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US 8,540,272 B1Granted
Expandable vehicle chassis and method
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsRobert L. Vitale, Christopher E. Borroni-Bird, Roland J. Menassa
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vehicle chassis includes a vehicle chassis frame. The frame has a first frame portion and a second frame portion operatively connected to the first frame portion. The second frame portion is selectively movable with respect to the first frame portion such that the length of the chassis is selectively variable. The chassis may thus be lengthened to support the addition of an extension unit when additional passenger space or cargo space is desired.
Claims10
A vehicle comprising:
- a vehicle chassis including a chassis frame having a first frame portion and a second frame portion and being characterized by a length;
- said second frame portion being movably mounted with respect to the first frame portion such that the second frame portion is selectively movable fore and aft between a first position and a second position;
- and
- a first vehicle body defining a first interior compartment being mounted with respect to the first frame portion;
- wherein the length of the chassis is larger when the second frame portion is in the second position than when the second frame portion is in the first position;
- wherein the first vehicle body covers substantially all of the chassis frame when the second frame portion is in the first position;
- and
- wherein at least part of the second frame portion is not covered by the first vehicle body when the second frame portion is in the second position.
5 more elements
A method comprising:
- providing a vehicle having a vehicle chassis frame and at least three wheels rotatably mounted with respect to the chassis frame, said chassis frame having a first frame portion and a second frame portion movably mounted with respect to the first frame portion, and said vehicle having a first vehicle body mounted with respect to the first frame portion;
- and
- increasing the length of the vehicle chassis by moving the second frame portion with respect to the first frame portion from a retracted position, in which the second portion is substantially entirely covered by the first vehicle body, to an extended position in which at least part of the second portion is uncovered by the first vehicle body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.