Abstract: A main frame for a vehicle constructed from a minimum number of parts is disclosed herein. The frame includes a pair of spaced elongated rectangular flat plates that have opposite edges and opposite ends interconnected by reinforcing plates and have aligned openings intermediate opposite ends thereof. Further reinforcing plates are located between the elongated flat plates and surround each of the openings and the various plates are arranged so that localized stress concentration areas are substantially eliminated.

Abstract: This specification discloses a vehicular mirror assembly adapted for exterior use on vehicles and is corrosion resistant, has low vibration, resists unintentional adjustment and may be adjusted when desired to a full range of positions. A mirror head housing is attached to a vehicular body housing by a support shaft pivotally secured to each housing by a pivot assembly. Each pivot assembly includes two coacting journal bearing members with a frictional member therebetween to provide a constant biasing force continuously over the life of the assembly which resists rotation of the shaft with respect to the housings. In the preferred embodiment, one of the journal bearing members is a serpentine spring.

Abstract: A suspension apparatus for the rear wheels of a motor vehicle includes a pair of control arms pivotally connected to the vehicle frame or body at one end and rotatively supporting the wheels by an improved structure which mechanically entraps a wheel spindle at the other end and a transverse torsion member extending between the control arms at a longitudinal position intermediate the ends. The torsion member is formed as a downward opening U-shaped channel member to position its shear center above the pivotal axis of the control arms to effect an understeer handling characteristic and is supported adjacent the control arms by gusset plates. Unique internal reinforcing braces are positioned in the channel member at the inner terminus of the plates to enhance the apparatus' resistance to fatigue failure.

Abstract: In a device for opening and closing a side plate of a loading box on a motor truck under no-load condition wherein the side plate is outwardly openably hinged at its bottom edge to the outer side edge of the floor plate of the loading box, an actuating or interlocking mechanism is provided which comprises an upper actuating connecting rod and a lower actuating connecting rod. The upper actuating connecting rod has the upper end thereof articulated to the outer surface of the side plate and the lower end thereof articulated to the upper end of the lower actuating connecting rod, the lower end of which is articulated to a lower portion of a support member downwardly projected from the underside of the floor plate. Thus, the mechanism is twice-foldable. The actuating or interlocking mechanism may be resiliently pulled by a spring having the base thereof connected to the underside of the floor plate.

Abstract: A multi-purpose expandable transportation apparatus convertible into a camping trailer, house trailer, truck camper or self propelled mobile home. The device is detachably mounted on an appropriate wheeled frame. Solid wall panels are hingedly connected so that in a closed position, substantial storage space is provided within the structure.

Abstract: A suspension apparatus for the rear wheels of a motor vehicle includes a pair of control arms pivotally connected to the vehicle frame or body at one end and rotatively supporting the wheels by an improved structure which mechanically entraps a wheel spindle at the other end and a transverse torsion member extending between the control arms at a longitudinal position intermediate the ends. The torsion member is formed as a downward opening U-shaped channel member to position its shear center above the pivotal axis of the control arms to effect an understeer handling characteristic and is supported adjacent the control arms by gusset plates.

Abstract: A removable and foldable camper module as provided which converts a utility vehicle, such as a van, into a recreational vehicle. The camper module includes kitchen cabinets and storage area with bench type seats attached to the opposite side of the kitchen area. When the module is collapsed, it can be easily removed from the van by two people. In the expanded mode, the module provides the necessary fixtures that one would have in a recreational vehicle, but still allows mobility by the person using it. For storage and handling, the camper module folds in the center forming a compact rectangular package.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a multiple axle truck suspension structure and system for vehicles wherein road and tire excitations of each axle are isolated from their opposing axle, as well as from the sprung mass. This is accomplished via deflections of pressure-resistant spring means and load-equalizing supports. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, a truck version of my novel vehicle suspension system is disclosed as having separately trunnioned rocker beam assemblies supported by cross axles, and wherein an equalizer interconnects air and elastomeric spring means. The equalizer is pivotally connected to either one or both vertical legs of opposing rocker beams, and is reactive on opposing axles, to enable more instantaneous dynamic deflecton of the combined air and elastomeric spring means than the elastomeric hysteresis would otherwise permit. The air spring relieves the hysteresis resistance of the elastomeric spring means on initial impacts.

Abstract: A modular truck body comprises unitary first and second modules having bottom sections thereof secured together at a separation line which is substantially offset laterally from a longitudinal axis of the truck body. The width of the first module is thus substantially larger than the width of the second module. The modules are aligned and preassembled at a manufacturing plant by releasably securing them together at the separation line therebetween. The modules are then disassembled and shipped to a remote job site or the like for final reassembly and securance of the modules together.

