Elongated structures and related assemblies
First Claim
1. A method for supporting a structural load in a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
- loading a first load onto an elongated structure, the first load being received in a first flange of the elongated structure, the first flange comprising a variable width along at least a portion of the elongated structure, wherein the elongated structure comprises the first flange and a second flange, which extend from opposing ends of a web, andunloading the first load on the elongated structure,wherein the vehicle comprises the elongated structure and a plurality of frame members,wherein the elongated structure extends through an opening in each of the plurality of frame members,wherein the first flange comprises a plurality of narrower flange sections and a plurality wider flange sections,wherein the plurality of wider flange sections are each provided between adjacent frame members of the plurality of frame members, andwherein each narrower flange section is provided at and through the opening in a respective one of the plurality of frame members.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An elongated structure comprising a web extending along a length of the elongated structure and a flange comprising a first flange portion, the first flange portion extending away from an area of the web. The first flange portion comprises a variable width along at least a portion of the length of the elongated structure. The first flange portion of the elongated structure may comprise the variable width the length of the elongate structure. The first flange portion may comprise a constant width along at least a portion of the length of the elongated structure. The elongated structure may further comprise a second flange portion. The second flange portion may comprise a variable width along at least a portion of the length of the elongate structure. The first flange portion may comprise a first top flange portion.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for supporting a structural load in a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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loading a first load onto an elongated structure, the first load being received in a first flange of the elongated structure, the first flange comprising a variable width along at least a portion of the elongated structure, wherein the elongated structure comprises the first flange and a second flange, which extend from opposing ends of a web, and unloading the first load on the elongated structure, wherein the vehicle comprises the elongated structure and a plurality of frame members, wherein the elongated structure extends through an opening in each of the plurality of frame members, wherein the first flange comprises a plurality of narrower flange sections and a plurality wider flange sections, wherein the plurality of wider flange sections are each provided between adjacent frame members of the plurality of frame members, and wherein each narrower flange section is provided at and through the opening in a respective one of the plurality of frame members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for supporting a structural load in a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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loading a first load onto an elongated structure, wherein the elongated structure comprises; a web extending along a length of the elongated structure, a bottom flange extending away from the web, the bottom flange being coupled to a skin assembly of the vehicle, and a top flange comprising a first flange portion, the first flange portion extending away from an area of the web, wherein the first flange portion of the top flange comprises a variable width along at least a portion of the length of the elongated structure; responsive to loading the first load onto the elongated structure, receiving the first load in the first flange portion of the elongated structure; and unloading the first load on the elongated structure, wherein the elongated structure passes through an opening provided by a frame member so as to extend through the frame member, wherein the at least the portion of the length of the elongated structure extends from the frame member to an adjacent frame member, wherein the width of the first flange portion increases along a first section from the frame member to a mid-bay location, and wherein the width of the first flange portion decreases along a second section from the mid-bay location to the adjacent frame member. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for supporting a structural load in a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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loading a first load onto an elongated structure, wherein the elongated structure comprises; a web extending along a length of the elongated structure, a bottom flange extending away from the web, the bottom flange being coupled to a skin assembly of the vehicle, and a top flange comprising a first flange portion and a second flange portion, the first flange portion and the second flange portion extending away from an area of the web in opposing directions traverse to the length, wherein the first flange portion of the top flange and the second flange portion of the top flange each comprises a variable width along at least a portion of the length of the elongated structure; wherein the vehicle comprises the elongated structure and a plurality of frame members, wherein the elongated structure extends through an opening in each of the plurality of frame members, wherein the top flange comprises a plurality of narrower flange sections and a plurality of wider flange sections, wherein the plurality of wider flange sections are each provided between adjacent frame members of the plurality of frame members, and wherein each narrower flange section is provided at and through the opening in a respective one of the plurality of frame members; responsive to loading the first load onto the elongated structure, receiving the first load in the first flange portion of the elongated structure; and unloading the first load on the elongated structure. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification