US3842927A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bus with replaceable power unit
Assignee: Rohr Inc
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Filing: 1973-01-22
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Granted: 1974-10-22
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Expires: 1993-01-22
Abstract
Abstract A substantially flat, structural bulkhead is mounted ahead of the designed rear end of a bus body to comprise the structural rear wall of the bus body and also the forward wall of a power unit compartment provided at the after end of the bus body. Nonstructural doors complete the sides and rear of the compartment, and conform to the designed contours of the rear end of the bus body. These doors may be swung wide to provide access to the power unit for routine inspection, maintenance and adjustment. A complete power unit, comprising the bus propulsion engine, accessory equipment, drive axle, rear support and drive wheels, and heating and air conditioning equipment, is constructed as an integrated unit exteriorly of the bus, and is rolled into said compartment on its own wheels and secured in operative position therein by releasable connections. For major overhaul or repair, the complete power unit, can be quickly released, rolled out of the compartment, and replaced with a spare power unit, pretested, pre-run and ready to operate.
Inventors
- 👤 K Tantlinger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:33
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K5/00; B60K5/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
In combination with a bus body having a downwardly open power unit compartment in the rear end thereof, structural side wall elements on opposite sides of the bus body defining the two sides of the compartment, and a structural bulkhead comprising the rear end wall of the bus body spaced forwardly from the design rear end of the bus body, and defining the forward end of, the compartment, a removable power unit comprising: a power unit support frame fitted between the two sides of the compartment, means releasably, structurally connecting the power unit support frame to the two sides of the compartment, a rear drive wheel and axle assembly located forwardly of and below the level of the power unit support frame, suspension means interposed between the power unit support frame and the wheel and axle assembly and resiliently supporting upon the wheel and axle assembly, the power unit support frame and the bus body to which it is connected, a thrust and drag transmitting extension on the wheel and axle assembly extending forwardly therefrom, hitch means pivotally, releasably connecting the forward extension of the wheel and axle assembly to a structural element of the bus body, and a power package including a propulsion engine mounted on the power unit support frame, within the compartment, and in power driving relation with the drive wheel and axle assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
227 words
In combination with a bus body having a downwardly open power unit compartment in the rear end thereof, structural side wall elements on opposite sides of the bus body defining the two sides of the compartment, and a structural bulkhead comprising the rear end wall of the bus body spaced forwardly from the design rear end of the bus body, and defining the forward end of, the compartment, a removable power unit comprising: a power unit support frame fitted between the two sides of the compartment, means releasably, structurally connecting the power unit support frame to the two sides of the compartment, a rear drive wheel and axle assembly located forwardly of and below the level of the power unit support frame, suspension means interposed between the power unit support frame and the wheel and axle assembly and resiliently supporting upon the wheel and axle assembly, the power unit support frame and the bus body to which it is connected, a thrust and drag transmitting extension on the wheel and axle assembly extending forwardly therefrom, hitch means pivotally, releasably connecting the forward extension of the wheel and axle assembly to a structural element of the bus body, and a power package including a propulsion engine mounted on the power unit support frame, within the compartment, and in power driving relation with the drive wheel and axle assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
The combination defined in claim 1 wherein an air conditioning unit is fixedly mounted on the power unit frame within an upper portion of the compartment for removal with the power unit, the air conditioning unit having at least one conditioned air transmitting opening therein, and said bulkhead having at least one air receiving opening therein communicating with the passenger compartment of the bus body and with such air transmitting opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The combination defined in claim 2 wherein the bus body comprises a roof structure portion extending rearwardly beyond said rear bulkhead, such rearwardly extending roof portion comprising a roof for the compartment, and a plurality of non-structural doors conforming to the design shape of the rear end of the bus body when closed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination defined in claim 1 wherein an anti-sway link extends generally transversely of the power unit and is pivotally connected at one end thereof to an element of the power unit frame, and the other end thereof to the wheel and axle assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
The combination defined in claim 1 wherein the thrust transmtting extension comprises a pair of forwardly converging beams connected one to each side of the drive wheel and axle assembly, a clevis is secured to the convergent forward ends of said beams, a clevis connection is secured to a structural element of the bus body, and a clevis pin releasably interconnects the clevis in pivotal relation to the clevis connection.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
85 words
The combination defined in claim 1 wherein, when a transversE structural element of the bus body is lowered onto a forward element of the power unit support frame fitted between and connected to the side walls of the compartment whereby such transverse structural element and the bus body of which it is a part is supported on the power unit frame, and anchoring means fitted to the bus body and the power unit support frame, respectively, prevent relative fore-and-aft movement between the body and frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
The combination defined in claim 6 wherein the anchoring means comprises a tongue and groove connection between the power unit frame and the transverse structural element of the bus body supported thereon, said tongue and groove connection extending transversely of the direction of forward movement of the bus, and separable upon upward movement of the bus body relative to the power unit frame.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination defined in claim 1 wherein the anchoring means comprises fasteners inserted in holes provided in the sides of the power unit frame and in the side walls of compartment between which said frame is fitted.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
The combination defined in claim 1 wherein the rear drive wheel and axle assembly comprises, in addition to the drive wheels and axle and the thrust and drag transmitting forward extension on the wheel and axle assembly, and a structural rearward extension extending rearwardly beyond the rear drive wheels, the resilient suspension means being mounted on said rearward extension closely adjacent the sides of the bus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination defined in claim 9 wherein the resilient support members are air bags containing compressed air.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination defined in claim 9 wherein removable tie-down means are provided between the rearward extension and the power unit frame, and retains the frame in spring loaded, depressed condition when the weight of the bus body is removed therefrom.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-21 | 1978-04-22 | 1978-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-21 | 1982-04-22 | 1982-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-21 | 1986-04-22 | 1986-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |