Bus construction

Abstract

A method for constructing a bus, wherein a module associated with the front end of the bus is separately constructed and assembled to the shell after interior components of the bus have been installed. The shell of the bus can be fabricated at a first work station. The shell can be made transversely or laterally with respect to the longitudinal access of the bus to one or more work stations. At the subsequent work stations, interior components of the bus can be moved through the open ends of the bus. After the majority of the interior components have been installed with respect to the bus, the module supporting the windshield and bumper can be installed with respect to the shell. The module can also support the dashboard and steering column.

1 . In a motor vehicle assembly line for assembling a mass transportation motor vehicle body, the mass transportation motor vehicle body comprising: 
 an elongate vehicle body lattice structure for supporting separately assembled roof, floor, and side body panels, the vehicle body lattice structure including a plurality of seats, floor panels, and having an open longitudinal end; and    a separate unitary front-end panel having a plurality of pre-installed members for enclosing the open longitudinal end of the vehicle body lattice structure, the pre-installed members including an outer fascia.    
   
   
       2 . The motor vehicle body of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-installed members further include a bumper.  
   
   
       3 . The motor vehicle body of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-installed members further include a steering column assembly.  
   
   
       4 . The motor vehicle body of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-installed members further include at least one headlamp assembly.  
   
   
       5 . The motor vehicle body of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-installed members further include an instrument panel.  
   
   
       6 . The motor vehicle body of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-installed members further include a windshield.  
   
   
       7 . The motor vehicle body of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-installed members further include at least one of a member for actuating a braking mechanism, a member for controlling an engine throttle, and a member for initiating shifting of a transmission.  
   
   
       8 . A mass transportation motor vehicle body comprising: 
 an elongate vehicle body lattice structure for supporting separately assembled roof, floor, and side body panels, the vehicle body lattice structure having an open longitudinal end; and    a unitary front-end module removably connected to the lattice structure for enclosing the open longitudinal end of the lattice structure, the unitary front-end module being entirely detachable from the body lattice structure as a single unit, the front-end module including a front fascia and windshield.    
   
   
       9 . The motor vehicle body of  claim 8 , wherein the front-end module further includes a bumper.  
   
   
       10 . The motor vehicle body of  claim 8 , wherein the front-end module further includes a steering column assembly.  
   
   
       11 . The motor vehicle body of  claim 8 , wherein the front-end module further includes a headlamp assembly.  
   
   
       12 . The motor vehicle body of  claim 8 , wherein the front end module further includes an instrument panel.  
   
   
       13 . The motor vehicle body of  claim 8 , wherein the front-end module further includes at least one of a member for actuating a braking mechanism, a member for controlling an engine throttle mechanism, and a member for initiating shifting of a transmission.  
   
   
       14 . A roof support structure for a mass transportation motor vehicle body, the roof structure comprising: 
 an elongate first side rail having a forward end and an aft end;    an elongate second side rail having a forward end and an aft end, the second side rail displaced away from and aligned substantially parallel to the fist side rail;    a first elongate cross-member having a first end attached to the first side rail and a second end attached to the second side rail;    a second elongate cross-member having a first end attached the first side rail and a second end attached to the second side rail, wherein the first end of the first cross-member is attached to the first side rail forward of the first end of the second cross-member, and the second end of the second cross-member is attached to the second side rail forward of the second end of the second cross-member.    
   
   
       15 . The roof support structure of  claim 14 , wherein the first cross-member is attached the second cross-member.  
   
   
       16 . The roof support structure of  claim 14 , wherein the first cross-member includes a first beam and a second beam, an end of the first beam being positioned adjacent an end of the second beam, each of the first and second beams having an end attached to the second cross-member.  
   
   
       17 . The roof support structure of  claim 14  further comprising a reinforcing member attached to the first and second cross-members and detached, the reinforcing member being detached from the first and second side rails.  
   
   
       18 . The roof support structure of  claim 14 , wherein each of the first and second cross-members includes a first beam and a second beam, an end of the first beam of the first cross-member being attached to an end of the second beam of the second cross-member and an end of the second beam of the first cross-member being attached to an end of the first beam of the second cross-member.  
   
   
       19 . The roof support structure of  claim 18 , wherein the end of the first beam of the first cross-member is attached to the end of the first beam of the second cross-member.  
   
   
       20 . The roof support structure of  claim 18  further comprising a reinforcing member attached to the first and second beams of the first cross-member and the first and second beams of the second cross-member.