Norman I Robbins

US Patent:

58606874, Jan 19, 1999

Filed:

Dec 19, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/994509

Inventors:

Max A. Corporon - Bloomfield Hills MI
Dave P. Hartman - Columbiaville MI
Norman B. Robbins - Davison MI

Assignee:

Chrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B62D 900

US Classification:

296 372

Abstract:

The present invention consists of a stiffening plate for a spare tire storage system that is supported by a plurality of protrusions in the form of raised beads in the tub floor. The plate is raised from the tub floor via the beads, the structure thus forming a "double thick" cross section that reduces low frequency vibration, while at the same time allowing drainage during the coating process from between the layers and which does not increase weight or cost.

US Patent:

60064145, Dec 28, 1999

Filed:

Feb 3, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/243909

Inventors:

Max A. Corporon - Rochester Hills MI
Norman B. Robbins - Davison MI
Brett G. Bamford - Livonia MI

Assignee:

DaimlerChrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B23P 1102
F16B 3702

US Classification:

2952502

Abstract:

A one-piece floating spring nut that has overlying upper and lower flattened leaves that extend from separated free ends into connection with a u-shaped spring hinge that resiliently joins the arms at their inboard ends. The upper leaf has a centralized nut locating and retaining collar extruded therefrom that also serves as a guide and through passage for a threaded fastener. The lower leaf has an extruded sleeve portion aligned with the locating and retaining collar, which is internally threaded to threadly receive the threaded fastener. The locating and retaining collar has a generally cylindrical configuration that extends with clearance into an opening in a support member to retain the spring nut in a pre-assembled position on the support member. The collar further cooperates with the edge of the enlarged opening to establish the amount of adjustment that the nut can float relative to the support. The float permits the nut to be adjusted on its support so that it can be aligned with an opening in the article being attached to the support by threaded fasteners that thread in to the sleeve portion of the nut.

US Patent:

61131806, Sep 5, 2000

Filed:

Sep 25, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/937780

Inventors:

Max A. Corporon - Bloomfield Hills MI
Norman B. Robbins - Davison MI
Nagesh A. Basavanahalli - West Bloomfield MI

Assignee:

Chrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B62D 2508

US Classification:

29620304

Abstract:

A framing structure for the rear portion of an automotive, including a pair of spaced and generally vertically oriented suspension strut towers each tower fixed at lower and upper end portions to a lower cross beam and an upper cross beam respectively and with each cross beam extending the full width of the vehicle and with each beam having a closed cross-sectional configuration to providing a high degree of structural rigidity as a mounting platform for the left and right rear wheel suspensions. A yoke-like structure on the upper ends of each suspension strut tower supports an end portion of the upper cross beam, each yoke including a pair of spaced side walls between which an end portion of the beam extends so that in vehicle assembly the beam's end portions are positioned or floated in a respective yoke in sliding engagement between the spaced side walls which permits independent lateral shifting of the upper end portion of each strut tower into desired alignment with the vehicle and with one another. Subsequently, the overlying side walls of the strut towers are attached to the end portions of the cross beam by a plurality of widely spaced spot welds thus providing a high degree of rigidity and accuracy to the framing structure.

US Patent:

60889187, Jul 18, 2000

Filed:

Feb 16, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/251251

Inventors:

Max A. Corporon - Bloomfield Hills MI
Norman B. Robbins - Davison MI
Nagesh A. Basavanahalli - West Bloomfield MI

Assignee:

Chrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B21D 5388

US Classification:

298972

Abstract:

A framing structure for the rear portion of an automotive, including a pair of spaced and generally vertically oriented suspension strut towers each tower fixed at lower and upper end portions to a lower cross beam and an upper cross beam respectively and with each cross beam extending the full width of the vehicle and with each beam having a closed cross-sectional configuration to providing a high degree of structural rigidity as a mounting platform for the left and right rear wheel suspensions. A yoke-like structure on the upper ends of each suspension strut tower supports an end portion of the upper cross beam, each yoke including a pair of spaced side walls between which an end portion of the beam extends so that in vehicle assembly the beam's end portions are positioned or floated in a respective yoke in sliding engagement between the spaced side walls which permits independent lateral shifting of the upper end portion of each strut tower into desired alignment with the vehicle and with one another. Subsequently, the overlying side walls of the strut towers are attached to the end portions of the cross beam by a plurality of widely spaced spot welds thus providing a high degree of rigidity and accuracy to the framing structure.

US Patent:

60861002, Jul 11, 2000

Filed:

Jan 2, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/002318

Inventors:

Max A. Corporon - Bloomfield Hills MI
Victoria A. Salmonowicz - St. Clair Shores MI
Norman B. Robbins - Davison MI

Assignee:

Chrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B60R 2224
B62D 2502
B62D 2504

US Classification:

280808

Abstract:

An apparatus for transferring rear shoulder belt loads to a frame of a motor vehicle includes a unitarily constructed reinforcement member. The reinforcement member is welded or otherwise fixedly attached to a C-pillar joint construction. The C-pillar joint construction includes an upwardly extending strut tower which is welded to a rail of the vehicle frame. The reinforcement member includes an upper end to which a turning loop of a rear seat belt assembly is attached, and a lower end to which a retractor mechanism of the seat belt assembly is attached. Loads from the seat belt are transferred from the reinforcement member through the strut tower and to the rail.