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US 4,787,670 AGranted
Floor subframe for cargo truck sleeper cab
AssigneeBentz Metal Products Co., Inc.
InventorRichard A. Bentz
Life of this patent
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AssigneeBentz Metal Products Co., Inc.
InventorRichard A. Bentz
Estimating the term…
A floor subframe construction for a sleeper cab of the type used in a tractor/trailer rig and adapted to be located behind the driver's cab and supported on the tractor frame. The sleeper cab has vertical exterior wall sections and a floor panel formed of metal sheet. The floor panel is supported on an exterior metal floor subframe that includes parallel front and rear main beams, a plurality of interior cross members extending perpendicular to and between the main beams, and exterior side members connected between the outer ends of the main beams. The main beams, cross members, and side members define coplanar supporting surfaces for the floor panel. Each of the beams has upper and lower horizontal flanges spaced apart and joined by a vertical web at the outer ends thereof to define an inwardly facing open channel. The lower flange has a top surface on which the cross members are supported and secured, and has openings formed therein to receive the mounting bolts for securing the sleeper cab to the tractor frame. The ends of the bolts are located in the open channel. The top face of the upper flange has a vertical rib extending upwardly and having an outer surface to which the lower ends of the respective wall sections are welded.
In a sleeper cab for a tractor/trailer rig adapted to be located behind the driver's cab and to be supported on the tractor frame, the sleeper cab having vertical exterior wall sections and a floor panel formed of metal sheet, the floor panel being supported on an exterior metal floor subframe attached to a tractor frame mounting means by vertically positioned bolts, the improvement wherein said floor subframe comprises:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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No related US applications are recorded in the indexed filing history.
Superstructures for load-carrying vehicles: drivers' cabs
Motor vehicles
Term ended 11 Sep 2007 (estimated)
USPTO file history isn’t available for this patent, so only indexed dates are shown.
This invention relates to large cargo-type automotive vehicles, such as tractor/trailer rigs, and especially to the cab and sleeper compartment structure for such rigs wherein, in addition to the driver's cab, there is a separate compartment or "sleeper cab" located behind the driver's cab and separately mounted on the tractor frame.
More particularly, the invention relates to the construction of a sheet metal sleeper cab with a special floor subframe design that serves as a support for an interior floor panel and as a means for mounting the sleeper cab to the tractor frame.
In modern tractor/trailer rigs such as are used for hauling cargo long distances, the tractor for the rig is often provided with a separate sleeper cab located behind the driver's cab and used by the driver for resting and sleeping while stopped along the road. The sleeper cabs are usually fabricated of sheet metal and are fully enclosed to provide protection from the weather. Often, they have separate heating and air conditioning systems. The primary purpose is to provide the driver with a sleeping facility at any time day or night.
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a tractor/trailer rig illustrating a sleeper cab having a floor subframe embodying the invention;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, elevational view, with parts broken away and shown in section, illustrating the sleeper cab of FIG. 1 and the floor subframe embodying the invention;
FIG. 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3--3 of FIG. 2, with parts broken away and shown in section for the purpose of illustration;
Referring more particularly to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a tractor/trailer rig 10 including a cargo trailer 11, and a tractor 12 that includes parallel longitudinal frame members or beams 13 and 14, a driver's cab 15 mounted thereon and a sleeper cab 20 mounted to the frame members 13 and 14 at the rear of the driver's cab 15.
As shown in FIG. 2, the sleeper cab 20 has a floor subframe 30 embodying the invention, mounted on upright front brackets 16 and rear brackets 17 that are bolted to the tractor frame members 13 and 14.
The sleeper cab 20 is formed of metal sheet such as aluminum alloy fabricatd to form an enclosure. The cab has a six-sided configuration, as best shown in FIG. 1, and includes front and rear panels 21 and 22, side wall front sections 23 and 24, and side wall main sections 25 and 26. The front wall 21 has a window or opening that permits access back and forth between the driver's cab and the sleeper cab. Also, the side wall main section 26 has an exterior door 28. A sheet metal floor panel 29 is supported on and welded to the floor subframe 30.