GB2299310A

GB2299310A - Modifying motor vehicles by fitting a tubular framework to support equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2299310A
Application number: GB9606364A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Bashall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-03-28
Filing date: 1996-03-26
Publication date: 1996-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 2016-03-26
Also published as: GB9506266D0; GB9606364D0; GB2299310B

Abstract

The chassis 1 of a vehicle such as an all terrain vehicle is modified by adding lateral extensions 2, to which side rails 3 are fixed, and a rear cross-member 6. The side members 3 and cross-member 6 have mounting points 5,7 for a tubular framework, eg of circular or box section, which extends from one side of the chassis 1 upwards and over the vehicle to join the other side of the chassis. The rear cross-member 6 has a light cluster 8 and ground anchor points 10. The fuel tanks 11 are mounted inside the side rails 3 and inside the rear cross-member 6. The battery box 12 is located centrally. Detachable modules and equipment can be mounted on the framework and there can optionally be a platform fixed to the side part of the supports at operational height on which equipment can be mounted. The framework also provides protection if the vehicle overturns. The equipment may include guns, ammunition, stores, first-aid. The size of the vehicle may be adjusted eg to fit in a helicopter.

Description

Improved Vehicle The present invention relates to a vehicle, more particularly, to a vehicle modified to increase its versatility and range of applications.

Conventional vehicles which are designed and constructed for use on and off roads, are built to be able to carry out the requirements of the expected purchasers of such vehicles. However, for some applications, a single vehicle may have the need to carry out various roles in different environments and this is particularly relevant for military purposes.

It has been found that, for some specialised requirements, extensive modifications are required to existing available vehicles and such modified vehicles are then limited to that specialised role. This can result in expensively modified vehicles not being fully utilised and the requirement to modify existing vehicles individually for each use.

I have now devised a modified vehicle with enhanced capabilities which can be adapted for different purposes.

According to the invention there is provided a motorised vehicle with at least four wheels and a chassis to which chassis are attached a plurality of tubular supports which extend laterally outwards from one side of the chassis upwards and over the vehicle to join the other side of the chassis, there being means adapted to have detachable modules at least partially mounted on said tubular supports where they project beyond the chassis.

Preferably there are at least two tubular supports which extend outwards from the vehicle and project over the vehicle to the other side so as to provide at least two substantially parallel bars over the vehicle. Optionally, these bars can be connected by other supports to provide a framework above the vehicle on which there can be mounted a range of equipment.

The height the supports project above the vehicle will depend on the intended use and a convenient height is such that a man standing on the floor of the vehicle can operate equipment mounted on such supports. Preferably there are tubular side supports mounted along the sides of the vehicle connected to the laterally projecting supports to provide a framework to which other equipment can be mounted. This framework can also provide protection for the sides of the vehicle.

At the rear of the vehicle there can be supports attached to the lateral tubular supports to provide a mounting structure at the rear. This rear mounting structure can, for example, have one or more spare wheels attached to it and, because of the rigidity of the mounting structure, the spare wheels can be mounted on hinged wheel supports for ease of access and movement. If desired, strong protective reinforcement components can be attached to the rear mounting structure, e.g. to protect a petrol tank or other component at the rear of a vehicle.

In one embodiment of the invention, tent supports can be attached to the rear supports so that a tent can be easily erected on these supports.

Although the tubular supports conveniently have a substantially circular crosssection, any configuration can be used, e.g. box section. The supports should be made of a suitable strong material such as iron or steel, although if weight is a factor, lighter weight material can be used.

Preferably the supports project the same distance from each side of the vehicle, although, if desired, for specialist applications, they can project more one side than the other.

The structure of the invention is particularly useful in the modification of all terrain four-wheel drive vehicles, such as those sold by the Rover company under the Trade Name 'Land Rover' and other vehicles of this type. In this type of vehicle, having carrying capacity beyond the floor of the vehicle enables a larger area on the floor to be used and if equipment is mounted on the supports there is more room to operate such equipment.

It is a feature of the invention that different modules can be mounted on the supports, depending on the application.

For example, for military use, ammunition boxes can be mounted on the supports and a gun mounted on the supports where they pass over the vehicle. At other times, the same vehicle can be changed to another use, e.g. by replacing the ammunition boxes with stores, food, first aid equipment, etc.

Another feature of the invention is that the size of the vehicle can be adjusted for convenience, e.g. to enable vehicles to fit into helicopters. For example, two Land Rovers can be altered to fit into a 'Chinook' helicopter, thus maximising both the carrying capacity of the Land Rovers and the helicopter.

It has also been found that the tubular supports provide extra protection in case the vehicle should overturn and the extra height at the side can prevent the vehicle from rolling.

The invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawing a "Range Rover " chassis is shown generally at (1) which has extended outer riggers (2) attached to it. There are extended side rails (3) fixed to the outriggers. There are mounting points (5) fixed to the outriggers and the side rails.

At the rear of the vehicle is an extended crossmember (6) which has mounting points (7) for a framework to be attached. The crossmember (6) has a light cluster (8) and ground anchor points (10) fixed to it.

At the front of the vehicle is custom bumper (9) which has a crash bar assembly fixed to it. The fuel tanks (11) are positioned inside the side rails and inside the rear crossmember (6). The battery box (12) is positioned as shown and there are fuel sediment bowls (14).

Attached to the extended side rails(3) and to the crossmember (6) at the mounting points (5) and (7) is a tubular frame work which can extend up over the vehicle. Thus the structure of the invention provides a modified vehicle which can easily be adapted to a range of functions without fundamental changes and can provide improved protection and robustness to the vehicle.

Claims

1. A motorised vehicle with at least four wheels and a chassis to which chassis are attached a plurality of tubular supports which extend laterally outwards from one side of the chassis upwards and over the vehicle to join the other side of the chassis, there being means adapted to have detachable modules at least partially mounted on said tubular supports where they project beyond the chassis.

2. A motorised vehicle as claimed in claim 1 in which there are at least two tubular supports which extend outwards from the vehicle and project over the vehicle to the other side so as to provide at least two substantially parallel bars over the vehicle.

3. A motorised vehicle as claimed in claim 2 in which the bars are connected by other supports to provide a framework above the vehicle on which there can be mounted a range of equipment.

4. A motorised vehicle as claimed in claim in which 3 there are tubular side supports mounted along the sides of the vehicle connected to the laterally projecting supports to provide a framework to which other equipment can be mounted, which framework also provides protection for the sides of the vehicle.

5. A motorised vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which, at the rear of the vehicle, there are supports attached to the lateral tubular supports to provide a mounting structure at the rear.

6. A motorised vehicle as claimed in claim 5 in which the rear mounting structure has one or more spare wheels attached to it mounted on hinged wheel supports.

7. A motorised vehicle as claimed in 5 or 6 in which there are tent supports attached to the rear supports so that a tent can be erected on these tent supports.

8. A motorised vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the tubular supports conveniently have a substantially circular cross-section.

9. A motorised vehicle as claimed in claim 1 as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawing.