AU612604B2

AU612604B2 - A frame for the box-shaped body of a commercial vehicle

Info

Publication number: AU612604B2
Application number: AU80600/87A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ulrich Rollin
Original assignee: Alusuisse Holdings AG; Schweizerische Aluminium AG
Current assignee: Alcan Holdings Switzerland AG
Priority date: 1986-11-03
Filing date: 1987-11-02
Publication date: 1991-07-18
Anticipated expiration: 2007-11-02
Also published as: ATE65056T1; EP0267152B1; FI874811A0; DK571687D0; DE3771307D1; NO874518D0; AU8060087A; NO167502B; FI87170B; FI87170C; DK571687A; NO167502C; EP0267152A1; FI874811A; NO874518L; ES2023437B3

Abstract

A set of profiles consisting of a U-shaped basic profile (20) and a covering profile (30) which can be attached to its legs (22, 23) is used for the framework of a utility vehicle body, particularly as posts (6). The basic profile (20) is incorporated into the framework with outwardly open channel (24) and connected to the cross bands (2, 3) through its solid wall base (21) by means of connecting elements (25, 26) and bolts (27). In order to increase the angular rigidity, reinforcing elements (28) are inserted in the basic profile channel (24) at the corner joints as required. Since the covering profile (30) is fitted subsequently all the fastening and reinforcing elements are concealed. <IMAGE>

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 612604 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: 4* .e 4.

Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority Related Art: 4* 0 0 't o APPLICANT'S REFERENCE: Case 1753 Name(s) of Applicant(s): Swiss Aluminium Ltd.

Address(es) of Applicant(s): CH-3965, Chippis,

SWITZERLAND.

Address for Service is: PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 AUSTRALIA Complete Specification for the invention entitled: -A -fRkMiE Bow SET-O -E-X-TR-g3 -FOR THE BOX-SHAPEDA OF A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE kND=..IE Our Ref 72381 POF Code: 1526/1526 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s): S600t/ 1 14 whichI as shown, pushes over the flange pair 75 and 76. In r 2 A F Eo0y *SET- OF EXRUSIONS FOR THE BOX-SHAPED)D ~4f-OF A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE The present invention relates to a ot-- ~-f-=et:rc -ff for the body frame of a commercial vehicle which is particularly suitable for the construction of transverse frames and door frames e.g. a rear wall frame designed to feature rear wall doors and such that similar or different extrusions can be employed for -the rest of the frame. l i:ti e fLL. LD sees Up to now rectangular hollow sections have been used to form the corner posts of the rear wall frame in vehicle body 15 frames. Various disadvantages arise, however, from that design: the twisting of the frame that arises while the vehicle is being driven leads to stresses that appear most pronounced in the form of transverse forces acting in the plane of the *rear wall frame. If the framework is closed off at the back by 20 a wall insert, then this simultaneously acts ~estiffening for p the rear wall frame. Usually, however, the frame is fitted at the back with a single or double leaf door, roll-top door or S* the like. The rigidity of the rear wall frame then depends completly on the corner connections between the corner post V 25 and the upper beam and, in particular, the lower beam. These corner connections must therefore be designed to have the necessary strength. They can be made by welding or by mechanical means.

In aluminium constructions, however, welding the component parts together results in a weakening of the extrusions due to softening of the metal structure. Furthermore, the extruded j 3 sections have to be subsequently straightened and then cleaned. This means a great deal of post assembly work and, in addition, residual stresses in the sections.

In the case of mechanical corner connections made via threaded bolts passing through the corner posts and this both with steel structures and aluminium structures filler pieces have to be inserted into the rectangular hollow sections in order that the hollow sections will not buckle. Furthermore, the connecting bolts project out. In somes cases further, visible see reinforcement is required.

999w Apart from the above mentioned corner posts it can be useful in addition to employ other frame parts for the box-shaped structure, which however again poses the same problem of connecting them together.

I can be seen that the use of rectangular hollow sections for the corner posts, or as other component parts of the frame, 20 results in various difficulties and disadvantages, and this both in the actual assembly and in the assembled structure.

9 9 The object of the invention is therefore to develop structural extrusions f rvr which permit easier assembly and enable various other advantages to be gained.

This object is achieved by way of the invention in the form of B;L===ejE__t %m tuifcomprising two complimentary sections viz., one U-shaped main section that is a component part of the box-shaped frame, and a cover section that can subsequently be secured to the flange of the main section.

S A N~1/ According to the present invention there is provided a frame for the construction of a box-shaped body of a vehicle, the frame including two elongate frame members each adapted to form an upright post of a respective side wall of the vehicle body, said frame members being secured in parallel spaced relationship by a first strut member releasably coupled at or adjacent one end of each frame member and by a second strut member releasably coupled at or adjacent the other end of each frame member; each frame member having a U-shaped transverse section to define therealong a web or base, a respective flange at each edge of the web or base, and a channel which opens away from the other frame member; the frame further including a o respective elongate cover member for each frame member, 1 oo each cover member being releasably attached to the flanges of its frame member for covering said channel; at least \one flange of each frame member having therealong a side flange which extends substantially parallel to said web or base, said side flange defining a contact surface against i 20 which an edge margin of a wall panel of the vehicle body is supportable, with each cover member having a side projection for holding such wall panel side margin against a said contact surface.

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i o C4 -3a- 4 On constructing the box-shaped frame the U-shaped main section is installed with its channel facing outwards, preferably with the base of the section running parallel to the longitudinal walls of the box. This permits the connection between the transversal sections acting as upper or lower strut and the main sections acting as posts to be made at their bases i.e.

at a full-walled, readily accessable part of the section, especially when aided by connecting pieces such as angle pieces and if necessary or desired by reinforcing elements inserted in the channels. A similar procedure is carried out "See with U-shaped main sections employed for other components part 99*9 of the frame.

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'see Only when these connection steps have been completed and any further facilities e.g. electrical cable, have been installed in the channel of the main section, is the main section channel closed off by installing the corner section which is mounted from the outside as a result of which all means of attachment and reinforcement, as well as any facilites installed 20 in the section channel, are facing outwards.

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oleo•2 Frames built in this manner are suitable for stationary, tip- S. up or otherwise moveable, covered or uncovered box-shaped structures.

Also to be und rstood, within the scope off the invention, by the term "U-shaped main section" are conventional simple U-sections with full-walled base and flanges as well as such in which at least one of the flanges is in the form of a hollow body. Further, these main sections can feature at least one side flange, in particular as a contact surface for a wall filler panel.

1L A 5 The invention is explained in greater detail in the following with the aid of exemplified embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, including reference to various versions for attachment of the cover section to the flange of the main section.

The drawing shows in: Fig.l: A commercial vehicle box frame as seen in perspective from behind.

Fig.2: The corresponding corner frame seen in an exploded perspective view.

15 Fig. 3 7: Various versions and further developments of/the set of structural extrusions employed as corner posts in a rear wall frame, seen in cross section above a hinge piece.

20 Fig.8: An application of the set of extrusions shown in fig.7,employed as an upper strut with roof part installed, shown in cross-section.

00 Fig.9 and 10: Various versions of a set of structural -extrusions employed as an upper strut of an open box frame; seen in cross-section.

Shown in figure 1 is the general structure of the rear part of a box-shaped vehicle body 1. Its frame comprises esentially the lower and upper transverse strut sections 2 and 3, the lower and upper longitudinal strut sections 4 and 5, the rear corner posts 6 and if desired intermediate posts 7, eg. to form the frame for a side door 8. In the example shown ir- the 6 rear of the box is open and can be closed by two wings 9 of a door indicated in broken lines for which hinges 10 are provided on the rear corner posts 6. The actual longitudinal walls of the box are formed by panels 11 that are mounted on and attached to side flange l; of the corner posts 6 and flange 13 of the lower strut section 4 as well as the edge of the upper strut section As shown in greater detail in figure 2 the vertical posts 6 of the rear wall frame are made of U-shaped main sections 20 ac- "cording to the invention with base 21 and flanges 22 and 23, these sections 20 being mounted with the open channels 24 facing outwards, and this preferably in such a way that the oo base 2 of the U-shaped section lies parallel to the longitu- 15 dinal walls of the box. These main sections 20 feature, on the flanqe 22, a flange 12 that serves as a contact surface for the wall panels 11.

Due to its design as an open section the U-shaped main section of connecting pieces, e.g. angle pieces 25-26 and threaded bolts 27, to the lower and upper transverse sections 2 S"and 3, which are here in the form of U-shaped sections. If necessary, therefore, it is possible to situate in the channel 24 of the main section 20 a reinforcing plate 28 featuring holes 29 for the threaded bolts 27. This reinforcing plate 28 offers the the contact surface for the nuts or heads of the threaded bolts 27. If desired the holes 29 can be provided with an internal thread for the bolts 27.

7 After the frame or box has been assembled, the cover sections are mounted on the main sections as described below in greater details with the aid of the next figures, and the corner pieces 31 mounted in the upper corners for completion.

This design of a component part of the frame, in particular the corner post, in the form of U-shaped main section with accompanying cover section results in various advantages: Because of the manner of its manufacture an extruded section always has the same cross section which is also true of the main section in question here. In the present case of a corner post section 6, in practice i.e. when the vehicle is moving, eea :the transverse stresses are not uniformly distributed along its length but are concentrated in the region of the corner 15 connections, especially in the region where the connection is

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made with the lower strut section 2. For that reason it is useful to provide the above mentioned reinforcing plate 28 in the corner connection in order to give rigidity to the transverse frame.

:In the example shown in figure 2 this plate 28 is limited to

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the height of the actual corner connection and distributes the forces exerted by the connecting bolts 27. If necessary, however, the reinforcing plate 28 can be longer and, in addition, be attached to the base 21 of the main section 20 a distance from the actual corner connection. Further the reinforcing plate 28 can also be of a different material than that of the main section 20, in particular of steel in the case of an aluminium main section 20. This allows the main section 20 to be as slim and as material saving as possible and, in spite of that because of the correctly dimensioned reinforcing plate 28 Sensure that the corner connection has the 8 necessary stability and so the transverse frame the necessary rigidity.

If, after the box frame is in service, it should prove necessary to instal a reinforcing plate 28 or to exchange it for a stronger plate, then this can be done very simply by removing the cover section 30. Any repair work that is needed on the box-frame or the attachment of any accessories can be performed in the same simple manner.

In the plane of the longiutindal walls the panels 11 help to o keep the corner posts 6 at right angles to the longitudinal struts. The connection of the longitudinal struts 4, 5 to the corner post-main section 20 can therefore be made to its side 15 flange 12. A further possibility is e.g. to extend one flange of the angle pieces 25 and/or 26 to behind the longitudinal strut and to attach the latter to it.

With the described .ct o-f e-t-,u i therefore the main load 20 is borne by the U-shaped main section which constitutes part of the frame. The fixing-on of the complementary cover section 30 can therefore be minimal, in the process of which the in- 1 stallation of secondary components such as, for example, corner pieces, hinge pieces and the like can be performed.

Various versions of the rn3ton J\according to the invention, in particular various ri with respect to the fixing of the cover section to the flange of the main section is described in detail in the following with the aid of figures 3 7, and this taking as example a main section employed as a rear corner post 6 and having a base 21 and Al! flanges 22 and 23 as shown in figure 2. Figures 3-7 show 7 1 i 3 1;1' 1 9 cross-sections of the corner post at about the middle of its height and showing a plan view of the lower hinge piece 10 and reinforcing plate 28. The longitudinal wall panel 11 abuts onto flange 22 on the main section 20; the other flange 23 is already almost part of the rear side of the box 1 and is access\ble from outside.

In the example shown in figure 3 at least one of the flanges e.g. flange 22 for reinforcing the main section 20 can be in the form of a hollow body. This flange features a side flange 12 which serves as the contact surface for the edge of a wall .D panel 11 that is not shown here.

*off In order to accommodate the cover section 30, the flanges 22 15 and 23 feature contact surfaces 33 that are preferably recessed so that the cover section 30 does not project out further than the rest of the flange 22 and 23 visible from outside.

a. The cover section 30 can be secured in this recess e.g. by bolting or adhesive bonding with special adhesives. To advan- 20 tage however, the cover section 30 can, as illustrated, feature longitudinal projections 34 that can be clipped into corresponding grooves in the contact surface 33.

