Abstract: A rear underbody which forms a rear-under section of a vehicle body is provided with a pair of rear floor side members disposed along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body in respective vicinities of both end portions of the rear underbody in a transverse direction of the vehicle body. The pair of rear floor side members each forms an enclosed cross-sectional configuration which extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. A cross member which extends substantially straight in the transverse direction of the vehicle body is disposed apart from and under a rear floor pan between the pair of rear floor side members at respective substantially central portions of a pair of rear wheel house inners. Both end portions, in the transverse direction of the vehicle body, of the cross member are respectively welded to an inner surface of the inside wall portion, in the transverse direction of the vehicle body, of the rear floor side member.

Abstract: A split joint construction for a space frame on an automotive vehicle includes at least one rocker member extending longitudinally, at least one structural member having extensions extending longitudinally in a first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction, each of the extensions having at least one channel to receive the rocker member, and a fastening mechanism for securing the structural member and rocker member together.

Abstract: A rear underbody which forms a rear-under section of a vehicle body is provided with a pair of rear floor side members disposed along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body in respective vicinities of both end portions of the rear underbody in a transverse direction of the vehicle body. The pair of rear floor side members each forms an enclosed cross-sectional configuration which extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. A cross member which extends substantially straight in the transverse direction of the vehicle body is disposed apart from and under a rear floor pan between the pair of rear floor side members at respective substantially central portions of a pair of rear wheel house inners. Both end portions, in the transverse direction of the vehicle body, of the cross member are respectively welded to an inner surface of the inside wall portion, in the transverse direction of the vehicle body, of the rear floor side member.

Abstract: The invention concerns a passenger car with longitudinally adjustable front seats which slide back and forth along inner and outer seat rails made of steel and with side door sills made of light-alloy extruded sections to which front and rear mounting brackets for the outer seat rails are welded. In order to obtain an additional, interlocking joint, the mounting brackets are designed with an upwardly extended lip which is receivingly engaged within a downwardly facing groove provided in a hook-like extension of the door sill extrusion.

Abstract: A structure of a side portion of a vehicle body having a side outer panel in which a side sill outer member and a pillar outer member are integrally formed. A first enclosed cross-sectional member is formed by a connecting of a side sill inner member and a side sill reinforcing member. Further, the first enclosed cross-sectional member has first connecting members which are formed by a connecting of the side sill reinforcing member and the side sill inner member. A second enclosed cross-sectional member is formed by a connecting of the side sill outer member and the side sill reinforcing member. Moreover, the second enclosed cross-sectional member has second connecting members which are formed by a connecting of the side sill outer member and the side sill reinforcing member. The second connecting members are located outwardly of the first connecting members in the transverse direction of the vehicle body and are apart from the first connecting members.

Abstract: An automobile assist transfer seat for the physically challenged, consisting of, a removable seat assembly (70), that slips into a door sill assembly (80), affixed to automobile door sill (90R) and (90L). Automobile used is a standard coupe or sedan body style, having a seat, door, door frame and door sill on driver and passenger side. The seat assembly (70) is interchangeable for use on either side of the automobile. Height of seat assembly (70), installed, is the height of most wheelchair seats and automobile manufacturers installed seats, and parallel to the ground. Seat assembly (70), is stored in the automobile passenger seating area or trunk of the automobile.

Abstract: A semi-end dump trailer body employs hollow rectangular rubrail along each side of the trailer body with crossmembers of U-shaped configuration with outwardly flared sidewalls welded to the inner vertical wall of the rubrails and to inward, relatively short horizontal extensions of the rubrails and to a floor sheet extending across the body between the inward horizontal extensions of the rubrails whereby to strengthen the body increase its acceptable length, height and load carrying capacity without a significant increase in weight and at little increase in cost.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure of a vehicle has a pair of body side frame sub-assemblies running longitudinally on the vehicle and an underbody sub-assembly extending transversely across the vehicle. Each of the body side frame assemblies has a body side outer panel having a lower horizontal flange extending longitudinally and projecting outboard, and a forward vertical flange projecting outboard. A longitudinally extending rocker inner frame of the body side frame assembly has an inboard vertical wall spaced inboard from the body side outer panel and a lower horizontal wall projecting outboard having an extreme outboard portion underlying the lower horizontal flange of the body side outer panel. The underbody sub-assembly has a generally planar floor pan having a pair of longitudinal edges and a horizontal surface adjacent to each of the longitudinal edges underlying and engaging the lower horizontal wall of the rocker inner frame of one of the body side frame sub-assemblies.

Abstract: A center pillar in a motor vehicle constructed of two light metal extruded sections including a first extruded section having one vertical side cut at an acute angled .alpha. over its length and a second extruded section of a uniform cross section. The cut side of the first extruded section is mated to a vertical side edge of the second extruded section in such a way to produce a center pillar having a gradually tapering thickness from bottom to top. The first extruded section includes a bend region at a lower terminal end portion thereof which diverges from the first extruded section and which is cut at an acute angle for smooth transitional connection to a bottom disposed lengthwise connecting member. A plate member is provided for covering the gap created by the divergence of the first extruded section relative the second extruded section.

Abstract: The invention concerns an improved welded joint in a vehicle bodywork for connecting two mutually perpendicular extruded aluminum pieces such as a longitudinal bearer or sill and an upstanding B post. According to the invention, the bottom end of the B post is inserted within an opening in the sill for a positive locking engagement and includes a transverse weld seam which connects the B post to the opening along a first outward facing wall portion of the B post. In addition, a connecting member in the form of a flat plate is placed along the inward facing wall of the B post and is joined at a vertical side edge to the B post by a first weld seam and has a bottom side edge oriented flush with the upper sill surface in the lengthwise direction of the sill and is joined thereto by a second weld seam.

Abstract: A front side member of an automobile has a rigid portion formed in a closed cross section by an inner panel and an outer panel and extending in the longitudinal direction of a car body, and a base portion extending inwards and downwards in the lateral direction of the car body from the rigid portion. The rigid portion is provided with a reinforcement arranged in the closed cross section and extending in the longitudinal direction of the car body. The reinforcement is shortened less than the inner panel at a top portion thereof and provided with a linear corner portion. As a result, an axis, which is one of rectangular coordinate axes as principal axes of the closed cross section and which maximizes a moment of inertia with respect to the axis, is formed so as to direct downwards from the outside to the inside in the lateral direction of the car body.

Abstract: A vehicle body construction (10) and method including inspection of adhesively secured joints therein is provided. The vehicle body construction (10) comprises a pair of body members (18,20) having opposed surfaces (24,26). An adhesive bond (28) secures the opposed surfaces (24,26) to each other to thereby connect the pair of body members (18,20). One of the body members has small inspection openings (22) at spaced intervals to permit visual observation of whether there is adhesive (12) between the opposed surfaces (24,26) at the spaced intervals to thereby provide an indication of the integrity of the bond (28). The method includes forming body members (18,20) with opposed surfaces (24,26) having inspection openings (22) at spaced intervals, forming an adhesive bond (28) between the opposed surfaces (18,20) to connect the body members (18,20) and visually observing the inspection openings (22) for the presence of the adhesive (12) for an indication of the integrity of the adhesive bond (28).

Abstract: A first closed sectional structure is formed with the pillar reinforcement disposed within the pillar section of the rear fender. A second closed sectional structure is formed with the aid of the side frame. Two third closed sectional structures are formed with the aid of the floor reinforcements and they are disposed in a spaced relationship apart in the longitudinal direction of the body. The second and third closed sectional structures are arranged in a region that is formed by extending the first closed sectional structure in the inner direction of the body.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure has a chassis frame to which a pair of side sills are rigidly connected sideways by a plurality of connecting bracket assemblies. One of the connecting bracket assemblies is disposed between a pair of pillars and includes an outer bracket member connected to each side sill and an inner bracket member connected to the chassis frame.

Abstract: A space frame for an automotive vehicle includes at least one longitudinally extending structural member and at least one rocker including a structure forming channels on at least two sides, one of the channels receiving the structural member and an adhesive and/or sleeve for securing the structural member to the rocker.

Abstract: A rocker and various joint constructions are provided for a space frame on an automotive vehicle. Also, various methods are provided for constructing joints and joining subassemblies of a space frame together.

Abstract: In order to effectively cool an underfloor part, such as a transmission or a rear differential, and improve the aerodynamic conditions of the rear wheels, a front under member serving as a bottom of a front part of the vehicle is formed with left and right air passages for discharging inside air in the front part of the vehicle toward the rear wheels, and a middle air passage for contracting an outside underfloor air stream coming from the front of the vehicle, and directing the underfloor air stream along the center line of the vehicle.

Abstract: A transversely resilient retaining clip for securing a trim strip over an automobile rocker panel weld flange without requiring screws or adhesive. The trim strip is retained by the resilient clip and a weatherstrip carrier member having a recess disposed longitudinally over the flange. The resilient clip and weatherstrip member cooperate to securely retain the trim strip in a predefined spaced relationship with the weld flange such that it covers the flange and weatherstrip carrier as well as overlies the vehicle carpet.

Abstract: The impact girder extruded in a light metal alloy and extending in the vehicle door approximately in the direction of travel can be fixed at both ends in such a way that a profile wall of the impact girder faces towards the inside of the vehicle as the inner flange and a second profile wall of the impact girder provided at a distance from the first forms an outer flange. Fastened to the impact girder is a hollow chamber profile, similarly extruded from a light metal alloy, with at least two profile chambers, the hollow chamber profile protruding into the door box below the impact girder and the profile chambers extending parallel to the latter. The hollow chamber profile provides additional impact protection.

Abstract: A side body structure of a vehicle includes a side sill and a roof side rail, both of which extend in a lengthwise direction of a vehicle body, and front and center pillars which extend between and connect the side sill and the roof side rail so as to define a generally rectangular front door opening in the side body. The side body structure is reinforced by a sill reinforcement extending in the lengthwise direction of the vehicle, inside of the side sill, and pillar reinforcements extending between the side sill and the roof side rail, inside the front pillar and the center pillar, respectively. The sill reinforcement is secured, at its front end, to the front pillar reinforcement and, at its rear end, to the center pillar reinforcement.

Abstract: A side body structure of an automotive vehicle includes a center pillar extending vertically substantially at a center portion of the side body and a side sill constituted by a side sill inner panel and a side sill outer panel. The side body structure comprises a member provided longitudinally at a side and lower portion of the vehicle and including the side sill inner panel so as to form a closed cross section, and a cross member provided transversely at a lower portion of the vehicle and connected with the closed cross section member.

Abstract: A space frame for an automotive vehicle includes a plurality of hoop-shaped structural members and a structure disposed on adjacent portions of the structural members for allowing nesting engagement therebetween to form a substantially flush outer surface between the structural members. The structure includes at least one shoulder portion and at least one extension portion on one of the structural members.

Abstract: A space frame for an automotive vehicle includes a plurality of structural members. Each of the structural members has a channel. The space frame also includes a connector disposed in the channel of each of the structural members and a joint structure and/or adhesive for joining the connector and the structural members together.

Abstract: A structure for forming hollow beams within a car body. The beams are stiffened in their transverse direction by means of cross frames. The cross frames may have a tubular member arranged transversely to the axial length. At one end there may be provided at least partially formed side flanges which are firmly attached to the beam. The length of the tubular member is preferably at least slightly shorter than the distance between the opposite longitudinal sides forming a free space between the other end of the tubular member and one of the longitudinal sides of the beam.

Abstract: A front body structure for vehicles comprises a side sill formed by a first frame and a second frame each having closed cross sections, wherein the first frame is curved upwardly and is further curved inwardly in a transverse direction of a vehicle body so as to form a cowl front portion and the second frame is curved inwardly in the transverse direction of the vehicle body so as to form a dash cross portion, and a front side frame which bifurcates into two bifurcated portions in a vicinity of a front side portion of the vehicle body. The first and second frames are respectively joined to end portions of the bifurcated portions, substantially even therewith. An end portion of a lower bifurcated portion of the front side frame is joined without offset to the dash cross portion. An end portion of an upper bifurcated portion of the front side frame is joined without offset to the cowl front portion. Consequently, load inputted to the front frame can be received by the side sill via the first and second frames.

Abstract: A vehicle body positionable on spaced chassis members through Z-shaped bars attached to the chassis members and laterally extending floor members in turn attached to the Z-shaped bars. The laterally extending floor members define a floor assembly and are arranged in interlocking engagement with side rails extending along either side of the floor assembly. The side rails includes flanges into which the floor members extend. Outwardly extending flanges on the floor members support columnar rib members which extend upwardly to define the structural walls of the body. Crown members abut against thte upper ends of the rib members as well as similarly constructed roof members extending laterally across the body. Frame clips having a base and spaced upstanding attachment legs are employed to affix the rib members and roof members to the aforementioned structural elements. Rivet fasteners are contemplated as well as bolts and welds in appropriate locations.

Abstract: An upright-pillar for a vehicle body structure which, in the cross-sectional view, has the shape of a box-shaped hollow profile, is made of light metal and is placed on a side member disposed underneath. The pillar has an extruded profile and a closing part connected with it, which provides a pillar for a body structure which, with low-cost manufacturing, is easy to adapt to the shape of the door joint and can easily be connected to the adjacent body parts.

Abstract: An automobile front body structure is provided on each side with a pillar extending substantially vertically, a side sill extending longitudinally of the vehicle body and secured to a lower end of the pillar and a separation member extending substantially vertically inside the pillar to form at least two separated portions having closed cross-sections inside the pillar. The separation member further extends into the inside of the side sill to separate it into two separated portions having closed cross-sections.

Abstract: A front structure for a vehicle body including a front frame which extends in the longitudinal direction of the side of the engine room of the vehicle. The front frame is formed of an outer frame and an inner frame connected together to form a closed cross section. A dashboard lower panel is disposed near the rear edge of the front side frame and extends vertically. A front floor extends rearward from the lower edge of the dashboard lower panel. A side sill extends in the longitudinal direction along the side of the front floor and is formed of an outer frame and an inner frame connected together to form a closed cross section. The side sill has a projection on its inward side at front end thereof which is connected to the rear portion of the front side frame.

Abstract: A vehicle body positionable on spaced chassis members through Z-shaped bars attached to the chassis members and laterally extending floor members in turn attached to the Z-shaped bars. The laterally extending floor members define a floor assembly and are arranged in interlocking engagement with side rails extending along either side of the floor assembly. The side rails includes flanges into which the floor members extend. Outwardly extending flanges on the floor members support columnar rib members which extend upwardly to define the structural walls of the body. Crown members abut against the upper ends of the rib members as well as similarly constructed roof members extending laterally across the body. Frame clips having a base and spaced upstanding attachment legs are employed to affix the rib members and roof members to the aforementioned structural elements. Rivet fasteners are contemplated as well as bolts and welds in appropriate locations.

Abstract: The present invention is a reinforcement structure for a vehicle. The vehicle has first and second upwardly extending columns longitudinally spaced from each other and a longitudinally extending beam between the first and second columns. The reinforcement structure includes means forming a longitudinally extending member adapted to be disposed adjacent the beam. The reinforcement structure also includes means for securing the member to the beam and the first and second columns to absorb and dampen bending and torsional loads between the first and second columns.

Abstract: A seat belt anchorage is provided for a seat belt for use to protect a person sitting in a front seat of a two-door vehicle. The anchorage comprises a slider bar mounted in the interior of the vehicle adjacent the door sill and extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. One end of the seat belt is slidably attached to the bar. The bar is adapted to be moved towards the sill when the slider bar is subjected to a force from above so that the distance between the slider bar and the sill is reduced. This minimizes any risk of a person catching a shoe heel between the slider bar and the sill.

Abstract: An outer sill panel formed integrally with a side panel of the car body is joined to an inner sill panel to form an enclosed structure in cross-section. The panel joints are at the top and outer side of the side sill. The inner sill panel is thicker than the outer sill panel. A cover may be provided extending to cover an outer side surface and a bottom surface of the side sill as well as a joint between the side sill and the floor panel of the car body. A partition plate can be provided for reinforcing in the vicinity of a base portion of a center pillar of the side panel.

Abstract: A side sill longitudinally extending at each of laterally opposite sides of a lower portion of a vehicle body is provided with a substantially uniform box-like cross-section which is defined by a top and a bottom wall and a right and a left side wall. The side sill is implemented with a hollow molding of aluminum, plastics or like lightweight material which is produced by extrusion molding. To provide the side sill with sufficient rigidity, the top and bottom walls are each provided with a sufficiently greater thickness than the side walls.

Abstract: A front structure of a vehicle body includes a front frame which extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and is formed of an outer frame and an inner frame connected together to form a closed cross section. A dahsboard lower panel is disposed near the rear edge of the front frame to vertically extend, and a front floor extends rearward from the lower edge of the dashboard lower panel. A side sill is disposed on one side of the front floor at a height lower than the front frame, and a floor frame is disposed on the inner side of the side sill at a height lower than the front frame. The rear end portion of the front frame is connected to the side sill by way of a frame member and to the front end portion of the floor frame by way of another frame member.

Abstract: A child's ridable vehicle is disclosed which includes generally first and second body portions with proximal ends overlapped and secured at alignment apertures to a frame of the vehicle. The second body portion overlaps the first body portion at sill portions of each which are inverted U-shaped sections overlapped on the frame. The second body portion has a unitary post bushing passing through the alignment aperture in the first body portion and into an aperture in the frame to be secured by a threaded fastener and this locates both body portions relative to each other and to the frame. The two body portions may be assembled by placing them at a wide angle V and nesting them together then straightening out the two parts to be in common plane and mating them with the frame with a threaded fastener inserted through the frame and securing the two overlapped body portions to the frame.

Abstract: A body side wall for motor vehicles, in particular for passenger cars and station wagons, which includes a rear side door opening and a rear pillar formed adjacent the vehicle rear wheel opening from inner and outer panels of the side wall together with a reinforcement panel. The invention wall construction includes a one-piece reinforcement panel which is formed in a U-shape and is positioned adjacent the door opening extending from the roof frame along the rear pillar and the front part of the wheel housing, the reinforcement panel being connected to the side wall inner panel and the side wall outer panel to form a box support extending from the roof frame to the sill.

Abstract: An aerodynamic fairing, made of a plastic material, for the outer laterally disposed longitudinally extending members, i.e., rocker panels, of bodies for passenger cars and utility-type motor vehicles, which, in conjunction with the outer wall of the longitudinal members, form a closed hollow body; in order to be able to extend a fairing of this type as far in the downward direction as is necessary for aerodynamic reasons, yet minimize the risk of damage to the fairing, the construction according to the present invention is such that the fairing comprises an upper zone, made of a plastic material which is comparatively dimensionally stable or form-rigid, and of a lower zone which can be elastically deformed and which is fastened to the upper zone in a preferably detachable manner, and in that the lower zone enables a reduction in its height in the event of contact with the ground by including predetermined flexing points or intentional bending places which facilitate such a height reduction.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle having no pillar between adjacent front swinging and rear sliding doors is provided a structure for mounting a front door striker engageable with a door lock of the front door. The door striker is mounted on a vehicle side sill with a reinforcement which provides sufficient stiffness for the vehicle side sill for resisting against bending stress applied thereto. A guide rail retainer secured to an inner wall of the side sill supports an end of a guide rail for the sliding rear door.

Abstract: A synthetic resin body panel for mounting on a skeletal automobile body to cover the entire door sill and the front lower portion of the rear fender with the front edge offset inwardly to be clamped between the front fender and auto body to allow movement for thermal expansion and contraction. A sealing member is clamped between the rearmost portion of the panel and the skeletal body of the rear fender for preventing water, pebbles, etc. from entering the space between the panel and body.

Abstract: A lower body construction for a motor vehicle, including a pair of side sills, a floor panel attached to the side sills and formed with a tunnel portion, and a pair of cross members each having a hat-shaped cross section and provided on the floor panel. A pair of recesses are, respectively, formed at opposite sides of the floor panel, while an outer end of each of the cross members is spaced slightly away from each of the side sills inwardly, whereby a reinforcement member having the hat-shaped cross section and extending continuously between the tunnel portion and each of the side sills is constituted by each of the cross members and each of the recesses.

Abstract: A guide rail structure for an automotive sliding door, particularly applicable for an automotive vehicle having a center pillarless body construction. A guide rail is mounted onto a vehicle body side frame such as roof side frame or side sill. The guide rail has a section extending substantially along the side frame which serves as longitudinal reinforcement and a section inserted into an internal space of the side frame and extending across the internal space. The latter section of the guide rail is supported by a reinforcement which is disposed within the internal space of the side frame and cooperates with the reinforcement to provide lateral reinforcement for the side frame.

Abstract: An automobile body structure has a closed cross-section structure formed by a lower face of a rear floor panel of a body floor and a rear frame joined to the lower face of the rear floor panel and extended in the longitudinal direction of the body on either side thereof, and another closed cross-section structure formed by a lower face of a front floor panel of the body floor and a front frame joined to the lower face of the front floor panel and extended in the longitudinal direction of the body. The rear frame is joined at its forward extension to a side sill of the body forward of a rear wheelhouse. The front frame is joined at its rearward extension to the portion where the forward extension of the rear frame is joined to the side sill.

Abstract: A body structure for a two-door type automobile including a roof rail extending along each side of a roof panel, a side sill extending along each side of a floor panel, a center pillar having an upper end connected with the roof rail and extending substantially downwardly therefrom, a rear fender panel having a substantially vertically extending front edge portion which is bent transversely inwardly of the body structure to form a stepped configuration complementary to a rear edge configuration of a side door adapted to be mounted on said body structure, an inner panel having a front edge secured to the front edge portion of the rear fender panel and a rear edge also secured to the rear fender panel to form a lower pillar of closed cross-section, the lower pillar being connected at an upper end with the center pillar and at a lower end with the side sill.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure which increases the rigidity of a side door supporting mechanism which is defined by a vertical supporting pillar and a horizontal rocker panel. The structure has a reinforcement member which is sandwiched between a lower portion of an outer pillar panel and an outer rocker panel, and is fixed to the outer pillar and rocker panels by welding methods, resulting in the increased rigidity of the entire side door supporting mechanism.

Abstract: A support structure for a vehicle includes a first support member positioned below and secured to the underside of the vehicle rocker panel. In one embodiment, a portion of the first support member extends laterally outward from the rocker panel and is secured to an exterior vertical portion of the rocker panel. A decorative member is secured to the side of the vehicle and is adapted to overlie a portion of the first support member. A second support member is alternately secured to the interior side of the rocker panel to increase the structural strength of the support structure.

Abstract: An automobile body structure has a side sill formed of inner and outer panels, a central pillar joined to the side sill to extend upwardly therefrom, a rear fender panel extending upwardly from the outer panel of the side sill to form the edge of a door opening and rearwardly of this edge to form a body panel, and a reinforcement extending rearwardly together with the inner panel of the side sill to form a closed cross-section therebetween and joined at its rear end to the rear wheelhouse. The structure greatly improves the body strength rearward of the center pillar.

Abstract: A vehicle body is formed of a plurality of straight structural tubular members welded together to form the vehicle frame and a plurality of plastic panels secured to the structural members to provide the exterior surface of the body. Selected plastic panels have channel-forming projections molded on the inner face thereof which straddle the adjacent structural member. These panels are attached to the structural members by securing plastic adaptors to the inner edges of the channels so that the metal structural frame members are completely enclosed in plastic. The adaptors are secured to the panels by means of self-plugging, blind rivets from the inner side of the body. The interior lining of the vehicle is applied to the inner surfaces of the plastic panels.

Abstract: A child's ridable vehicle is disclosed which includes generally first and second body portions with proximal ends overlapped and secured at alignment apertures to a frame of the vehicle. The second body portion overlaps the first body portion at still portions of each which are inverted U-shaped sections overlapped on the frame. The second body portion has a unitary post bushing passing through the alignment aperture in the first body portion and into an aperture in the frame to be secured by a threaded fastener and this locates both body portions relative to each other and to the frame. The two body portions may be assembled by placing them at a wide angle V and nesting them together then straightening out the two parts to be in common plane and mating them with the frame with a threaded fastener inserted through the frame and securing the two overlapped body portions to the frame.