EP2066550A1 - Chassis for go-karts - Google Patents

Chassis for go-karts

Info

Publication number
EP2066550A1
EP2066550A1 EP07802303A EP07802303A EP2066550A1 EP 2066550 A1 EP2066550 A1 EP 2066550A1 EP 07802303 A EP07802303 A EP 07802303A EP 07802303 A EP07802303 A EP 07802303A EP 2066550 A1 EP2066550 A1 EP 2066550A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
chassis
karts
self
supporting
supporting element
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP07802303A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Claudio Galvanin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP2066550A1 publication Critical patent/EP2066550A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D21/00—Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted
    • B62D21/18—Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted characterised by the vehicle type and not provided for in groups B62D21/02 - B62D21/17
    • B62D21/183—Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted characterised by the vehicle type and not provided for in groups B62D21/02 - B62D21/17 specially adapted for sports vehicles, e.g. race, dune buggies, go-karts

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a chassis particularly for go-karts.
  • Go-karts (or more briefly karts) are constituted substantially by a tubular steel chassis, with no suspensions, and by a small-displacement engine which transfers the motion to a rigid rear axle with no differential.
  • the steel used is commonly a chromium-molybdenum steel and the tubing has a cross-section comprised between 22 and 35 mm.
  • the tubes that constitute the chassis are generally welded together by wire welding.
  • the design or configuration of the chassis can be more or less structured and complex and it is possible to use tubes having different cross- sections in order to improve the dynamic characteristics of the vehicle and optionally adapt it to the type of tire used.
  • the engine is usually supported by a cradle, which is rigidly coupled to the longitudinal members of the chassis for example by welds.
  • the braking system is constituted typically by a single disc, which is mounted at the rear on the axle, and by front brakes which act on each of the two front wheels.
  • the chassis described briefly above, though being widely used, are not devoid of drawbacks.
  • the aim of the present invention is to provide a chassis particularly for go-karts which allows to eliminate or at least reduce drastically the drawbacks mentioned above.
  • an object of the invention is to provide a chassis particularly for go-karts which is simpler to manufacture and can be adapted reliably and effectively to the various driving conditions.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a chassis particularly for go-karts which has an extremely simple structure and a competitive production cost, so that its use is advantageous also from an economical standpoint.
  • a chassis particularly for go-karts, characterized in that it comprises at least one self-supporting element selected from a group of supports which comprises:
  • Figure l is a top elevation view of a chassis for go-karts according to the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the chassis shown in Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a top elevation view of the block for the joint of a front wheel;
  • Figures 4 and 5 are side elevation views of a block for the joint of the front wheel shown in Figure 3;
  • Figure 6 is a sectional view of the block for the joint of the front wheel, taken along the plane of arrangement outlined by the line VI-VI of Figure 5;
  • Figure 7 is a front elevation view of an example of embodiment of a support for a bearing case of the rear axle
  • Figure 8 is a side elevation view of the support for a bearing case of the rear axle shown in Figure 7;
  • Figure 9 is a view, similar to Figure 7, but in partial cross-section;
  • Figure 10 is a front view of a variation of a flange for a connection between a longitudinal member and the respective self-supporting element
  • Figure 11 is a sectional view of the flange for connection along the plane of arrangement outlined by the line XI-XI of Figure 10. Ways of carrying out the Invention
  • a chassis particularly for go-karts, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises two longitudinal members 2 which are connected one another, substantially at an intermediate portion, by at least one intermediate connecting crossmember
  • the chassis 1 comprises at least one self-supporting element 4, which is selected from a group of supports which comprises:
  • the self-supporting element or elements 4 are connected by means of flanges 5 to the remaining portion of the chassis 1 and in particular to the longitudinal members 2.
  • the self-supporting elements are part of the chassis 1 and are not supported by it.
  • the self-supporting element or elements 4 are, as mentioned, connected by means of flanges 5 to respective end portions 2a for connection provided on the longitudinal members 3 of the chassis 1.
  • one of the self-supporting elements 4 is constituted by the support 4a for the engine, it conveniently defines a seating region 6 for an engine and it is possible and advantageous to provide, to the rear thereof, a region for supporting a bearing case 8 of a rear axle 9.
  • the self-supporting elements 4 are constituted by the supports 4b for a bearing case of the rear axle 9, at least one of them can support directly a caliper assembly 10 of a braking device 11, which is arranged on the rear axle 9 and is designed to engage a braking disc 11a.
  • the bearing case or cases 4b can also support a plurality of caliper assemblies 10, which act for example on discs which are arranged on opposite sides of the rear axle 9 with respect to the bearing case 4b.
  • the chassis 1 can further be provided with a rear stiffening crossmember 12, which is connected, by means of a pair of terminals 12a, which optionally also are provided with a flange, to the self-supporting elements that support the bearing cases 4b of the rear axle 9.
  • the self-supporting element 4 is constituted by the supporting blocks 4c for the joint of the front wheel, it can have two flat connecting portions 13a and 13b which are mutually angled and can be connected, conveniently again by means of flanges, respectively to an end portion 2a for the connection of a longitudinal member 2 of the chassis 1 and to a connecting portion 14a of a front crossmember 14 of the chassis 1.
  • the engine can be fixed, for example by means of screws or fixing collars, to the lower base of the support 4a for the engine. However, nothing prevents fixing at lateral bands so as to facilitate all the fixing and adjustment operations.
  • the flange 5 comprises a fixing surface 5a, which is rigidly coupled to the end connecting portion 2a of a longitudinal member 2 and is designed to face an abutment region which is defined on the respective self-supporting element 4.
  • said screw-and-nut connection means can be constituted by a plurality of screw elements 5b, which engage within respective holes provided in the fixing surface 5 a and can be screwed into threaded holes provided at the respective abutment region of the self-supporting element 4.
  • the flange 5, as shown in Figures 10 and 11 can be provided by arranging at the terminal connecting portion 2b of the longitudinal members 2 at least one pin 5 c which can be inserted in a containment recess 5d which is formed on the self-supporting elements 4. According to this embodiment, it is particularly advantageous to interpose a layer of adhesive between the pin 5 c and the respective containment recess 5d, so as to rigidly couple the terminal or end connecting portion 2a to the respective self-supporting element 4.
  • the pin 5c comprises an abutment portion 5e which lie radially and right angles to its longitudinal extension/axis and is designed to face an abutment region 5f designed on the self-supporting element 4.
  • welds ensures on the one hand optimum rigidity to the chassis and at the same time allows to couple the various elements of the chassis rapidly and reliably.
  • the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions may be any according to requirements.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)

