FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, rule 13]
TITLE: “A FLOOR STRUCTURE OF A LOAD BODY FOR A VEHICLE”
Name and Address of the Applicant:
TATA MOTORS LIMITED of 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001 Maharashtra, India.
Nationality: Indian
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure generally relates to a field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively the present disclosure relates to a load body for a vehicle. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure discloses a floor structure of the load body for the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
Generally, load carrying vehicles such as commercial vehicles, industrial vehicles and the like, includes a load body supported on a vehicle frame. The load body generally includes side walls and a floor structure. The floor structure is manufactured such that, the floor structure bears weight of a payload. Conventionally, the floor structures are manufactured using materials such as wood or metal or combinations of both. Typically, the conventional floor structures after prolonged use, deforms due to the loads being carried by the vehicle and also the movement of the loads on the floor structure. That is, deformed/bumpy surfaces are formed on surface of the floor structure, especially on the floor structures which are made of metal. Such deformations on the floor structure hinders in loading and unloading the payload, creates instability of the payload when accommodated on the floor structure, which is undesired.
Present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitations associated with the known arts.
The drawbacks/difficulties/disadvantages/limitations of the conventional techniques explained in the background section are just for exemplary purpose and the disclosure would never limit its scope only such limitations. A person skilled in the art would understand that this disclosure and below mentioned description may also solve other problems or overcome the other drawbacks/disadvantages of the conventional arts which are not explicitly captured above.
SUMMARY
The one or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by a floor structure as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the features as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In a non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a floor structure of a load body of a vehicle is disclosed. The floor structure includes two or more long members and at least one cross member which is disposed on the two or more long members. Further, the floor structure includes at least one polymeric panel which is disposed on the at least one cross member. Furthermore, each the at least one polymeric panel includes a body and a plurality of reinforcement members. The plurality of reinforcement members are disposed within the body and extend along a length of the body and protrude out of edges of the body. Additionally, the floor structure includes a tensioner mechanism which is positioned proximal to at least one edge of the body. The tensioner mechanism includes a plate which is coupled to the plurality of reinforcement members that extends out of the edge of the body and a plurality of tensioners. The plurality of tensioners are fixed to the plate and are received by the at least one cross member. The plurality of tensioners are structured to connect the at least one polymeric panel with the at least one cross member and being adjustable relative to the at least one cross member to selectively adjust tension of the at least one polymeric panel. The configuration of the floor structure facilitates adjustment of the polymeric panel to remove deformations which forms on the floor structure.
In an embodiment, the plate is defined with a plurality of first provisions configured to receive the plurality of reinforcement members and a plurality of second provisions to receive the plurality of tensioners.
In an embodiment, the plurality of reinforcement members are made of metal or metal alloys.
In an embodiment, each of the plurality of tensioners is a fastener.
In an embodiment, the at least one cross member is defined with a plurality of cutouts to receive the plurality of tensioners.
In an embodiment, the at least one polymeric panel is manufactured by one of a rubber and a synthetic fiber.
In a non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a chassis and a load body supported on the chassis. The load body includes a floor structure and at least one wall which is disposed on at least one edge of the floor structure. The floor structure includes two or more long members and at least one cross member which is disposed on the two or more long members. Further, the floor structure includes at least one polymeric panel

which is disposed on the at least one cross member. Furthermore, each the at least one polymeric panel includes a body and a plurality of reinforcement members. The plurality of reinforcement members are disposed within the body and extend along a length of the body and protrude out of edges of the body. Additionally, the floor structure includes a tensioner mechanism which is positioned proximal to at least one edge of the body. The tensioner mechanism includes a plate which is coupled to the plurality of reinforcement members that extends out of the edge of the body and a plurality of tensioners. The plurality of tensioners are fixed to the plate and are received by the at least one cross member. The plurality of tensioners are structured to connect the at least one polymeric panel with the at least one cross member to selectively adjust tension of the at least one polymeric panel.
In an embodiment, the vehicle includes a support member which is fixed to at least one edge of the at least one polymeric panel. The support member is adapted to support the at least one wall and connect with the at least one polymeric panel.
It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES
The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Fig. 1 illustrates a side view of a load body supported by a chassis of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2, illustrate a side view of the load body, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the load body of Fig. 2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a floor structure, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the floor structure of Fig. 4, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a polymeric panel connected to a cross member of the floor structure, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 7 illustrates an exploded view of the floor structure depicting the polymeric panel and a tensioner mechanism, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 8 illustrates an exploded view of the floor structure depicting the tensioner mechanism with a plate and a plurality of reinforcement members connected to each other, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other method for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an mechanism, assembly, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or mechanism or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a device or apparatus or method proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the device or apparatus or method.
Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same numerals have been used to refer to the same or like parts. The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figs. 1-8.
Figs. 1 and 2, illustrates side view a load body (200) of a vehicle [not shown in Figs]. As an example, the vehicle may be any passenger or a commercial vehicle having the load body (200) adapted to carry a payload. The vehicle may include a chassis (1) which may be configured to support the components of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the load body (200) may be supported on the chassis (1) of the vehicle [as seen in Fig. 1]. Referring now to Fig. 3, the load body (200) may include a floor structure (100) which may be supported on the chassis (1) of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the floor structure (100) may be fixed to the chassis (1) of the vehicle through suitable means such as but not limited to mechanical fastening, thermal bonding and the like. Further, the load body (200) may include at least one wall (2) which may be supported on the floor structure (100). Additionally, the load body (200) may include a door (3) which may be disposed between two walls (2). The door (3) may be adapted to facilitate loading and unloading of the payload into the load body (200) of the vehicle.
Further, as apparent from Figs. 4-6, the floor structure (100) may include two or more long members (5) and at least one cross member (6) which may be disposed on the two or more long

members (5). In an embodiment, at least one of the two or more long members (5) may be disposed on the chassis (1), and the at least one cross member (6) may be fixed on the two or more long members (5), perpendicular to the two or more long members (5). Further, the floor structure (100) may include at least one polymeric panel (4). The at least one polymeric panel (4) may be disposed on the at least one cross member (6). In an embodiment, the at least one polymeric panel (4) may be fixed to the at least one cross member (6). However, this should not be considered as a limitation as the at least one polymeric panel (4) may be fixed to either one of the at least one cross member (6) or the two or more long members (5) or both based on requirement. In an illustrated embodiment, the floor structure (100) includes three polymeric panels (4) [as seen in Figs 4-6], however, this should not be considered as a limitation as the floor structure (100) may include less than or more than three polymeric panels (4), based on the dimensional requirements of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the at least one polymeric panel (4) may extend throughout a length of the floor structure (100). In another embodiment, the floor structure (100) may include more than one polymeric panels (4) to cover the length of the floor structure (100). In case the floor structure (100) may include more than one polymeric panel (4) to cover the length of the floor structure (100), then the floor structure (100) may be formed by providing at least one cross member (6) at ends of each of the at least one polymeric panel (4) such that, each of the at least one polymeric panel (4) may be fixed to the corresponding cross member (6).
Referring back to Figs. 3 and 5, the load body (200) may include a support member (7) which may be fixed to at least one edge of the at least one polymeric panel (4). The support member (7) may be adapted to support the at least one wall (2) of the load body (200) and connect the at least one wall (2) with the at least one polymeric panel (4). The support member (7) facilitates connection between the floor structure (100) and the at least one wall (2) to form the load body (200). In an embodiment, the at least one wall (2) may be fixed to the support member (7) and in-turn to the floor structure by at least one of thermal bonding and mechanical fastening.
Further, as seen in Figs. 4-6, the at least one polymeric panel (4) of the floor structure (100) may include a body (14). In an embodiment, the body (14) of the at least one polymeric panel (4) may be manufactured by but not limiting to a rubber, a synthetic fiber and the like. That is, the body (14) may be made of a material which may have mechanical properties such as high tensile strength, capable of being elongated or deformed, high tear resistance and high resilience. Additionally the body (14) may be may of a material having high good abrasion

resistance and low temperature flexibility. In an embodiment, the body (14) of the at least one polymeric panel (4) may be made of recycled rubber tyres.
Turning now to Figs. 7 and 8, the at least one polymeric panel (4) may include a plurality of reinforcement members (9) which may be disposed within the body (14). In an embodiment, the plurality of reinforcement members (9) may be made of metal or metal alloy. The plurality of reinforcement members (9) may be adapted to provide structural strength, rigidity, stiffness and the required load bearing capacity to the at least one polymeric panel (4). Additionally, in an embodiment, the plurality of reinforcement members (9) may be manufactured in the form of elongated structures, such as but not limited to ropes, shafts, cables and the like. The plurality of reinforcement members (9) may be embedded within and may extend along a length of the body (14) and protrude out of edges of the body (14). In an embodiment, the a number of layers of reinforcement members (9) may be embedded within the body (14). In another embodiment, the plurality of reinforcement members (9) protruding out of the edges of the body (14) may be fixed to the at least one cross member (6). In an embodiment, the edges of the body (14) which may be adapted to be fixed to the at least one cross member (6) may be at any one or multiple locations on the load body (200). For example, the edge may be oriented towards a cabin of the vehicle, towards sides of the vehicle or towards a rear portion of the vehicle or combinations thereof.
Referring further to Figs. 7 and 8, the floor structure (100) may include a tensioner mechanism (15) which may be positioned proximal to at least one edge of the body (14) of the at least one polymeric panel (4). The tensioner mechanism (15) may be provided proximal to the edge of the body (14) which may be adapted to be fixed to the at least one cross member (6). In an embodiment, the tensioner mechanism may be provided at any required location in the load body (200), for example, the tensioner mechanism may be provided at a front portion of the load body (200) or a rear portion of the load body (100) or at sides of the load body (200) or combinations thereof. The tensioner mechanism (15) may include a plate (10) which may be coupled to the plurality of reinforcement members (9), which extends out of the edge of the body (14). That is, the plate (10) may be positioned in contact with the edge of the body (14) such that, the plurality of reinforcement members (9) may extend through the plate (10)In an embodiment, the plate (10) may be defined with a plurality of first provisions (11) to receive the plurality of reinforcement members (9). Further, the plurality of reinforcement members (9) may be structured such that, upon being received through the plurality of first provisions

(11), the plate (10) may be fixed to the edge of the body (14) of the at least one polymeric panel (4). In an embodiment, the plurality of reinforcement members (9) may be crimped or may be fixed with suitable stoppers to rigidly retain the plate (10) in contact with the body (14).
Further, the tensioner mechanism (15) may include a plurality of tensioners (8). The plurality of tensioners (8) may be disposed or fixed to the plate (10) and may be received by the at least one cross member (6). The plurality of tensioners (8) may be adapted to be received through a plurality of second provisions (12) defined on the plate (10). Further, the plurality of tensioners (8) may be structured to connect the at least one polymeric panel (4), that is the plate (10), with the at least one cross member (6). In an embodiment, the at least one cross member (6) may be defined with a plurality of cutouts (13) to receive the plurality of tensioners (8). The plurality of tensioners (8) may be adapted to selectively adjust tension of the at least one polymeric panel (4). That is, by adjusting the tension of the at least one polymeric panel (4), any deformations or undulations which may be formed over the floor structure (100) may be flattened thus making a flat panel. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of tensioners (8) may be a fastener. For example, the plurality of tensioners (8) may be including but not limited to a nut and bolt arrangement which may fix the plate (10) with the at least one cross member (6). In an illustrated embodiment, the at least one cross member (6) is the cross member (6) at the extreme front or rear of the load body, however, this should not be considered as a limitation as, any cross member (6) which may be adapted receive the end of the at least one polymeric panel (4) may have the same configuration and may be adapted to perform same operations for tensioning the at least one polymeric panel (4). That is, the bolt may be positioned through the plurality of second provisions (12) that may be defined on the plate (10), such that the head of the bold may be positioned towards the body (14) and the shank of the bolt may extend towards the at least one cross member (6). Further, the shank of the bolt may be received within the plurality of cutouts (13) defined in the at least one cross member (6) and may be adapted to receive the nut to fasten the at least one polymeric panel (4) with the at least one cross member (6).
The plurality of tensioners (8) may facilitate connection between the at least one cross member (6) and the at least one polymeric panel (4) such that there may exist a gap between the plate (10) and the at least one cross member (6). In an operational embodiment, the tightening and loosening of each of the plurality of tensioners (8) may aid in increasing or decreasing the tension of the plurality of reinforcement members (9) within the body (14) as the plate (10)

may displace relative to the at least one cross member (6) within the gap, thereby increasing or decreasing the tension of the body (14) of the at least one polymeric panel (4). The adjustment the in the body (14) may facilitate removal of the deformations which may be formed on the at least one polymeric panel (4) caused due to the payload. Further, the user may selectively tighten or loosen any one of the plurality of tensioners (8) based on a specific portion of the at least one polymeric panel (4) which adjustment to remove the deformities.
In an embodiment, the floor structure (100) having the at least one polymeric panel (4) reduces weight of the floor structure (100) and facilitates increase in payload capacity of the vehicle. Further, the configuration of the at least one polymeric panel (4) provides dampening against impact loads received by the floor structure (100) during loading and unloading of the payload and during transport.
In an embodiment, the floor structure (100) having the at least one polymeric panel (4) enables easy maintenance, as the floor structure (100) made of multiple polymeric panels (4) facilitates modularity and enables the user to replace the damaged panel instead of replacing the whole floor structure.
In an embodiment, the floor structure (100) is simple in construction and easy to manufacture. Further, the floor structure (100) is easy to operate and maintain. Additionally, as the floor structure (100) is made of the at least one polymeric panel (4), the floor structure (100) includes high corrosion resistance. Furthermore, the at least one polymeric panel (4) reduces noise, vibration, and harshness [NVH] levels in the vehicle as the payload does not come in contact with metals when positioned over the floor structure (100). In an embodiment, the floor structure (100) may be retrofitted into existing load bodies.
It should be imperative that the floor structure and the load body any other elements described in the above detailed description should not be considered as a limitation with respect to the figures. Rather, variation to such system and method should be considered within the scope of the detailed description.
Equivalents:
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural

as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate

the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope.

Referral Numerals:

Reference Number Description
100 Floor structure
200 Load body
1 Chassis
2 Wall
3 Door
4 Polymeric panel
5 Long member
6 Cross member
7 Support member
8 Tensioner
9 Reinforcement member
10 Plate
11 First provision
12 Second provision
13 Cutout
14 Body
15 Tensioner mechanism

We Claim:
1. A floor structure (100) of a load body (200) for a vehicle, comprising:
two or more long members (5);
at least one cross member (6) disposed on the two or more long members (5);
at least one polymeric panel (4) disposed on the at least one cross member (6) , each the at least one polymeric panel (4) comprising:
a body (14); and
a plurality of reinforcement members (9) disposed within the body (14), the plurality of reinforcement members (9) extend along a length of the body (14) and protrude out of edges of the body (14);
a tensioner mechanism (15) positioned proximal to at least one edge of the body (14), the tensioner mechanism (15) comprising:
a plate (10) coupled to the plurality of reinforcement members (9) extending out of the edge of the body (14); and
a plurality of tensioners (8) fixed to the plate (10) and received by the at least one cross member (6), the plurality of tensioners (8) are structured to connect the at least one polymeric panel (4) with the at least one cross member (6) and being adjustable relative to the at least one cross member (6), to selectively adjust tension of the at least one polymeric panel (4).
2. The floor structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plate (10) is defined with a plurality of first provisions (11) to receive the plurality of reinforcement members (9) and a plurality of second provisions (12) to receive the plurality of tensioners (8).
3. The floor structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of reinforcement members (9) are made of metal or metal alloys.
4. The floor structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of
tensioners (8) is a fastener.

5. The floor structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one cross member (6) is defined with a plurality of cutouts (13) to receive the plurality of tensioners (8).
6. The floor structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one polymeric panel (4) is manufactured by one of a rubber and a synthetic fiber.
7. A vehicle, comprising:
a chassis (1);
a load body (200) supported on the chassis (1), the load body (200) comprising:
a floor structure (100) disposed on the chassis (1), the floor structure (100) comprising:
two or more long members (5);
at least one cross member (6) disposed on the two or more long members (5);
at least one polymeric panel (4) disposed on the at least one cross member (6) , each the at least one polymeric panel (4) comprising:
a body (14); and
a plurality of reinforcement members (9) disposed within the body (14), the plurality of reinforcement members (9) extend along a length of the body (14) and protrude out of edges of the body (14);
a tensioner mechanism (15) positioned proximal to at least one edge of the body (14), the tensioner mechanism (15) comprising:
a plate (10) coupled to the plurality of reinforcement members (9) extending out of the edge of the body (14); and
a plurality of tensioners (8) fixed to the plate (10) and received by the at least one cross member (6), the plurality of tensioners (8) are structured to connect the at least one polymeric panel (4) with the at least one cross member (6) and being

adjustable relative to the at least one cross member (6), to selectively adjust tension of the at least one polymeric panel (4); and
at least one wall (2) disposed on at least one edge of the floor structure (100).
8. The vehicle as claimed in claim 7, comprising a support member (7) fixed to at least one edge of the at least one polymeric panel (4), the support member (7) is adapted to support the at least one wall (2) and connect with the at least one polymeric panel (4).
9. The vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plate (10) is defined with a plurality of first provisions (11) to receive the plurality of reinforcement members (9) and a plurality of second provisions (12) to receive the plurality of tensioners (8).
10. The vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one cross member (6) is defined with a plurality of cutouts (13) to receive the plurality of tensioners (8).