USRE20176E

USRE20176E - Automobile body and mounting

Info

Publication number: USRE20176E
Authority: US
Priority date: 1927-01-08
Publication date: 1936-11-17
Also published as: GB295647A; FR655632A; US1804658A

Description

Nov. 17, 1936.

J. P. TARBOX AUTOMOBILE BODY AND MOUNTING THEREFOR Original Filed Aug. 16, 1927 arve 11v VENTOR:

Reissued Nov. 17, 1936 p Re. 20,176

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMOBILE BODY AND MOUNTING THEREFOR John P. Tarbox, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Edward G. Budd Manufacturing Company,

Philadelphia, Pa., a. vania corporation of Pennsyl- Original No. 1,804,658, dated May 12, 1931, Serial No. 213,293, August 16, 1927.

Application for reissue'July 14, 1936, Serial No. 90,619

23 Claims.

My invention relates to the'mounting of vehicle bodies on a chassis or underframe, and particularly to the mounting of a body superstructure having side walls made up of outer and innersheet metal panels upon a chassis or und'erframe.

In the mounting of such body superstructures upon the chassis or underframe, it has heretofore been proposed to have the hollow threshold portions, formed by the inner and outer panels, overlap and be secured to the sides of the chassis sills throughout the threshold regions. This construction, because it brought the top of the threshold portions of the body substantially inthe plane of the top of the chassis sills resulted in a threshold as low as consistent with the necessary road clearances of the automotive organs carried by the chassis. resided not only in low thresholds permitting ease of entry and egress into and from the vehicle but, since this was'combined with a chassis construction in which the flooring and seats were supported directly from the chassis, a substantial lowering of the center of gravity and hence,

I so

easier riding qualities were also attained.

It is the object of my invention to retain substantially all of these advantages, but to attain a firmer and more-secure mounting of the body superstructure upon the chassis or underframe than has heretofore been the case.

To this end, I form the threshold portions of the body of such-.a construction that they havea very small vertical height but are of substan tialwidthv transversely of the body to form a *wide seat, which rests directly ontop of the chassis sill and is secured thereto. The advantages of this construction are that the entire load of the body superstructure is taken directly by the chassis sills and substantially no load is borne by the means securing the body to the sills.

Other and further objects and advantageswill.

appear as the description proceeds;

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows in side elevation, a body unit according to the inventionmounted on the underframe or chassis;

Fig. ..2 is a section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 through the threshold, and showing the arrangement of body unit chassis sill, and floor board according to a preferred form of my invention; and

Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are corresponding sectional views of modified forms of the invention.

51?? Referring to Fig. 1', the chassis or underlrame The beneficial results are given a contour in plan which conforms substantially to the contour of the lower side edge of the body superstructure. In other words, the side walls of the body overlie the chassis sills substantially throughout.

To secure a very shallow yet strong threshold construction I preferably form the combined inner and outer panels II and I2 of relatively light gauge sheet metal and of substantially 2- section, the web of the Z overlying and being secured to the inturned flange l3 at the top of the chassis sill l and the outer arm of the Z overlapping the vertical wall or web [4 of the sill while the inner arm of the Z projects upwardly to form the door overlap.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 2, which is adapted to be used with chassis sill ll] of standard cross sectional form, namely, inwardly presenting channel form, with the upper flange l3 horizontal, I form the inner sheet metal panel II with a horizontal web portion I5 to directly overlie the flange l3 of the sill and the outer side wall panel with an inclined web portion It to form the inclined threshold adapted to receive a similarly inclined lower door jamb.

In their outer arms I! and IS, the inner and outer panels are secured together by crimping the arm ll! of the outer panel I2 over the arm ll of the inner panel; these arms together forming the outer arm of the Z of the threshold portion which overlaps the web I4 of the sill. The sill is preferably of deepened web form to serve as a splash board.

The inner arms l9 and 20 of the inner and outer panels are extended upwardly to form the door overlap, the joinder being by crimping the arm l9 over the arm 20.

By this construction, a hollow threshold structure of great strength is provided, which directly overlies the sill and which has a height not substantially greater except for the door overlap portion thereof, than the thickness of the floor boards, shown at 30. It is secured to the sill by riveting as shown at 22, or by bolting, the web portion l5 of the inner panel to the flange, I3 oi the sill. Access is had to the space between the panels through openings 2l provided in the inner panel I l.

The flange l3 of the chassis sill is extended inwardly beyond the body threshold portion and supports on its inwardly extending portion the edges of the floor boards, 30.

In the form of my invention shown in Fig. 3, both the outer and inner panels I2 and l I of the Z-shaped threshold section have inclined webs as 23 and 24 and the two panels lie in contact with each other throughout being secured in their inner arms 25, 26 and their

outer arms

21, 28, by crimping in a manner similar to the form already described and shown in Fig. 2. In this form, the upper flange l3 of the chassis sill is inclined similarly to the inclined webs 23 and 24, and the angle formed by this flange and the vertical web I4 of the sill nests within the angle formed by the web of the Z and the outer arm of the threshold portion of the body superstructure and the parts are secured by rivets as 22' or bolts extending through the three thicknesses of metal I3, 23, 24 in the threshold. A separate Z-shaped member is shown secured as by welding its upper arm to the under surface of the flange l3 of the sill and having its lower arm extended inwardly and supporting the edges of the floor boards 30.

In the form of my invention shown in Fig. 4, I leave the lower side of the threshold portion of the body side wall open, the outer panel resting through its inclined web 3|, on top of the sill upon the similarly inclined portion 32 of the transversely extending branch or flange l3" at the top of the sill, while the inner sheet metal panel ll", rests through a reentrant portion 33 upon the oppositely inclined portion 32' of the sill flange and has its upper edge 34 crimped, as in the other forms described, over the arm 35 of the outer panel whereby to form the door overlap. It will be seen that the inner part of the inclined web 3| and the oppositely inclined portion 32 of the sill flange together form an inwardly presenting hollow section of V-channel shape, and that the inner panel ll" constitutes a third member closing the mouth of this channel and forming therewith a hollow structure of substantially triangular section, which I designate a box section structure.

At the inner edge of the inclined portion 32' the sill flange I3" is offset to provide a flange 35 for supporting the floor board 30. The vertical wall 36 joining this flange with the inclined portion 32' is overlapped by the lower edge 31 of the inner panel, which is secured thereto, by riveting, as at 38. The outer sheet metal panel has its outer or depending arm 39 spaced from the web of the chassis sill in its body or upper portion and is offset inwardly at its lower margin and bent back upon itself as at 40 to provide a finished thickened edge and secured through this thickened edge to the web M" of the chassis sill, as by rivets 4|, thus forming with the sill a box section structure.

In the form of my invention shown in Fig. 5 the outer panel l2' alone forms the web and the outer arm of the Z-section threshold, this panel being formed into a narrow channel section, facing inwardly, the lower horizontal side wall 42 of the channel resting on the horizontal flange I3 of the chassis sill, which may be of the usual cross sectional shape, namely, inwardly facing channel, with the flanges ofthe channel at right angles to the web, as in Fig; 2.

The outer portion of this wall 42, is formed with a downwardly extending head 43 which overlaps the top of the web l4 of the sill to form the outer arm of the Z-shaped threshold portion of the body. The upper side wall 44 of the channel is inclined similarly to the web of the outer panel in the other modifications already described, and is flanged upwardly at 45 to form with the crimped over edge 46 of the inner panel H', the door overlap. The inner panel bridges the mouth of the channel formed by the outer panel and is flanged at its lower edge as at 41 and secured, as by welding, to the edge of the outer panel the body superstructure being joined to the chassis by riveting as at 48 through the flange 41 and the edge portion of the outer panel and the sill flange 13. In this form of the invention, I may support the floor board from the flange I3 through the interposed edge portions of the outer and inner panels, as shown.

All of the forms disclosed have the common characteristic that the vertical walls of the body rest directly on top of the chassis or underframe sills through a substantial portion of their width and the threshold portions thereof are of a minimum vertical height and generally of Z-section whereby they are adapted to rest on the tops of the sills through the webs of the 2 while the outer arm of the 2 forms an overhang or finish for the join-t and the inner arm provides the door overlap. It will further be noted that this construction, in all except one of the forms shown, permits the fastening means to be arranged where they are not visible from the outside.

While I have shown and described several modifications which embody the generic invention, I do not wish to limit myself to the particular constructions shown, but desire to cover such other modifications and changes as clearly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. In a vehicle construction, a chassis underframe side sill having a transversely extending flange at the top, a body side wall structure comprising inner and outer panels of relatively light gauge joined in their lower margins and formed with a widened threshold portion seated on top of said flange and having a portion in which the panels are joined overhanging the side of said sill.

2. In a vehicle construction, a chassis underframe side sill having a transversely extending portion at the top, a body side wall structure comprising inner and outer panels of relatively light gauge joined in their lower margins, one of said panels being formed to provide a transversely extending portion of substantially the thickness of said wall seated on top of said trans versely extending portion of the sill and having an upwardly'extending door overlap portion at its inner edge.

3. In a vehicle construction, an underframe side sill and a body side wall arranged in superposed relation, said body side wall comprising outer and inner panels of relative light gauge secured together in the thresholds and forming a door overlap, one of said panels having a laterally extending body portion seated on top of the sill and an outer depending portion.

4. In a vehicle construction, an underframe side sill of angle section having a vertical branch and an inwardly extending branch at the top of said vertical branch, and a body structure having a threshold portion, said threshold portion being generally of Z-section, the web of the Z being seated on the inwardly extending branch 20,178 of the sill, the outer arm 01' the Z depending and,

its inner arm upstanding;

'5. In a vehicle construction, an under-frame- 1 and'a transversely extending branch at the top of the vertical branch, and a body structure having a threshold portion, said threshold portion being generally of Z-section and seated on the transversely extending branch of the sill through the web portion of the Z, the arms of the Z forming respectively, a door overlap and an outer overlap for the sill.

6. In a vehicle construction, an underirame of angle section having a vertical branch and an inwardly extending branch, a body structure havinga thresholdportion resting on the inwardly extending branch of the sill and secured to said sill, said threshold section comprising inner and outer panels of relatively light gauge crimped together in at least one of their edges and forming a generally Z-section structure seated on the inwardly extending branch of the sill through the web of the Z.

7. In a vehicle construction, a chassis underi'rarne having a side sill provided with a horizontal top flange, a body structure having a threshold portion comprised of inner and outer panels of relatively thin gauge forming a hollowstructure having a horizontal portion seated on said top flange of the sill and having an inclined portion fcrmingthe door jamb.

8. In a vehicle construction, a chassis underframe having: a side sill provided with a top flange, and a. body structure having a threshold :portion comprised of inner and outer panels of margins and forming a hollow structure having a substantially horizontal portion seated on the top portion of the sill, an inclined door jamb portion, and a depending portion at the juncture of the horizontal and door jamb portions.

10. A threshold construction for vehicle bodies built up out of inner and outer panels of relatively thin gauge, each of substantially Z-section with the web of the Z extending transversely and the arms extending respectively upwardly and downwardly, the panels being joined in at least one of their margins by crimping the arm of one over the arm of the other.

11. A threshold construction for vehicle bodies built up out of inner and outer panels of relatively light gauge each of substantially Z-section, the web of one 2 being inclined to the web of the other, and joined together in both their margins by crimping the adjacent arm of one panel over the adjacent arm of the other panel.

12. In a vehicle construction, an underframe side sill of angle section having a vertical branch and an inwardly extending branch at the top of said vertical branch, and a body structure having a threshold portion, said threshold portion being generally of Z-section, a web of the Z being seated on the inwardly extending branch of the sill, the outer arm of the Z depending and its inner arm upstanding, the depending arm being spaced in its body from the underframe side sill and secured thereto in its lower margin to form therewith a box section structure.

13. In a vehicle construction. .an underirameside sill of angle section having a vertical branch and a transversely extending branch at the top of the vertical branch, and a body structure having a threshold portion, said threshold portion being generally of Z-section .and seated on the transversely extending branch of the sill through the web portion of the Z, the arms of the Z forming respectively, a door overlap and an outer overlap for the sill, the arm forming the outer overlap for the sill being spaced in its body from the underframe side sill and secured thereto in its lower margin in a manner to form therewith a box section structure.

14. In a vehicle construction, an underirame side sill of angle section having a vertical branch and an inwardly extending branch at the top 01' said vertical branch, and a body side wall sheet metal panel structure having a threshold portion, said threshold portion being generally of Z-section, the web of the Z being seated on the inwardly extending branch of the sill, the outer arm of the Z depending and its inner arm upstanding, the depending arm being spaced in its body from the underframe side sill and secured thereto in its lower margin to form therewith a box section structure.

15. In a vehicle construction, an underframe side sill of angle section having a vertical branch and a transversely extending branch at the top of the vertical branch, and a sheet metal body side wall panel structure having a threshold portion, said threshold portion being generally of Z-section and. seated on the transversely extending branch of the sill through the web portion of the Z, the arms of the Z forming respectively a door overlap and an outer overlap for the sill, the arm forming the outer overlap for the sill being spaced in its body from the underframe side sill and secured thereto in its lower margin to form therewith a box section structure.

16. A vehicle construction according to claim 12- in which a third member coacts with the angle section side sill and the Z-section threshold portion to form a second box section structure.

1'7. In a vehicle construction, an underframe side sill of angle section having a vertical branch and a transversely extending branch at the top of the vertical branch, and a sheet metal body side wall panel structure having a threshold portion, said threshold portion being generally of Z-section and seated on the transversely extending branch of the sill through the web portion of the Z, the arms of the Z forming respectively, a door overlap and an outer overlap for the sill, and a third member coacting with the angle section side sill and the Z section threshold portion to form a box section structure.

18. In a vehicle construction, an underframe side sill of angle section having a vertical branch and a transversely extending branch at the top of the vertical branch, and a body side wall panel structure having a threshold portion, said threshold portion being generally of Z-section and seated on the transversely extending branch of the sill through the web portion of the Z, the arms of the Z forming respectively, a door overlap and an outer overlap for the sill, the arm forming the outer overlap for the sill being spaced in its body from the underframe side sill and secured thereto in its lower marginv to form therewith a box section structure, and a third member coacting with the angle section side still and the Z-section threshold portion to form a second box section structure, said second box section structure being located inwardly of the first.

19. In avehicle construction, an underframe side sill of angle section having a vertical branch and a transversely extending branch at the top of the vertical branch, and a body side wall panel structure having a threshold portion, said threshold portion being generally of Z-section and seated on the transversely extending branch of the sill through the web portion of the Z, the arms of the Z forming respectively, a door overlap and an outer overlap for the still, and a third member coacting with the web portion of the Z and the transversely extending branch of the sill to form a box section structure.

20. In a vertical construction, an underframe side sill oi. angle section having a vertical branch and a transversely extending branch at the top of the vertical branch, and a body side wall panel structure having a threshold portion, said threshold portion being generally of Z-section and seated on the transversely extending branch of the sill through the web portion of the Z, the arms of the Z forming respectively, a door overlap and an outer overlap for the sill, at least parts of the web portion of the Z and the transversely extending branch of the sill forming an inwardly facing channel and an inner panel closing the mouth of the channel and forming a box section structure therewith.

21. In a vehicle construction, an underframe side sill of angle section having a vertical branch and an inwardly extending branch at the top of said vertical branch and a body side wall panel structure having a threshold portion, said threshold portion being generally of Z-section, the web of the Z being seated on the inwardly extending branch of the sill, the outer arm of the Z depending and its inner arm upstanding, at least portions of the web of the Z and the inwardly extending branch of the sill fomiing an inwardly facing channel, and an inner panel secured to the upstanding arm of theZ and the inner portion of the inwardly extending arm of the sill and closing the channel to form a box section structure.

22. In a vehicle construction according to claim 4, inwhich the inwardly extending branch of the sill is formed with a downwardly extending flange substantially in the vertical plane of the inner upstanding arm of the Z and in which parts at least of the web of the Z and the inwardly extending branch of the sill form an inwardly facing channel section, and an inner panel secured to the inner upstanding arm of the Z and the downwardly extending flange on the inwardly extending branch of the sill and forming a box section structure.

23. In a vehicle construction, a chassis underframe having a side sill provided with a horizontal top flange, a body side wall structure having a threshold portion comprised of inner and outer sheet metal panels of relatively thin gauge, one of said panels being shaped to form a laterally facing channel and the other panel closing the mouth of said channel to form therewith a box section structure, said structure having a horizontal portion seated on said top flange of the sill and having an inclined portion forming the door jamb.

JOHN P. TARBOX.