Supporting structural element for a motor vehicle with a centrally positioned engine

• US 7,717,499 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2005
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fioravanti S.R.L.
• Original Assignee: Fioravanti S.R.L.
• Inventors: Fioravanti, Leonardo
• Primary Examiner(s): Dayoan; Glenn
• Assistant Examiner(s): Blankenship; Gregory
• Application Number:
  US11/573,497
• Publication Number:
  US 20070252413A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,749 Days
• Field of Search: 296/193.07, 296/193.05, 296/193.08, 296/203.01, 296/203.03, 296/203.04, 296/37.15, 296/37.16, 296/63, 296/64, 296/37.8
• US Class Current: 296/203.04
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/012 The seat support being a part of the vehicle body or chassis
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/12 for supporting umbrellas
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 23/00 Combined superstructure and frame, i.e. monocoque constructions having impact absorbing means B62D21/15; superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units or parts or details thereof B62D25/00 ; characterised by the material thereof B62D29/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/00 Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for having impact absorbing means B62D21/15; running-boards, steps, or the like as superstructure sub-unit B60R3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/087 Luggage compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/2027 the subunits being rear structures

Abstract

The supporting structural element (1) comprises a shaped rigid body (2) in which are formed: two transversely adjacent cellular formations (3), intended to receive corresponding padding means (4, 5) to form seats; each of the said cellular formations (3) has a seat portion (3a) and a backrest portion (3b); an intermediate formation (6) shaped like an inverted channel, which interconnects the seat portions (3a) of the aforesaid cellular formations (3), forming a tunnel (7); a horizontal or virtually horizontal upper planar formation (9), which interconnects the upper backrest portions (3b) of the cellular formations (3), and a rear formation (10), essentially in the shape of a dihedral, with a first wing or skirt (10a) which is substantially horizontal and extends behind the seat portions (3a) of the cellular formations (3), and with a second wing or skirt (10b) which extends between the upper planar formation (9) and the said first wing or skirt (10a), behind and distant from the backrest portions (3b) of the cellular formations (3) such that a compartment or receptacle (11) is formed.

Claims

1. Supporting structural element (1) for a motor vehicle (V) with a centrally positioned engine (E), and with a two-seat passenger compartment, comprising a shaped rigid body (2) in which are formed:

two transversely adjacent cellular formations (3), which receive corresponding padding means (4, 5) to form seats for the driver and a passenger, each of the said cellular formations (3) having a seat portion (3a) and a backrest portion (3b);

an intermediate formation (6) shaped like an inverted channel, the bottom of which being closeable, which interconnects the seat portions (3a) of the cellular formations (3), forming a tunnel (7) through which mechanical transmission members can pass;

a substantially horizontal upper planar formation (9), which interconnects the upper backrest portions (3b) of the cellular formations (3), and

a rear formation (10), substantially in the shape of a dihedral, with a first wing or skirt (10a) which is substantially horizontal and extends behind the seat portions (3a) of the cellular formations (3), and with a second wing or skirt (10b) which extends between the upper planar formation (9) and the said first wing or skirt (10a), behind and distant from the backrest portions (3b) of the cellular formations (3);

the arrangement being such that a compartment or receptacle (11) is formed between the upper planar formation (9), the backrest portions (3b) of the cellular formations (3) and the rear formation (10), and extends transversely behind the said cellular formations (3);

wherein said compartment or receptacle (11) is open and accessible at least one of its ends facing the sides of the motor vehicle (V), and can receive transportable objects.

2. Structural element according to claim 1, in which the said shaped rigid body (2) also has two lateral formations or base skirts (8) which extend approximately horizontally from the outer sides of the seat portions (3a) of the said cellular formations (3) and from the first wing or skirt (10a) of the said rear formation (10), to connect to the door sills of the vehicle body.

3. Structural element according to claim 1, wherein said shaped rigid body (2) has at its top at least one reinforcing formation (13, 14) protruding upwards with respect to the aforesaid seats (4, 5) in the form of a roll bar.

4. Structural element according to claim 1, wherein housings for the passage of safety belts (16) are formed in the shaped body (2), near the said cellular formations (3).

5. Structural element according to claim 4, wherein motorizable delivery devices (17) associated with the said safety belts (16) are provided in the shaped body (2) near the said cellular formations (13).

6. Supporting structural element according to claim 1, wherein corresponding air/liquid heat exchangers (30) and associated air ducts (31, 32) are connected at opposite sides of the rear formation (10) of the shaped body (11).

7. Structural element according to claim 6, wherein said compartment or receptacle (11) houses a fuel tank (40).

8. Structural element according to claim 2, wherein said shaped rigid body (2) has at its top at least one reinforcing formation (13, 14) protruding upwards with respect to the seats (4, 5) in the form of a roll bar.