Paccar Inc.

Richard D Chapman

Huston R Marlowe

Robert F Fingerle

Charles E Koske

James P Bingaman

Jeffrey E Paul

A modular cab/sleeper structural assembly (31) for a truck-tractor vehicle (30) is provided which improves ride quality and structural integrity without substantially increasing the overall weight or sacrificing any advantages of separate cab and sleeper units. The assembly (31) includes a chassis frame (33) extending substantially longitudinal of the vehicle (30) and a cab unit (35) having a cab structural assembly (37) mounted to the chassis frame (33) by a first mount (42). A sleeper unit (38) having a sleeper structural assembly (40) is mounted to the chassis frame (33) by a second mount (43). A coupling member (41), coupled between the cab structural assembly (37) and the sleeper structural assembly (40) and independent of the chassis frame (33), rigidly couples the sleeper structural assembly (40) and the cab structural assembly (37) together to produce a substantially unified composite structure for increased structural integrity. A method for improving ride quality and structural integrity of the modular cab/sleeper structural assembly (31 ) is also provided.

Modular cab and sleeper structural assembly for a truck-tractor vehicle

A breakaway/swingaway mirror mounting assembly is provided that conveniently attaches to the side of a vehicle's door panel. The mirror assembly includes a mounting plate, a breakaway swing plate, a mirror strut, and a mirror. The mounting plate is securely fastened to the vehicle in a conventional manner. The mirror strut and the mirror are conventional but instead of attaching directly to the mounting plate, the mirror strut attaches to the swing plate. The improvement in the present invention relates to the attachment of the swing plate to the mounting plate. An attachment means for releasably engaging the mirror assembly to the mounting plate is provided. The attachment means preferably includes a pair of bolts each having an associated rubber bushing. The bolts attach to the swing plate while the bushings are press fit into the mounting plate. Upon sustaining any substantial impact, the bushings pop free from the mounting plate thereby allowing the mirror assembly to swing or breakaway.

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Fremont, CA, United States of America

Richard D Chapman