US3794348A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automotive vehicle frames
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1972-09-05
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Granted: 1974-02-26
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Expires: 1992-09-05
Abstract
Abstract An automotive vehicle frame comprising hollow longitudinal members including a forward region, a rear region, and a central region, each of said forward and rear regions having weakened areas providing lower compressive stiffness compared with that of the central region. The hollow longitudinal members may be formed from U-section channel with a cover plate secured (as by welding) to the channel to cover the open side thereof, and the weakened areas are provided by interruptions in the securement of the plate to the channel. The frame member may alternatively be formed by assembling plates together to form a hollow box-like structure. The cover plate or plates may be shaped at the weakened areas to ensure a buckling of the frame member under impact in a preferred direction.
Inventors
- 👤 H Fischer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 13:59
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D21/00; B62D21/15; B62D21/152; B62D19/00; B60; B60G; B60G2206/00; B60G2206/01; B60G2206/016; B60G2800/00; B60G2800/22; B60G2800/222
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
An automotive vehicle frame comprising hollow box-section longitudinal members including a forward region, a rear region, and a central region, each of said forward and rear regions having weakened areas providing lower compressive stiffness compared with that of said central region; each of said members comprising a longitudinal portion of U-shaped cross-section having marginal flanges, a plate closing said U-shaped crosssection, and connections joining the edges of said plate to said flanges, the connections being interrupted at spaced locations providing said weakened areas.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
An automotive vehicle frame comprising hollow box-section longitudinal members including a forward region, a rear region, and a central region, each of said forward and rear regions having weakened areas providing lower compressive stiffness compared with that of said central region; each of said members comprising a longitudinal portion of U-shaped cross-section having marginal flanges, a plate closing said U-shaped crosssection, and connections joining the edges of said plate to said flanges, the connections being interrupted at spaced locations providing said weakened areas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
82 words
An automotive vehicle frame comprising hollow four-sided box-section longitudinal members including a forward region, a rear region, and a central region, each of said forward and rear regions having weakened areas providing lower compressive stiffness compared with that of said central region; each of said members comprising four edgewise-abutting longitudinal plates, marginal flanges forming junction seams between adjacent plates, and longitudinal connections along said seams; said connections having, at spaced locations on opposite sides of the member, interruptions providing said weakened areas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
An automotive vehicle frame comprising hollow four-sided box-section longitudinal members including a forward region, a rear region, and a central region, each of said forward and rear regions having weakened areas providing lower compressive stiffness compared with that of said central region; each of said members comprising four edgewise-abutting longitudinal plates, marginal flanges forming junction seams between adjacent plates, and longitudinal connections along said seams; said connections having, at spaced locations on opposite sides of the member, interruptions providing said weakened areas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
An automotive vehicle frame according to claim 2, wherein the interruptions are relatively staggered as between said opposite sides of the member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
94 words
An automotive vehicle frame comprising, longitudinal frame members, each having an end region of hollow box-like structure, said structure including a pair of spaced longitudinal walls, each wall being provided with a lateral flange extending longitudinally of the wall, a longitudinal wall member seating on said flanges, and means securing said wall member to said flanges, said securing means being interrupted at spaced locations longitudinally of said walls and wall member to provide locally weakened areas which permit buckling of said walls and wall member under compressive impact loads applied to said end regions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
94 words
An automotive vehicle frame comprising, longitudinal frame members, each having an end region of hollow box-like structure, said structure including a pair of spaced longitudinal walls, each wall being provided with a lateral flange extending longitudinally of the wall, a longitudinal wall member seating on said flanges, and means securing said wall member to said flanges, said securing means being interrupted at spaced locations longitudinally of said walls and wall member to provide locally weakened areas which permit buckling of said walls and wall member under compressive impact loads applied to said end regions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1066532A
Cited
DE1254029B
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-25 | 1977-08-27 | 1978-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-25 | 1981-08-27 | 1982-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-25 | 1985-08-27 | 1986-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |