Vehicle chassis and body construction
AssigneeJoalto Design, Inc.
InventorJohn A. Townsend
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention relates to chassis and body panel structural systems for a wide variety of vehicles, including automotive, water vessels, aircraft and human powered vehicles, principally comprising a node and interlocking spaceframe system that can be hand assembled in the field. The invention also comprises a key and lock system for wedgingly interlocking body panels to the spaceframe. Together these systems comprise novel Frame Integration Technology (FIT) of the invention. Examples of vehicles include autos, utility vehicles (trucks), public transport vehicles, light boats, human powered vehicles such as bicycles, pedicabs and the like, and light aircraft.
Claims14
A vehicle frame assembly comprising:
- a) a plurality of spaced nodes, each having at least one receptacle;
- b) a plurality of generally elongated frame members spanning between nodes, and received at an end in a node receptacle;
- c) a latching member disposed to span between a node and a frame member to lockingly engage said frame end into said node receptacle;
- d) said nodes and frame members being selected, sized and adapted to form a vehicle space frame.
A vehicle body panel assembly comprising
- a) a configured body panel having an exterior face and an interior face;
- b) a plurality of fixed keys adjacent selected margins of said panel located on at least one interior face said panel to matingly engage correspondingly located receptacles on at least one vehicle frame member;
- c) at least one reciprocable key assembly disposed on said interior face to force said fixed keys into seated engagement with their corresponding receptacles to secure said panel to said frame.
A vehicle body panel assembly as in claim wherein said reciprocable key assembly includes a locking member to prevent said reciprocable key from becoming disengage from its receptacle.
A vehicle frame and body assembly which includes a frame assembly comprising:
- a) a plurality of spaced nodes, each having at least one receptacle;
- b) a plurality of generally elongated frame members spanning between nodes, and received at an end in a node receptacle;
- c) a latching member disposed to span between a node and a frame member to lockingly engage said frame end into said node receptacle;
- d) said nodes and frame members being selected, sized and adapted to form a vehicle space frame;
- and
- which frame assembly receives and carries panels comprising:
- e) a configured body panel having an exterior face and an interior face;
- f) a plurality of fixed keys adjacent selected margins of said panel located on at least one interior face said panel to matingly engage correspondingly located receptacles on at least one said frame member;
- and
- g) at least one reciprocable key assembly disposed on said interior face to force said fixed keys into seated engagement with their corresponding receptacles to secure said panel to said frame.
Method of constructing a vehicle comprising:
- a) providing pre-selected vehicle frame assembly components comprising:
- i) a plurality of spaced nodes, each having at least one receptacle;
- ii) a plurality of generally elongated frame members spanning between nodes, and received at an end in a node receptacle;
- iii) a latching member disposed to span between a node and a frame member to lockingly engage said frame end into said node receptacle;
- iv) said nodes and frame members being selected, sized and adapted to form a vehicle space frame;
- and
- v) said components being selected to form a predetermined type of vehicle;
- b) providing pre-selected matching body panel components comprising:
- i) a configured body panel having an exterior face and an interior face;
- ii) a plurality of fixed keys adjacent selected margins of said panel located on at least one interior face said panel to matingly engage correspondingly located receptacles on at least one said frame member;
- iii) at least one reciprocable key assembly disposed on said interior face to force said fixed keys into seated engagement with their corresponding receptacles to secure said panel to said frame;
- and
- c) assembling said frame and body panels to form a predetermined vehicle type, such as, but not limited to, automotive sedan, coupe, van, minivan, truck, pick-up, long bed pick-up, camper, sports-utility vehicle, human powered vehicle, boat, aircraft, public transport vehicle and the like.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.