US5096254A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle body and method of manufacture
Assignee: General Motors Holdens Automotive Pty Ltd
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Filing: 1990-11-30
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Granted: 1992-03-17
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Expires: 2010-11-30
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to the construction of motor vehicle bodies. The vehicle bodies are constructed from a lower section formed of pressed metal panels connected together, and an upper section formed of frame elements. The lower section functions as a primary strength imparting component of the vehicle body, and the upper section functions as a primary style imparting component of the body. The configuration of the upper section can be varied by varying the arrangement of configuration of the frame elements so that the style of the vehicle body can be varied without necessitating a change to the lower section. The lower section will thus remain substantially unchanged for a range of vehicle styles or models.
Inventors
- 👤 Laurence J. Sparke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 22:17
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D23/00; B62D25/00; B62D25/06; B62D25/04; B62D65/00; B62D65/02; B62D65/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
283 words
A method of manufacturing a motor vehicle body including the steps of: forming a lower section of said body predominantly from a plurality of interconnected panels, selecting a style of vehicle body from a plurality of possible styles, bending a plurality of frame elements, said frame elements being connectable together to form a particular shape of upper section of said vehicle body, said shape of the upper section being reflective of the selected style of vehicle body, arranging and interconnecting said frame elements to form said particular shape of upper section, interconnecting said lower and upper sections together to form a body structure in which said lower section functions as a primary strength imparting component, and said upper section functions as a primary style imparting component, said lower section being of a form such that a range of different upper sections can be connected thereto, each of said range of different upper sections being reflective of one of the possible styles of motor vehicle body, said upper and lower sections together defining door openings on opposite sides of said body, selecting a door pillar for location in each respective door opening, selecting a position from a number of possible positions for said door pillars within each said door opening, each said possible position being longitudinally spaced apart from the other said positions, locating said door pillars at each respective position by approximately longitudinally rectilinearly sliding said door pillars within the respective said door openings, fixing a lower end of each said door pillar to said lower section, and fixing an upper end of each said door pillar to said upper section to thereby secure each said door pillar in the selected position thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
283 words
A method of manufacturing a motor vehicle body including the steps of: forming a lower section of said body predominantly from a plurality of interconnected panels, selecting a style of vehicle body from a plurality of possible styles, bending a plurality of frame elements, said frame elements being connectable together to form a particular shape of upper section of said vehicle body, said shape of the upper section being reflective of the selected style of vehicle body, arranging and interconnecting said frame elements to form said particular shape of upper section, interconnecting said lower and upper sections together to form a body structure in which said lower section functions as a primary strength imparting component, and said upper section functions as a primary style imparting component, said lower section being of a form such that a range of different upper sections can be connected thereto, each of said range of different upper sections being reflective of one of the possible styles of motor vehicle body, said upper and lower sections together defining door openings on opposite sides of said body, selecting a door pillar for location in each respective door opening, selecting a position from a number of possible positions for said door pillars within each said door opening, each said possible position being longitudinally spaced apart from the other said positions, locating said door pillars at each respective position by approximately longitudinally rectilinearly sliding said door pillars within the respective said door openings, fixing a lower end of each said door pillar to said lower section, and fixing an upper end of each said door pillar to said upper section to thereby secure each said door pillar in the selected position thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the lower ends of said door pillars each has an inverted channel-shape, said lower section forms a guide-rail over which said channel-shaped lower end locates, and said step of locating said door pillars in position comprises sliding each said lower end longitudinally along a respective said guide-rail to said selected position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method according to claim 1 which further includes the step of affixing windows and body panels to said upper section by means of clips, said clips each comprising a mounting portion by means of which the clip is secured to one of the frame elements, and a retaining portion for retaining the respective windows and body panels in position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said bending of the frame elements is carried out by a computer-controlled bending machine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
201 words
A vehicle body including a lower fixed body section having a predetermined arrangement and configuration which is substantially consistent for various vehicle styles, said lower section being formed predominantly from a plurality of interconnected panels, an upper variable body section including a frame, the arrangement and configuration of which can be varied to suit different style requirements, said frame being composed of a plurality of interconnected frame elements, said variable section being connected to said fixed section in any one of possible variations thereof to combine therewith to form a body structure, said fixed section forming a primary strength imparting component of said structure and said variable section forming a primary style imparting component of said structure, at least one door opening provided in each of two opposite sides of said body, a door pillar mounted within each said door opening by movement within the respective said opening to adopt a selected position therein, said movement involving approximate longitudinal rectilinear sliding movement within the respective said opening, each said door pillar being secured at a respective said selected position by being secured at an upper end thereof to said upper section, and at a lower end thereof to said lower section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
201 words
A vehicle body including a lower fixed body section having a predetermined arrangement and configuration which is substantially consistent for various vehicle styles, said lower section being formed predominantly from a plurality of interconnected panels, an upper variable body section including a frame, the arrangement and configuration of which can be varied to suit different style requirements, said frame being composed of a plurality of interconnected frame elements, said variable section being connected to said fixed section in any one of possible variations thereof to combine therewith to form a body structure, said fixed section forming a primary strength imparting component of said structure and said variable section forming a primary style imparting component of said structure, at least one door opening provided in each of two opposite sides of said body, a door pillar mounted within each said door opening by movement within the respective said opening to adopt a selected position therein, said movement involving approximate longitudinal rectilinear sliding movement within the respective said opening, each said door pillar being secured at a respective said selected position by being secured at an upper end thereof to said upper section, and at a lower end thereof to said lower section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
81 words
A vehicle body according to claim 5 wherein a lower edge of each said door opening is formed by a rail which comprises part of said lower section, an inverted channel formation is provided on said lower end of each said door pillar, and each said channel formation slidably engages a respective said rail and is movable there along to vary the position of the respective said door pillar prior to securing that door pillar to said upper and lower sections.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A vehicle body according to claim 5 wherein the upper section includes at least one body panel connected to the frame, said body panel being relatively light and of a non-load bearing nature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A vehicle body according to claim 7 wherein said body panel is secured to said frame elements by means of clips which include a resilient portion which holds said body panel against said frame elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A vehicle body according to claim 5 wherein said frame elements are comprised of non-circular tubular elongate lengths having at least one outwardly directed flange extending the length of the frame element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A vehicle body according to claim 9 wherein there are two such outwardly extending flanges and each said flange is integrally formed with the frame element.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-17 | 1995-09-16 | 1996-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-17 | 1999-09-16 | 2000-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-17 | 2003-09-16 | 2004-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |