US3879073A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collision force absorbing arrangement in vehicles
Assignee: Saab AB
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Filing: 1973-11-21
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Granted: 1975-04-22
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Expires: 1993-11-21
Abstract
Abstract In a vehicle having the engine supported by a chassis unit to which is attached the vehicle body, the body is arranged to be displaceable forward relative to the chassis unit at a certain impact, thereby causing contact surfaces on the body and on the chassis unit to transfer collision forces in such directions that the body is split in its lengthwise direction in a controlled manner to reduce loads on passengers in the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Stig Ivar Norlin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 02:35
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R19/00; B62; B62D; B62D21/00; B62D21/15; B62D21/152; B62D21/155; B60R21/00; B60R2021/0002; B60R2021/0004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
In a vehicle constructed to undergo collision force absorbing deformation during a collision in a lengthwise direction of the vehicle: a chassis unit disposed symmetrically in the vehicle and extending lengthwise of the vehicle; driving means anchored to said chassis unit; a vehicle body secured to said chassis by means of fasteners which are designed to yield and/or break at exceptionally high loads in a lengthwise direction in order to allow displacement between the vehicle body and the chassis unit during collision; and means associated with said chassis unit and said body having mutually engageable contact surfaces disposed and arranged to work in conjunction with each other such that load transfer between said body and said chassis unit takes place along lines forming an angle with a vertical plane containing the central lengthwise axis of the vehicle, said load transfer tending to split said body during a lengthwise collision.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a vehicle constructed to undergo collision force absorbing deformation during a collision in a lengthwise direction of the vehicle: a chassis unit disposed symmetrically in the vehicle and extending lengthwise of the vehicle; driving means anchored to said chassis unit; a vehicle body secured to said chassis by means of fasteners which are designed to yield and/or break at exceptionally high loads in a lengthwise direction in order to allow displacement between the vehicle body and the chassis unit during collision; and means associated with said chassis unit and said body having mutually engageable contact surfaces disposed and arranged to work in conjunction with each other such that load transfer between said body and said chassis unit takes place along lines forming an angle with a vertical plane containing the central lengthwise axis of the vehicle, said load transfer tending to split said body during a lengthwise collision.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a vehicle constructed to undergo collision force absorbing deformation during a collision in a lengthwise direction of the vehicle: a chassis unit disposed symmetrically in the vehicle and extending lengthwise of the vehicle; driving means anchored to said chassis unit; a vehicle body secured to said chassis by means of fasteners which are designed to yield and/or break at exceptionally high loads in a lengthwise direction in order to allow displacement between the vehicle body and the chassis unit during collision; and means associated with said chassis unit and said body having mutually engageable contact surfaces disposed and arranged to work in conjunction with each other such that load transfer between said body and said chassis unit takes place along lines forming an angle with a vertical plane containing the central lengthwise axis of the vehicle, said load transfer tending to split said body during a lengthwise collision.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a vehicle constructed to undergo collision force absorbing deformation during a collision in a lengthwise direction of the vehicle: a chassis unit disposed symmetrically in the vehicle and extending lengthwise of the vehicle; driving means anchored to said chassis unit; a vehicle body secured to said chassis by means of fasteners which are designed to yield and/or break at exceptionally high loads in a lengthwise direction in order to allow displacement between the vehicle body and the chassis unit during collision; and means associated with said chassis unit and said body having mutually engageable contact surfaces disposed and arranged to work in conjunction with each other such that load transfer between said body and said chassis unit takes place along lines forming an angle with a vertical plane containing the central lengthwise axis of the vehicle, said load transfer tending to split said body during a lengthwise collision.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A vehicle as in claim 1 including shock absorbing means for absorbing minor collision foce before said body becomes displaced relative to said chassis unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A vehicle as in claim 1 including a rear wheel suspension carried by said body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A vehicle as in claim 1 including a front wheel suspension carried by said chassis unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A vehicle as in claim 1 wherein said chassis unit includes a wedge-shaped portion having its wider end facing forward.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A vehicle as in claim 5 wherein said body includes a floor having a raised tunnel-like section which is contoured generally complementary to the narrower end of the wedge-shaped portion of said chassis unit, said narrower end being attached inside said tunnel-like section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A vehicle as in claim 6 wherein said chassis unit includes two outer beams which are engageable with the sides of said tunnel-like section, said beams and sides forming said contact surfaces.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A vehicle as in claim 7 wherein said driving means is an engine unit securely attached to the front portion of the cHassis unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A vehicle as in claim 8 wherein said fasteners for securing said body to said chassis unit are disposed behind the engine unit.
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) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-10-21 | 1979-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-21 | 1982-10-21 | 1983-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-21 | 1986-10-21 | 1987-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |