US1680504A - Means for increasing the strength of sheet-metal articles - Google Patents

Description

Aug. I4, 1928. 1,680,504

H.\z. CUTLER ANS FOR INCREASING 'THE STRENGTH 0F SHEET ETA'B'ARTICLES 1-j11ea Nov. 23. 1923 2 Sneets-sneet 1 INYENTO/f l n 4W l .arromvfrs Aug. l14, 1928. Y 1,680,504

H. z. cuTLER IEANS FOR INCREASING THE' STRENGTH OF SHEEl' HET-AL ARTI-CLES Filed Nenas, V1923 `2 sh`ts-sneez 2 fmur; Z,

w/ TNESS @Y TTQRN-ys Patented Aug. 14, 1928.

NUNITED `STATES iarsoiI PATENT OFFICE.

HERMAN Z. CUTLER, 0F CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY.

Application fixed November 23, 1923. serial No. 676,513'.

My invention relates to means for making articles formed into various shapes out of sheet metal strong, rigidv and' relatively inflexible, and more particularly relatesV to means for imparting greatY strength and rigidity to such articles as fenders,mudguards and running-boards .of automobiles.

In Vthe manufacture of sheet metal articles, such as fenders, mudguards and runningboards of' automobiles` it has been common practice heretofore to `bend the free edges of the. article over and around a Wire or rod to make the completed article stiffer and more inflexible. But suchy rods or Wires are al-` ways of relatively small diameter and fail to impart to the article sufficient strength or rigidity to prevent it from bending or crumpling when the car on which the article is used collides even gently with a rigid objec lVhenever a mud-guard or fender of the kind above described strikes against a wall Iof'a. garage or a'side of a door of a. garage,V

for example, the fender will be bent and crumpledand will absolutely fail to-prevent the body of the car from being struck or injured.` A

It is the objectof my invention to so increase the strength and rigidity of sheet metal articles such as are above referred to that the fender or runningfboardwill not bender cruinple in the case of'a'sl'ight collision and which will ybe so strong and rigidV that it substantially forms a bumper which, will protect the car in the case of or more Serious collision.

Al further object of'my invention is to provide reinforcing Vmeans on the. free edges of fenders and runningfboards ofI such a nature as t0 protect the car in such a way .as to provide a convenient mode of attaching the same tothe chassis or body of the car.

\ A further object of my invention is to provide the free edges ofmud-guards and fcnders with stiff tubes made of sheet metal rigidlysecured to such fice edges and when desired` filled with concrete, plaster of Paris or any;V other suitable ceinentitious material.

A further object of my invention is to provide the freeedges or margins of the running-boards and fenders with a tecting tube rigid-ly, attached thereto in such a manner as to improve the appearance of the article on which the tube is secured.

Other objects offmy invention will appear inthe specification and claims below.

rEhe form.r of "my invention as hereinafter` a violent" strong pro-V described, comprises a running-board disposed between and connecting the front and rear fenders, to form an integral guard structure, each having' their free edges protecte'd by substantially cylindrical reinforcements whose edge flanges overlap the margins of the guard members and afford a continuous reinforcement and protector for the free edge Vof said guard structure; said cylindrical reinforcements affording tubular sockets arranged to receive the studs of supporting brackets or Vconnecting dowels.

My invention also includes all of the various novel features of construction and arrangement specified.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a motor vehicle having a runningboard and fenders comprising, conveniently embodying my invention g Fig. 2' .is

in Fig. l;

F igf. 3 is a fragmentary detailed perspective view showing the adjacentA ends of the forward fender and running-boards slightly separated'for convenience of illustration;

'Figk 4' is a' fragmentary transverse sectional view in perspective showing in detail the means of attachment of the preferred embodiment of thereinforcing protector as applied to the guard structure;

Fig'. 5 is a front elevational View of the forward fender showing the means of its attachment to the chassis;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional elevational. view showing the means of its attachment to the chassis;

Fig. 7 is V.aV fragmentary sectional elevational view showing the dowcl connecting the reinforcing protector of the runningboard and rear fender;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view sliowing the front fender` running-board and chassis.

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view showing the ,structure depicted in Fig. 8; and i Figs. 10,11, l2, 13V and 114 are fragmentaryy trai'ie'verse views in perspective, showing various-,modifications of the structure illustrated in` Fig. et.

In'said iigures the motor vehicle comprises the bodyl, wheels 2 and 3 and the chassis 5 from which extends the bracket 6 supporting the front wheel guard or fender 7 the g the integral guard structure, and

an enlarged fragmentary per-- spective view lof the guard. structure shown as hereinafter more definitelyl adjacent ends brackets 8 supporting the running-board 9; and the bracket 10 supporting the rear wheel guard or fender 11.

As shown in the drawings the front and rear fenders 7 and 11, and the ruiming board 9 are preferably formed of sheet metal, the free edges of which are provided with a protective reinforcement, which, as best shown in Fig. 4, may be formed of relatively stiff sheet metal tubing 13, shaped to conform to the shape of the edge of the fenders and running-board and having longitudinally extending fins or flanges and lformed by the plane margins of said sheet metal reinforcement; and adapted to under-lap the outer free margin 17 of the running-board 9 and to serve, not only to provide convenient means by which the tubing may be secured to said running-board (as by spot welding 19 or any other suitable means) but also to provide strength and rigidity to the whole structure. The web forming the tubular protector, may preferably be folded in a'variety of ways to form a re-entrant longitudinally extended slot, pocket or recess Q0, into which tliedownwardly dipped offset extreme outer edge margin 21 interlocks.

lt may be here noted that although I have described the protective reinforcement shown in Fig. 4, as applied to the running-board 9, it is to be understood that the same structure applies to the front and rear fenders as well, the tubing being bent to conform to the shape of the free edges thereof.

The inner edge margins of the forward fenders 7, the running-board 9, and the rear fender 11 are turned normal thereto and provide the flanges 23, 24 and 25 respectively which facilitate the fitting of said parts to the chassis 5, and the adjacent ends of the fender 7 and running board 9 are provided with depending flanges 26 and 27 respectively. which have alined bolt holes Q8 and 29 through which bolts or rivets may be eX- tended to secure said parts together in integral relation, to form the guard structure. Similarly, the adjacent ends of the runningboard 9 and the fender 11 are provided with depending flanges 31 and 32 which have the alined bolt holes 33 and 34 through which bolts or rivets may extend.

The adjacent ends of the protective reinforcement of the forward fender 7 and ruiming board 9 conveniently provide tubular sockets 36 and 37 for the reception of the dowel pin 38 shown in Fig. 3, and the of said protective reinforcement of the rear fender 11 and runningiaard 9 conveniently provide tubular sockets 4() and 41 for the reception of the dowel pin 4:2, which is angular, see Fig. 7, owing to the fact that the rear fender 11 joins the running-board 9 in substantially normal relation, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and

the cylindrical portion of said protector may be mitered to lit as shown in said gures.

The pins 38 and 42 may be rigidly se cured to one or both of the sockets in which each pin is fitted by spot welding or brazing.

As best shown in Figs. 8 and 9 the forward terminal of the tubular portion of the protector 13 of the forward lender, affords a socket 43 arranged to receive the rigid stud 44 of the supporting bracket G, and as shown in Figs. 1 and G the rearward terminal of said protector 0f the rear fender 11 affords a socket 45 arranged to receive the .stud 4G of the fender supporting bracket 10. These studs 44 and 46 may be spot welded or brazed in the ends of the tubing 13.

In the form of my invention as shown in Fig. 10 the reinforcing protector is formed ol'y .sheet metal shaped into a tube 50 having its margin 51 folded to form a longitudinal pocket f for the reception of the downwardly offset outwardly extended extreme edge margin 53 of the fender or runningboard structure 54, and extended inwardly beneath said fender or running-board and secured thereto,.preferably by spot welding to provide reinforcement therefor.

ln the form of my invention as shown in Fig. 11 the reinforcing protector is formed of sheet metal shaped into a tube G0 having one of its margins 61 folded upwardly and outwardly to interlock with the downwardly and inwardly folded edge margin G2 of the fender or running-board structure 63, while the other margin G4 of said protector is extended inwardly beneath said fender or running board and secured thereto by spot welding 65.

In ther form of my invention as shown in Fig. 12 the reinforcement protector is formed of sheet metal shaped into an open sided tube 7 0 and through the slot 71 formed by the open side, the downwardly curled edge margin 7 2 of the guard structure 73 extends. Said curled edge margin 72 may be embedded in any suitable filling, such as cement or concrete 74 which may lill said tube and rigidly secure said guard and protector together.

In the form of m. invention as shown in Fig. 13, the rein orcement protector is formed of sheet metalshaped into a tube having its upper margin 81 folded upwardly and outwardly in interlocked relation with the downwardly and inwardly folded margin 82 of the guard structure 83, while the lower margin abuts against the lower surface of the interlocking fold being secured by the spot welding 84.

In the form of my invention as shown in Fig. 14 the protector is formed into a tube 90 having its upper margin 91 extended inwardly and folded downwardly and outwardly in interlocked relation with the downwardly offset, upwardly and inwardly lflfl Y rgewai y folded edge margin 99 of the ard structure 93 `and secured in interloc ed relation by spot Welding 94, While the lower edge margin 95 has its edge abutted against the under surface of the upper margin, fforward of said folded interlock;y p

- As shown in F i s. 10 to let inclusive, the tubular Vportion o? the protectoris' preferably filled with any suitable cement, such as concrete, Portland cementor plaster of Paris 74 which serves togreatly strengthen and stifen the fender and running-board structure and substantially forms a" protective bumper on the sides of the car and" at the ends of the fenders.

In my invention the forwardl andrear-v Ward fenders and interposed running-board may be readily assembled to" form arigid unitary structure having a substantially continuous tubing at the edge thereof which not only strengthens and Stifens the structure, but affords convenient'means for attaching the fenders and runnin and to each other. he marginal tubing also imparts a pleasing finish to the fenders.

