Modular chassis for land, sea and air vehicles

• US 4,676,545 A
• Filed: 12/22/1983
• Issued: 06/30/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/1981
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Paul F. Bonfilio, Richard Stobe
• Original Assignee: Paul F. Bonfilio, Richard Stobe
• Inventors: Bonfilio, Paul F., Stobe, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Blix, Trygve M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Avila, Stephen P.
• Application Number:
  US06/564,596
• Time in Patent Office: 1,286 Days
• Field of Search: 114/58, 114/357, 440/90, 244/2, 244/120, 244/121, 296/1 R, 296/24 R, 296/193, 296/196, 296/197, 296/203, 296/204
• US Class Current: 296/193.04
• CPC Class Codes: B60F 3/003 Parts or details of the vehicle structure; vehicle arrangements not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/00 Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted combined frame and vehicle body B62D23/00 ; characterised by the material thereof B62D29/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 29/041 Understructures
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 29/046 Combined superstructure and frame, i.e. monocoque constructions
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 31/00 Superstructures for passenger vehicles passenger vehicles specially adapted to co-operate with aircraft or terminal buildings B64F1/31
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 63/025 Modular vehicles superstructures for busses having modular sections B62D31/025
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 65/04 Joining preassembled modular units composed of sub-units performing diverse functions, e.g. engine and bonnet B62D65/06 - B62D65/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/10 arranged coaxially
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 37/00 Convertible aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 7/048 Vehicles having separate armoured compartments, e.g. modular armoured vehicles

Abstract

A modular structure formed of components which when assembled define the basic chassis of a land, sea, or air vehicle, to which chassis is attachable a body which may be a fuselage or hull in a selected configuration to create the desired vehicle. The structure consists of substantially identical front and rear cradles joined to opposing ends of a floor tray. The use to which the cradles are put depends on the nature of the vehicle, so that in the case of a land vehicle, wheel suspension fixtures are bolted to the cradles to support the wheels depending on the nature of the vehicle. Overlying the floor tray and secured thereto is a safety capsule, the capsule acting as a truss for the chassis and functioning as the cockpit section of a body which, in the case of an automobile, is completed by a front body section secured to the front cradle and a rear body section secured to the rear cradle.

Claims

1. A vehicle, such as a land, a sea and an air vehicle, having a modular structure constituted by pre-formed components which when joined together, define the basic trussed chassis of the vehicle, said structure comprising:

A. a floor tray provided with end beams at either end and a floor extending therebetween;

B. substantially identical front and rear cradles rigidly joined to the end beams of the tray to create a non-bendable chassis;

for supporting an engine mounted on one of said cradles; and

C. a capsule section secured to said floor tray to act as a truss for the chassis to resist bending stresses imposed on the chassis by said engine and other components mounted on said chassis, a front body section mounted on said front cradle and fixedly secured to the capsule section, and a rear body section mounted on said rear cradle and fixedly secured to said capsule section.

2. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said components are fabricated of high-strength plastic material.

3. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said components are fabricated of high-strength composite material.

4. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said components are fabricated of high-strength advanced composite material.

5. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said components are fabricated of high-strength metal material.

6. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said components are fabricated of high-strength honeycomb material.

7. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said components are fabricated of high-strength laminate material.

8. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1, further including a post-tensioning rod extending through said tray and bolted at either end to the front and rear cradles.

9. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1, in the form of a helicopter in which a nose section is secured to the front of said capsule and a tail section to the rear thereof, and retractable landing gears mounted on said cradles.

10. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1, in the form of an airplane having a nose section coupled to the front of the capsule and a tail section coupled to the rear of the capsule, said front cradle being disposed in said nose section and supporting the engine of the airplane, the airplane having wings extending from the floor tray.

11. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1, in the form of a paddle boat having a front set of driven paddle wheels mounted on the front cradle and a rear set of driven paddle wheels mounted on the rear cradle, said paddle wheels being steerable.

12. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1, in the form of a snowmobile having a set of skis suspended from the front cradle of the chassis and a driven tractor belt mounted on the rear cradle thereof.

13. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1, in the form of a tractor having driven tractor belts mounted below the front and rear cradles of the chassis.