Method for connecting hollow profiles

Abstract

A method is provided for connecting hollow profiles ( 1 - 4 ) in a joint ( 10 ) to produce a load-bearing structure ( 5 ). The method includes placing ends of hollow profiles ( 1 - 4 ) in a mold and pressing the ends together with at least one semi-finished product to connect the ends of the hollow profiles to the semi-finished product.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for producing a load-bearing structure, comprising:
 providing a semi-finished composite body having a plurality of openings;   placing the semi-finished composite body in a mold;   placing ends of profiles in the openings of the composite body; and   pressing regions of the semi-finished composite body together with the ends of profiles in the openings of the composite body in the mold to connect the ends of the profiles firmly to the semi-finished composite body.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the semi-finished product partially surrounds the mutually facing ends of the profiles. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the semi-finished product entirely surrounds the ends of the profiles. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein profiles are hollow and wherein the method further comprises at least partly filling the hollow profiles with foam. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the semi-finished product comprises at least one moldable and curable sheet-like fiber/plastic composite semi-finished product, the step of pressing comprising connecting the ends of the hollow profiles to the sheet-like fiber/plastic composite semi-finished product in the mold and curing. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the sheet-like fiber/plastic composite semi-finished product is a sheet molding compound. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the profiles are formed from a fiber/plastic composite material. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the profiles comprise a foam core. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the semi-finished product is formed from a similar material to or the same material as the profiles. 
     
     
         10 . A load-bearing structure having hollow profiles that are connected firmly together with mutually facing ends in a joint by the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A motor vehicle having the load-bearing structure of  claim 10 .