In making my improved fenders and running-board, the free offset edge of the member is inserted into the longitudinal'slot of the tubing'and thelaterally extending flange or margin of the tubing. is" rigidly secured to the fenderV or running-board by rivets or by lap Welding. ,Portland cement, plaster of Paris, concrete or any other plastic cement may then be forced into the tube from one end thereof until the entire tube is filled with the-cement. Then a pin or rod may be inserted in the ends of the tubing which are adapted to be secured to the brackets 6 and lO'to form the socket for the reception of the free ends of the brackets and similarly, the dowel pins 48 and 40 may be inserted in one end of the fenders respectively. Similarly, the tubing is secured to the free edge of the running-board and the cement or plaster of Paris is forced therein.

The parts may then be assembled and placed on the chassis in the manner above described and if desired the brackets 6 and 10 and the doWel pins 38 and 42 may be spot Welded to the tubing. s

I do not desire to limit my invention to the precise details of construction and arrangement as herein set forth, as it is obvious that various modifications may be made therein Without departing from the essential features of my invention as defined in the appended claims.l

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. In av device of the class described the combination with a guard structure, of a protector for the edge thereof7 formed of sheet material shaped to form a rigid metal reinforcing tube having a longitudinally disposed portion folded to provide a pocket to -board to the chassis,

receive the free edge of said guard structure and extended to underlap said guard struc# ture and rigidly secured thereto;

2. A continuous rigid protector for the free edge of the fenders and running-board of a vdliicle, comprising a stiff sheet-metal tube having its Wall Yfolded to form a repocket extending over the entire free edge of t" said' fenders and running-board toreinforce the same.

4. A continuous rigid protector for the free edge of the fenders and running-board,

constitutingthe guard structure of a ve hicle, con-iprising a tube having formed in its Wall are-'entrant' recess extending the ful-l length of said tube and into which the entire free margin of" said guard structure is tightly fitted', make rigid the entire guard structure.

5. A continuous rigid sheet metal protector for the free edge of thefender and running-board, constituting the guard structure of a vehicle', comprising its Wall folded to embrace the free margin of' the guard structure tudinal fin extending in underlapped relation to said guard structure and rigidly secured to said guard structure to afford reinforcement therefor.

6. In adevice of the class described, thecombination with the fenders and runningboard constituting the guard structure of a vehicle and guard supporting brackets therefor, of a tubular member shaped from sheet-metal and conforming to the shape of the free edge of said structure and affording terminal sockets arranged to receive said brackets and having a recess in which said free edge of said guard structure is rigidly secured.

said tube being operative to fr" a hollow bar having and having a longi-V 7. In a device of the class described, the i combination with a front fender, a rear fender and a running board comprising the guard structure of a vehicle, of sheet metal tubes shaped longitudinally to conform to the free edges of said spectively and rigidly secured thereto, guard supporting brackets respectively adjacent the front end of the front fender and vthe rear end of the rear fender, said brackets fitting respectively into the adjacent ends of said tube, and doWel pins tightly tted into said tubes between the running board and the fenders to join the adjacent ends of said tubes and to provide a rigid protector for said guard structure. y

8. A rigid protector for the free turned under edge of a guard structure of a vefenders and board re` hicle, comprising a sheet metal tube providing a hollow bar having a longitudinal lin or web and folded over and united to the edge of said guard structure in a loekseani joint.

V9. A device of the class described, comprising a rigid protector for the free edge of the guard structure of a Vehicle, said rigid protector comprising a sheet metal tube shaped longitudinally to conform to the shape of the tree edge of the guard structure ,and provided with a longitudinally extending fold forming a reeessinto which the free edge of the said guard strueture projects and snugly tits, and Ymeans to rigidly secure said'tube to said guard structure.

10. A rigid protector for the free edge of the guard structure of a vehicle, comprising a sheet metal tube shaped longitudinally to conform to the shape of the free edge of said guard structure, and having a longitudinally extending recess therein into which the free edge of said guard structure extends and is'enclosed, said tube being lilled with cement. i y

11. ln a device of the class described, the combination with a guard structure, of a protector for the edge thereof, formed of metallic sheet material, shaped into a rigid reinforcing tube having a longitudinally disposed portion thereof folded to provide a pocket to receive the free edge of, said guard structure and extended to underlap said guard. structure and rigidly secured thereto, said tube being filled lwith cement.

12. wIn a device of the class described, the combination with a guard structureA of an automobile, a continuous rigid protector for the free edge of said guard structure, comprising a metallic tube having its wall folded to provide a: reentrant pocket into which the free edge ,of said guard structure is inserted and interlocked, said pocket substantially extendlng over the entire free edge of said guard structure to reinforce the same and rigidly secured thereto, said tube being filled with cement.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination with a fender and runningboard constituting the guard structure of a vehicle and guard supporting brackets therefor, ot' a tube shaped from sheet metal and conforming long tudinally to the shape of the free edge ot said having a recess into which the free edge of said guard structure projects, said tube bcing filledr with cement and spot-welded to said guard structure.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this lstday of November. 1923.

y v HERMAN Z. CUTLER.

guard structure and

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