Abstract: An axle suspension assembly for vehicles has a trailing arm which is connected to the axle by means of a locator plate that is welded to the axle housing and heat shrunk on to the arm, the plate and the clamping pad that engages the opposite side of the arm having relieved faces that serve to minimize localized stress concentrations during high load conditions.

Abstract: A motor-driven vehicle for selective use for transporting material and for transporting personnel, especially for use in underground mining operations, with a loading platform for the material to be transported. Below the loading platform parallel to the two longitudinal boundaries of the vehicle one bench or seat row each for transporting persons is provided. The area of the loading platform covering the respective bench or seat row is constructed as a loading platform part pivotable upwardly about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and adapted to be locked in the upwardly pivoted position.

Abstract: Multiaxle vehicles are provided having a superstructure that tilts less than the wheel axle support therefor, comprising a chassis; at least first and second wheel axles supporting the chassis, at least one of which is pivotably mounted on the chassis so as to be tiltable sideways about the pivot mounting in a plane substantially parallel to the sideways tilting plane of the vehicle; a superstructure pivotably mounted on the chassis above the pivot mounting for the tiltable axle, for tilting about the pivot mounting in a plane parallel to the axle tilting plane; and means on one side of the pivot mounting for the tiltable axle, linking the superstructure of the tiltable axle, and pivotably attached to the superstructure on one side of the chassis and to the tiltable axle on the other side of the chassis, the spacing between the pivot mounting of the axle and the pivot attachment of the linking means thereto being less than the spacing between the pivot mounting of the superstructure and the pivot attachment o

Abstract: A protective appendage for the steering column of an automobile, made of a thin and semi-flexible material which is adapted to surround the area in the vicinity of the ignition key lock. The appendage is preferably thermo-formed from a clear plastic such as polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride. The base of the appendage is curved into an arc of a circle having a diameter of about four inches, so that it will snugly fit against a steering column having a diameter of about 31/2-4 inches. The appendage is installed by temporarily deforming a cylindrical shell of semi-flexible material and forcing it over the lock assembly; the shell is subsequently locked in position by the protruding arms of the lock assembly.

Abstract: A hatch for an armored vehicle having a viewing block integral therewith to be moved with the hatch as the hatch is opened and closed. The hatch is mounted for guided movement on a downwardly sloping surface of the armored vehicle so as to move down and away from the hatch opening to allow viewing from the hatch opening downwardly over the opened hatch. The open and closing guides include a three-point roller guide rail support configured to allow the weight of the hatch to be carried by the rollers after an initial upward movement of the hatch from compressive engagement with a peripheral seal installed about vehicle openings and thence slid downwardly on the guide rails away from the opening.

Abstract: A pair of deflector segments are telescopingly interconnected to provide an air deflector of adjustable length. Each deflector segment includes a sloping forwardly facing portion, a relatively flat top, a vertical rear wall, and closed outer ends. The combined segments are fittingly received onto the top rear edge portion of the truck car and, after adjustment to accommodate the cab width, they are fixedly secured to the cab surface.

Abstract: It is common practice to transport horses and other animals from race track to race track, or rodeo to rodeo, and in general from place to place, in motor driven vehicles such as trailers or closed trucks which afford shelter, but as a rule there are not suitable individualized feeding and watering facilities for the vehicle-carried animals along the roadway. That deficiency is supplied by the present invention.

Abstract: A security vehicle, such as for transporting prisoners, having a passenger compartment with a door opening therein. The door opening is secured by first and second pairs of doors which can be locked independently of one another.

Abstract: A self-deployable front air spoiler assembly mounted beneath a vehicle underbody, the air spoiler assembly comprising a laterally extending airfoil which in non-deployed condition is situated in a semi-concealed position. The airfoil is supported at each side of the longitudinal center of the vehicle on swingable links, each link being pivotally coupled at one end to the airfoil and at the other end to the vehicle underbody. The pivot axes of the links are substantially parallel to the airfoil. Biasing means interposed between the air spoiler assembly and the vehicle underbody normally biases the airfoil toward its deployed condition. As the air pressure against the front face of the airfoil increases as the speed of the vehicle is increased, the airfoil swings downwardly increasing the frontal area impacted by the airstream and restricting the flow of air beneath the vehicle underbody.

Abstract: A corner joint is provided which includes a first assembly which has a protrusion and a second assembly which has a rib. The rib has a flange portion welded to a respective protrusion. The flange is positioned about the protrusion and movable along said protrusion to said weld position.

Abstract: An insect deflector consisting of a transparent centrally hinged deflector attached to plastic attaching strips at each end of the deflector and mounted to an edge of the vehicle by a bracket attached to the distal ends of each of the mounting strips, adjustable straps tighten the deflector on the adjustable mounting strips and attachments to the front of the bottom edge of the window of the vehicle engage attachments to the deflector to position the deflector at the proper distance from the window to deflect insects from the window surface.