Patent GB-495254-A (GB)
Title: An improved vehicle construction
IPC: B62D23/00
Filed: 1937-04-09
Abstract: 495,254. Vehicle bodies, floors, and underframes. PRESSED STEEL CO., Ltd., and SWALLOW, W. April 9, 1937, N6. 10113. [Class 108 (i)] [Also in Group XXXI] A road vehicle comprises underframe, floor, and body structures, the underframe structure being a self-supporting unit including longitudinal side frame members of open section and of increased depth at their forward ends and the body structure also being a self-supporting unit having forward extensions arranged to mate with the forward ends of the longitudinal side frame members and in combination therewith presenting a rigid framework of closed-section members at the forward end of the vehicle. Figs. 5, 3, 4 show respectively part of the body A, the underframe, and the floor. The underframe comprises longitudinal channel-section members 11, 12 interconnected by channel-section transverse members 13, 14, 15 and a front tubular member 16, the longitudinals being shaped to correspond with the contour of the lower margins of the body and towards their rear ends 17, 18 arched upwardly to accommodate the rear axle. At their forward ends the longitudinals are of triangular shape and have apertures 19, 20, the resulting bifurcated structures presenting upper and lower flanged channel-section members. The transverse members 13, 14, 15 have horizontal flanges 23 and vertical flanges 24 by which they are secured, e.g. by spot-welding, to the webs 36 of the longitudinals, strengthening brackets 25 behind the member 14 serving primarily as the forward anchorages of the rear springs. The members constituting the underframe are preferably of sheet-metal but may be light alloy castings or of moulded material, e.g. synthetic resin. The body 41, Fig. 5, is formed with forwardly-extending portions 42 at its front end embracing the engine space, a cowl portion 43, tonneau portion 44, roof 45, centre posts 46, and threshold portions 47 and may be built up of sheet-metal stampings, or a framework of wood or metal to which exterior panelling &c. is secured, or may be composed of synthetic resin or like mouldable material. When mounting the body on the underframe, the portions 42 are arranged to bear against the bifurcated, flanged, forward portions of the underframe and to be secured thereto through the vertical flanges 32 of the latter, while in the threshold regions the vertical flanges 49 on the body sills 47 are secured to flanges 31 on the longitudinals, and in the front and rear wheelhousing regions the body panels 42, 50 are secured to flanges 32, 33 on the longitudinals which thus constitute, in combination with the body, box-section members. The floor, which comprises a pan 51 having a front footboard 52, a cut-out portion 53 for the gearbox &c., and a transmission-shaft tunnel 54 having its rear end turned upwardly to form a rear seat support 55, is secured on the underframe preferably by welding, the edges 57 of the pan 51 being secured to the horizontal flanges 37 of the longitudinals 11, 12 and to the flanges 23 of the transverse members 13, 14, 15 which thus in combination with the floor also constitute boxsection members. The floor may be secured to the body and the combined structures then secured to the underframe. The body, floor, and underframe may be corrugated or reinforced, and the underframe may include oblique open-section bracing members which may be closed on assembly of the parts. Specification 436,850 is referred to.