Assembled From Prefabricated Connectable Sections Patents (Class 280/785)
  • Patent number: 11718342
    Abstract: A modular chassis is provided for an off-road vehicle to improve assembly, servicing, and repairing of a drivetrain of the off-road vehicle. The modular chassis includes a chassis to support components of the off-road vehicle. A front frame module couples with a front of the chassis, and a rear frame module couples with a rear of the chassis. The front frame module supports lower suspension arms of the off-road vehicle by way of inboard bushing joints. The front frame module supports at least a steering gear and a front differential of the off-road vehicle. The rear frame module is a tube-frame structure that supports components of the off-road vehicle. A lower portion of the rear frame module extends rearward and acutely upward to a top frame member that couples with upper side portions of the chassis. Several cross-members impart structural integrity to the rear frame module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Inventor: Robby Gordon
  • Patent number: 11332192
    Abstract: A vehicle body includes a cross connecting member formed in a transverse direction of the vehicle body and having branch parts branched from its outer surface, and a joint housing having a tubular shape that is fitted to and surrounds the branch parts so that the joint housing is fastened to an end of the cross connecting member, the joint housing having member fastening parts extending from portions into which the branch parts are fitted so that frame members are fastened to the member fastening parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ho Yeon Kim, Chul Hee Heo
  • Patent number: 11299206
    Abstract: A load impact management system for an automotive vehicle includes a load member extending from a first vehicle frame rail to a second vehicle frame rail and perpendicular to each of the first and second vehicle frame rails and to a vehicle body axis. The load member is coupled to the first vehicle frame rail at two attachment points and coupled to the second vehicle frame rail at two attachment points. The load member defines a load path between a first side of the automotive vehicle to a second side of the automotive vehicle opposite the first side and the load member is forward of a passenger compartment of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Andre T. Matsumoto, Zohir Molhem, Terry A. Swartzell, Michael T. Quaggiotto, Mark. T. Dingman
  • Patent number: 11285994
    Abstract: A modular chassis is provided for an off-road vehicle to improve assembly, servicing, and repairing of a drivetrain of the off-road vehicle. The modular chassis includes a chassis to support components of the off-road vehicle. A front frame module couples with a front of the chassis, and a rear frame module couples with a rear of the chassis. The front frame module supports lower suspension arms of the off-road vehicle by way of inboard bushing joints. The front frame module supports at least a steering gear and a front differential of the off-road vehicle. The rear frame module is a tube-frame structure that supports components of the off-road vehicle. A lower portion of the rear frame module extends rearward and acutely upward to a top frame member that couples with upper side portions of the chassis. Several cross-members impart structural integrity to the rear frame module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventor: Robby Gordon
  • Patent number: 11279415
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a rear bulkhead, a wheel house inner, and a damper-mounting portion. The rear bulkhead includes a left first side closed cross section portion and a left upper closed cross section portion. The left first side closed cross section portion forms a closed cross section which extends along the wheel house inner in a vertical direction. The left upper closed cross section portion forms a closed cross section which extends in a vehicle width direction above the left first side closed cross section portion. The left first side closed cross section portion includes at least one of a fending portion of which a closed cross-sectional area is reduced compared to another region and a fending portion of which a closed cross-sectional area is zero between the left first side closed cross section portion and the left upper closed cross section portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Muramatsu, Hiroki Chiba
  • Patent number: 11254369
    Abstract: A vehicle body joint structure is disclosed. The vehicle body joint is configured such that elements configured to connect pillars of a vehicle body can be easily shared by various kinds and designs of vehicles, thereby being capable of securing assemblability of elements including the pillars while achieving enhancement in strength and rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Do Hoi Kim
  • Patent number: 11130539
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame including a lower frame portion made from a first material and an upper frame portion made from a second material different from the first material, a center of gravity of the upper frame portion being above a center of gravity of the lower frame portion, at least one front suspension system connected to the lower frame portion, at least one front ground engaging member connected to the front suspension systems, at least one rear suspension system connected to the lower frame portion, at least one rear ground engaging member operatively connected to the rear suspension system, a power pack connected to and supported by the lower frame portion, a seat connected to and supported by at least one of the upper frame portion and the lower frame portion, and at least one body panel connected to and supported by the upper frame portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Nicolas Laberge, Emile Maltais-Larouche, Andre Cote, Sebastien Lavoie
  • Patent number: 10960929
    Abstract: A vehicle chassis is provided. The vehicle chassis may comprise one or more vehicle chassis modules or chassis substructures that are formed from a plurality of customized chassis nodes and connecting tubes. The customized chassis nodes and connecting tubes may be formed of one or more metal and/or non-metal materials. The customized chassis nodes may be formed with connecting features to which additional vehicle panels or structures may be permanently or removeably attached. The vehicle chassis modules or chassis substructures may be interchangeably and removeably connected to provide a vehicle chassis having a set of predetermined chassis safety or performance characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Divergent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Czinger, William Bradley Balzer, Praveen Varma Penmetsa, Zachary Meyer Omohundro, Matthew M. O'Brien, Broc William Tenhouten, Richard W. Hoyle
  • Patent number: 10479434
    Abstract: In a saddle-riding-type electric vehicle fuel cell stack fixation structure, a vehicle body frame includes: a pair of right and left main frames that extend rearward from a head pipe and that are arranged on an outer side in a vehicle width direction of a fuel cell stack; a pair of right and left downward frames that extend rearward from the head pipe and that are arranged below the pair of right and left main frames; and a cross member that bridges a space in a vehicle width direction between at least the right and left downward frames and that fixes the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kanta Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10286864
    Abstract: A vehicle frame structure includes: a pair of main side rails extending in a vehicle front-rear direction and facing each other; and an extension side rail connected to a front portion of the main side rail in the vehicle front-rear direction and extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. The main side rail includes a main side rail body having a substantially C-shaped cross-section and the extension side rail includes an extension side rail body having a substantially Z-shaped cross-section. A part of a front end surface of the main side rail body and a part of a rear end surface of the extension side rail body face each other in the vehicle front-rear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Hino Motors, Ltd.
    Inventor: Riu Sakai
  • Patent number: 10214091
    Abstract: A range includes at least two different motor vehicles with a structural body having a central underbody part delimiting a lower part of a cab. The central underbody part of the first vehicle receives two seats. The central underbody part of the second vehicle receives four seats. Each central underbody part includes first interface elements allowing mounting thereon of components associated with the function of an internal combustion drive engine mounted on a rear structural part of the structural body which is firmly attached to the central underbody part. Each central underbody part also includes second interface elements allowing mounting thereon of components associated with the function of an electric drive motor to be mounted on the rear structural part. A rear edge of the central underbody part of each vehicle is equipped with a same interface element for connection to the rear structural part of the structural body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Thierry Hlubina, Herve Gaumont
  • Patent number: 10202157
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes: a front section comprising a front chassis, and an engine; and a rear section comprising a rear chassis, rear chassis beams connected by cross bars. The motor vehicle is manufactured by a method including a step of connecting the rear chassis to the front chassis. To achieve a relatively light yet strong motor vehicle, left and right of the rear chassis, the cross bars are provided with side profiles, said side profiles comprising an outer first profile section comprising at least one longitudinally extending angled edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: COXX GROUP B.V.
    Inventor: René Gerard Marie Cox
  • Patent number: 9889889
    Abstract: A structure for reinforcing a shock absorber housing includes a shock absorber housing connecting a shock absorber mounting panel and a front side member. A front fender apron inner panel connects the shock absorber mounting panel and the front side member. The front fender apron inner panel is coupled to an outer surface of the shock absorber housing and overlapped with a portion of the shock absorber housing to form a wheel house with the shock absorber housing. An extension panel is connected from a side of the overlapped portion of the shock absorber housing and the front fender apron inner panel to a sub-frame mounting portion of the front side member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Junyoung Park, Minsoo Kim
  • Patent number: 9802654
    Abstract: One variation may include using a plurality of node structures to assemble a uniframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Edward D. Moss, Peter M. Parlow, Robert N. Saje, Giles D. Bryer, Jonathan J. Andrews
  • Patent number: 9783238
    Abstract: A trailer frame including an axle section having two spaced longitudinal frame members connected by at least one cross member, the longitudinal frame members each having a first end and a second end; a rear section attachable to the axle section; and a dimple assemble joining the axle section to the rear section, the dimple assembly including a dimple pattern formed on each frame member of the axle assembly, the dimple pattern on the axle assembly defining a first dimple axis, and a dimple pattern formed on one end of the rear section and nestable within the dimple pattern formed on the axle section, the dimple pattern on the rear section defining a second dimple axis offset relative to the first dimple axis to create a camber between the axle section and the rear section when the first dimple is nested within the second dimple pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Norco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard F. Garceau
  • Patent number: 9751563
    Abstract: To realize weight saving of a vehicle subframe, while ensuring required strength and stiffness thereof with a simple configuration, there are provided a first hole portion in at least one of an upper member and a lower member in a first region, and a second hole portion in at least one of the upper member and the lower member in a second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignees: F-TECH INC., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norio Tomikuda, Yusuke Arai, Tsutomu Ogawa, Taiyo Gon, Koji Tagome
  • Patent number: 9718500
    Abstract: A structure of a hybrid front pillar of a vehicle includes a front pillar lower portion which is disposed at a front side of a front door unit of a vehicle, and has a lower end coupled to a side connecting member; and a front pillar upper portion which is disposed at an upper side of the front pillar lower portion, and coupled to the front pillar lower portion, in which a recessed portion is formed at one side of the side connecting member such that the lower end of the front pillar lower portion is inserted into the recessed portion, and a mounting portion is formed at a lower end of the front pillar upper portion such that an upper end of the front pillar lower portion is inserted into the mounting portion, thereby significantly reducing a weight of the vehicle body, enhancing rigidity of the front pillar, and omitting reinforcing components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Shang-Ill Lee
  • Patent number: 9656692
    Abstract: A side member of a vehicle chassis structure is disclosed as having a front section, two rear sections running on the same side of the vehicle center, and a branching section that connects the front and rear sections. The branching section includes a y-shaped floor part and at least one side wall part, which extends along an edge of the floor part, and encompasses both a side wall attached to a rising flange of the floor part and a flange angled away from the side wall and attached to a base plate of the floor part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Udo Mildner, Lothar Teske
  • Patent number: 9555542
    Abstract: A robotic building system includes a first through third sets of extruded elements integrally joined at lengthwise edges and corners to rails. The second set of extruded elements has at least three adjoining sides surrounding a hollow opening, where each side is integrally joined to a rail. A third set of extruded elements has an asymmetrical inside angle shaped element formed by a first web and a second web oriented generally perpendicular to the first web, where each web is integrally affixed between a pair of opposing rails and each web shares a common rail. The rails may be tapped or drilled to accept a fastener, and each extruded element of the first set, second set and third set of extruded elements are adapted to be flush mounted to any of the other extruded elements or to the same shape extruded elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventor: Gary Gordon Klein
  • Patent number: 9399488
    Abstract: A vehicle subframe includes, at the bottom of a main body section, a lateral expansion section, a left vertical expansion section, a right vertical expansion section, and a concavity. The lateral expansion section joins a left front joining section and a right front joining section, and expands below the concavity. Of the left vertical expansion section, the front end is joined to the left end of the lateral expansion section, and the left vertical expansion section is inclined with a downward slope from the rear side of the main body section towards the front end. The right vertical expansion section is formed in a left-right symmetrical manner with respect to the left vertical expansion section, and the front end is joined to the lateral expansion section. The concavity is encircled by the vertical expansion sections and the lateral expansion section, and is formed in a concave shape facing upwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Imanishi
  • Patent number: 9381943
    Abstract: A B-pillar unit for a vehicle is provided. The B-pillar unit includes a B-pillar that is connected to a vehicle body. In particular, the B-pillar includes a roof surface, a left surface, a right surface and a floor surface that are connected in a substantially circular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Kyung Bum Kang, Huen Sick Min, Jeong Min Cho
  • Patent number: 9168818
    Abstract: An electric vehicle includes: a body that includes a body frame; a driving module that includes a sub-frame detachable from the body frame, driving wheels, a driving device provided with a motor mounted on the sub-frame and applying driving force to the driving wheels to start or accelerate the electric vehicle, a driving-wheel suspension device attached to the sub-frame, a driving-wheel brake device stopping or decelerating the electric vehicle, and some other components; a connection unit that maintains the relative position relationship between the body and driving module upon attachment of the sub-frame to the body frame and connects the body to the driving module with signal lines; and a control unit that controls the driving module under an input signal input from the body side through the signal lines connected with the connection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Isao Hirai, Tetsuya Yamamoto, Wataru Yamada
  • Patent number: 9102358
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame rail that extends along and is longitudinally offset from a longitudinal axis. A load transferring member includes a first axial end that is attached to an outboard surface of the frame rail. The load transferring member extends along a centerline thereof, toward the forward axial end of the frame rail, to a second axial end of the load transferring member. The centerline of the load transferring member extends between the first axial end and the second axial end of the load transferring member to define a concave curved shape relative to the outboard surface of the frame rail. The load transferring member includes a cross sectional shape perpendicular to the centerline of the load transferring member that increases in area, when measured from the second axial end moving toward the first axial end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Vedanth M. Basappa, Bhushan W. Dandekar
  • Patent number: 9096277
    Abstract: In the case of motor vehicles from at least two vehicle series assigned to different vehicle classes, a particularly economical manufacturing of the vehicle body of the motor vehicles is achieved in that only the forward section of the rear longitudinal members has a different design depending on the vehicle class, while the center section and the rear section of the rear longitudinal members have a vehicle-class-spanning uniform construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ronny Grosse, Roland Rill
  • Patent number: 9085332
    Abstract: A bracket kit which enables a user to add upright side boards to a trailer which includes a flat bottom with a metal frame extending upward from the sides of the trailer. The bracket kit includes four brackets which are quickly and easily connected to the trailer frame and which include vertical channels into which uprights sideboards are inserted. The upright boards are held in place by the brackets and enable the trailer to contain and haul loose particulate matter such as mulch, sand, gravel or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Inventor: James A. McBride
  • Patent number: 9045168
    Abstract: A roof support for a vehicle is provided containing a first side roof rail; a transverse roof bow fixed to and extending from the first side roof rail; and a first brace fixed to the first side roof rail at a forward point on the first side roof rail, wherein the first brace extends to the transverse roof bow and is fixed to a first aft point on the transverse roof bow, thereby advantageously defining a first angle between the first side roof rail and the first brace. The roof support may further include a second side roof rail opposite the first side roof rail such that the roof bow laterally extends from the first side roof rail to the second side roof rail, wherein a second brace is connected in like manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Darrin Neil Wagner, Duncan Whipps, Bruno Barthelemy, Srinivasan Sundararajan, Fubang Wu, Mohammed Omar Faruque, Leonard Anthony Shaner
  • Publication number: 20150137481
    Abstract: A personal mobility scooter can include a front frame portion and a rear frame portion detachably coupled to the front frame portion. The front frame portion can have a front frame, at least one front wheel rotatably coupled to the front frame, and a rear suspension coupled to the front frame. The rear suspension can have at least one biasing member. The rear frame portion can have at least one rear attachment member, a pair of drive wheels, and at least one drive configured to power the drive wheels. The rear suspension is configured to (i) engage the at least one rear attachment member when the rear frame portion is coupled to the front frame portion and (ii) remain with the front frame portion when the rear frame portion is detached from the front frame portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Doug Manternach, James Kosco, Brian Thomas
  • Patent number: 8998260
    Abstract: An apparatus, kit, and method for improving a motor vehicle. Embodiments include right and left frame supports, a cross beam, and two mounts for air bump stops, for instance, outboard of the vehicle frame. Damage to the frame can be prevented in severe suspension impacts and vehicle handling and performance can be improved both on and off road surfaces. Certain embodiments include impact pads clamped to the axle of the vehicle, hardware or bolts that attach components together or to the frame of the vehicle, or a combination thereof. Components can be configured to attach to the vehicle frame. Particular embodiments support the frame at the top, bottom, outboard side, or a combination thereof, and some frame supports have a channel portion, a hollow box portion, and two parallel gusset plates, for example. In some embodiments, the cross beam can fit between and attach to the gusset plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Corey M. Kausch
  • Patent number: 8985631
    Abstract: A trailer frame including an axle section having two spaced longitudinal frame members connected by at least one cross member, the longitudinal frame members each having a first end and a second end; a rear section attachable to the axle section; and a dimple assemble joining the axle section to the rear section, the dimple assembly including a dimple pattern formed on each frame member of the axle assembly, the dimple pattern on the axle assembly defining a first dimple axis, and a dimple pattern formed on one end of the rear section and nestable within the dimple pattern formed on the axle section, the dimple pattern on the rear section defining a second dimple axis offset relative to the first dimple axis to create a camber between the axle section and the rear section when the first dimple is nested within the second dimple pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Norco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard F. Garceau
