The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 11, 2011
Filed:
Apr. 05, 2010
Vernon P. Joynt, Pretoria, ZA;
John W. North, Ladson, SC (US);
Jonathan W. Georgas, Summerville, SC (US);
James E. White, Charleston, SC (US);
Michael L. Williams, North Charleston, SC (US);
Thomas E. Borders, Iii, Summerville, SC (US);
Vernon P. Joynt, Pretoria, ZA;
John W. North, Ladson, SC (US);
Jonathan W. Georgas, Summerville, SC (US);
James E. White, Charleston, SC (US);
Michael L. Williams, North Charleston, SC (US);
Thomas E. Borders, III, Summerville, SC (US);
Force Protection Technologies, Inc., Ladson, SC (US);
Abstract
In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a blast-resistant armored land vehicle. Wheels or tracks may be attached to the vehicle by an independent suspension. The vehicle may include a body comprised of sheet materials, the body having a longitudinal centerline, an upper portion including opposite side portions, a first bottom portion defining a V, with the apex of the V substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle and extending along a portion of the vehicle, and a second bottom portion defining a V, with the apex of the V substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle and extending along another portion of the vehicle. The first bottom portion further includes an energy-absorbing member extending longitudinally within an interior of the first bottom portion. The energy-absorbing member may be on the inside of the apex of the V and be held in position during the blast by its own inertia. The vehicle may also include a spine member having a V shaped cross section and extending along the entire length of the vehicle. All or a portion of the engine, transmission, and drive train assembly may be within the spine member. A vehicle not having a second bottom portion may be retrofitted with the second bottom portion by way of a kit.