Vehicle body business methods
First Claim
1. A method of conducting business with a customer regarding a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a body with a body floor, a body enclosure, and interior and exterior body components, the method comprising:
- removing body components from the body for the customer at a remote location selected by the customer; and
attaching replacement body components to the body at said location to alter the aesthetics or functionality of the vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various vehicle body business processes are described which capitalize upon the interchangeability of vehicle bodies on a flat rolling chassis. The ability to interchange vehicle bodies and exchange modular interior components enables substantial freedom and variation in the types of automobile, trucks, heavy equipment, machinery, RV bodies, etc. that can be interchanged on a rolling chassis. Various seating arrangements may be provided as well as enhanced space utilization, and different types of interior and exterior environments, aesthetics and functionality, including sound, lighting, and other technology enhancements may be provided on a body. Methods and structures are described for facilitating the exchange of modular body components, such as via a removable body floor.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method of conducting business with a customer regarding a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a body with a body floor, a body enclosure, and interior and exterior body components, the method comprising:
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removing body components from the body for the customer at a remote location selected by the customer; and
attaching replacement body components to the body at said location to alter the aesthetics or functionality of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of remanufacturing a vehicle including a floor, a body enclosure supported above the floor, and modular individual body components connected to the floor, the method comprising:
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detaching the floor from the body enclosure to facilitate removal of the modular individual body components; and
installing replacement body components in the body. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of conducting business with a customer regarding a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a chassis, a body attached to the chassis, the body having a body floor extending substantially the entire length of the chassis, a body enclosure extending substantially the entire length of the body floor, and interior body components, the method comprising:
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detaching the floor from the body enclosure to facilitate removal of interior body components;
removing the interior body components from the detached floor;
installing replacement interior body components on the detached floor; and
re-attaching the floor to the body enclosure.
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Specification