  • Patent number: 8978806
    Abstract: A telescopic frame is disclosed, which is applicable to a foldable bicycle or foldable electric vehicle, and includes a front frame, a rear frame and a telescopic device. First guide rails are symmetrically disposed on two sides of the front frame, second guide rails are symmetrically disposed on two sides of the rear frame, and the first guide rails and the second guide rails are fitted together and slidably connected. The telescopic device is fixed on the rear frame, and an output end of the telescopic device is fixed on the front frame to drive the front frame to be unfolded or folded relative to the rear frame. The telescopic frame is simple in structure and capable of being automatically folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Dongguan Prestige Sporting Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhao Zhang
  • Publication number: 20150061273
    Abstract: A modular electric scooter frame structure comprises a front frame, a rear frame and a plurality of pivotal elements. The front frame includes at least one first transverse bar and a plurality of front side bars each includes a plurality of first through holes on a lateral side and a female pivot portion at one end. The rear frame includes at least one second transverse bar and a plurality of rear side bars each includes a plurality of second through holes on a lateral side and a male pivot portion at one end. The first and second transverse bars respectively have two struts to wedge in the first and second through holes for fastening. Each pivotal element runs through a first pivotal hole of the female pivot portion and a second pivotal hole of the male pivot portion to fasten the front and rear frames together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: KUIANDA Company Limited
    Inventor: Mao-Chiang CHEN
  • Patent number: 8967671
    Abstract: A bolting structure of a sub-frame includes a reinforcer mounting the sub-frame through a side member. The reinforcer includes: a reinforcing member disposed to intersect with the side member in a cross shape and bolted, together with the side member, to a lower panel; an inner pipe disposed at the side member from surfaces interfacing between the reinforcing member and the side member; an outer pipe disposed at the reinforcing member from the surfaces interfacing between the reinforcing member and the side member and inserted into the sub-frame; and a bolt bolted to the inner pipe through the outer pipe and fixing the sub-frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Yong Dae Kim, Nam Young Lee, Seung Hyun Kang
  • Publication number: 20150054238
    Abstract: A castor assembly structured for use in combination with or independently of a dolly assembly or other support platform, which may include substantially equivalently structured struts, wherein the castor assembly includes a one piece base comprising a housing and a head integrally connected to the housing and extending radially outward from one end thereof. The housing includes an open interior and a open end structured to movably retain a surface engaging roller ball therein. A retaining portion may be formed on said base in cooperative relation with said head so as to secure a support platform to the base when in a first operative position. A second operative position comprises said head disposed in engagable and at least partially supporting relation to an object while the base is not secured to or used in combination with a dolly or other support platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Andres Bernal, Luca Buttazzoni
  • Patent number: 8955859
    Abstract: A blast resistant vehicle is disclosed that includes a structural frame member, a first frame coupled to the structural frame member and configured to receive a first axle assembly and a first suspension assembly, a second frame coupled to the structural frame member and configured to receive a second axle assembly and a second suspension assembly, and a cab assembly having a front portion and a rear portion and having a floor panel, a front firewall, a rear body panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. The cab assembly is isolated from the structural frame member, the front sub-frame, and the rear sub-frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Micah C. Richmond, Kristopher J. Krueger, David J Pelko
  • Publication number: 20150021891
    Abstract: A cradle assembly for a vehicle having an underbody is provided. The cradle assembly includes a cradle body attachable to the underbody of the vehicle by at least one fastener. The cradle body may define at least one pathway, which may have a first pathway portion and a second pathway portion between which the at least one fastener is movable. The at least one fastener may be positioned in the first pathway portion to enable the cradle body to be secured to the underbody, and in the second pathway portion to enable the cradle body to be separated from the underbody. The cradle body is configured to move with respect to the at least one fastener when an applied load on the vehicle is at or above a threshold magnitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Balbir S. Sangha, Joseph K. Moore, Zohir Molhem, Dmitriy V. Mazur, Michael A. Ray, Qiang Xu, Jinteak Kwon, Jongmin B. Park
  • Publication number: 20150021892
    Abstract: A number of variations includes a rail and method of manufacture thereof wherein a rail may be fabricated from a first segment, a first node, and a second segment, wherein the first segment is attached to the first node, wherein the second segment is attached to the first node, and wherein the first node comprises a pre-machined hollow aluminum casting comprising at least one chassis component mounting point for attachment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: EDWARD D. MOSS, ROBERT N. SAJE, PETER M. PARLOW, GILES D. BRYER, ARTUR WYSZYNSKI
  • Patent number: 8910740
    Abstract: The invention relates to a road vehicle chassis comprising a front chassis, a rear chassis and flange means, wherein the front chassis and the rear chassis are connected together to form the road vehicle chassis by the interposition of the flange means and wherein the front chassis comprises front wheel suspension fastening means and the rear chassis comprises rear wheel suspension fastening means. In this case, the rear chassis is configured as a lightweight sandwich construction chassis, wherein the lightweight sandwich construction chassis comprises a plurality of sandwich plates, wherein the sandwich plates are configured as longitudinal members, crossmembers, a top chord and a bottom chord, wherein the sandwich plates are connected together such that the sandwich plates form a three-dimensional structure, wherein the three-dimensional structure is defined at the top by the top chord and at the bottom by the bottom chord, wherein adjacent sandwich plates are connected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Hymer AG
    Inventor: Stefan Ehl
  • Patent number: 8869929
    Abstract: A vehicle body frame of a utility vehicle comprises: a main frame supporting an engine; and a pair of side frames attached to the main frame by a coupling member on respective left and right sides of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Teruaki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8863884
    Abstract: A vehicle chassis in the form of a trough is ‘V shaped and encloses the vehicle driveline and is resistant to ballistic and blast damage. The chassis has a removable body attached by longitudinal pivot pins. A torsion bar suspension is pivoted on the axis of the torsion bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Ricardo UK Ltd.
    Inventor: Roland Jacob-Lloyd
  • Patent number: 8857853
    Abstract: A modular vehicle chassis frame includes: two longitudinal bar pieces having front and rear end portions and a plurality of engaging portions; two front connecting members; two rear connecting members; two terminal bar pieces, one of which is connected to the front end portions of the longitudinal bar pieces through the front connecting members, and the other one of which is connected to the rear end portions of the longitudinal bar pieces through the rear connecting members; and a plurality of crossbar pieces that extend transversely to the longitudinal bar pieces. Each of the crossbar pieces extends through two aligned ones of the engaging portions respectively of the longitudinal bar pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chuang-Hsiung Lin
  • Patent number: 8851496
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes a first frame having a steering head and a first mount, an engine-transmission assembly coupled to the first frame, a steering assembly pivotably coupled to the steering head, a front wheel rotatably coupled to the steering assembly, a swing arm assembly pivotably coupled to the first frame, a rear wheel rotatably coupled to the swing arm assembly, a second frame having a second mount coupled to the first mount with a threaded fastener, and a suspension component having a first end coupled to the swing arm assembly and a second end coupled to the second frame. Forces exerted by the suspension component on the first frame are directed through the second frame and the second mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, LLC
    Inventor: Joshua Hedtke
  • Publication number: 20140151991
    Abstract: A bolting structure of a sub-frame includes a reinforcer mounting the sub-frame through a side member. The reinforcer includes: a reinforcing member disposed to intersect with the side member in a cross shape and bolted, together with the side member, to a lower panel; an inner pipe disposed at the side member from surfaces interfacing between the reinforcing member and the side member; an outer pipe disposed at the reinforcing member from the surfaces interfacing between the reinforcing member and the side member and inserted into the sub-frame; and a bolt bolted to the inner pipe through the outer pipe and fixing the sub-frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yong Dae KIM, Nam Young LEE, Seung Hyun KANG
  • Publication number: 20140138941
    Abstract: A modular vehicle chassis frame includes: two longitudinal bar pieces having front and rear end portions and a plurality of engaging portions; two front connecting members; two rear connecting members; two terminal bar pieces, one of which is connected to the front end portions of the longitudinal bar pieces through the front connecting members, and the other one of which is connected to the rear end portions of the longitudinal bar pieces through the rear connecting members; and a plurality of crossbar pieces that extend transversely to the longitudinal bar pieces. Each of the crossbar pieces extends through two aligned ones of the engaging portions respectively of the longitudinal bar pieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chuang-Hsiung Lin
  • Patent number: 8690189
