Vehicle chassis and body construction
US6010182A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 10, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 4, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 10, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16B7/22
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
This invention relates to chassis and body panel structural systems for a wide variety of vehicles, including automotive, water vessels, aircraft and human powered vehicles, principally comprising a node and interlocking spaceframe system that can be hand assembled in the field. The invention also comprises a key and lock system for wedgingly interlocking body panels to the spaceframe. Together these systems comprise novel Frame Integration Technology (FIT) of the invention. Examples of vehicles include autos, utility vehicles (trucks), public transport vehicles, light boats, human powered vehicles such as bicycles, pedicabs and the like, and light aircraft.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.