Modular chassis tuning system
First Claim
1. A weight distribution system for a vehicle, comprising:
- a. a weight tray having an internal passage;
b. a screw that extends into a first end of the internal passage;
c. a retainer removably attached to the first end of the internal passage, said retainer defining a hole through which the screw is rotatably retained;
d. a primary weight slidably disposed within the passage, said primary weight having a bore into which the screw extends; and
e. a screw engaging member that operably engages the threads of the screw disposed within the bore, wherein said screw engaging member engages at least a portion of the bore to retain the screw engaging member in a substantially fixed position in said weight and to inhibit rotation of the screw engaging member, such that when the screw is rotated, the primary weight will slide within the passage.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for tuning the weight distribution in a vehicle, typically a high performance automobile, is provided. The apparatus includes a weight tray having an internal passage, a screw element, typically a threaded bolt, that extends into an end of the internal passage, a retainer at the same end of the passage, defining a hole through which the screw is rotatably retained, a primary weight is disposed within the passage and having a bore into which the screw extends and a nut or a threaded portion (i.e., a tapped portion) disposed within the bore that operatively engages the threads of the screw. Additional weights may be attached to the primary weight to increase the weight in the weight tray. The primary and additional weights may further include interlocking portions that are suitably configured to interlock with a corresponding interlocking portion on another weight. One or more of the weights may be assembled from two weight segments to facilitate assembly of the apparatus with minimal tools. The segments may be of different mass and/or density. A method for distributing weight in a vehicle also is provided that includes the use of the described apparatus.
14 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A weight distribution system for a vehicle, comprising:
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a. a weight tray having an internal passage;
b. a screw that extends into a first end of the internal passage;
c. a retainer removably attached to the first end of the internal passage, said retainer defining a hole through which the screw is rotatably retained;
d. a primary weight slidably disposed within the passage, said primary weight having a bore into which the screw extends; and
e. a screw engaging member that operably engages the threads of the screw disposed within the bore, wherein said screw engaging member engages at least a portion of the bore to retain the screw engaging member in a substantially fixed position in said weight and to inhibit rotation of the screw engaging member, such that when the screw is rotated, the primary weight will slide within the passage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An automobile frame, comprising:
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a. automobile frame structural elements configured to form an automobile frame;
b. a weight tray having an internal passage, attached to the frame;
c. a screw that extends into a first end of the internal passage;
d. a retainer removably attached to the first end of the internal passage, said retainer defining a hole through which the screw is rotatably retained;
e. a primary weight slidably disposed within the passage, said primary weight having a bore into which the screw extends; and
f. a screw engaging member that operably engages the threads of the screw disposed within the bore, wherein said screw engaging member engages at least a portion of the bore to retain the screw engaging member in a substantially fixed position in said weight and to inhibit rotation of the screw engaging member, such that when the screw is rotated, the primary weight will slide within the passage. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A method for distributing weight in a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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a. affixing to a vehicle a weight distribution system comprising;
i. a weight tray having an internal passage;
ii. a screw that extends into a first end of the internal passage;
iii. a retainer removably attached to the first end of the internal passage, said retainer defining a hole through which the screw is rotatably retained;
iv. a primary weight slidably disposed within the passage, said primary weight having a bore into which the screw extends; and
v. a screw engaging member that operably engages the threads of the screw disposed within the bore, wherein said screw engaging member engages at least a portion of the bore to retain the screw engaging member in a substantially fixed position in said weight and to inhibit rotation of the screw engaging member, such that when the screw is rotated, the primary weight will slide within the passage; and
b. turning the screw to slide the weights within the passage.
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18. A method for retrofitting an automobile, comprising the step of attaching to a frame of an automobile a weight distribution system, comprising:
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a. a weight tray having an internal passage;
b. a screw that extends into a first end of the internal passage;
c. a retainer removably attached to the first end of the internal passage, said retainer defining a hole through which the screw is rotatably retained;
d. a primary weight slidably disposed within the passage, said primary weight having a bore into which the screw extends; and
e. a screw engaging member that operably engages the threads of the screw disposed within the bore, wherein said screw engaging member engages at least a portion of the bore to retain the screw engaging member in a substantially fixed position in said weight and to inhibit rotation of the screw engaging member, such that when the screw is rotated, the primary weight will slide within the passage. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification