Abstract: A motorized vehicle, including rigid core board panels joined together to form a support structure having an exterior surface and an interior surface opposite the exterior surface. The interior surface of the support structure faces an occupant compartment. Each of the panels includes a honeycomb core sandwiched between opposing fiberglass-reinforced sheets. The vehicle includes a layer of energy absorbing material mounted on the exterior surface of the support structure and wheels mounted on the support structure. At least one of the wheels is steerable from the occupant compartment. A motor is mounted on the support structure and operatively connected to at least one of the wheels.

Abstract: A light-weight vehicle component such as a vehicle chassis (100) formed from an internally reinforced rigid closed-cell foam (12). The reinforced closed-cell foam vehicle chassis (100) includes an outer layer of rigid closed-cell foam (108a), an inner layer of rigid closed-cell foam (108c), and one or more layers of reinforcing structural material (114) disposed between the inner and outer layers of foam. The reinforced closed-cell foam vehicle chassis incorporates reinforced attachment points (114a) for receiving and supporting vehicle components, such as suspension elements, steering components, a drive motor, and passenger accommodations.

Abstract: A motorized vehicle, including rigid core board panels joined together to form a support structure having an exterior surface and an interior surface opposite the exterior surface. The interior surface of the support structure faces an occupant compartment. Each of the panels includes a honeycomb core sandwiched between opposing fiberglass-reinforced sheets. The vehicle includes a layer of energy absorbing material mounted on the exterior surface of the support structure and wheels mounted on the support structure. At least one of the wheels is steerable from the occupant compartment. A motor is mounted on the support structure and operatively connected to at least one of the wheels.

Abstract: A light-weight vehicle component such as a vehicle chassis (100) formed from an internally reinforced rigid closed-cell foam (12). The reinforced closed-cell foam vehicle chassis (100) includes an outer layer of rigid closed-cell foam (108a), an inner layer of rigid closed-cell foam (108c), and one or more layers of reinforcing structural material (114) disposed between the inner and outer layers of foam. The reinforced closed-cell foam vehicle chassis incorporates reinforced attachment points (114a) for receiving and supporting vehicle components, such as suspension elements, steering components, a drive motor, and passenger accommodations.