Suspension seating for a vehicle bodywork

• US 5,362,121 A
• Filed: 03/25/1993
• Issued: 11/08/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Schmale, Walter, Enning, Norbert, Timm, Heinrich, Rinke, Klaus P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pedder, Dennis H.
• Application Number:
  US08/030,190
• Time in Patent Office: 593 Days
• Field of Search: 296/203-205, 296/25, 254/133 R, 280/107, 280/762, 280/781, 280/787, 280/796, 52/731.6, 52/731.7, 72/254, 29/429, 29/430, 29/431, 29/557, 29/558
• US Class Current: 296/204
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/601 Hanger bracket
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 11/00 Vehicle modifications for receiving separate lifting, supporting, or manoeuvring devices
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/2081 Jack receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 29/008 predominantly of light alloys, e.g. extruded

Abstract

A holder for attachment to the underside of a vehicle bodywork for use as a suspension seating. The holder consists of a twin-chambered, extruded aluminum section, which is generally L-shaped in cross-section, and includes a first substantially upright box section which forms the support arm, and a second substantially horizontal box section which forms the support seating surface. The upright support arm is secured, preferably by welding, to a longitudinal support member of the vehicle bodywork. The L-bend region of the support arm includes an internal connecting ridge member which further stiffens the holder in the direction of loading. The bottom seating surface is provided with a relief portion for receiving the protruded end associated with a car jack, a straightening bench, a transport frame, etc. In accordance with the method aspect of the invention, the holders are cut at predetermined section widths from a single extrusion such that both left side and right side holders are made from one extrusion.

Claims

1. A holder on a vehicle bodywork for use as a suspension seating for suspension of the vehicle bodywork comprising in operative combination:

a) an extruded light metal section, being generally L-shaped when viewed in cross-section and including;

i) a first, generally upright box-like chamber forming a vertical leg of the L-shaped holder, said first box-like chamber having an upper surface connected to a bottom longitudinal frame support of the vehicle bodywork;

ii) a second, generally horizontal box-like chamber forming a second leg of the L-shaped holder, said second box-like chamber having a first end connected to said first box-like chamber and a second free end, said second box-like chamber for providing a seating area for receiving an applied load for suspension of the vehicle bodywork; and

iii) an interior ridge member disposed separating said first box-like chamber from said second box-like chamber to define a closed twin-chamber extruded light metal section.

2. A holder on a vehicle bodywork as in claim 1 wherein said ridge member is located at an angled L bend region of the twin-chamber extruded section for stiffening the holder in the direction of a load applied to said seating area.

3. A holder on a vehicle bodywork as in claim 2 wherein said second box-like chamber is oriented inwardly towards a middle portion of said vehicle.

4. A holder on a vehicle bodywork as in claim 3 wherein said second box-like chamber includes a recess along a bottom wall thereof adapted for engagement with a lifting jack.

5. A holder on a vehicle bodywork as in claim 1 wherein said second box-like chamber is oriented inwardly towards a middle portion of said vehicle.

6. A holder on a vehicle bodywork as in claim 1 wherein said second box-like chamber includes a recess along a bottom wall thereof adapted for engagement with a lifting jack.

7. A holder on a vehicle bodywork as in claim 2 wherein said second box-like chamber includes a recess along a bottom wall thereof adapted for engagement with a lifting jack.

8. A holder for connection to a longitudinal member of a vehicle bodywork for providing a suspension seating for the vehicle bodywork, comprising in operative combination:

a) an extruded light metal section being generally L-shaped when viewed in cross-section, including;

i) a first, generally upright box-like chamber forming a vertical leg of the L-shaped holder, said first box-like chamber having an upper surface;

ii) means for connecting said upper surface of said first box-like chamber to a light metal longitudinal member of the vehicle bodywork;

iii) a second, generally horizontal box-like chamber forming a second leg of the L-shaped holder, said second box-like chamber having a first end connected to said first box-like chamber and a second free end, said second box-like chamber for providing a seating area for receiving an applied load for suspension of the vehicle bodywork; and

iv) an interior ridge member disposed separating said first box-like chamber from said second box-like chamber to define a closed twin-chamber extruded light metal section.

9. A holder on a vehicle bodywork as in claim 8 wherein said ridge member is located at an angled L bend region of the twin-chamber extruded section for stiffening the holder in the direction of said load applied to said seating area.

10. A holder on a vehicle bodywork as in claim 8 wherein said means for connecting includes welding.

11. A holder on a vehicle bodywork as in claim 8 wherein said means for connecting includes glue adhesives.

12. A holder on a vehicle bodywork as in claim 9 wherein said means for connecting includes welding.

13. A holder on a vehicle bodywork as in claim 9 wherein said means for connecting includes glue adhesives.