Patent ID: 6138783
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: B61D,B62D,Y02T

Abstract:
Drive unit (1; 101) capable of being coupled directly and linked rigidly, by coupling/uncoupling means (8a, 8a', 8b, 8b'; 108a, 108a'), to at least one rolling body (10, 14; 114) provided with rolling gear, to form a vehicle, which drive unit (1; 101) consists of a structure formed of a chassis (2; 102) having two opposite edges generally parallel to the direction of rolling (D), which chassis (2) supports a source of motive power (6) and is itself supported, along said opposite edges, by a pair of side walls (3a, 3b: 103a, 103b) which in turn are each supported by at least one set of rolling gear (4a, 4b: 104) and form housings for the passage of transmission means from said source of motive power (6) towards said rolling gear, which is capable of converting said motive power into work, whereinsaid side walls (3a, 3b; 103a, 103b) each have two opposite faces (7a, 7b: 107a, 107a', 107a"", 108) generally perpendicular to the direction of rolling (D) and on each of which the aforementioned coupling/uncoupling means (8a, 8a', 8b, 8b'; 108a, 108a') are provided,and said coupling/uncoupling means (8a, 8a', 8b, 8b'; 108a, 108a') are capable of interacting with mating coupling/uncoupling means belonging to a transport body of the container type to a body intended for transporting passengers (12, 14; 114) and/or forming a driver's position (19, 10),so that said drive unit (1; 101) is adapted to form a detachable part of said vehicle, which can be coupled, by an operator of the vehicle, to different transport bodies, so as to form a vehicle adapted to a given use.