Integrated vehicle body weight(s)
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsDavid T. Renke, Michael A. Faucett, Jr., Joseph M. Polewarczyk
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle having a power-source configured to propel the vehicle via power-source torque, a driven wheel configured to receive the power-source torque, and a vehicle body structure. The vehicle body structure includes a wheelhouse configured to extend over the driven wheel and also defines a locating feature. The vehicle further includes an integrated weight element configured to engage the locating feature and a fastener configured to fix the integrated weight element to the vehicle body structure either proximate to or directly to the wheelhouse. The vehicle can be configured as a truck, wherein the vehicle body structure includes a truck bed incorporating the wheelhouse and the integrated weight element.
Claims17
A vehicle comprising:
- a driven wheel configured to receive a power-source torque;
- a vehicle body structure including a wheelhouse configured to extend over the driven wheel and defining a locating feature, wherein the vehicle body structure defines a storage compartment, the wheelhouse is arranged inside the storage compartment, and the locating feature is a plurality of apertures defined by the storage compartment;
- an integrated weight element configured to engage the locating feature, wherein the integrated weight element includes a plurality of projections configured to match up to and engage the plurality of apertures, and a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is arranged perpendicular to the second surface, and wherein each of the plurality of projections extends from the first surface along the second surface;
- and
- a fastener configured to fix the integrated weight element to the vehicle body structure either proximate to or directly to the wheelhouse.
A truck comprising:
- a power-source configured to propel the vehicle via power-source torque;
- a driven wheel configured to receive the power-source torque;
- a truck bed including a side-wall, a floor, and a wheelhouse configured to extend over the driven wheel and defining a locating feature, wherein the wheelhouse is formed into the side-wall and the floor and the locating feature is defined by the side-wall of the truck bed;
- an integrated weight element configured to engage the locating feature;
- and
- a fastener configured to fix the integrated weight element to the vehicle body structure either proximate to or directly to the wheelhouse.
A weight element assembly configured to engage a locating feature on a vehicle body structure, the weight element comprising:
- a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is arranged perpendicular to the second surface;
- a projection extending from the first surface along the second surface and configured to match up to and engage the locating feature on the vehicle body structure;
- a fastener configured to fix the integrated weight element to the vehicle body structure;
- a weight element aperture arranged perpendicular to the second surface and configured to accept the fastener;
- and
- a slidable interlock configured to capture the fastener within the aperture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.