Abstract

A chassis, particularly for go-karts, comprising at least one self-supporting element (4) selected from a group of supports which comprises: an engine support (4a); a support (4b) for a bearing case of the rear axle (9); a supporting block (4c) for a joint of the front wheel.

Description

CHASSIS FOR GO-KARTS Technical Field
The present invention relates to a chassis particularly for go-karts. Go-karts (or more briefly karts) are constituted substantially by a tubular steel chassis, with no suspensions, and by a small-displacement engine which transfers the motion to a rigid rear axle with no differential. Background Art
The steel used is commonly a chromium-molybdenum steel and the tubing has a cross-section comprised between 22 and 35 mm. The tubes that constitute the chassis are generally welded together by wire welding. The design or configuration of the chassis can be more or less structured and complex and it is possible to use tubes having different cross- sections in order to improve the dynamic characteristics of the vehicle and optionally adapt it to the type of tire used. The engine is usually supported by a cradle, which is rigidly coupled to the longitudinal members of the chassis for example by welds.
The braking system is constituted typically by a single disc, which is mounted at the rear on the axle, and by front brakes which act on each of the two front wheels. The chassis described briefly above, though being widely used, are not devoid of drawbacks.
First of all, it is quite evident that the process for manufacturing the chassis is laborious and entails many welds of tubular elements.
Moreover, the rigidity of the chassis and its response to stresses can be affected significantly by the welding methods which, in certain situations, can compromise the mechanical characteristics of the chassis. Disclosure of the Invention
The aim of the present invention is to provide a chassis particularly for go-karts which allows to eliminate or at least reduce drastically the drawbacks mentioned above.
Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a chassis particularly for go-karts which is simpler to manufacture and can be adapted reliably and effectively to the various driving conditions. Another object of the invention is to provide a chassis particularly for go-karts which has an extremely simple structure and a competitive production cost, so that its use is advantageous also from an economical standpoint.
This aim and these and other objects, which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a chassis, particularly for go-karts, characterized in that it comprises at least one self-supporting element selected from a group of supports which comprises:
- an engine support;
- a support for a bearing case of the rear axle; - a supporting block for the joint of the front wheel.
Brief description of the drawings
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a chassis, particularly for go-karts, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure l is a top elevation view of a chassis for go-karts according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the chassis shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top elevation view of the block for the joint of a front wheel;
Figures 4 and 5 are side elevation views of a block for the joint of the front wheel shown in Figure 3;
Figure 6 is a sectional view of the block for the joint of the front wheel, taken along the plane of arrangement outlined by the line VI-VI of Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a front elevation view of an example of embodiment of a support for a bearing case of the rear axle;
Figure 8 is a side elevation view of the support for a bearing case of the rear axle shown in Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a view, similar to Figure 7, but in partial cross-section;
Figure 10 is a front view of a variation of a flange for a connection between a longitudinal member and the respective self-supporting element;
Figure 11 is a sectional view of the flange for connection along the plane of arrangement outlined by the line XI-XI of Figure 10. Ways of carrying out the Invention
In the exemplary embodiments that follow, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other exemplary embodiments. Moreover, it is noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.
With reference to the Figures, a chassis, particularly for go-karts, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises two longitudinal members 2 which are connected one another, substantially at an intermediate portion, by at least one intermediate connecting crossmember
3.
According to the present invention, the chassis 1 comprises at least one self-supporting element 4, which is selected from a group of supports which comprises:
- a support 4a for the engine;
- a support 4b for a bearing case of the rear axle;
- a supporting block 4c for the joint of the front wheel.
In particular, as illustrated in the embodiment shown in the figures, the self-supporting element or elements 4 are connected by means of flanges 5 to the remaining portion of the chassis 1 and in particular to the longitudinal members 2.
In practice, the self-supporting elements are part of the chassis 1 and are not supported by it.
Advantageously, the self-supporting element or elements 4 are, as mentioned, connected by means of flanges 5 to respective end portions 2a for connection provided on the longitudinal members 3 of the chassis 1.
If one of the self-supporting elements 4 is constituted by the support 4a for the engine, it conveniently defines a seating region 6 for an engine and it is possible and advantageous to provide, to the rear thereof, a region for supporting a bearing case 8 of a rear axle 9.
When the self-supporting elements 4 are constituted by the supports 4b for a bearing case of the rear axle 9, at least one of them can support directly a caliper assembly 10 of a braking device 11, which is arranged on the rear axle 9 and is designed to engage a braking disc 11a.
Conveniently, the bearing case or cases 4b can also support a plurality of caliper assemblies 10, which act for example on discs which are arranged on opposite sides of the rear axle 9 with respect to the bearing case 4b. The chassis 1 can further be provided with a rear stiffening crossmember 12, which is connected, by means of a pair of terminals 12a, which optionally also are provided with a flange, to the self-supporting elements that support the bearing cases 4b of the rear axle 9.
Finally, if the self-supporting element 4 is constituted by the supporting blocks 4c for the joint of the front wheel, it can have two flat connecting portions 13a and 13b which are mutually angled and can be connected, conveniently again by means of flanges, respectively to an end portion 2a for the connection of a longitudinal member 2 of the chassis 1 and to a connecting portion 14a of a front crossmember 14 of the chassis 1. The engine can be fixed, for example by means of screws or fixing collars, to the lower base of the support 4a for the engine. However, nothing prevents fixing at lateral bands so as to facilitate all the fixing and adjustment operations.
According to the example of embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the flange 5 comprises a fixing surface 5a, which is rigidly coupled to the end connecting portion 2a of a longitudinal member 2 and is designed to face an abutment region which is defined on the respective self-supporting element 4.
In this regard, it is convenient to provide for example screw-and-nut connection means between the fixing surface 5 a and the respective abutment region.
As shown, said screw-and-nut connection means can be constituted by a plurality of screw elements 5b, which engage within respective holes provided in the fixing surface 5 a and can be screwed into threaded holes provided at the respective abutment region of the self-supporting element 4. As an alternative, the flange 5, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, can be provided by arranging at the terminal connecting portion 2b of the longitudinal members 2 at least one pin 5 c which can be inserted in a containment recess 5d which is formed on the self-supporting elements 4. According to this embodiment, it is particularly advantageous to interpose a layer of adhesive between the pin 5 c and the respective containment recess 5d, so as to rigidly couple the terminal or end connecting portion 2a to the respective self-supporting element 4.
Advantageously, the pin 5c comprises an abutment portion 5e which lie radially and right angles to its longitudinal extension/axis and is designed to face an abutment region 5f designed on the self-supporting element 4.
Conveniently, in order to avoid any relative rotations about the axis of longitudinal extension of the longitudinal member 2 with respect to the self-supporting element 4, it is possible to use a pin 3g for locking the abutment portion 5e with respect to the respective abutment region 5f.
Operation of a chassis, particularly for go-karts, according to the invention is evident from what has been described above.
In practice it has been found that the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects in all the embodiments.
Thus, for example, it appears to be convenient to associate, for example by welding and/or by means of a flange of the type described above, the supports 20 of the seats directly on the self-supporting elements 4 which constitute the support 4a for the engine and/or the supports 4b for the bearing cases.
In particular, it has been found that the absence or in any case the limitation of welds ensures on the one hand optimum rigidity to the chassis and at the same time allows to couple the various elements of the chassis rapidly and reliably. In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements.
All the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.
The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. VR2006A000140 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.
Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A chassis, particularly for go-karts, characterized in that it comprises at least one self-supporting element (4) selected from a group of supports which comprises: - an engine support (4a);
- a support (4b) for a bearing case of the rear axle (9);
- a supporting block (4c) for a joint of the front wheel.
2. The chassis particularly for go-karts according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one self-supporting element (4) is connected by way of a flange (5) to the remaining portion of said chassis
(1).
3. The chassis particularly for go-karts according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one self-supporting element (4) is connected by way of a flange (5) to an end connecting portion (2a) provided on a respective longitudinal member (3) of said chassis ( 1 ).
4. The chassis particularly for go-karts according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flange (5) comprises a fixing surface (5 a) which is rigidly coupled to said end connecting portion (2a) and is designed to face an abutment region defined on said at least one self- supporting element (4).
5. The chassis particularly for go-karts according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises screw-and-nut means (5b) for connection between said fixing surface (5a) and the respective abutment region.
6. The chassis particularly for go-karts according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flange (5) comprises, at said end connecting portion (2a), at least one pin (5 c) which can be inserted in a containment recess (5d) formed in said at least one self supporting element (4).
7. The chassis particularly for go-karts according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a layer of adhesive between said at least one pin (5c) and the respective containment recess (5d) which is adapted to rigidly couple said end portion (2a) for connection to said self-supporting element (4).
8. The chassis particularly for go-karts according to one or more of the claims 6,7, characterized in that said at least one pin (5c) comprises an abutment portion (5e) which protrudes radially and at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said pin (5c) and is designed to face an abutment region (5f) which is defined on said at least one self-supporting element (4).
9. The chassis particularly for go-karts according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a pin (3g) for locking said abutment portion (5e) with respect to said respective abutment region (5f).
10. The chassis particularly for go-karts according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one self-supporting element (4) comprises said engine support (4a) which defines an accommodation region for an engine and, at the rear, a region (4b) for supporting a bearing case of the rear axle (9).
11. The chassis particularly for go-karts according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one self-supporting element (4) for supporting a bearing case of the rear axle (9) supports at least one caliper assembly (10) of the braking device of said rear axle (9).
12. The chassis particularly for go-karts according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a rear stiffening crossmember (12) which is connected, by means of two flanged terminals (12a), to said self-supporting elements (4) for supporting the bearing case of the rear axle (9).
13. The chassis particularly for go-karts according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said block (4c) for supporting the joint of the front wheel comprises two flat connecting portions (13a, 13b) which are mutually angled and can be connected, by means of a flange, respectively to an end connecting portion (2a) of a longitudinal member (2) of said chassis (1) and to a connecting portion (14a) of a front crossmember (14) of said chassis (1).
EP07802303A 2006-09-15 2007-09-13 Chassis for go-karts Withdrawn EP2066550A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITVR20060140 ITVR20060140A1 (en) 2006-09-15 2006-09-15 FRAME, PARTICULARLY FOR GO-KART
PCT/EP2007/007992 WO2008031599A1 (en) 2006-09-15 2007-09-13 Chassis for go-karts

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2066550A1 true EP2066550A1 (en) 2009-06-10

Family

ID=38649988

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07802303A Withdrawn EP2066550A1 (en) 2006-09-15 2007-09-13 Chassis for go-karts

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2066550A1 (en)
IT (1) ITVR20060140A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2008031599A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITVR20120150A1 (en) * 2012-07-19 2014-01-20 Monte Cornetto S R L FRAME, PARTICULARLY FOR GO-KART

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4682668A (en) * 1985-06-20 1987-07-28 Salmon Michael E Go-cart
IT1213478B (en) * 1986-08-07 1989-12-20 Alfa Romeo Spa BODY FOR A VEHICLE, PARTICULARLY A CAR, AN PROCESS FOR ITS REALIZATION.
EP0278479B1 (en) * 1987-02-10 1993-05-12 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Vehicle structure, especially chassis frame structure
US5199526A (en) * 1989-09-21 1993-04-06 Derviller Peter R J Lightweight high performance road racing vehicle
ZA973413B (en) * 1996-04-30 1998-10-21 Autokinetics Inc Modular vehicle frame
FR2772333B1 (en) * 1997-12-15 2000-01-21 Bernard Villegier MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A TUBULAR CHASSIS
ITTO20010979A1 (en) * 2001-10-16 2003-04-16 Ferrari Spa BODY FOR VEHICLES.
DE10210147C1 (en) * 2002-03-07 2003-09-25 Daimler Chrysler Ag Supporting structure for commercial vehicle, has axle support element with attachment ends that configured so that longitudinal members may be fixed at points which differ from one another with regard to the vertical level

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2008031599A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITVR20060140A1 (en) 2008-03-16
WO2008031599A1 (en) 2008-03-20

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