Extruded vehicle chassis and method of making a chassis
OwnerDaniel E. Panozinventor
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OwnerDaniel E. Panozinventor
Estimating the term…
A method of manufacturing a vehicle chassis and a vehicle chassis that is formed in modules with couplers for connecting extruded beams. The method includes extruding a plurality of beams and a plurality of couplers that are loosely assembled together to a fixture having locating pins that are received in pockets formed on the couplers and securing the beams and couplers together to form a chassis. The chassis includes a center chassis module to which the fire wall bulkhead and passenger compartment are secured, a drive train and front suspension module to which the engine transmission and front suspension are attached, a rear suspension module to which the rear suspension and gas tank are secured, and front and rear crush modules including the front and rear bumper assemblies, respectively. Couplers used in forming the chassis include a central portion having an outer wall and a plurality of inner walls extending inwardly from the outer wall to the pocket. At least two receptacles are connected to and extend outwardly from the central portion of the coupler. The receptacles are sized to be received in a central opening of one of the extruded beams.
A chassis for a vehicle having a firewall bulkhead, passenger compartment, engine, transmission, front suspension, rear suspension, and fuel tank comprising:
A coupler for forming a chassis formed of a plurality of extruded aluminum beams having a central opening comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.