GB448577A - Improvements in and relating to motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

448,577. Motor vehicles. BRIGGS MANUFACTURING CO., 11631, Mack Avenue. Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.-(Assignees of Tjaarda, J. ; Beverley Road, Birmingham, Michigan, U.S.A.) March 26, 1935, No. 9409. Convention date, April 9, 1934. [Classes 79 (iii) and 79 (iv)] A motor vehicle is characterized by a central longitudinal frame member bifurcated at its rear end to embrace the power unit and directly suspended therefrom at a point in rear of the centre of gravity thereof, the power unit being directly supported on the rear road wheels by transverse spring means. The combined engine and transmission unit 20, 21 is carried between rear driving wheels 55, 56, Fig. 4, by a transverse spring 57 in conjunction with radius rods 62, 63 and articulated half axles 67, allowing independent springing of the wheels. The vehicle frame comprises a central longitudinal member formed of a pair of half-tubes 11, 12 with Ranges 14, 15 providing for attachment to a central reinforcing plate 17, the upper flanges being attached by welding, the lower by riveting. The central plate may be formed with flanged lightening apertures 17<a>. The frame member is provided with a forked end 10<a>, 10<b> formed by extending the half tubular members and attaching closure plates 19. The forked end straddles the'engine and is supported therefrom by an arched cross member 24, the forward end of the engine being trunnioned on a reinforcing cross frame member 32. The arched member, Fig. 6, is of channel formation with reinforcing flanges 26 providing for attachment to the fork plates 19 by bolts 26<a>, preferably with an intervening layer of anti-squeak material. A saddle member 22 of channel formation with a rubber lining 27, seated on the engine casing receives the arched member 24, bolts 28 embedded in the rubber lining 27 passing through holes in the member 24 which also contains rubber packing, the members being thus resiliently connected when nuts 30 are applied. The forward cross frame member 32, Fig. 5, is of deep channel formation with flanged lightening apertures 35 and end flanges 33 for attachment to the fork plates 19; it is also provided with edge flanges 36 and is closed by inverted flanged channel members 37, 38 attached to the flanges 36 by rivets &c. 39. A bracket 40 secured to the cross member by bolts 42, 44 carries a bearing 40<a> for a hollow spigot 50 of tapered formation secured by welding or riveting to the engine casing 20, the bearing comprising an inner sleeve 46 bonded to a rubber lining 47 corrugated to fit the corrugated inner surface of the bracket 40<a>. The spigot is drawn into binding engagement with the sleeve 46 by a nut 53 threaded thereon. An end aperture 50<a> provides for access to the shaft 54 to start the engine. The centre of gravity of the power unit is lower than the point of attachment to the transverse spring 57 and slightly forward of the bracket 24.