    Abstract: A frame assembly for an off-road vehicle including a left frame rail and a right frame rail that are identical to each other, a front frame module that includes at least one left toot and at least one right foot, an occupant frame module that includes at least one left foot and at least one right foot, a rear frame module that includes at least one left foot and at least one right foot, and a plurality of identical adapters mounting the components to the left and right frame rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Club Car, LLC
    Inventors: Steven P. Huston, Roy L. Woodard
  • Patent number: 8684450
    Abstract: A structure for a vehicle may include first and second spaced-apart members, first and second internally-threaded members, a module, first and second connecting members, and first and second fasteners. The first and second internally-threaded members may be connected to the first and second members, respectively. The module is positioned between the first and second members for a predetermined alignment relative thereto. The first and second connecting members include an outer surface having external threads and an inner surface having internal threads. The outer surface may engage a corresponding one of the internally-threaded members. The external and internal threads have opposite thread-handedness. The first and second fasteners engage the internal threads of the first and second connecting members, respectively. The first and second fasteners may move the first and second connecting members toward the module to clamp the module relative to the first and second members and maintain alignment therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Dennis F. Stedman, William R. Schmidt, Douglas P. Smith
  • Patent number: 8684382
    Abstract: The invention relates to an axle support for motor vehicles, for receiving components of the chassis of the motor vehicle. The axle support comprises frame side members (2, 3) running substantially in the driving direction, each having at least one cast connection point (5, 6), and a pipe section (7) that adjoins the cast connection point. The pipe section has an at least half-shell form in the region of the connection to the cast connection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: KSM Castings Group GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Buschjohann, Karsten Hoppe, Juergen Eickmann, Michael Wagner
  • Patent number: 8672355
    Abstract: A frame longitudinal beam structure for chassis frames of utility vehicles, in particular for trucks and/or buses, has at least one frame longitudinal beam of modular construction extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction when in the mounted state. The beam has a base profile extending over substantially the entire length of the frame longitudinal beam and having a plate-shaped central web which, as viewed in cross section, extends between opposite frame longitudinal beam regions, such as between upper and lower flanges. The central web is substantially rectilinear along the longitudinal extent of the base profile. Supplemental profiles formed by separate components are attached to the central web in areal abutment. A plurality of supplemental profiles are attached to the central web such that, in the direction of extent of the longitudinal beam, at least two frame longitudinal beam regions of different profile cross section are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: MAN Truck & Bus AG
    Inventors: Norbert Burger, Andreas Uebelacker, Harald Boog, Jochen Butscher, Ferdinand Stecher
  • Publication number: 20140015238
    Abstract: A support structure component is provided for a motor vehicle body and to a correspondingly configured motor vehicle body. The support structure component includes, but is not limited to a support element and a plastic fastening structure arranged thereon, which includes, but is not limited to a fastening element for fastening a motor vehicle component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Marc Juettner, Jens Hartmann
  • Patent number: 8616324
    Abstract: A sub-frame and component configuration for mounting on a motorcycle includes a body frame structure including a main frame portion; and a sub-frame portion, he sub-frame is fixedly secured to the main frame portion and is configured for receiving and securing thereon a drop seat providing a rider with a seating area that is relatively closer to the ground than the seating area of a conventional motorcycle seat. A method of mounting the sub-frame on a motorcycle includes: fixedly securing a drop seat sub-frame portion onto a main frame portion, wherein the drop seat sub-frame portion is configured for receiving and securing thereon a drop seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Gary D. Chipp
  • Patent number: 8613338
    Abstract: A flat plate nose frame design for a tractor in which a thick, flat structural plate is connected to and forwardly extends from the conventional frame rails of the tractor. The flat plate nose frame design increases vertical clearance under the hood without raising the hood height or reducing ground clearance. The nose plate is contoured to match the exterior contours of the tractor grill and hood eliminating the need for a separate aesthetic component covering the nose plate. The nose plate features a pair of vertically aligned short-height frame plates extending forwardly along the axis from the deep-section frame rails to increase strength in the flat nose plate without significantly increasing vertical height of the nose plate assembly. The flat plate nose frame is capable of withstanding operational loads as well as supporting a weight package or front-mounted implements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: John T. Rasset, Russell V. Stoltman, David S. Booth, Bryan J. Garberg, Carl J. Hagele, Chad A. Bautz, Landon J. Fries