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In order to provide rigidity the outer flange 23 of the main section 20 is usefully provided at its free edge with a short flange 35 that points towards the channels 24. When the channel 24 is still open, the hinge pieces 10 for the rear doors 9 can be mounted to this flange 23 by means of threaded bolts 36.

A further development of the -se t oS-Qi% is shown in IPLI 4V figure 4. There both flanges 22 and 23 of the main section are not hollow. Both flanges 22 and 23 again feature an, advantageously, recessed contact surface 33 for the cover

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i-- 10 section 30. At the back of the cover section 30 at the edge corresponding to the flange 22 there is an engaging rib 41N- 4b is sloped as viewed in cross-section, or is bow-shaped if necessary for assembly reasons, and mates with a corresponding groove in the recessed contact surface 33 of the flange 22. At its other longitudinal edge the wall of the cover section bends backwards and so runs in line with the outer sidewall of flange 23 to which extent the recessed contact surface 33 also runs.

A further possibility for securing the cover section 30 in place can be explained with fig. 4 and this making use of hinge pieces 10 or angle pieces or extrusions.

eso S0. 15 For that purpose holes for threaded bolts 36 are bored in flange 23 near the flange 35, and this so close to the flange 35 that the head 42 of the threaded bolt 36 that is installed "t before the cover section 30, rests against the flange 33 and is thus prevented from turning. In order to prevent the bolts 20 36 from falling out later, the cover section 30 employed fea- .o tures a blocking flange 43. Finally, and after installing the cover section 30, the hinge pieces 10 featuring bored holes are mounted and secured in place from the outside by means of nuts 44; as a result the angular limb 45 of the hinges 10 fix the cover section 30 in place. If customs regulations make it necessary, these bolts 44 can be visibly welded. Beside the hinges 10, or in their place, simple angle pieces or sections can be similarly employed to secure the cover section and, for example, attached in the same way.

As soon as the cover section 30 has been fixed in place by the hinges 10 or angle pieces, the said section 30 can also no LI\ longer become loose from its attachment at\other long edge, /c 1/\ 11 Is this because of the sloping engaging rib 41.

Also shown in fig. 4 is a possibility for attaching the wall panel 11 to the main section 20. To this end an undercut groove 46 is provided in the angle formed by the flange 22 and the side-flange 12, the said groove 46 being created by a projection 47 extruded on flange 22 and rib 48 with 1rojection 49 extruded on the side-flange 12.

This groove 46 serves to hold the, in plan view parallelogram-shaped, nut 50 of a threaded bolt 51 which is also inserted through a step at the edge of the sidewall panel 11 resting against the side-flange 12.

3 15 A further version is shown in figure 5. There the flange 22 of the main section 20 features a groove 55 on the side facing into the channel 24. In turn the cover section 30 is provided on the long edge corresponding to flange 22 with a rib 56 that runs parallel to the main face of section 30 but is set back 20 slightly from it. With this flange 22 the attachement of the cover section 28 is performed by introducing rib 56 into The other long edge of the cover section rests against a recessed contact surface 33 on flange 23, and is secured in place by the hinge 10 in the same manner as descried in connection with figure 4. If the cover section 30 also features a blocking flange 43, then it must be held inclined to the main section 20 in order to allow the rib 56 to engage in the groove 55. Accordingly, the wall 57 of groove 55 closest to the base 21 of section 20 is also inclined. This provision can be omitted if the cover section 30 does not feature a blocking flange 43 and the threaded bolts 36 can be held in another iTT manner until the nuts 44 are installed.

-12- Also shown in this example is that longitudinal channels 58 can be provided in one of the main flanges of the main section preferably in flange 22, into which channels 58 accessories such as for example electrical wire or cable can be installed. The cover section 30 can then be provided with a flange 59 which, when the section 30 has been installed, acts as a lid for channels 58.

A further possibility for attaching the wall panel 11 is shown in figure 5, in this case for a thinner wall panel. The side flange 12 again, as in figure 4, features an undercut groove 46. Fish-plates 61 that brace the edge of the panel 11 against side-flange 12 can then be mounted securely by means of nuts 50 and bolts o In the versions according to figures 4 and 5, however, the cover section 30 need not completely cover the narrower side ;of the flange 23 as shown there. The cover section 30 can equally well be narrower and, as shown in figure 3, cover only 20 a part of the narrower side flange 23. In order to secure the geee cover section in place, the hinge must then feature an angular limb 45 that extends beyond the edge of the cover section, and/or approprately dimensioned angle pieces or sections are jemployed.

Further, it is possible, as shown .n the example illustrated in figure 6, to achieve the attachment of th_ cover section by means of interaction of grooves and making ribs on both flanges 22 and 23 of the main section 20 and both long edges of the cover section -13- In accordance with this principle the main section 20 features on its flange 22 a rib 65 that points towards the channel 24 and another rib 66 on flange 23 pointing outwards.

The related cover section 30 features on the back of its long edge that corresponds with flange 22 an angular flange 67 that forms a channel 68 together with the main wall of the cover section. At its other long edge the cover section 30 forms a hook 69 that creates a channel 70. To mount the cover section 30 in place it is slid parallel to its main wall such that ribs 65 and 66 engage in grooves 68 and 70 respectively.

.444 Subsequently the cover section can be prevented from sliding o out of place e.g.by spot welding or brazing or running a weld seam 71 in the inconspicuous angle between the hook 69 and the flange 23. A hinge, as explained for figure 3, can be secured

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at the free part of the flange 23 before the cover section is installed i.e. while the channel 24 is till open.

.o4 Further, the main section 20 features a side flange 12 with 20 undercut groove 46 for the attachement of the wall panel.

A further l m'of the version in figure 6 is shown in figure 7. There the main secton 20 features on flange 23 in addition to rib 66 an outward pointing flange 75 running parallel to the base 21 of the section 20. At its corresponding long edge the cover section features an outward pointing flange 76 in the form of an extension to the hook 69; when assembled flailge 76 rests against flange 75. The final attachment of the cover section can be made by joining the two flanges 75 and 76 together e.g. by adhesive bonding, bolting and the like. The structure formed by both flanges 75 and 76 can, however, also be employed for mounting the hinge 10 in place. To that end this hinge 10 can feature a U-shaped mount Y -I- 14 which, as shown, pushes over the flange pair 75 and 76. In order that the hinge 10 does not project out at the side, the cover section 30 features a shoulder 77 at its corresponding long edge; at the same time an inner flange 78 is provided at the back of the cover section 30 to form a groove A further possibility for mounting and securing the wall panel 11 can be explained with the aid of figure 7: the side-flange 12 is no longer situated at the free end of the flange 22 but a distance therefrom and in such a manner that the wall panel 11 can be installed from the outside. The cover section then features a projection 79 at the side which when installed is intended to engage the panel 11 at its edge and hold it against the side flange 12. It is then advantageous to ensure 15 that the cover section 30 has a double attachment to the flange 22. To this end cover section 30 features at its back a blunt-headed flange 80, the blunt end 81 of which is designed se' to engage behind another rib 82 on the main section flange e• 22. As a modification to this arrangement the second flange 20 can also be shorter and not extend to the base 21 of the main section J Figure 8 shows another application of the\ ot f *xt-rtsJr-.

according to the invention, viz., as an upper strut 5 and this in the special case of a main section 20 and a ccver section of the same kind as in the version shown in figure 7. The wall panel 11 can likewise be installed from the outside and be held in place at its upper edge on side-flange 12 by sideprojection 79 on the cover section 30. The outer flanges 76 resting on each other are then utilised for the installation and attachment of the roofing 85. This enables the roof to be prefabricated out of U-shaped, push-fit sections 86, AL transverse supports 87 and covering 88.

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15 The finished roof is then installed simply by sliding sections 86 over flanges 75, 76 and fixing it in place.

The t-n- f uxruion) can also be employed for the provision of the frame of a side door 8 as shown in figure i, in particular for the provision of the door posts 7 thereof. As one of the flanges of the main section is freely accessible from outside, basically any of the versions and variants in figures 3 to 7 can be employed for attaching the cover section.

Furthermore, depending on the side of the box shaped structure and the load to be borne, one or more transverse frames can be provided. The building set 20 30, if desired together with reinforcing elements 28 in the main section channel 20, can be 15 considered for such an application. When the sidewalls are filled, the panels 11 contact both sides of the main section which then features a side-flange 12 on both flanges 22 and 23. As both of these flanges 22, 23 are then no longer accessable from the side, only a design and means of attaching the cover section 30 such as described for figure 3 comes into question for the main section 20 and cover section

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In the exemplified embodiments described, the main sections considered are those featuring a side-flange 12 as this represents the most favourable solution for installing and attaching the wall panels 11. Within the scope of the invention, however, are also main sections 20 that do not feature a side-flange 12. The advantages with respect to attachment to other frame components are retained in such a case. The wall panels 11 should then be installed and attached in another manner e.g. by providing them with a section that projects out at the edge and can be attached to the main section <1.

A6 16 Also taken into consideration in the exemplified embodiments are constructions in which the main section 20 is situated in the frame such that its base 21 in the rear wall frame also lies parallel to the longitudinal walls of the box; this because that arrangement provides a frame with the largest open span to accommodate rear doors. By sacrificing this maximum span, however, it is likewise possible within the scope of the invention to mount the main sections for the rear wall frame with their base 21 parallel to the back wall plane. In that S 10 case the base 21 of the main section is laid directly on the floor of the transverse strut sections 2 and 3 as in figure 2 eec.

and secured thereon by means of threaded bolts, possibly

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making use of a reinforcing element 28 inserted in the section channel 24. An outer flange to accommmodate the panels of the 15 longitudinal sidewalls can then be situated on the section base 21 and perpendicular to it. Also in such a case the advantage of the invention is retained as connection can be made to the massive base 21 of the main section and the connecting bolts,and any reinforcing elements and other accessories can S 20 be concealed by the subsequent installation of the cover section Apart from the described possibilities for application in closed or covered box-type structures, the-\St GL9 e se ets- according to the invention can likewise be employed for the frames of open i.e. roofless box structures such as for example troughs, including those that can be tipped. The following exemplified embodiments illustrate how in such cases the can be employed and designed Cor use as the upper strut that forms the upper edge of the sidewalls.

r sees g7* 0 0 9 11 00 00 0 0 .000 11 0 00 0.0.0 ;I0 00 09 'a1 I 17 In the exemplified embodiment shown in figure 9 the main section 20 and cover section 30 can be employed as corner post in a manner similar to that in the examples in figure 7, and as upper strut as in figure 8, this with the advantage that a uniform type of extrusion suffices for that purpose. The two contacting flanges 75, 76 can again be joined together by means of a U-shaped section 86 that is simply screwed on as in figure 8. A better uppermost closure of the wall is achieved, however, if use is made of a rectangular hollow section 90 that features on one side two parallel flanges 91 and 92 that create the U-shape of section 86, onto which flanges 91, 92 the flanges 75, 76 are attached by means of threaded bolts 93 or the like.

In the case of an exposed uppermost edge e.g. as in a trough, such a section 90 acts as a sacrificial component, it can, however, also serve as a guide rail for moveable roof sections.

In the exemplified embodiment according to figure 10 and 11 the main section 20 and cover section 30 are designed such that in effect they form by themselves a clean, smooth upper surface of the -e;truio t,\forming the upper strut of an open box structure or trough.

In that respect in the example shown in figure 10 the cover section 30 features a flange 95 with projection 98 at its outer long edge; that flange 95 engages on a part 97 of flange 23 of the main section 20 that is displaced by an amount corresponding to the thickness of the flange 95, whereupon the projection 98 engages in a groove 98 in part 97 of flange 23.

after the cover section 30 has been installed it can be bolted onto flange part 97 as indicated by the broken line 99. It is 0also possible to provide the flange part 97 with an inner ,~also possible to provide the flange part 97 with an inner I r rr-- ii -18flange 101 at its free end and to bolt the cover section 30 to it from the side, as indicated by the broken line 102.

In the case of the version shown in figure 11 the cover section 30 likewise features a flange 95 which, however, here extends the whole width of flange 23 of the main section Flange 95 features a projection 96 which when installed en- Ges gages on a step 103 on flange 23 of the main section and lies of*- °in line with the base 21 of the main sectior 0@99 .e.o The attachment of the cover section 30 can be made from above e. by bolting, as indicated by the broken line 99.

SAs a result of such a design the main section 20 is protected o. 15 from above by the flange 95 of section 30 that acts as a sacrificial element. If any damage occurs to it,the cover secteeo 9tion 30 is easily replaced, and is so without interfering with the main sections 20 integrated in the structural frame.

So 20 In the three examples shown in figures 9 11 the other flange 22 of the main section features an outer flange 12 a distance from its free end. The outer flange 12 serves to support a wall panel that is installed from the outside, in that case the cover section 30, attached to this flange 22 by double attachment means, features a projection 79 at the side to engage the wall panel 11, as described in detail with the aid of figure 7. It is self-evident that in such applications, in which the set of extruded sections is employed as the upper strut of an open box-shaped structure, the outer flange 12 can also be situated at the free end of flange 22 and the wall panel installed and fixed in place from within the box-shaped structure, as explained with the aid of figures 3-6.

19 In all cases, also with this special application of the sct of Setrui -ti- there is the advantage that in the construction of the actual frame the connection of the main sections to each other and to other sections the joints can be made to massive i.e. non-hollow parts, and the means of joining can be concealed by the subsequent installation of the cover section 6 *99

Claims

1. A frame for the construction of a box-shaped body of a vehicle, the frame including two elongate frame members each adapted to form an upright post of a respective side wall of the vehicle body, said frame members being secured in parallel spaced relationship by a first strut member releasably coupled at or adjacent one end of each frame member and by a second strut member releasably coupled at or adjacent the other end of each frame member; each frame member having a U-shaped transverse section to define therealong a web or base, a respective flange at each edge of the web or base, and a channel which opens away from the other frame member; the frame further including a respective elongate cover member for each frame member, each cover member being releasably attached to the flanges of its frame member for covering said channel; at least one flange of each frame member having therealong a side flange which extends substantially parallel to said web or base, said side flange defining a contact surface against 20 which an edge margin of a wall panel of the vehicle body is supportable, with each cover member having a side projection for holding such wall panel side margin against a said contact surface.

2. A frame according to claim 1, in which at least one of the flanges of the transverse section features a recessed contact surface to accommodate the cover member.

3. A frame according to claim 2, in which grooves are provided in the contact surfaces on both flanges and the cover member features on its rear side, projections that 30 can be clipped into the said grooves.

4. A frame according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which at least one flange of the transverse section features a groove or rib running inclined or parallel to the section base and the cover section features on its rear side a rib or groove at least on its longitudinal edge corresponding to the groove or rib of the said at least one flange serving as a means for attaching the cover member to at least one of the flanges of the +i transverse section. 20 f.. o** Soso ft r t.* ft f f ft. f 1* ft9 ft ft ft... ft t f ft. f Of f ft f f f. f ft ft f A frame according to claim 4, in which the transverse section features on one of its flanges, beside an outward pointing rib, an outward pointing flange and the cover member features a hook which forms the groove and a flange depending from said hook that points outwards and which, when the cover member has been installed, lies against said outward flange.

6. A frame according to claim 5, in which the transverse section features on the other of its flanges at a distance from its free end, a side-flange that offers a contact surface for the edge of a wall panel of the box shaped body which can be installed from the outside.

7. A vehicle body frame manufactured using the frame according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the U-shaped transverse sections are installed as integral components of the frame having the open channel facing outwards. o.

8. A frame according to claim 7, in which the transverse sections when employed as posts are joined to 20 and interlock with abutting frame elements in particular transverse struts.

9. A frame according to claim 8, wherein use is made of connecting pieces and/or reinforcing elements in the transverse section channel, by means of threaded bolts S: passing through the base of the transverse section. A frame according to any one of claims 7 to 9, in .which the subseuqently mounted cover members are held in place at one longitudinal edge by engaging on one flange of the transverse section using a movement that is 30 parallel to or inclined at an angle to the base of the 0 S o• 21 transverse section, and are fixed to the other flange, that is accessible from outside, by means of angle or U-shaped pieces that can also 1 component parts of hinge pieces. A frame according to claim 1, substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED: 24 JANUARY, 1991 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys For: SWISS ALUMINIUM LTD. oo* e. o S! St ,i 0 0 2 i i 6 0 S. S@ A/ 0106Z -22- k/