CA2338427C

CA2338427C - Truck cab

Info

Publication number: CA2338427C
Application number: CA 2338427
Authority: CA
Inventors: Ralph B. Fitzsimmons
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-02-28
Filing date: 2001-02-28
Publication date: 2004-12-28
Anticipated expiration: 2021-02-28
Also published as: CA2338427A1

Abstract

Truck cabs are enclosures for housing the drive of the vehicle to help protect him/her from the elements and from injury in case of an accident. This invention, the round cab a design, as in a seen in a plan view, helps to protect the driver in case of accidents in a superior way. In cases of head on collisions vehicles will deflect off of the cab easier than in the conventional square front cab. In cases of rollovers the cab will roll or slide easier with fewer injuries to the driver. The round cab gives the driver a much better view of his surroundings, as there are not any blind corners. With the sleeper located in the middle of the cab, the driver will be less likely to injury if the vehicle is struck while the driver is stopped and resting. The doors to the cab open inward in case of an accident so that the driver may escape easier.
To service the motor or change the front tires the cab lifts forward on hydraulic cylinders attached to the frame and cab. Access to instruments and accessories are all from inside the cab of the truck so that replacing parts or making repairs is a lot easier.

Description

FITZSIMMONS TIaUCK CAB
Specification o This invention relates to the trucking industry to provide a truck cab that is constructed to prevent severe injury in cases of accidents.
Conventional truck cabs are rectangular. This invention replaces the rectangular cab with an 8'-0" diameter round cab as from a plan view. The circular cab is 14" off the ground, which is lower than conventional cabs. The cab height is 9'-6". The sleeper is located in the centre of the cab. The instrument panel is accessible form the front of the cab making repairs quicker and easier than in conventional cabs. The windshield wiper motors and the air-conditioning unit are locate in the area above the instrument panel.
There is room for large storage compartment inside the cab.
The doors to the cab open inward in case of an accident. To service the motor or change the front tires the cab lifts forward on hydraulic cylinders attached to the frame and cab.
The cab is equipped with conventional driving lights and mirrors.
With this design, vehicles involved in collisions with the cab will tend to deflect away from the cab resulting in less damage and lower impact force. This will result in fewer injuries to the occupants driving the cab and the other vehicles. This practices is used in highway guard rails where the guard rails are curved in corners to deflect vehicles around the curve in case of collision with the rail. With the cab and bumper lower to the ground, the chances of other vehicles sliding under the cab is reduced.
The rounded cab will roll or slide easier in case of a tip over. The sleeper is located in the middle of the cab, the driver will be less likely to injury if the vehicle is struck while the driver is stopped and resting. Conventional cabs have the sleeper in the back of the cab, which results in severe injuries in cases of rear end collisions or the person sleeping becoming trapped in the cab.
The rounded cab will allow the driver better visibility when driving as there are not corners in the front edges to obscure their view.
The conventional rectangular cabs are very wind resistant. The circular cab is better designed to deflect wind reducing fuel consumption and saving the owner operational co sts.
The circular cab is designed to fit a standard truck frame with the conventional diesel motor. This invention can be modified to be used in pickup trucks and other vehicles.

Description of Figures:
Figure l:
This drawing is a layout of the fuse panel with a description of circuits to be used in the electrical system of the vehicle. The Truck will use the standard electrical system presently used in the industry.
Figure 2:
The door details shows the door guide that is installed in the cab to allow the door to slide when opened and pivot on the front corner of the door. 'The notes on this page explain some of the benefits to having a round cab verses a rectangular cab as is the industry standard. The rounded cab will deflect vehicles in case of collisions, and roll or slide easier in case of a tip over. With the sleeper located in the middle of the cab, the driver will be less likely to injury if the vehicle is struck while the driver is stopped and resting.
The doors to the cab open inward in case of an accident. To service the motor or change the front tires the cab lifts forward on hydraulic cylinders attached to the frame and cab.
Access to instruments and accessories are all from inside the cab of the truck so that replacing parts or making repairs is a lot easier. The rounded cab will allow the driver better visibility when driving as there are not corners in the front edges to obscure their view.
Figure 3:
This is a top view of the vehicle showing the rounded cab and location of lights and mirrors on the cab. The cab will fit a standard truck frame as illustrated in the diagram.
Figure 4:
The plan framing detail indicates the sizes of the steel to be used in the construction of the cab and how they are shaped and fit together.
Figure 5:
The front framing detail indicates the sizes of the steel to be used in the construction of the cab and how they are shaped and fit together.
Figure 6:
The side framing detail indicates the sizes of the steel to be used in the construction of the cab and how they are shaped and fit together.
Figure 7:
This drawing is a section through the cab of the vehicle. It explains the construction of the outer walls of the cab, location of motor, instrument panel, pedals, steering wheel and steps to enter the cab of the truck.
Page 1 of 2 Figure 8:
The sleeper detail shows the location of the sleeper in the center of the cab, dome lights and a vinyl curtain.
Figure 9:
This is a front view of the vehicle showing what the finished product would look like.
Figure 10:
This is thew side view of the vehicle showing the driver side finished appearance.
Page 2 of 2

Claims

1. A circular truck cab in a plan view, with doors opening inward, sleeper located in the centre of the cab, constructed to sit 14 inches off the ground, cab to tilt forward for easy access to motor, instrument panel accessible from the front of the cab, designed to sit on a conventional truck frame, have rounded windows, for the purpose replacing conventional rectangular truck cabs to reduce injuries in case of accidents and to lower operational and repair costs.

2. A cab as defined in claim 1 is constructed in an eight foot diameter in a plan view.

3. A cab as defined in claim 1 has doors opening inward to allow easier exiting in cases of accident.

4. A cab as defined in claim 1 in which the sleeper is located in the centre of the cab, with vinyl curtain and zipper.

5. A cab as defined in claim 1 is constructed fourteen inches of the ground so that the bumper aligns with car bumpers which will prevent cars from sliding under the cab in the case of an accident.

6. A cab as defined in claim 1 will have a hydraulic system to allow the cab to tilt forward for easy access to the motor for repairs or servicing.

7. A cab as defined in claim 1 in which the instruments are accessible from the front of the cab will allow for easier and quicker repairs.

8. A cab as defined in claim 1 will have less wind resistance's, resulting in better fuel consumption.

9. A cab as defined in claim 1 will have rounded windows for better vision from within the cab with no blind corners for the driver to be obstructed by.

10. A cab as defined in claim 1 will fit a conventional truck frame and motor.