Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Structural detail
Reexamination Certificate
2002-10-08
2004-04-13
Dayoan, D. Glenn (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Structural detail
C296S205000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06719364
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an article of manufacture. More specifically, this invention relates to a unique vehicle spaceframe, and to the combination thereof with readily replaceable body panels. The vehicle of this invention is useful either as an individual or personal conveyance, or a car pool vehicle, to be used by commuters in a quasi-public transportation system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
The design and assembly of an inexpensive vehicular conveyance from interchangeable and readily replaceable parts has up to now proven to be an illusive, although highly desirable goal. The problems encountered typically involve the often conflicting objectives of reducing vehicle weight (to improve fuel economy), minimizing damage and cost of repairs (from impact related contact) and yet at the same time enhancing the safety of the vehicle passengers. All of the foregoing is to be achieved without sacrificing structural integrity. Various attempts have been made to achieve such objective such as by substituting different materials for part, or all of the vehicle frame. Although materials such as aluminum or composites have lightweight advantages, structural strength is typically sacrificed. Moreover, many substitute materials prove prohibitively expensive and, therefore, are not feasible.
The limitations on the substitution of such alternative materials are also directly related to vehicle assembly constraints. More specifically, conventional vehicle frame designs often dictate/limit the available options incident to the assembly process. For example, vehicle frames include forwardly extending midrails that protrude through the area that serves as the engine compartment. Assembly of the drivetrain and the front suspension system for the vehicle is more difficult because of the presence of these midrails. It would be advantageous, for example, to be able to completely assemble the suspension system before mounting it on the vehicle. Conventional frames, however, make such pre-assembly impractical or impossible.
Alternative structural systems and assembly methods for motor vehicle and other means of personal conveyance have been disclosed in both the press, trade journals, technical and patent literature. The following prior art is representative of such past efforts.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,217,970 (to Chika, issued Aug. 19, 1980) discloses and claims a configuration and construction of four-wheeled motor vehicles. It is indicated at column 2, lines 9-21 of the patent that an objective is to create entirely new type of motor vehicle by producing rigid left and right vehicle sides using either tubular construction or large, specifically reinforced stampings or molded panels of synthetic materials and transversely interconnecting them by the torsionally resilient members to create a light vehicle chassis and body structure and covering the spaces between thus interconnected sides with hood, roof and trunk panels of any suitable materials to enclose and protect thus configured body from elements and pilferage as is presently done with existing motor vehicles.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,084 (to Carroll et al, issued Jan. 25, 2000) describes an energy absorbing lattice for incorporation within automotive vehicle body panels. The objective of the Carroll invention is to improve crash test performance and passenger safety and yet permit elimination of much of the conventional frame and passenger cage commonly utilized to support and protect the vehicle's occupants. According to the Carroll concept, a reinforcing energy absorbing member is laminated to the inner face of a “contact surface” (automobile body panel) in a manner and configuration calculated to optimize absorption/dissipation of impact energies to the contact surface. The reinforcing energy absorbing member, unlike the so-called crush boxes typically found in bumpers, is composed of an interconnected lattice of a molded or fabricated mass of steel, plastic, or composite thereof, which defines a plurality of cells. The foregoing configuration reportedly enhances the crash worthiness of the vehicle, thus, permitting reduction in size and in some cases elimination of energy absorbing pillars and headrails.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,182 (to Townsend et al, issued Jan. 4, 2000), describes a unique chassis and body panel combination for various conveyances, e.g. cars, boats, aircraft and personal “people power vehicles” (also PPV). The Townsend “system” utilizes a module or spaceframe and body panel wherein each of the frame and panels have complimentary fittings to firmly engage the panel to the frame. The complimentary fittings are releasable, to allow for change or replacement of a given panel; or to allow for change or replacement of all, or a group of panels, so as to modify the utility or appearance of the vehicle. The Townsend module or spaceframe closely resemble the traditional unibody vehicle construction, through its utilization of a series of welded pillars and posts to define a passenger and engine compartment. The Townsend invention, reportedly represents a substantial improvement in ease of vehicle manufacture, without sacrifice in structural stiffness and durability of the frame. Moreover, the design freedom afforded by the Townsend invention also reportedly permits for improved passenger safety through such enhancements in the design of the car body frame.
Notwithstanding the strides made in the prior art, including those specifically referenced and discussed herein, there is a continuing need to further enhance passenger safety, without compromise of fuel economy or added expense. To the extent that each of the Chika, Carroll and Townsend concepts have made certain strides in that direction, each is limited by introduction of complexities that require relatively substantial departures from traditional manufacturing process and materials, and, thus, have not been adopted to any substantial degree. Moreover, while each of the directions taken by Chika, Carroll and Townsend to improve vehicle performance and manufacture, are laudable, they appear to be impractical for application to problems associated with personal conveyance of large populations of individuals at relatively modest cost (approaching that of public transportation).
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of this invention to remedy the above as well as related deficiencies in the prior art.
More specifically, it is the principle object of this invention to provide a personal conveyance that can meet the needs of the urban commuter at a fraction of the cost of present day automobiles.
It is another object of this invention to provide a personal conveyance that is part of a pool of essential identical and interchangeable commuter cars, so as to permit their use as integral part of a mass transit system.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a method for the fabrication of a personal conveyance that has both the integrity and rigidity of larger and heavier vehicles.
A further object of this invention is to provide a personal conveyance which can have from two wheels (i.e., scooters, bicycles, and the like) to four or more wheels (i.e., larger and heavier vehicles). Another object is to provide a three-wheel vehicle with a single wheel in the front or back and the other two at the other end of the vehicle.
It is still yet another object of this invention to provide a vehicle having enhanced protection of its body panels from damage and yet readily replaceable in the event of collision or abuse.
Additional objects of this invention include the adaptation of the conveyance of this invention to both gasoline and electric power, and to hybrid power plants.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above and related objects are achieved by providing a personal conveyance wherein a space frame is fabricated from at least two (2), preferably elliptical, roll bars that are directly or indirectly associated with a floor pan, so as to define an integral occupant and power plant compartment. The roll bar cross-section can be either circular or rectangular.
Coletta Lori L
Dayoan D. Glenn
Dickstein Shapiro Morin & Oshinsky LLP.
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