Patent ID: 9340230
Filing Date: 2016-05-17
CPC Classification: B60G,B60R,B62D

Claim Text:
1. A chassis for a vehicle having a locally narrower portion within which is mounted at least one wheel, the wheel having a quiescent position, a thickness, an axis about which it rotates when in the quiescent position, and a substantially circular outer profile, the chassis further comprising a rigid member in the form of a column extending from the chassis toward the quiescent position of the wheel and ending at a point which is, when the wheel is in its quiescent position, spaced radially from the outer profile and located axially within the thickness of the wheel, wherein the rigidity of the rigid member provides a path for impact forces to be transmitted from the wheel into the chassis, and wherein the structure of the chassis is defined by a plurality of tubular members forming a three-dimensional framework of tubular members that run in a generally longitudinal direction and are linked by vertical tubular struts with planar members affixed thereto, the planar members allowing forces to be transmitted between the tubular members making up the chassis, the rigid member extending from said vertical tubular strut, wherein the rigid member has a crush strength in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis which is greater than the crush strength of the wheel.