Gooseneck beam

Abstract

A beam having a gooseneck shape with two gooseneck portions. The beam may have a variety of cross sectional configurations. One such configuration has an upper front wall, a lower front wall, and an offset wall there between. The offset wall may be recessed, or offset away from the body of the beam. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the gooseneck beam by positioning a length of a material on a flat surface of a two-cam rotating member; gripping said material with said two-cam rotating member; restraining said length; rotating said two-cam rotating member to form a first and second; and pressing a portion of said material.

1 . A gooseneck beam comprising: 
 a body;    said body having a first beam portion that is oriented in a rear plane;    said body having a second beam portion that is oriented in a front plane;    a first gooseneck portion between said first beam portion and said second beam portion;    said body having a third beam portion that is oriented in said rear plane; and    a second gooseneck portion between said second beam portion and said third beam portion.    
   
   
       2 . The gooseneck beam of  claim 1 , wherein said rear plane is substantially parallel with said front plane.  
   
   
       3 . The gooseneck beam of  claim 1 , wherein said body has a substantially rectangular cross sectional configuration.  
   
   
       4 . The gooseneck beam of  claim 1 , wherein said body comprises a B-shaped cross sectional configuration.  
   
   
       5 . The gooseneck beam of  claim 1 , wherein said body is formed from aluminum.  
   
   
       6 . The gooseneck beam of  claim 1 , wherein said first gooseneck portion is generated about a first rear wall radius, a first front wall radius, a second rear wall radius, and a second front wall radius.  
   
   
       7 . The gooseneck beam of  claim 1 , wherein said second gooseneck portion is generated about a second rear wall radius, a second front wall radius, a third rear wall radius and a third front wall radius.  
   
   
       8 . The gooseneck beam of  claim 1 , wherein said body is capable of being secured to a motor vehicle.  
   
   
       9 . The gooseneck beam of  claim 1 , wherein said body is formed from a process that comprises the steps of: 
 positioning a length of a material on a flat surface of a two-cam rotating member;    gripping said material with said two-cam rotating member;    restraining a length of said material;    rotating said two-cam rotating member to form a first bend; and    pressing of a punch to form a second bend of the gooseneck.    
   
   
       10 . The gooseneck beam of  claim 1 , wherein said body is formed from a process that comprises the steps of: 
 positioning extruded material on flat surfaces of a two cam, rotating block structure;    restraining a cut length of said extruded material to prevent the tube wall from deforming for some distance from the ends of the cut length as the blocks begin to rotate about respective pivot positions;    pressing the desired gooseneck portion of said cut length to form a gooseneck portion; and    machining operations to form bolt hole creation or means for bracket attachment.    
   
   
       11 . A gooseneck beam, which comprises: 
 a first beam portion, a third beam portion, and a second beam portion disposed between said first beam portion and said third beam portion;    said second beam portion at least partially disposed in a front plane;    a rear plane disposed rearwardly of said front plane;    said first beam portion and said third beam portion each at least partially disposed in said rear plane;    a first gooseneck portion disposed between said first beam portion and said second beam portion; and    a second gooseneck portion disposed between said second beam portion and said third beam portion.    
   
   
       12 . The gooseneck beam of  claim 11 , wherein said rear plane is substantially parallel with said front plane.  
   
   
       13 . The gooseneck beam of  claim 11 , wherein said body has a substantially rectangular cross sectional configuration.  
   
   
       14 . The gooseneck beam of  claim 11 , wherein said body comprises a B-shaped cross sectional configuration.  
   
   
       15 . The gooseneck beam of  claim 11 , wherein said body is formed from aluminum.  
   
   
       16 . The gooseneck beam of  claim 1 , wherein said first gooseneck portion is generated about a first rear wall radius, a first front wall radius, a second rear wall radius, and a second front wall radius.  
   
   
       17 . The gooseneck beam of  claim 11 , wherein said second gooseneck portion is generated about a second rear wall radius, a second front wall radius, a third rear wall radius and a third front wall radius.  
   
   
       18 . The gooseneck beam of  claim 11 , wherein said body is capable of being secured to a motor vehicle.  
   
   
       19 . The gooseneck beam of  claim 11 , wherein said body is formed from a process comprising the steps of: 
 positioning a length of a material on a flat surface of a two-cam rotating member;    gripping said material with said two-cam rotating member;    restraining a length of said material;    rotating said two-cam rotating member to form a first bend; and    pressing of a punch to form a second bend of the gooseneck.    
   
   
       20 . The gooseneck beam of  claim 11 , wherein said body ( 20 ) is formed from a stretch forming process comprising the steps of: 
 positioning extruded material on flat surfaces of a two cam, rotating block structure;    restraining a cut length of said extruded material to prevent the tube wall from deforming for some distance from the ends of the cut length as the blocks begin to rotate about respective pivot positions;    pressing the desired gooseneck portion of said cut length to form a gooseneck portion; and    machining operations to form bolt hole creation or means for bracket attachment.    
   
   
       21 . A method to form a gooseneck beam, comprising the steps of: 
 positioning a length of a material on a flat surface of a two-cam rotating member;    gripping said material with said two-cam rotating member;    restraining a length of said material;    rotating said two-cam rotating member to form a first bend; and    pressing of a punch to form a second bend of the gooseneck.