US3637252A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle body construction
Assignee: Avco Corp
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Filing: 1970-03-27
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Granted: 1972-01-25
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Expires: 1990-03-27
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure illustrates a vehicle body comprising a tubular cage-type frame over which a reinforced glass fiber outer shell is secured by means of a polyester adhesive. Rigid urethane foam material fills the recesses formed on the inside of the reinforced glass fiber shell by the tubular frames to structurally interconnect and reinforce the frame and the outer shell. A pair of unitary ceiling panels and a series of vertical sidewall panels are secured to the frame members. The vehicle body is used for a self-propelled vehicle by securing the tubular frame to the vehicle chassis.
Inventors
- 👤 William E Metsker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 07:56
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D29/00; B62D29/04; B62D29/043; B62D29/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A vehicle body comprising: a frame including a plurality of longitudinal and transverse struts secured to one another generally at right angles to conform generally to the exterior shape of the vehicle body; a relatively thin shell secured to said struts so that the outer side of said shell forms the exterior surface of the vehicle body, said shell and struts cooperating to form a plurality of generally rectangular recesses on the inner side of said shell; a layer of rigid foamed material positioned in each of said rectangular recesses and adhering to the struts and shell so that the foamed material is structurally interconnected with the struts and shells; and a resilient material intermediate the struts and outer shell.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A vehicle body comprising: a frame including a plurality of longitudinal and transverse struts secured to one another generally at right angles to conform generally to the exterior shape of the vehicle body; a relatively thin shell secured to said struts so that the outer side of said shell forms the exterior surface of the vehicle body, said shell and struts cooperating to form a plurality of generally rectangular recesses on the inner side of said shell; a layer of rigid foamed material positioned in each of said rectangular recesses and adhering to the struts and shell so that the foamed material is structurally interconnected with the struts and shells; and a resilient material intermediate the struts and outer shell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
100 words
A vehicle body as in claim 1 wherein said body has a roof and sides slightly converging toward the roof from a waist band around the sides and wherein said shell comprises: an upper shell conforming to the roof and the sides, said upper shell extending to said belt so that the sidewalls guide the upper shell onto the vehicle body; a pair of lower shells for opposite sides of said vehicle, the shells extending from said belt to the lower edge of the walls; said upper shell having a lower edge overlapping the upper edges of said lower shells.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A vehicle body as in claim 1 further comprising wall elements secured to said struts to form the interior walls of said vehicle body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
A vehicle body as in claim 3 wherein said body has a roof and sides wherein said body further comprises: ceiling panel means secured to the struts forming the roof of said body and extending from side to side to form an interior ceiling; a series of panels secured to the struts forming the sides of said body to form interior sidewalls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
120 words
A vehicle body as in claim 4 wherein said vehicle has a roof and sides slightly diverging toward the roof and bottom edge of the sides from a waist band around the sides, saId struts generally conforming to the contour of the vehicle roof and sides, and wherein: said ceiling panel means comprises at least one panel extending across a major portion of said roof; said side panels comprise vertically extending panels; and said vehicle body further comprises a series of vertical strips positioned between the side panels and struts and having a width greater than the width of said struts for permitting greater variation in the securing and conforming of said vertical panels to the sides of said frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
A vehicle body as in claim 5 wherein: the struts at the edge of the roof of said frame have a first radius of curvature generally conforming to the exterior shape of the roof of said vehicle body; the ceiling panel has a second greater radius of curvature at its edges so that an interior raceway for electrical wiring is formed around the edges of the roof of said vehicle body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A vehicle body as in claim 5 for use with a self-propelled vehicle having a relatively rigid structural chassis forming a base for said vehicle and wherein said frame is structurally connected to said chassis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A vehicle body as in claim 7 wherein: said frame includes a series of tubular elements having a square-shaped cross section, said unitary ceiling panel and said vertical strips are riveted to said tubular elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
A vehicle body as in claim 8 wherein: said tubular elements are welded together to form the sides and roof of said frame; said outer shell is comprised of reinforced glass fibers; said resilient material comprises an expended vinyl strip; said foamed material is comprised of a rigid urethane foam.
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) | 1975-01-24 | 1975-07-26 | 1976-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-24 | 1979-07-26 | 1980-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-24 | 1983-07-26 | 1984-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |