# US 9,038,523 B2 · Vehicle floor

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- Number: US 9,038,523 B2
- Document ID: US9038523B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/965,387
- Filed: 2013-08-13
- Published: 2014-07-24
- Granted: 2015-05-26
- Earliest claimed: 2012-08-24
- Assignees: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
- Applicants: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
- Inventors: James G. Rasico; Gordon J. Wolverton; Paul R. Pasternak; Timothy Oselett; Craig Alan Newman; David M. Gerst; Jeffrey A. Mears; Joseph A. Calash
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038523B2

## CPC

- F41H 7/042: {Floors or base plates for increased land mine protection}
- F41H: ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL

## Abstract

Blast absorbing structures and system for use in absorbing blast forces exerted on a floor of a personnel cabin of a vehicle, are disclosed. The blast absorbing flexing structure comprises a bottom section forming a floor of the cabin, a first side section and opposing second side section, each side section extending from the bottom section and including a plurality of steps along a length of the second side section. The steps flex in response to a blast force. In another embodiment, the blast absorbing expanding structure comprises a force abatement device forming a floor of the cabin, a cover plate having a plurality of slots arranged around a perimeter of the plate. The cover plate is movable between a neutral position and a blast force position to diminish the blast forces prior to the blast forces to reaching an occupant of the cabin.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A blast absorbing flexing structure for use in absorbing blast force energy exerted on an underside of a personnel cabin of a vehicle, the structure comprising:
a bottom section forming a floor of the cabin;
a first side section extending from the bottom section, the first side section having a plurality of steps along a length of the side section, each of the plurality of steps vertically progressing to another step;
a second side section extending from the bottom surface and opposite to the first side section, the second side section having a plurality of steps along a length of the second side section, each of the plurality of steps vertically progressing to another step; and,
wherein the bottom section and side sections form an absorption component cooperatively moveable between an initial position and a blast force position to diminish the blast forces reaching an occupant of the cabin, wherein the bottom and side sections form an interior of the vehicle.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The blast absorbing flexing structure of claim 1, wherein the side sections flex in response to a blast force exerted on the underside of the vehicle.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The blast absorbing flexing structure of claim 1, wherein the structure further includes at least one energy absorbing support.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The blast absorbing flexing structure of claim 3, wherein the energy absorbing support receives an initial blast force exerted on the underside of the vehicle.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The blast absorbing flexing structure of claim 4, wherein the energy absorbing support deforms in response to the initial blast force.