GB2077668A - Demountable transverse frame structure in vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

A demountable transverse frame structure between the load- carrying space and the passenger space in an estate, hatch-back or multi-purpose type vehicle comprises a frame member (1) extending transversely of the vehicle and spaced vertical frame members (2, 3). The frame members (1, 2, 3) form a unitary structure and the transverse frame member (1) locates at its ends in open-mouthed brackets (4) mounted on the vehicle body and provided with removable securing means to retain the transverse frame member (1) in the brackets (4). The vertical frame members (2, 3) extend downwardly from the transverse frame member (1) to engage the vehicle body and are adjustable in length whereby the frame structure can be tightly braces within the vehicle body. The frame structure may support mesh frames 13, 14, saddle racks, gun racks, a rearwardly facing seat or forwardly facing head rests. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Demountable transverse frame structures in vehicles This invention relates to demountable transverse frame structures in vehicles of the kind in which a rear load-carrying space opens directly into the passager space of the vehicle as in estate cars, so-called hatch-backs and multi-purpose vehicles such as Land Rovers and Range Rovers. Such transverse frame structures extend between the load-carrying space and the passenger space and basically serve as a divider between the two spaces.

Beyond this the frame structures can have several purposes; for example they can be formed into a dog guard. Alternatively or additionally they can be used to support fitments e.g. saddle racks or for mounting additional rearwardly facing seating in the loadcarrying compartment.

According to the invention a demountable transverse frame structure in a vehicle comprises a transverse frame member and spaced vertical frame members forming a unitary structure, the transverse frame member locating at its ends in open-mouthed brackets mounted on the vehicle body and provided with removable securing means to retain the transverse frame member in the brackets, and the vertical frame members extending downwardly from the transverse frame member to the floor of the vehicle and being adjustable in length over this region whereby the frame structure can be tightly braced between the vehicle floor and the brackets or the securing means.

The adjustability in length of the vertical frame members may be provided by adjustable feet.

The invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows one example of a demountable transverse frame structure in accordance with the invention, and Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of a detail of the structure of Fig. 1 to a larger scale.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the transverse frame structure is shown mounted in a vehicle and comprises a central horizontal frame member 1 and spaced vertical frame members 2 and 3 connected to the frame member 1 to form a unitary structure. The ends of the horizontal frame member 1 are located in open mouthed brackets 4 which are suitably mounted on supporting blocks 5 on the rear wheel arches 6 of the vehicle. In this example the mouths of the brackets 4 are upwardly directed and the frame member 1 is located in the brackets 4 by entering it into the brackets 4 from above. In an alternative arrangement the mouths of the brackets can face rearwardly of the vehicle and the cross member 1 is then entered into the brackets 4 from the rear of the vehicle.

As best seen in Fig. 2 the ends of the crossmember 1 are secured in the brackets 4 by clevis pins 7. The clevis pins 7 pass through aligned holes 8 and 9 in the sides of the brackets 4 and the cross member 1 and are retained in position by split pins 1 0.

The vertical frame members 2 and 3 are provided with adjustable feet 1 2 which can be screwed in and out of the vertical frame members 2 and 3 to adjust their effective length between the floor of the vehicle and the cross-member 1. Hence with the crossmember 1 fitted in the brackets 4, the feet 1 2 can be adjusted to brace the frame structure between the brackets 4 and the floor of the vehicle and the need to clamp the vertical frame members 2 and 3 between the floor and roof of the vehicle is obviated.

In the particular example shown in Fig. 1, the frame structure is fitted with upper and lower mesh frames 1 3 and 1 4 which are secured to the vertical frame members 2 and 3 by clevis pin fixings 1 5.

It will be readily appreciated that the frame structure can be used to mount other fitments in the vehicle. For example a rearwardly facing seat could be mounted on it. Alternatively rearwardly extending saddle racks or gun racks or forwardly facing head-rests could be located on the upper parts of the vertical frame members.

1. A demountable transverse frame structure in a vehicle comprising a frame member extending transversely of the vehicle and spaced vertical frame members, said frame members forming a unitary structure, the transverse frame member locating at its ends in open-mouthed brackets mounted on the vehicle body and provided with removable securing means to retain the transverse frame member in the brackets, and the vertical frame members extending downwardly from the transverse frame member to engage the vehicle body and being adjustable in length whereby the frame structure can be tightly braced within the vehicle body.

2. A frame structure according to Claim 1, wherein said vertical frame members engage the floor of the vehicle.

3. A frame structure according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the adjustability in length of the vertical frame members is provided by adjustable feet.

4. A frame structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing means comprise pins which pass through aligned holes in the brackets and the transverse frame member.

5. A frame structure substantially as here it before described with reference to the ac

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Demountable transverse frame structures in vehicles This invention relates to demountable transverse frame structures in vehicles of the kind in which a rear load-carrying space opens directly into the passager space of the vehicle as in estate cars, so-called hatch-backs and multi-purpose vehicles such as Land Rovers and Range Rovers. Such transverse frame structures extend between the load-carrying space and the passenger space and basically serve as a divider between the two spaces. Beyond this the frame structures can have several purposes; for example they can be formed into a dog guard. Alternatively or additionally they can be used to support fitments e.g. saddle racks or for mounting additional rearwardly facing seating in the loadcarrying compartment. According to the invention a demountable transverse frame structure in a vehicle comprises a transverse frame member and spaced vertical frame members forming a unitary structure, the transverse frame member locating at its ends in open-mouthed brackets mounted on the vehicle body and provided with removable securing means to retain the transverse frame member in the brackets, and the vertical frame members extending downwardly from the transverse frame member to the floor of the vehicle and being adjustable in length over this region whereby the frame structure can be tightly braced between the vehicle floor and the brackets or the securing means. The adjustability in length of the vertical frame members may be provided by adjustable feet. The invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows one example of a demountable transverse frame structure in accordance with the invention, and Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of a detail of the structure of Fig. 1 to a larger scale. Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the transverse frame structure is shown mounted in a vehicle and comprises a central horizontal frame member 1 and spaced vertical frame members 2 and 3 connected to the frame member 1 to form a unitary structure. The ends of the horizontal frame member 1 are located in open mouthed brackets 4 which are suitably mounted on supporting blocks 5 on the rear wheel arches 6 of the vehicle. In this example the mouths of the brackets 4 are upwardly directed and the frame member 1 is located in the brackets 4 by entering it into the brackets 4 from above. In an alternative arrangement the mouths of the brackets can face rearwardly of the vehicle and the cross member 1 is then entered into the brackets 4 from the rear of the vehicle. As best seen in Fig. 2 the ends of the crossmember 1 are secured in the brackets 4 by clevis pins 7. The clevis pins 7 pass through aligned holes 8 and 9 in the sides of the brackets 4 and the cross member 1 and are retained in position by split pins 1 0. The vertical frame members 2 and 3 are provided with adjustable feet 1 2 which can be screwed in and out of the vertical frame members 2 and 3 to adjust their effective length between the floor of the vehicle and the cross-member 1. Hence with the crossmember 1 fitted in the brackets 4, the feet 1 2 can be adjusted to brace the frame structure between the brackets 4 and the floor of the vehicle and the need to clamp the vertical frame members 2 and 3 between the floor and roof of the vehicle is obviated. In the particular example shown in Fig. 1, the frame structure is fitted with upper and lower mesh frames 1 3 and 1 4 which are secured to the vertical frame members 2 and 3 by clevis pin fixings 1 5. It will be readily appreciated that the frame structure can be used to mount other fitments in the vehicle. For example a rearwardly facing seat could be mounted on it. Alternatively rearwardly extending saddle racks or gun racks or forwardly facing head-rests could be located on the upper parts of the vertical frame members. CLAIMS

1. A demountable transverse frame structure in a vehicle comprising a frame member extending transversely of the vehicle and spaced vertical frame members, said frame members forming a unitary structure, the transverse frame member locating at its ends in open-mouthed brackets mounted on the vehicle body and provided with removable securing means to retain the transverse frame member in the brackets, and the vertical frame members extending downwardly from the transverse frame member to engage the vehicle body and being adjustable in length whereby the frame structure can be tightly braced within the vehicle body.

2. A frame structure according to Claim 1, wherein said vertical frame members engage the floor of the vehicle.

3. A frame structure according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the adjustability in length of the vertical frame members is provided by adjustable feet.

4. A frame structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing means comprise pins which pass through aligned holes in the brackets and the transverse frame member.

5. A frame structure substantially as here it before described with reference to the ac companying drawings.