Motor vehicles with interchangeable functional body modules

• US 4,842,326 A
• Filed: 05/08/1987
• Issued: 06/27/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Di VITO John A
• Original Assignee: John A. Divito
• Inventors: DiVito, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Pedder, Dennis H.
• Application Number:
  US07/048,018
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 296/10, 296/35.3, 296/99 R, 296/183, 296/185, 296/193-197
• US Class Current: 296/193.04
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/42 convertible from one use to a different one vehicles capable of travelling in or on different media, rail-and-road vehicles B60F
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/423 from transport of persons to transport of goods
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 47/003 convertible in order to modify the number of seats foldable compact cars B62D31/006; convertible from one use to a different one B60P3/42
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 63/025 Modular vehicles superstructures for busses having modular sections B62D31/025

Abstract

Modular motor vehicles are provided with a plurality of independently operable functionally different automobile and truck type core vehicles and a plurality of interchangeable functionally different body and chassis modules attachable to the core vehicles. The core vehicles utilize standardized first engagement means including frames and adapter plate elements connected to or "unitized" into the core vehicles. Said first engagement means of the cores have positioning elements and alternating connecting elements at standardized predetermined spacing and location defining a structurally rigid bed for the modules. The modules incorporate a second engagement means, located and spaced to compliment said first engagement means, making it possible to easily align, connect and disconnect the modules with respect to the core vehicles. The modules incorporate a third engagement means to align and connect the multiple-piece modules together. Second and third engagement elements can be discrete entities attached to the modules or "unitized" into the modules themselves. The core vehicles include front, mid and rear engine configurations.

Claims

1. A modular vehicle comprising:

one of a plurality of functionally different core vehicles and at least one of a plurality of interchangeable functionally different body modules attached to the core vehicle, wherein the core vehicle is selected from automobile and truck types of configurations, the core vehicle having

a first closed contour frame deck engagement section spaced from a perimeter of a rear section of said core vehicle and an adapter floor plate mountable to said rear section of said core vehicle; and

said at least one module is selected from passenger, utility, occupational, recreational, and storage type configurations; and

has a second engagement frame section adapted to conform and mount to said first frame section and aligning and connecting elements on said first and second sections for the interchangability of said modules.

2. The modular vehicle of claim 1, wherein said at least one body module comprises multiple sections of interchangeable modules.