GB479175A - Improvements in vehicle structures - Google Patents

Abstract

479,175. Motor vehicles. CONSTANTINE, W. W. (Opel Akt.-Ges., A.) June 26, 1936, No. 10896/37. Divided out of 477,579, [Group XXII], under which a Specification was laid open to inspection under Sect. 91 of the Acts, Dec. 28, 1936. [Classes 79 (iii) and 79 (iv)] [Also in Group XXXII] A motor vehicle is built up of a combined body and frame placed on the assembled under-chassis components comprising the engine unit, transmission mechanism and front and rear wheel sets, the engine being mounted at its forward end on a detachable frame member forming the axle of the front wheel set and the combined body and frame being attached to the axles or springs of the wheel sets. The body structure, Fig. 1, is formed integrally with a frame comprising a middle section of full width and front and rear sections 25, 32, the front sections 25 comprising girders spaced to admit the engine from below and welded or, as shown in Fig. 9, bolted to a cross-bar 26 and stiffening members 28 on the middle section. The forward section is further stiffened by inclined struts 29 secured to the scuttle dash 30 and carries a channelled cross member 27 to which the radiator shell may be welded. The bolted arrangement shown in Fig. 9 permits of ready detachment of the front frame section with the engine. In assembling the chassis components, Figs. 5 and 6, the front end of the engine is supported by a pin 23, in a bearing bracket 22a on a transverse plate 22 attached to a frame 21 having a cushioned mounting 20 on a plate 19 welded to the front axle member 10, the radiator 6 also being attached to the frame 21. The front wheels are carried by swinging arms on spring casings 24, on the ends of the axle 10. The engine unit, including clutch housing 8 and gear box 9, is connected up in the usual manner through the carden shaft 12 to the differential 14 and rear wheel set, the gear box being temporarily supported until it is attached to the body unit. For the purpose of attachment a ring 17 bolted to the gear-box is surrounded by a rubber ring 16a and outer ring 16 with welded angle pieces adapted to be bolted to supporting arms 26a on the transverse frame member 26, Fig. 9. The body, when placed on the assemblage shown in Fig. 5, is secured to the front axle member 10 by clamping straps 18, the bolts of which also secure the struts 29, and to the rear springs 15 by bolts passing through holes in the rear girders 32 and in reinforcing brackets welded into the girders, Figs. 4a, 4b (not shown). An opening in the floor permits passage of the gear lever 36. The steering column is secured to one of the struts 29. The radiator shell, mudguards and headlamp casings are assembled with the complete body before being placed on the wheels. The front and back wheel wing plates are welded to the longitudinal girders and are formed with flanges to which the outer mudguards are bolted, Figs. 7 and 8 (not shown).