Space frame construction

A rocker construction for a space frame on an automotive vehicle, comprising:

• at least one elongated rocker member including means forming an open portion;
• an elongated cover member adapted to close said open portion;
• means for securing said rocker member and said cover member together;
• said rocker member including means forming at least a pair of channels;
• said means forming an open portion comprising a first flange extending outwardly on at least two side edges thereof;
• said cover member comprising an arcuate base wall having a second flange extending outwardly on at least two edges thereof;
• and wherein said means forming at least a pair of channels comprises a pair of side walls spaced and substantially parallel to each other and a base wall interconnecting said side walls.

A rocker construction for a space frame on an automotive vehicle, comprising:

• at least one elongated rocker member including means forming an open portion;
• an elongated cover member adapted to close said open portion;
• means for securing said rocker member and said cover member together;
• said rocker member including means forming at least a pair of channels;
• and
• wherein said channels are orientated at an angle of ninety degrees relative to each other.

A space frame for an automotive vehicle comprising:

• at least one longitudinally extending rocker including means forming at least one open portion;
• at least one longitudinally extending cover member adapted to close said open portion;
• means for securing said cover member and said rocker member;
• said rocker member including means forming at least a pair of channels, said channels being located on adjacent sides of said rocker member;
• said means forming at least one open portion comprising a first flange extending outwardly on at least two side edges thereof;
• and
• said cover member comprising an arcuate base wall having a second flange extending outwardly on at least two sides thereof.

A space frame for an automotive vehicle comprising:

• at least one longitudinally extending rocker member including means forming at least one open portion;
• at least one longitudinally extending cover member adapted to close said open portion;
• means for securing said rocker member and said rocker member;
• said rocker member including means forming at least a pair of channels;
• said means forming at least one open portion comprising a first flange extending outwardly on at least two side edges thereof;
• and
• said cover member comprising an arcuate base wall having a second flange extending outwardly on at least two edges thereof;
• and wherein said means forming at least a pair of channels comprises a pair of side walls spaced and substantially parallel to each other and a base wall interconnecting said side walls.

A method of constructing a space frame for an automotive vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

• forming at least one longitudinally extending rocker member with side walls spaced and substantially parallel to each other and a base wall interconnecting the side walls to form at least a pair of channels and having a flange extending outwardly from at least two of the side walls to form an open portion;
• forming at least one longitudinally extending cover member with an arcuate base wall having a flange extending outwardly at each end;
• closing the open portion with the cover member;
• securing the cover member to the rocker member.

A rocker construction for a space frame on an automotive vehicle comprising:

• at least one elongated rocker member including side walls spaced and substantially parallel to each other and a base wall interconnecting said side walls and forming at least two channels orientated at an angle of substantially ninety degrees relative to each other and a first flange extending outwardly perpendicularly to said side walls to form an elongated opening;
• at least one elongated cover member to close said opening including a generally arcuate base wall having a second flange extending outwardly at each end of said base wall;
• and
• means for securing said first and second flanges together.

A space frame for an automotive vehicle comprising:

• at least one longitudinally extending rocker member including side walls spaced and substantially parallel to each other and a base wall interconnecting said side walls and forming at least two channels orientated at an angle of substantially ninety degrees relative to each other and a first flange extending outwardly on at least two side edges thereof to form an elongated opening;
• at least one longitudinally extending cover member having an arcuate base wall and a second flange extending outwardly on at least two side edges thereof to close said opening;
• and
• welds between said first and second flanges to secure said cover member and rocker member together.

A method of constructing a space frame for an automotive vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

• forming at least one longitudinally extending rocker member with side walls spaced and substantially parallel to each other and a base wall interconnecting said side walls to form at least two channels orientated at an angle of substantially ninety degrees relative to each other and a first flange extending outwardly from at least two side walls to form an elongated opening;
• forming at least one longitudinally extending cover member having an arcuate base wall and a second flange extending outwardly at each end;
• closing the opening with the cover member such that the first and second flanges abut each other;
• and
• welding the first and second flanges of the cover member and rocker member together to secure the cover member to the rocker member.