Vehicle frame structure

Claim 1

A wheeled vehicle having a frame structure adapted to provide a protective housing and support for vehicle drive train components comprising a a front frame structure, a rear frame structure, means pivotally connecting the frames to one another, a pair of wheels, including axle housing supporting each of said frames, each frame structure having side members extending longitudinally of the vehicle with the axle housing extending transversely of the side members and attached to each of the side members, and a guard assembly removably attached to the side members and to the axle housing and substantially fully undercovering said frame structure, one of said structures having a guard assembly comprising two separable plates having one end of each joining one another in abutting relationship beneath the vehicle train with the free ends thereof removably secured to said side members, the other of said structures having a guard assembly comprised of a plate removably secured to said side member by bolt means extending through recessed openings provided substantially at the longitudinal ends Thereof coinciding with openings in said side members whereby the bolt heads are protected from wear and damage, one of said plates of said one structure and the plate of the other structure being provided with spaced strip type recesses positioned beneath said axle housing, openings in said recesses corresponding with openings in said axle housings, bolt means extending through said openings for securing said one and said other plate to said axle housings respectively with the heads thereof disposed in the recesses for protecting them against wear and damage and an opening in each of said plates permitting access to said axle housings for servicing the same.