Pre-engineered frame portion and method of use therefor
First Claim
1. A method of assembling a plurality of vehicle chassis, the method comprising:
- assembling a first vehicle chassis structural frame havinga first frame portion defining a first open space, partially defining the first vehicle chassis structural frame, and having a predetermined configuration such that the first open space maintains a predetermined amount of spatial integrity in the event of a load exerted on the first frame portion or a vehicle component operatively connected thereto, anda first selection of at least one frame component further defining the first vehicle chassis structural frame and operatively connected to the first frame portion such that the first vehicle chassis structural frame has a first length; and
assembling a second vehicle chassis structural frame havinga second frame portion substantially identical to the first frame portion, defining a second open space, partially defining the second vehicle chassis structural frame, and having a predetermined configuration such that the second open space maintains a predetermined amount of spatial integrity in the event of a load exerted on the second frame portion or a vehicle component operatively connected thereto, and—
a second selection of at least one frame component further defining the second vehicle chassis structural frame and operatively connected to the second frame portion such that the second vehicle chassis structural frame has a second length;
wherein the second length is different from the first length.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle chassis includes a structural frame having a frame portion that partially defines an open space and that has a predetermined configuration such that the open space maintains a predetermined amount of spatial integrity in the event of a horizontal impact to the vehicle chassis. The frame also includes a frame component operatively connected to the frame portion that further defines the structural frame. The open space provides a protected packaging space wherein certain critical chassis components are placed. The frame portion configuration provides a pre-engineered protected area that may be used in a variety of structural frame configurations. Accordingly, a method for using pre-engineered frame portions is provided.
102 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of assembling a plurality of vehicle chassis, the method comprising:
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assembling a first vehicle chassis structural frame having a first frame portion defining a first open space, partially defining the first vehicle chassis structural frame, and having a predetermined configuration such that the first open space maintains a predetermined amount of spatial integrity in the event of a load exerted on the first frame portion or a vehicle component operatively connected thereto, and a first selection of at least one frame component further defining the first vehicle chassis structural frame and operatively connected to the first frame portion such that the first vehicle chassis structural frame has a first length; and assembling a second vehicle chassis structural frame having a second frame portion substantially identical to the first frame portion, defining a second open space, partially defining the second vehicle chassis structural frame, and having a predetermined configuration such that the second open space maintains a predetermined amount of spatial integrity in the event of a load exerted on the second frame portion or a vehicle component operatively connected thereto, and— a second selection of at least one frame component further defining the second vehicle chassis structural frame and operatively connected to the second frame portion such that the second vehicle chassis structural frame has a second length; wherein the second length is different from the first length. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of assembling vehicle chassis, the method comprising:
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providing a first vehicle chassis structural frame, the first vehicle chassis structural frame including a first frame portion and a first selection of at least one frame component operatively connected to the first frame portion such that the first vehicle chassis structural frame has a first length, the first frame portion defining a first open space and configured such that the first open space maintains a predetermined amount of spatial integrity in the event of an impact load on the first frame portion; and providing a second vehicle chassis structural frame, the second vehicle chassis structural frame including a second frame portion being substantially identical to the first frame portion and defining a second open space, and a second selection of at least one frame component operatively connected to the second frame portion such that the second vehicle chassis structural frame has a second length, the second length being different from the first length. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification