Patent GB-514636-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to motor vehicles
IPC: B62D21/10
Filed: 1938-05-11
Abstract: 514,636. Motor vehicles. BRIGGS MOTOR BODIES, Ltd., McINTOSH, J. E., and WARD, D. L. May 11, 1938, No. 14062. [Classes 108 (i) and 108 (ii)] [Also in Group XXXI] An integral frame and floor structure 15 for a motor vehicle extends forwardly along two opposite sides of the engine crank case and is reinforced by a tubular or semi - tubular back - bone device which merges into the front portion of the structure at or adjacent to the portions thereof which extend along the sides of the crank case. As shown, the structure 15 is formed by a metal stamping' having a series of stiffening depressions 15a and an opening 16 for accommodating the engine. The back-bone device which includes the propeller shaft tunnel comprises an upper semi-circular or semioval portion 17 formed in or welded to the stamping 15 and terminating at its front end at a point 19 behind the gearbox or the universal joint, and a similar lower portion 18 formed in one or more parts terminating at its rear end, e.g., in front of the differential housing or the rear universal joint. At the rear of the opening 16 the section of the tunnel portion 18 changes to a rectangular channel 25a, Fig. 3, the centre part of the bottom of which is cut away, the bottom edges being secured to flanges 23 on vertical webs 22 bent down from the stamping thus forming box - section members along the sides of the opening 16. A reinforcing channel (not shown) may be attached between the rear ends of the webs 22 and the tunnel portion 18. Vertical flanges 26 at the outer edges of the stamping may, in conjunction with the outer panels of the vehicle body, complete a boxsection side sill extending from the scuttle side or front wing to the rear wheel housing In order to carry quarter - elliptic springs, the stamping 15 is reinforced on each side by two channel &c. section members 27, 28, Fig. 11, attached at their front ends respectively to the flange 26 and the tunnel portion 18, the upper flange or flanges of each member being welded to the stamping. At the rear ends the members converge to form a box-section device in which the fixed end of the spring is fixed and each member 28 may be extended rearwardly and reinforced by a plate 30 to carry the rear wheel shock-absorber. For semi-elliptic springing the rear shackles of the front springs are carried on reinforcements 21. In a modification the members 27 are' extended to carry the rear shackles of semi-elliptic springs for the rear wheels. In another construction a transverse member extends approximately over the rear axle and carries a transverse spring or accommodates helical springs. Fig. 13 shows the application to the stamping of an independent front-wheel suspension using a transverse leaf spring 37, a channel-section tranverse member 36 being attached to the bottom flanges on each side of the bifurcated front end of the stamping and secured to a second reinforcing member 38 mounted on the upper surface of the stamping and carrying plates 39 for shackle connections. In a further construction the outer flanges 26 of the stamping replace the bifurcated extensions of the tunnel portion 18 which is splayed outwardly for attachment to the flanges, inwardly - turned bottom flanges on the flanges 26 forming boxsections. Alternatively a tie plate may be secured at the bottom between the inner and outer flanges to form box-sections therewith.