US3697124A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Torsion resistant open end automobile body
Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Budd Co
•
Filing: 1970-12-29
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Granted: 1972-10-10
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Expires: 1990-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A unitized automobile body having a pair of hollow side frames connected to a floor panel and a roof panel. The rearward extensions of the side frames form hollow D-posts and hollow rear sills in the area over the rear wheel housings. The rear sills are connected by a deep rigid transverse rear panel. The forward extensions of the side frames form hollow A-posts and cowl side panels which are connected to a box-shaped rigid transverse panel formed by the cowl and firewall.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry W Wessells
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:13
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D25/00; B62D25/02; B62D23/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A unitized automobile body structure of the type having side frames connected to a roof panel and a floor panel, characterized by inner and outer side panels connected to each other, each comprising a roof rail portion, a side sill portion, an A-post portion and an inverted Y-truss portion, the connected Y-truss portions diverging from each other from the roof panel to the floor panel to encompass a wheel house panel therebetween and to provide a tapered rigid column having juxtaposed wide shear panels, wheel house panels connected to said inner and said outer side panels at the inverted Y-truss portions forming therewith a supporting arcH with the inverted Y-truss portions at the wide base of the rigid column, a deep front transverse beam connecting the A-post portions of the side panels, and a deep transverse rear beam connecting the inverted Y-truss portions of the side panels above the floor panel to provide a rigid rear end automobile body structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A unitized automobile body structure of the type having side frames connected to a roof panel and a floor panel, characterized by inner and outer side panels connected to each other, each comprising a roof rail portion, a side sill portion, an A-post portion and an inverted Y-truss portion, the connected Y-truss portions diverging from each other from the roof panel to the floor panel to encompass a wheel house panel therebetween and to provide a tapered rigid column having juxtaposed wide shear panels, wheel house panels connected to said inner and said outer side panels at the inverted Y-truss portions forming therewith a supporting arcH with the inverted Y-truss portions at the wide base of the rigid column, a deep front transverse beam connecting the A-post portions of the side panels, and a deep transverse rear beam connecting the inverted Y-truss portions of the side panels above the floor panel to provide a rigid rear end automobile body structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A unitized automobile body structure as set forth in claim 1, further characterized wherein said inverted Y-truss portions of said side panels form continuous hollow D-posts connecting said side sill portions and said roof rail portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A unitized automobile body structure as set forth in claim 2, further characterized wherein said inverted Y-truss portions form continuous hollow rear sills over the top of said wheel house panels connecting said side sill portions and said deep transverse rear beam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A unitized automobile body structure as set forth in claim 3, wherein said inner side panels are provided with lower and inner rear quarter panels connected to the wheel house panels, the floor panel and the deep transverse rear beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A unitized automobile body structure as set forth in claim 4, wherein said outer side panels are provided with lower and outer rear quarter panels connected to the wheel house panels, the floor panel and the deep transverse rear beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A unitized automobile body structure as set forth in claim 5, which further includes outside rear quarter panels connected to said D-posts of said inverted Y-truss and to said deep transverse rear beam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A unitized automobile body structure as set forth in claim 6, which further includes a rear roof header connected between said roof rails, and a rear deck panel forming a closure between said roof panel and said deep transverse rear beam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A unitized automobile body structure as set forth in claim 6, which further includes hinge blocks connected to said roof rails, and a back door pivotally mounted on said hinge blocks and forming a closure for an open rear end automobile body structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
6. A unitized automobile body structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said deep transverse rear beam comprises an inverted arch-shaped back panel connected said inverted Y-trusses.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A unitized automobile body structure as set forth in claim 9 wherein said deep rear transverse beam further comprises a rear panel connected to said arch-shaped back panel and said floor panel forming a hollow beam therewith.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A unitized automobile body structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said front transverse beam comprises a firewall panel and an upper cowl assembly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A unitized automobile body structure as set forth in claim 11, wherein said upper cowl assembly comprises a dash panel, a cowl panel and a windshield panel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
A unitized automobile body structure as set forth in claim 12, wherein said outer side panels of said side frames are provided with longitudinal shear panels connected to said floor panel and said firewall panel, said cowl panel and said windshield panel forming a rigid open box structure therewith.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
A unitized automobile body structure as set forth in claim 13, wherein said A-posts are provided with transverse roof extensions, and a windshield header is connected to said transverse roof extensions forming a windshield frame with said A-post and said windshield panel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-10 | 1976-04-10 | 1976-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-10 | 1980-04-10 | 1980-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-10 | 1984-04-10 | 1984-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |