Vehicle with large planar composite panels
US6349988B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 15, 2000 |
| Grant date | Feb 26, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 15, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/4998
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle with large side panels includes composite panels that are lightweight and economical to manufacture. A superstructure has a plurality of attached composite panels. In one embodiment, the superstructure has grooves for receiving the composite panels. The composite panels preferably fit together via a tongue and groove configuration. Alternatively, the superstructure has support beams that have threaded receiving holes. Each composite panel then includes threaded inserts aligned with the receiving holes and that attach to the receiving holes. In both embodiments, each composite panel preferably includes at least an outer colored layer, a sheet of polymeric material attached to the colored layer and an inner layer attached to the polymeric material. Other layers can be added depending upon the use of the vehicle. For instance, a layer of insulating foam can be added if the vehicle is to be refrigerated. Further, an additional structural support layer can be added to increase the strength of the walls.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.