VREEDE, Rob (Nuenenseweg 115, BC Geldrop, NL-5667, NL)
| CLAIMS: 1. A truck comprising a chassis and a cab present thereon which is connected to the chassis by means of a single connecting construction, which connecting construction comprises at least one plate, as well as a strip which in lateral direction is positioned at right angles to the plate and with at least part of at least either of the two longitudinal edges is fixed to the plate, where a first end of the strip is connected to a connecting element that is connected through a flexible element to a transverse arm connected to a stabilizer bar, which stabilizer bar is connected to the cab, and where the plate is connected to the chassis, characterised in that at least a single chassis-connected breaking element is fixed to the connecting element. 2. A truck as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the connecting construction comprises a further plate which runs parallel to and is present at a distance from the plate, where the strip is fastened to the plates along part of each one of the two longitudinal edges. 3. A truck as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a fastening element is connected with its ends to the plates and between these ends is fixed to the other, second end of the strip. |
DESCRIPTION
Field of the invention.
The invention relates to a truck comprising a chassis and a cab present thereon which is connected to the chassis by means of a single connecting construction, which connecting construction comprises at least one plate, as well as a strip which in lateral direction is positioned at right angles to the plate and with at least part of at least either of the two longitudinal edges is fixed to the plate, where a first end of the strip is connected to a connecting element that is connected through a flexible element to a transverse arm connected to a stabilizer bar, which stabilizer bar is connected to the cab, and where the plate is connected to the chassis.
State of the art
A truck of this type is known from EP-A-1 996 446. In the event of a head-on collision with for example another truck, the cab of one truck smashes into the cab of the other truck while the chassis more often than not slides through from under the cab. During the collision the longitudinal edge of the strip is torn loose from the plate to which it is fixed. As a result, the cab may shift relative to the chassis over a distance of about twice the length of the strip and still continue to be connected to the chassis. With the collisions occurring most the distance over which the cab moves relative to the chassis is less than twice the length of the strip, as a result of which in these cases the cab continues to be connected to the chassis by means of the strip. In consequence, the cab is generally distorted less in a collision and remains on the chassis, so that it is better accessible for emergency services. In addition, with a collision the forces acting on the cab are reduced as a result of this.
Summary of the invention.
It is an object of the invention to improve the known truck. For this purpose the truck according to the invention is characterised in that at least a single chassis-connected breaking element is fixed to the connecting element. In case of a collision this breaking element will thus break first prior to the strip being torn loose from the plates. This breaking action requires force as a result of which the connecting construction in its turn is capable of absorbing more force. While the strip is torn loose, the connecting element is distorted and the flexible element distorted. This again takes up force, so that more collision energy is absorbed by the connecting construction. The connecting element and the breaking element form part of the mounting construction for mounting the stabilizer rod on the chassis. By fixing the tearable strip to the elements already present, there is no need for installing additional connecting means for connecting the strip to the cab.
The connecting construction preferably comprises a further plate which runs parallel to and is present at a distance from the plate, while the strip is fastened to the plates along part of each one of the two longitudinal edges. As a result, a force roughly twice as large is needed to tear the strip loose from the plates, so that it is thus possible for larger collision forces to be cushioned.
An embodiment of the truck according to the invention is characterised in that a fastening element is connected with its ends to the plates and between these ends is fixed to the other, second end of the strip. After the strip has been torn loose from the plates, with any further deformation the strip will distort the mounting element. This again requires force, so that the connecting construction can even absorb more force before breaking down.
Brief description of the drawings.
The following description relating to the appended drawings, the whole given by way of non-limiting example of the truck according to the invention, will provide better understanding of how the invention can be realised, in which:
Fig. 1 gives a perspective view of a part of a truck in the place of the connection between the cab and the chassis;
Fig. 2 gives a side view of the part represented in Fig. 1 prior to a collision; Fig. 3 shows the part represented in Fig. 2 after a collision; and Fig. 4 shows the connecting construction in a state prior to and after a collision. Detailed description of the drawings
Fig. 1 gives a perspective view of part of a truck in the place of the connection between the cab and the chassis. On both sides of the truck there is a connecting construction 1. The truck has two coupling sections 3 on which the cab is mounted with its front side, as well as two bumper brackets 5 which are mounted on longitudinal beams 7 of the chassis. For clarity the cab has been omitted in the drawing figures.
The connecting construction 1 comprises two plates 9 running parallel to and at a distance from each other and with a strip 1 1 in between. This strip essentially extends between the plates 9 and is fixed to the two plates 9 with its two longitudinal eges t IB. The ends of the plates are connected to the chassis by means of bolts 12A and 12B and via the bumper bracket 5. The strip 11 is fixed with a first end 13 to a fastening element via two connecting elements 15. This fastening element is formed by a shaft 17 which is located in a central position in an eyelet 21 fixed to an end of an arm 19. This eyelet has an inner diameter that exceeds the diameter of the shaft. A flexible element 23 is present beween the eyelet and the shaft. The other end 25 of the arm 19 is connected to one of the coupling elements 3.
The strip 11 is fixed with the second end 27 to the cylinder sleeve of a fastening element 29 which extends in the plane of the strip 27 and is positioned at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the strip between the plates 9 and with its axial ends is connected to the plates.
For illustrative purposes Figs. 2 and 3 give a side view of the part shown in Fig. 1 prior to and after a collision. Fig. 4 gives a detailed representation of this part in a state prior to and after a collision. In Fig. 4 the reference numerals provided with an apostrophe indicate the positions of the parts of the connecting construction after the collision.
In the place of and at a small distance from the first end 13 of the strip 1 1 breaking elements 31 and 33 are fixed to the strip. One of the breaking elements 31 is located between the two plates 9 and connected to the chassis by means of the bolt 12 A. The other breaking element 33 is fixed to a further bolt 35 which is also connected to the chassis.
When there is a collision, the cab slides back relative to the chassis. The arm
19 connected to the cab will then be displaced relative to the plates 9 connected to the chassis from the position shown on the left in Fig. 4 over a distance 37 to the position shown on the right in Fig. 4. With this displacement first the two breaking elements 31 and 33 will give way. Then the longitudinal edges 1 IB of the strip 11 will come loose from the two plates 9 and while doing so bend the strip to the position referred to as 11 '. The fastening element 29 will then be distorted relative to the plates 9 and also the connecting elements 15 and the shaft 17 will be distorted relative to the arm 19 while the flexible element 23 wil be twisted. During the displacement of the arm 19 from the left-hand to the rigt-hand position the connecting construction will absorb energy in many cases leading to the cab not coming loose from the chassis.
Albeit the invention has been described in the foregoing based on the drawings, it should be observed that the invention is not by any manner or means restricted to the embodiment shown in the drawings. The invention also extends to all embodiments deviating from the embodiment shown in the drawings within the spirit and scope defined by the claims.