Land vehicles – Wheeled – Running gear
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-03
2001-02-27
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Running gear
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193273
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved automotive vehicle frame construction which includes the use of pairs of front and rear unitary cast supports to which other portions of the frame and other portions of the vehicle are secured.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It has been known to provide automotive vehicles such as automobiles with various types of frame constructions established through the assembly of a large number of individual components. It has also been known to employ such frames not only to provide structural integrity to the vehicle, but also to secure other components such as steering, suspension, shock absorbing, and other elements of the vehicle thereto. See generally, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,466,653, 4,804,222, 4,840,424, 5,316,367, 5,346,276, and 5,364,128.
One of the problems with prior known systems has been the need to inventory a large number of individual parts and to provide the labor required to assemble the same. In addition to such approaches being relatively expensive and, in many instances, increasing the weight of the vehicle, the need to effect appropriate alignment of the components has created problems. The need to maintain tolerances of the individual components has also created a problem.
It has been known to employ so-called “spaceframes” as frames for automotive vehicles so as to provide the desired structural integrity, strength, impact resistance and appropriate securement of the vehicle components which must be supported thereby.
In spite of foregoing known systems, there remains a very real and substantial need for an automotive vehicle frame which will provide enhanced efficiency of production while preserving or enhancing the desired or required qualities.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has met the above-described need by providing an automotive vehicle frame assembly which includes a front frame portion, a rear frame portion and an intermediate frame portion disposed intermediate the same connected thereto. The front frame portion has a pair of relatively spaced front strut towers and the rear frame portion has a plurality of relatively spaced rear strut towers. A plurality of frame components is connected to the strut towers which are disposed on the sides of the frame. Each of the strut towers is a unitary metal casting.
The strut towers are secured to the suspension means, but may be secured to and support the suspension means, the shock absorbers, steering components, structural cross members and other components of the system.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved substantially rigid automotive vehicle frame which will have frame portions which are unitary cast metal elements.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such cast frame elements which are front and rear pairs of cast strut towers.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such strut towers which will reduce frame assembly time and the cost of creating the frame.
A further object of the present invention is to provide such a system which facilitates use of spaceframe automotive vehicle frames.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide such a frame wherein the amount of joining of individual components to each other is mininized.
These and other objects of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description of the invention on reference to the illustrations appended hereto.
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Cobes John W.
Novak Miloslav
Summe Todd L.
Wenzel Heinz
Agarwal Brij K.
Aluminum Company of America
Johnson Brian L.
Silverman Arnold B.
Trempus Thomas R.
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