Chassis frame module and method of use for same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle chassis comprising:
- a structural frame having at least three longitudinally-oriented elongated members, at least one of said elongated members being vertically spaced from the other elongated members; and
a unitary structural member extending transversely and vertically between the at least three longitudinally-oriented elongated members, and attached to, and thereby interconnecting, the at least three longitudinally-oriented members; and
a body attachment interface having body connection components including at least one load-bearing body-retention coupling mounted with respect to the structural frame.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A structural frame for a vehicle chassis includes transversely-oriented unitary structural members interconnecting at least three longitudinally-oriented elongated members. The use of unitary structural members and elongated members provides flexibility in assembling structural frames of differing configurations. Correspondingly, a method of assembling structural frames having transversely-oriented unitary structural members interconnecting at least three longitudinally-oriented elongated members is provided.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A vehicle chassis comprising:
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a structural frame having at least three longitudinally-oriented elongated members, at least one of said elongated members being vertically spaced from the other elongated members; and
a unitary structural member extending transversely and vertically between the at least three longitudinally-oriented elongated members, and attached to, and thereby interconnecting, the at least three longitudinally-oriented members; and
a body attachment interface having body connection components including at least one load-bearing body-retention coupling mounted with respect to the structural frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A vehicle chassis comprising:
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a structural frame having at least four longitudinally-oriented elongated members, at least one of said elongated members being vertically spaced from the other elongated members; and
a unitary structural member extending transversely and vertically between the at least four longitudinally-oriented elongated members, and attached to, and thereby interconnecting, the at least four longitudinally-oriented members;
a body attachment interface having body connection components including at least one load-bearing body-retention coupling mounted with respect to the structural frame;
a suspension system;
at least three wheels rotatably mounted with respect to the suspension system;
a braking system;
a steering system;
an energy conversion system; and
an energy storage system operably connected to the energy conversion system;
wherein the braking system, steering system, and energy conversion system are each operably connected to at least one wheel and configured to respond to non-mechanical control signals;
wherein the body connection components further include at least one control signal receiver connector mounted with respect to the structural frame and configured to convey control signals in non-mechanical form; and
wherein each of the steering system, braking system, and energy conversion system are operably connected to a control signal receiver connector. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A vehicle chassis comprising:
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a structural frame having four elongated members positioned longitudinally; and
at least two unitary structural members, each of the at least two unitary structural members having an upper cross-member portion and a lower cross-member portion, the upper and lower cross member portions connected by two vertically-oriented portions spaced a distance apart, the upper-cross member portion, lower cross member portion, and two vertically-oriented portions defining an open space configured to contain vehicle chassis hardware, and each of the at least two unitary structural members formed to have at least four cavities configured to at least partially retain the four elongated members in a rectangular arrangement relative to one another;
a body attachment interface having body connection components including at least one load-bearing body-retention coupling mounted with respect to the structural frame, and at least one control signal receiver connector configured to convey control signals in non-mechanical form;
a suspension system;
at least three wheels rotatably mounted with respect to the suspension system;
a braking system;
a steering system;
an energy conversion system; and
an energy storage system operably connected to the energy conversion system;
wherein the braking system, steering system, and energy conversion system are operably connected to at least one wheel, each operably connected to a control signal receiver connector, and each configured to respond to non-mechanical control signals.
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Specification