# US 9,434,420 B1 · Vehicle underbody structure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,434,420 B1 - Document ID: US9434420B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 14/664,370 - Filed: 2015-03-20 - Published: 2016-09-22 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2015-03-20 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Tofiqul Islam; Behrooz Shahidi; Lawrence Walczak; Andre Thompson; John Michael McGuckin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9434420B1 ## CPC - B62D 25/2009: {in connection with other superstructure subunits} - B60N 2/015: Attaching seats directly to vehicle chassis - B62D 25/20: Floors or bottom sub-units {(sub-frames for mounting engine or suspensions B62D21/11; drip trays F16N31/006)} - B62D 27/023: {Assembly of structural joints} - B62D 25/2036: {the subunits being side panels, sills or pillars (B62D21/157 takes precedence)} - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A vehicle is provided. The vehicle has an underbody that includes a floor panel, a pair of laterally spaced side members affixed to opposing lateral side portions of the floor panel, a plurality of cross members affixed to and spanning the pair of side members, a longitudinal member affixed to and spanning two adjacent cross members, and a mounting element affixed to the longitudinal member. The longitudinal member is configured to transfer a load from the mounting element to the adjacent cross members. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle underbody comprising: a floor panel; a pair of laterally spaced side members affixed to opposing ends of the floor panel; a plurality of cross members affixed to each of and spanning the pair of side members; a longitudinal member affixed to and spanning two adjacent cross members; and a mounting element affixed to the longitudinal member, wherein the longitudinal member transfers a load from the mounting element to the adjacent cross members. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle underbody of claim 1, wherein the mounting element comprises a bolt including a threaded portion that extends from the longitudinal member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The vehicle underbody of claim 2, wherein a head of the bolt is welded to the longitudinal member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The vehicle underbody of claim 1, wherein a vehicle seat is secured to floor panel with the mounting element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The vehicle underbody of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cross members and the longitudinal member are affixed to the floor panel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The vehicle underbody of claim 5, wherein the side members, cross members, and longitudinal member are affixed to the floor panel by a series of spot welds. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The vehicle underbody of claim 1, further comprising a first reinforcement gusset affixed to the longitudinal member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The vehicle underbody of claim 7, further comprising a second mounting element affixed to the first reinforcement gusset, wherein the first reinforcement gusset transfers a load from the second mounting element to the longitudinal member and adjacent cross members. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The vehicle underbody of claim 1, further comprising a second reinforcement gusset affixed to a first one of the plurality of cross members and the longitudinal member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The vehicle underbody of claim 9, further comprising a third mounting element affixed to the second reinforcement gusset. ### Claim 11 A vehicle comprising: a floor panel; a pair of laterally spaced side members affixed to opposing ends of the floor panel; first and second cross members affixed to each of and spanning the side members; a longitudinal member affixed to and spanning the cross members; and a mounting element affixed to the longitudinal member, wherein the longitudinal member transfers a load from the mounting element to the cross members. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the mounting element comprises a bolt including a threaded portion that extends from the longitudinal member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The vehicle of claim 12, wherein a head of the bolt is welded to the longitudinal member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The vehicle of claim 11, wherein a rear vehicle seat is secured to the floor panel with the mounting element. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising a first reinforcement gusset affixed to the longitudinal member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The vehicle of claim 15, further comprising a second mounting element affixed to the first reinforcement gusset, wherein the first reinforcement gusset transfers a load from the second mounting element to the longitudinal member and cross members. ### Claim 17 A vehicle underbody comprising: a floor panel; a pair of laterally spaced side members affixed to opposing ends of the floor panel; a first cross member, affixed to each of and spanning the side members, and defining a first laterally extending closed cross section; a second cross member, affixed to each of and spanning the side members, and defining a second laterally extending closed cross section; a longitudinal member affixed to and spanning the cross members; and a seat mount affixed to the longitudinal member, wherein the longitudinal member transfers a load from seat mount to the cross members. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The vehicle underbody of claim 17, wherein a rear vehicle seat is secured to the seat mount. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The vehicle underbody of claim 17, further comprising a first reinforcement gusset affixed to the longitudinal member. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The vehicle underbody of claim 19, further comprising a second seat mount affixed to the first reinforcement gusset, wherein the first reinforcement gusset transfers a load from the second seat mount to the longitudinal member and cross members.