US3794374A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transit vehicle body module
Assignee: TRANSPORTATION MANUFACTURING Corp A DELAWARE CORPORATION
•
Filing: 1972-06-05
•
Granted: 1974-02-26
•
Expires: 1992-06-05
Abstract
Abstract A body module for a transit vehicle includes a pair of U-shaped carlines which open downwardly. The legs of each are interconnected transversely extending bulkhead structures. The carlines are connected in longitudinally spaced relation by sidewall structures including upper and lower side panels extending between the longitudinally aligned legs of the carlines. The carlines are joined at their upper portions by a roof structure including inner and outer roof panels extending therebetween and welded thereto. The floor of the passenger compartment is mounted on supports extending between the upper edges of the bulkhead structures. A plurality of the body modules are aligned longitudinally and welded end to end to provide the transit vehicle body. The sidewall structures and the roof structure provide the integral longitudinal stress sustaining frame structure of the vehicle. The sidewall structures are located above the floor line of the passenger compartment and accordingly do not obstruct the space beneath the passenger compartment floor which is used for the storage of passenger luggage, fuel tanks and electric storage batteries.
Inventors
- 👤 D Manning
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:31
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61D; B61D17/00; B61D17/04; B61D17/043; B61D17/045; B62; B62D; B62D31/00; B62D31/02; B62D31/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A body module for a vehicle body comprising; first and second downwardly opening U-shaped carlines having laterally spaced legs, first transversely extending bulkhead means attached in connection between the legs of the first carline, second transversely extending bulkhead means attached in connection between the legs of the second carline, floor support means extending between the bulkhead means at substantially the upper edge portions thereof, longitudinally extending sidewall structures connecting the carlines in longitudinally spaced relation and having their lower edge portions at an elevation substantially the same as that of the floor support means, and a roof structure connecting the pair of carlines at their upper portions to provide an integral body and frame structure having a compartment space beneath the floor structure supporting means, and between the first and second bulkhead means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A body module for a vehicle body comprising; first and second downwardly opening U-shaped carlines having laterally spaced legs, first transversely extending bulkhead means attached in connection between the legs of the first carline, second transversely extending bulkhead means attached in connection between the legs of the second carline, floor support means extending between the bulkhead means at substantially the upper edge portions thereof, longitudinally extending sidewall structures connecting the carlines in longitudinally spaced relation and having their lower edge portions at an elevation substantially the same as that of the floor support means, and a roof structure connecting the pair of carlines at their upper portions to provide an integral body and frame structure having a compartment space beneath the floor structure supporting means, and between the first and second bulkhead means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
174 words
A body module for a vehicle body comprising; first and second downwardly opening U-shaped carlines having laterally spaced legs, first transversely extending bulkhead means attached in connection between the legs of the first carline, second transversely extending bulkhead menas attached in connection between the legs of the second carline, a plurality of low profile members extending between the bulkheads at substantially the upper edge portions thereof, passenger compartment floor panel means mountEd on the plurality of low profile members, longitudinally extending sidewall structures connecting the carlines in longitudinally spaced relation and having their lower edge portions at an elevation substantially the same as that of low profile members, means on the sidewall structures supporting the side edge portions of the floor panel means, and a roof structure connecting the pair of carlines at their upper portions, the roof structure including inner and outer roof panels and having an access opening located centrally therein, the floor panel means and first and second bulkhead means defining a compartment space beneath the passenger compartment floor panel means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
174 words
A body module for a vehicle body comprising; first and second downwardly opening U-shaped carlines having laterally spaced legs, first transversely extending bulkhead means attached in connection between the legs of the first carline, second transversely extending bulkhead menas attached in connection between the legs of the second carline, a plurality of low profile members extending between the bulkheads at substantially the upper edge portions thereof, passenger compartment floor panel means mountEd on the plurality of low profile members, longitudinally extending sidewall structures connecting the carlines in longitudinally spaced relation and having their lower edge portions at an elevation substantially the same as that of low profile members, means on the sidewall structures supporting the side edge portions of the floor panel means, and a roof structure connecting the pair of carlines at their upper portions, the roof structure including inner and outer roof panels and having an access opening located centrally therein, the floor panel means and first and second bulkhead means defining a compartment space beneath the passenger compartment floor panel means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
169 words
A body module for a vehicle body comprising: first and second downwardly opening U-shaped carlines having laterally spaced legs, a first transversely extending bulkhead means attached in connection between the legs of the first carline, a second transversely extending bulkhead means attached in connection between the legs of the second carline, longitudinally extending sidewall structures connecting the first and second carlines in longitudinally spaced relation, a roof structure connecting the first and second carlines at their upper portions, floor means extending longitudinally between the first and second bulkhead means and transversely between the sidewall structure to define a passenger compartment in cooperation with the roof structure, the first and second transversely extending bulkhead means being generally beneath the floor means and cooperating with the floor means to provide a compartment space beneath the floor means and between the first and second bulkhead means, the lower edge portions of the sidewall structures being at an elevation substantially the same as the floor means to permit access to the compartment space.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
169 words
A body module for a vehicle body comprising: first and second downwardly opening U-shaped carlines having laterally spaced legs, a first transversely extending bulkhead means attached in connection between the legs of the first carline, a second transversely extending bulkhead means attached in connection between the legs of the second carline, longitudinally extending sidewall structures connecting the first and second carlines in longitudinally spaced relation, a roof structure connecting the first and second carlines at their upper portions, floor means extending longitudinally between the first and second bulkhead means and transversely between the sidewall structure to define a passenger compartment in cooperation with the roof structure, the first and second transversely extending bulkhead means being generally beneath the floor means and cooperating with the floor means to provide a compartment space beneath the floor means and between the first and second bulkhead means, the lower edge portions of the sidewall structures being at an elevation substantially the same as the floor means to permit access to the compartment space.
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) | 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 |