side panel, the outer window-like area being located adjacent to the connection area and the outer window-like area completely covering the inner window opening, the connection area being located between the first pillar and the second pillar and spaced apart from the first pillar and the second pillar, with respective lateral end portions of the inner panel and the outer panel defining an enclosed area as viewed in cross-section between the connection area and at least one of the first pillar and the second pillar.
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Abstract
A vehicle body side structure includes an outer side panel and an inner side panel. The outer side panel has an outer window area and a window sash formed adjacent to and surrounding the outer window area. The outer window area includes a removable portion that spans the outer window area. The inner side panel has an inner window area and an attachment flange formed adjacent to and surrounding the inner window area. The attachment flange is rigidly attached to the window sash along a connection area to prevent movement of the inner side panel relative to the outer side panel. The removable portion of the outer window area is located adjacent to the connection area.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vehicle body side structure comprising:
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a first pillar a second pillar, an inner side panel defining an inner window opening and an attachment flange formed adjacent to and surrounding the inner window opening; and an outer side panel having an uninterrupted outer surface, the outer side panel extending between the first pillar and the second pillars, a section of the uninterrupted outer surface being contoured and shaped to define an outer window-like area and a window sash formed adjacent to and surrounding the outer window-like area, the attachment flange of the inner side panel being rigidly attached to the window sash of the outer side panel along a connection area to prevent movement of the inner side panel relative to the outer side panel, the outer window-like area being located adjacent to the connection area and the outer window-like area completely covering the inner window opening, the connection area being located between the first pillar and the second pillar and spaced apart from the first pillar and the second pillar, with respective lateral end portions of the inner panel and the outer panel defining an enclosed area as viewed in cross-section between the connection area and at least one of the first pillar and the second pillar. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19)
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15. A method of assembling a vehicle body side structure, comprising:
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providing an outer side panel having an uninterrupted outer surface, a portion of the outer side panel attaching to a first pillar and another portion of the outer side panel attaching to a second pillar, a section of the outer surface being contoured and shaped to define an outer window-like area and a window sash formed adjacent to and surrounding the outer window-like area; providing an inner side panel having an inner window opening and an attachment flange formed adjacent to and surrounding the inner window opening, a portion of the inner side panel attaching to the first pillar and another portion of the inner side panel attaching to the second pillar, aligning the outer window-like area and the inner window opening such that the outer window-like area completely covers the inner window opening; and non-movably and rigidly attaching the attachment flange of the body inner side panel to the window sash of the outer side panel defining a connection area with the outer window-like area completely covering the inner window opening with the connection area being located between the first pillar and the second pillar and spaced apart from the first pillar and the second pillar, and with lateral end portions of the inner panel and the outer panel defining an enclosed area as viewed in cross-section between the connection area and at least one of the first pillar and the second pillar. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 20)
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Specification