US3869012A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Unitary fuel tank-bolster for bus with removable power unit
Assignee: Rohr Inc
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Filing: 1974-04-18
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Granted: 1975-03-04
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Expires: 1994-04-18
Abstract
Abstract In a bus or similar vehicle having a power unit docked for easy removal and replacement therein, the bolster-tank of the present invention provides not only a structural bolster for connecting the power unit to the vehicle body, but also a fuel tank for the vehicle. The bolster-tank also provides support for the vehicle''s electrical batteries and compressed air accumulator tanks.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodor C Schubach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:25
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K15/00; B60K15/03; B60K15/063; B60K5/00; B60K5/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
A unitary bolster-tank for a bus or similar vehicle having a power unit removably docked in a space provided therefor in the aft end of the vehicle body, said bolster-tank comprising: a bolster element of box cross-sectional shape extending transversely across the vehicle body forwardly of the space provided within the body for the power unit, means connecting the ends of the bolster element to structural members on opposite sides of the vehicle body with sufficient strength to withstand and transfer to the vehicle body operating stresses imposed on the bolster element by the power unit, end means closing off and sealing each end of a selected portion of the interior of the bolster element to define between said end means a sealed space of sufficient volume to comprise a fuel tank for the vehicle in which the bolster element is mounted, fuel tank accessory means operatively incorporated in the sealed space between the two end means to complete a unitary bolstertank, and hitch means mounted on a medial portion of the bolster-tank for releasably connecting to the bolster-tank a forward element of a power unit docked in the space provided therefor in the vehicle body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
A unitary bolster-tank for a bus or similar vehicle having a power unit removably docked in a space provided therefor in the aft end of the vehicle body, said bolster-tank comprising: a bolster element of box cross-sectional shape extending transversely across the vehicle body forwardly of the space provided within the body for the power unit, means connecting the ends of the bolster element to structural members on opposite sides of the vehicle body with sufficient strength to withstand and transfer to the vehicle body operating stresses imposed on the bolster element by the power unit, end means closing off and sealing each end of a selected portion of the interior of the bolster element to define between said end means a sealed space of sufficient volume to comprise a fuel tank for the vehicle in which the bolster element is mounted, fuel tank accessory means operatively incorporated in the sealed space between the two end means to complete a unitary bolstertank, and hitch means mounted on a medial portion of the bolster-tank for releasably connecting to the bolster-tank a forward element of a power unit docked in the space provided therefor in the vehicle body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A bolster-tank as claimed in claim 1 wherein each end of the bolster element is connected to its respective side of the vehicle body by a bracket strongly attached to said each end of the bolster element and to its respective side of the vehicle body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A bolster-tank as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bolster-tank comprises a channel member of heavy structural metal, and a plate covers a selected portion of the open side of the channel and is sealed thereto to define, with the portion of the channel which it covers, a structure of box cross-sectional shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
125 words
A bolster-tank as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bolster-tank comprises: a channel member having a bottom and two integral side flanges mounted with its open side directed upwardly, an outwardly turned flange along the free edge of each channel member side flange, a pair of end plates fitted and secured in the channel member in marginally sealed, and selected, spaced apart relation, an outturned flange along the upper edge of each end plate, a cover plate covering and conforming to the outturned top flanges on the channel member, side flanges and end plates, and means securing the cover plate in sealed relation to the outturned top flanges of the side flanges and end plates to enclose and seal the space between the end plates.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A bolster-tank as claimed in claim 4 wherein the plate covering a portion of the open side of the channel member is removable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A bolster-tank as claimed in claim 3 wherein the channel member is relatively wide, lengthwise of the vehicle and shallow.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
A bolster-tank as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hitch means comprises a reinforcing member mounted on the rear side of the bolster-tank channel portion and a hitch member mounted on the rear side of the reinforcing member, the hitch member being constructed and arranged for pivotal, releasable connection to a forward element of a power unit docked in the space provided therefor in the after end of the vehicle body for transmitting operating stresses from the power unit to the bolster-tank and thence to the vehicle body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
90 words
A bolster-tank as claimed in claim 7 wherein the hitch member comprises a base portion secured to the reinforcing member, a pair of similar bushing support plates secured in parallel, laterally spaced apart relation to the base portion, a pair of tapered bushing supports mounted one in each support plate, and a pair of rubber bushings mounted in co-axial, axially spaced apart relation, one in each of the bushing supports to receive a clevis bolt for pivotally connecting the forwardly extending element of the power unit to the hitch member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
134 words
A bolster-tank as claimed in claim 7 wherein the reinforcing member comprises a central plate portion in supported engagement with the rear side of the bolster element, and a pair of channels formed one along the upper edge of the central plate portion and one formed along the lower edge of the plate portion, the channels being of substantially equal height, the upper flange of the upper channel portion being secured to the underside of the outwardly extending top flange on the rear wall of the bolster channel member and the lower flange of the lower of said two channels being elongated and extending beneath the bottom of the bolster-tank channel member and fixedly secured thereto, the hitch member being mounted on the rear sides of the two channel portions of the support member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
82 words
A bolster-tank as claimed in claim 7 wherein the bolster-tank is removable from its position in the bus body for removal while connected by the hitch means to a power unit docked in the space provided therefor in the bus body, a battery support member is mounted on the rear side of the bolster-tank or supporting electrical batteries for a power unit connected to the hitch means and a compressed air tank is also mounted on the rear side of the bolster-tank.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A bolster-tank as claimed in claim 10 wherein the bushing supports are conically tapered and the rubber bushings are tapered and are fitted one into each of the bushing supports.
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) | 1978-03-03 | 1978-09-02 | 1979-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-03 | 1982-09-02 | 1983-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-03 | 1986-09-02 | 1987-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |