Patent GB-241283-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in automobile bodies
IPC: B62D25/00
Filed: 1924-07-17
Abstract: 241,283. Dehn, F. B., (Budd Manufacturing Co., E. G.). July 17, 1924. Bodies. - Relates to allmetal bodies for motor-cars and comprises chiefly a metallic one-piece side-sill having a main portion and a tonneau portion, the outer edge of the tonneau portion being offset inwardly of the body to constitute a foundation for an inset wheelhousing. The sills 26, shown in plan in Fig. 9, have a substantially straight inner wall 29, offset at 31, and provided at 30, 32 with horizontal flanges. The outer wall 27 is curved longitudinally to conform to the body shell, the tonneau portion 28, which is considerably deeper than the main portion of the wall, being set inwardly to conform to the wheel-housing, and also set upwardly as shown in Fig. 4. A reinforcing plate 33 is secured at the juncture of the tonneau and main portions of the outer wall. The skeleton frame of the body comprises door posts 38, Fig. 2, 57, 58, Fig. 3, amd 89, Fig. 4, secured to the sills. The arched cowl panel 10, Fig. 2, is flanged inwardly at its lower edges 25 and secured beneath the sills 26, its front edges are formed as shown at 18, 19 to receive the bonnet and are secured to a flanged transverse panel 21, and at its rear edges are flanged inwardly and secured to the door posts 38, which are secured to the sills by brackets 39. An instrument panel 41 stiffened by flanging at 44 is bent at 42, 43 and secured to the cowl at 40, the cowl structure being further strengthened by angle members 47 and brackets 45 which also serve as supports for the wind-screen stanchions. Inclined foot-board supports 50 are secured to the sills and to a flange 24 at the top of a central opening 23 in the panel 21. The threshold of the front door comprises flanged channel members 13, 55, Fig. 6, secured to the sill 26 and to the threshold plate 54, which may be flanged at 56 to abut against the floor boards, which are supported on the sill-flange 30. The side panels 11, Fig. 3, of the front seat portion are flanged at their front and rear edges and secured to the door posts 57, 58, their lower edges having inwardly projecting flanges 72 secured to the sills 26. The seat back panel 15 is secured to the posts 58 and has a flanged lower edge 59 secured to a transverse meber 60, 61 secured on the flanges 30 of the sills 26. The seat support 70, 71 rests at the rear on the part 60 and at the front on a curved transverse panel 66 secured to the posts 57 and to a transverse channel member 65 secured to the sill-flanges 30. The compartment under the seat is completed by a dished plate 63. The floor at the rear of the seat panel 15 is formed by longitudinal channel members 73, Fig. 7, secured to the sill-flanges 31 and to downwardly extending flanges 75 on a floor member 76 which is interposed between the members 73 on each side of the body. The members 73 constitute recesses to receive auxiliary folding seats. The tonneau panel 12 is recessed at 85 to form wheel housings and is secured at its front edges to the door posts 89, its lower edges being flanged inwardly and secured beneath the upwardly set portions of the sills 26 and a transverse channel member 96 connecting the inset rear ends of the sills. Braces 86, 87 are provided to strengthen the structure and to carry the hood supports. The seat support 94 is secured at the rear to the member 96, at the sides to rearwardly and downwardly inclined angle irons 35, Fig. 9, on the sills, and at the front to a transverse member 92 forming part of an inclined floor plate 77 which rests on the inclined upper surface of the transverse channel member 90, and is secured to forwardly and downwardly inclined flanges 32 on the inner walls of the sills.