US3614124A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle frame unit
Assignee: AO Smith Corp
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Filing: 1969-07-28
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Granted: 1971-10-19
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Expires: 1989-07-28
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure includes a vehicle frame having a single center rail member and a separate and single rear rail member in each side of the frame structure. The rail members are channel shaped and open in horizontally opposite directions. The members have complementing curved adjacent and telescoped ends which produce an interconnecting box section. The side rail units are interconnected to the body and to the suspension system to remove the torsion deflection from the rear rail member and as a result of shifting such force inputs, obtain the desired torsional and flexural strength in the frame.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl W Schwabenlender
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:10
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D21/00; B62D21/02; B62D25/00; B62D25/02; B62D25/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A side rail unit for a vehicle frame, comprising one-piece center rail member having a channel section opening laterally of the side rail unit, the center rail member having an integral inwardly curved rear terminal end and forming an outermost extremity of the center rail member, a one-piece rear rail member having a channel cross section opening laterally of the side rail unit and oppositely of said center rail member, said rear rail member having an integral outwardly curved forward terminal end complementing said inwardly curved rear end of the center rail member and telescoped therewith and forming an outermost extremity of the rear rail member, and means connecting said curved portions to define a box section in the overlapping curved portions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A side rail unit for a vehicle frame, comprising one-piece center rail member having a channel section opening laterally of the side rail unit, the center rail member having an integral inwardly curved rear terminal end and forming an outermost extremity of the center rail member, a one-piece rear rail member having a channel cross section opening laterally of the side rail unit and oppositely of said center rail member, said rear rail member having an integral outwardly curved forward terminal end complementing said inwardly curved rear end of the center rail member and telescoped therewith and forming an outermost extremity of the rear rail member, and means connecting said curved portions to define a box section in the overlapping curved portions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The vehicle frame side rail unit of claim 1, wherein said center rail member includes an integral inwardly curved forward end, a corresponding curved front rail member telescoped with said inwardly curved forward end, and means connecting said curved portions to define a box section in the overlapping curved portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vehicle frame side rail unit of claim 1, wherein said curved ends includes projecting web flanges bent into the mating rail members and weld means connecting the flanges to the rail members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The vehicle frame side rail unit of claim 1, and weld means connecting the edge of said outwardly curved portions to the top and bottom flanges of the inwardly curved rear end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The vehicle frame side rail unit of claim 1, having a crossbar secured to the rearmost end of the rear rail member, said crossbar projecting laterally outwardly thereof, and a spring suspension support connected to the outer end and extending upwardly, said rear rail member having a kickup portion generally in the central portion and a vertically downwardly offset portion between the kickup portion and the crossbar.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
89 words
The vehicle frame side rail unit of claim 1, wherein said rear rail member includes a kickup portion adjacent said box section with the rail member to the opposite sides thereof being generally in the plane of the central side rail member, a rear crossbar connected to the rear end of the rear rail member and having an extension extending laterally outwardly thereof, and rear spring suspension means connected at one end to the box section and at the opposite end to the crossbar adjacent said rear rail member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
113 words
The vehicle frame side rail unit of claim 1, wherein said rear rail member includes a generally centrally located kickup portion with the rail member to the opposite sides thereof being essentially in the plane of the central side rail member, the rearmost end of the rear rail member being bent upwardly, a rear crossbar connected to the rear end of the rear rail member and extending laterally outwardly thereof, and spring suspension means connected one to the inner end of the box section and one to the rear crossbaR adjacent said rear rail member, said suspension means extending upwardly with a spring connection means located immediately above the adjacent rear rail member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
102 words
The vehicle frame side rail unit of claim 1, for a coil link suspension means, wherein said center rail member opens laterally inwardly of the side rail unit, said rear rail member opens laterally outwardly of the side rail unit, a rear crossbar connected to the rear end of said rear rail member, a crossmember secured to the rear rail member and extending laterally across the rail unit and including mounting surfaces to mount the body and a coil link suspension to the crossmember, said crossmember including depending brace means to alleviate the torsional deflection in the rear portion of the frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
The vehicle frame side rail unit of claim 8, wherein said rear rail member includes a wheel axle kickup portion, said crossmember being secured to the rear rail member at the kickup portion, said crossmember having depending sidewalls extending downwardly adjacent to the web of the rear rail member and being welded thereto and having a central opening with integral depending sidewalls, the ends of the opening being set inwardly of the rear rail member to define said mounting surfaces.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
125 words
A side rail unit for a vehicle frame, comprising a one-piece center rail member having a channel section opening laterally outwardly of the side rail unit, the center rail member having an integral inwardly curved front terminal and forming an outermost forward extremity of the center rail member, a front rail member having a channel cross section opening laterally inwardly of the side rail unit and oppositely of said center rail member, said front rail member having an integral outwardly curved back terminal end complementing said inwardly curved front end of the center rail member and telescoped therewith rail forming an outermost back extremity of the front wall member, and means connecting said curved ends to define a box section in the overlapping curved ends.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
125 words
A side rail unit for a vehicle frame, comprising a one-piece center rail member having a channel section opening laterally outwardly of the side rail unit, the center rail member having an integral inwardly curved front terminal and forming an outermost forward extremity of the center rail member, a front rail member having a channel cross section opening laterally inwardly of the side rail unit and oppositely of said center rail member, said front rail member having an integral outwardly curved back terminal end complementing said inwardly curved front end of the center rail member and telescoped therewith rail forming an outermost back extremity of the front wall member, and means connecting said curved ends to define a box section in the overlapping curved ends.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-18 | 1975-04-19 | 1975-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-18 | 1979-04-19 | 1979-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-18 | 1983-04-19 | 1983-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |