Supporting Structural Element For A Motor Vehicle With A Centrally Positioned Engine

• US 20070252413A1
• Filed: 08/03/2005
• Published: 11/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fioravanti S.R.L.
• Original Assignee: Fioravanti S.R.L.
• Inventors: Fioravanti, Leonardo
• Granted Patent: US 7,717,499 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/203.10
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/012 The seat support being a part of the vehicle body or chassis
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/12 for supporting umbrellas
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 23/00 Combined superstructure and frame, i.e. monocoque constructions having impact absorbing means B62D21/15; superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units or parts or details thereof B62D25/00 ; characterised by the material thereof B62D29/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/00 Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for having impact absorbing means B62D21/15; running-boards, steps, or the like as superstructure sub-unit B60R3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/087 Luggage compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/2027 the subunits being rear structures

Abstract

The supporting structural element (1) comprises a shaped rigid body (2) in which are formed: two transversely adjacent cellular formations (3), intended to receive corresponding padding means (4, 5) to form seats; each of the said cellular formations (3) has a seat portion (3a) and a backrest portion (3b); an intermediate formation (6) shaped like an inverted channel, which interconnects the seat portions (3a) of the aforesaid cellular formations (3), forming a tunnel (7); a horizontal or virtually horizontal upper planar formation (9), which interconnects the upper backrest portions (3b) of the cellular formations (3), and a rear formation (10), essentially in the shape of a dihedral, with a first wing or skirt (10a) which is substantially horizontal and extends behind the seat portions (3a) of the cellular formations (3), and with a second wing or skirt (10b) which extends between the upper planar formation (9) and the said first wing or skirt (10a), behind and distant from the backrest portions (3b) of the cellular formations (3) such that a compartment or receptacle (11) is formed.

Claims

1. Supporting structural element (1) for a motor vehicle (V) with a centrally positioned engine (E), and with a two-seat passenger compartment, comprising a shaped rigid body (2) in which are formed:

two transversely adjacent cellular formations (3), intended to receive corresponding padding means (4, 5) to form seats for the driver and a passenger, each of the said cellular formations (3) having a seat portion (3a) and a backrest portion (3b);

an intermediate formation (6) shaped like an inverted channel, the bottom of which can be closed if necessary, which interconnects the seat portions (3a) of the aforesaid cellular formations (3), forming a tunnel (7) through which mechanical transmission members can pass, and which can also act if necessary as an air duct for cooling the engine (E);

a horizontal or virtually horizontal upper planar formation (9), which interconnects the upper backrest portions (3b) of the cellular formations (3), and

a rear formation (10), essentially in the shape of a dihedral, with a first wing or skirt (10a) which is substantially horizontal and extends behind the seat portions (3a) of the cellular formations (3), and with a second wing or skirt (10b) which extends between the upper planar formation (9) and the said first wing or skirt (10a), behind and distant from the backrest portions (3b) of the cellular formations (3);

the arrangement being such that a compartment or receptacle (11) is formed between the upper planar formation (9), the backrest portions (3b) of the cellular formations (3) and the rear formation (10), and extends transversely behind the said cellular formations (3).

2. Structural element according to claim 1, in which the said shaped rigid body (2) also has two lateral formations or base skirts (8) which extend approximately horizontally from the outer sides of the seat portions (3a) of the said cellular formations (3) and from the first wing or skirt (10a) of the said rear formation (10), to connect to the door sills of the vehicle body.

3. Structural element according to claim 1, wherein said shaped rigid body (2) has at its top at least one reinforcing formation (13, 14) protruding upwards with respect to the aforesaid seats (4, 5) in the form of a roll bar.

4. Structural element according to claim 1, wherein said compartment or receptacle (11) is open and accessible at one or both of its ends facing the sides of the motor vehicle (V), and can receive transportable objects such as suitcases (12) or the like.

5. Structural element according to claim 1, wherein said housings for the passage of safety belts (16) are formed in the shaped body (2), near the said cellular formations (3).

6. Structural element according to claim 5, in which motorizable delivery devices (17) associated with the said safety belts (16) are provided in the shaped body (2) near the said cellular formations (13).

7. Supporting structural element according to claim 1, wherein corresponding air/liquid heat exchangers (radiators) (30) and associated air ducts (31, 32) are connected at opposite sides of the rear formation (10) of the shaped body (11).

8. Structural element according to claim 7, in which the said compartment or receptacle (11) houses a fuel tank (40).

9. Motor vehicle with a centrally positioned engine (E) and a passenger compartment with two seats (4, 5), characterized in that it comprises a supporting structural element according to any one or more of the preceding claims.

10. Motor vehicle according to claim 9, comprising a steering wheel (20) whose position is adjustable longitudinally and angularly in an essentially vertical plane, and comprising a pedal assembly (21) whose position is adjustable longitudinally.

11. Motor vehicle according to claim 10, in which the aforesaid seats comprise padding structures (4, 5) associated with means of adjustment allowing a quantitatively limited adjustment of the position of the said padding structures (4, 5).

12. Structural element according to claim 2, wherein said shaped rigid body (2) has at its top at least one reinforcing formation (13, 14) protruding upwards with respect to the aforesaid seats (4, 5) in the form of a roll bar.