Abstract: A vehicle primarily a mass transit vehicle is formed primarily of composite materials which define a roof section and a floor section of two fiber reinforced sheets connected by an integral core and two rigid side wall sections each formed from welded steel or optionally bolted aluminum defining a series of window openings in a row along the side wall section in a ladder shape. Releasable joints of adhesive are provided between the metal rails and the edges of the composite panels where a web of the panel and the web of the rail extend across the panel at an angle to the first and second surfaces different from 90 degrees so that the web of the panel meets the flange of the panel at an angle greater than 90 degrees.

Abstract: A structural shear panel for forming a floor panel for support by a vehicle frame is formed by a composite of top and bottom sheets and a core with a vacuum infused resin. The panel is mainly planar and terminates at its side edges at a portion which lies in a common plane and portions are provided which are deformed out of the generally planar shape to form depending or elevated sections. The structure is formed on a generally flat plate defining the planar panel portion with removable sections to define the depending and elevated sections. Edge pieces are attached to the plate to define the edges of the panel. Accessories are attached to the panel without compressing the core by a base plate of the accessory which is bolted to a bracket which has a backer plate and collar through a hole in the panel.

Abstract: A vehicle primarily a mass transit vehicle is formed primarily of composite materials which define a roof section and a floor section of two fiber reinforced sheets connected by an integral core and two rigid side wall sections each formed from welded steel or optionally bolted aluminum defining a series of window openings in a row along the side wall section in a ladder shape. The separate sections are connected to a front end cap and a rear end cap. Mountings for the seats are defined as well as conduits through the floor and roof for electrical and fluid connections. Releasable joints of adhesive are provided between the metal rails and the edges of the composite panels.

Abstract: A structural shear panel for forming a floor panel for support by a vehicle frame is formed by a composite of top and bottom sheets and a core with a vacuum infused resin. The core is formed of top and bottom layers each formed from a honeycomb panel defining an array of hexagonal tubular cells with walls which extend in the thickness direction filled with a foam material. A third layer is located between the first and second layers and is formed of a material such as foam, rubber or cork which is free from tubular cells in the thickness direction and free from rigid structural members in the thickness direction to reduce communication of sound through the panel.

Abstract: A structural shear panel for forming a floor panel for support by a vehicle frame is formed by a composite of top and bottom sheets and a core with a vacuum infused resin. The panel is mainly planar and terminates at its side edges at a portion which lies in a common plane and portions are provided which are deformed out of the generally planar shape to form depending or elevated sections. The structure is formed on a generally flat plate defining the planar panel portion with removable sections to define the depending and elevated sections. Edge pieces are attached to the plate to define the edges of the panel. Accessories are attached to the panel without compressing the core by a base plate of the accessory which is bolted to a bracket which has a backer plate and collar through a hole in the panel.

Abstract: A vehicle primarily a mass transit vehicle is formed primarily of composite materials which define a roof section and a floor section of two fiber reinforced sheets connected by an integral core and two rigid side wall sections each formed from welded steel or optionally bolted aluminum defining a series of window openings in a row along the side wall section in a ladder shape. The separate sections are connected to a front end cap and a rear end cap. Mountings for the seats are defined as well as conduits through the floor and roof for electrical and fluid connections. Releasable joints of adhesive are provided between the metal rails and the edges of the composite panels.