Claims
- 1. A vehicle frame assembly comprising:
- a) a plurality of spaced nodes, each having at least one receptacle;
- b) a plurality of generally elongated frame members spanning between nodes, and received at an end in a node receptacle;
- c) a latching member disposed to span between a node and a frame member to lockingly engage said frame end into said node receptacle;
- d) said nodes and frame members being selected, sized and adapted to form a vehicle space frame.
- 2. A vehicle frame assembly as in claim 1 wherein said frame ends comprise tapered keys and said node receptacles matingly engage said keys for secure fit.
- 3. A vehicle frame assembly as in claim 2 wherein said latching member includes an over-center tongue and groove latch.
- 4. A vehicle frame assembly as in claim 3 wherein said latching member includes a locking element to prevent said latch from popping open under use conditions.
- 5. A vehicle frame assembly as in claim 1 wherein said space frame forms an engine- or human-powered vehicle.
- 6. A vehicle frame assembly as in claim 5 wherein said interlockable node and frame members are designed and adapted to be field assemblable by hand, transformable into a variety of different vehicles, modular, and field reparable.
- 7. A vehicle body panel assembly comprising
- a) a configured body panel having an exterior face and an interior face;
- b) a plurality of fixed keys adjacent selected margins of said panel located on at least one interior face said panel to matingly engage correspondingly located receptacles on at least one vehicle frame member;
- c) at least one reciprocable key assembly disposed on said interior face to force said fixed keys into seated engagement with their corresponding receptacles to secure said panel to said frame.
- 8. A vehicle body panel assembly as in claim wherein said reciprocable key assembly includes a locking member to prevent said reciprocable key from becoming disengage from its receptacle.
- 9. A vehicle body assembly as in claim 8 wherein said locking member includes a lever-actuated camming element.
- 10. A vehicle body assembly as in claim 7 wherein said panels are configured to provide a variety of design shapes and include from 2 to about 10 keys.
- 11. A vehicle frame and body assembly which includes a frame assembly comprising:
- a) a plurality of spaced nodes, each having at least one receptacle;
- b) a plurality of generally elongated frame members spanning between nodes, and received at an end in a node receptacle;
- c) a latching member disposed to span between a node and a frame member to lockingly engage said frame end into said node receptacle;
- d) said nodes and frame members being selected, sized and adapted to form a vehicle space frame; and
- which frame assembly receives and carries panels comprising:
- e) a configured body panel having an exterior face and an interior face;
- f) a plurality of fixed keys adjacent selected margins of said panel located on at least one interior face said panel to matingly engage correspondingly located receptacles on at least one said frame member; and
- g) at least one reciprocable key assembly disposed on said interior face to force said fixed keys into seated engagement with their corresponding receptacles to secure said panel to said frame.
- 12. A vehicle frame assembly as in claim 1 wherein said nodes and frame members are ruggedized.
- 13. A vehicle frame assembly as in claim 1 wherein selected ones of said node and frame interconnections are substantially permanent, being secured by welding, fasteners, bridge plates and the like, such selected permanent frame interconnections being selected from chassis suspension points, motor mounts, and the like.
- 14. Method of constructing a vehicle comprising:
- a) providing pre-selected vehicle frame assembly components comprising:
- i) a plurality of spaced nodes, each having at least one receptacle;
- ii) a plurality of generally elongated frame members spanning between nodes, and received at an end in a node receptacle;
- iii) a latching member disposed to span between a node and a frame member to lockingly engage said frame end into said node receptacle;
- iv) said nodes and frame members being selected, sized and adapted to form a vehicle space frame; and
- v) said components being selected to form a predetermined type of vehicle;
- b) providing pre-selected matching body panel components comprising:
- i) a configured body panel having an exterior face and an interior face;
- ii) a plurality of fixed keys adjacent selected margins of said panel located on at least one interior face said panel to matingly engage correspondingly located receptacles on at least one said frame member;
- iii) at least one reciprocable key assembly disposed on said interior face to force said fixed keys into seated engagement with their corresponding receptacles to secure said panel to said frame; and
- c) assembling said frame and body panels to form a predetermined vehicle type, such as, but not limited to, automotive sedan, coupe, van, minivan, truck, pick-up, long bed pick-up, camper, sports-utility vehicle, human powered vehicle, boat, aircraft, public transport vehicle and the like.
Parent Case Info
This application claims benefit of provisional application 60/043,466, filed Mar. 11, 1997.
US Referenced Citations (6)