Vehicle System

Abstract

A vehicle system is provided. The vehicle system includes a vehicle chassis with a plurality of elongated tubular members. The tubular members are structured to be configured in a configuration selected from. the group consisting of a coup, a convertible, a truck, a transport vehicle, or a bus.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A customizable automobile comprising:
 a tubular exoskeleton having a load-bearing exoskeleton floor structure comprising plural tubular members, and first and second load-bearing exoskeleton side structures each comprising plural tubular members, the first and second exoskeleton side structures joining said exoskeleton floor structure at the periphery of the exoskeleton floor structure to define an interior occupant cell;   a plurality of modular body panels, each of said plurality of modular body panels being removably secured to a body rod assembly with means for coupling a body panel to a body rod assembly, said body rod assembly comprising a threaded rod connector that is fastened by its threads to a securing tubular member of the tubular exoskeleton.   
     
     
         22 . The customizable automobile of  claim 21 , wherein the securing tubular member includes a receiving aperture that receives the threaded rod connector to secure the modular body panel to the securing tubular member of the tubular exoskeleton. 
     
     
         23 . The customizable automobile of  claim 22 , wherein the body rod assembly further comprises a threaded fitting secured to the receiving aperture, said threaded fitting receiving the threaded rod connector to secure the modular body panel to the securing tubular member of the tubular exoskeleton. 
     
     
         24 . The customizable automobile of  claim 22 , further comprising a first number of receiving apertures disposed in one or more securing tubular members, wherein a second number of receiving apertures, which is less than said first number of receiving apertures, has a threaded rod connector received therein, and a third number of receiving apertures, which is equal to the first number of receiving apertures minus the second number of receiving apertures, does not have a threaded rod connector received therein, and wherein at least one of the third number of receiving apertures is fitted with a plug to prevent dirt or grime from entering the securing tubular members that have the third number of receiving apertures. 
     
     
         25 . The customizable automobile of  claim 22 , wherein the receiving aperture is a through-hole that passes through the securing tubular member, and the threaded rod connector is positioned in the through-hole and is fastened by its threads to the securing tubular member of the tubular exoskeleton. 
     
     
         26 . The customizable automobile of  claim 25 , wherein a threaded fitting is secured in each aperture of the through-hole of the securing member, and the threaded rod connector passes through the through-hole and is fastened by its threads to each threaded fitting. 
     
     
         27 . The customizable automobile of  claim 21 , wherein the means for coupling comprises a removable fastener and the body rod assembly comprises a body panel support, wherein the body panel is located between the removable fastener and the body panel support to secure the body panel to the securing tubular member of the tubular exoskeleton. 
     
     
         28 . A customizable automobile comprising:
 a tubular exoskeleton having a load-bearing exoskeleton floor structure comprising plural tubular members, and first and second load-bearing exoskeleton side structures each comprising plural tubular members, the first and second exoskeleton side structures joining said exoskeleton floor structure at the periphery of the exoskeleton floor structure to define an interior occupant cell;   a body panel, a removable body rod assembly, and means for removably coupling a body panel to a removable body rod assembly, said removable body rod assembly comprising a panel connector that is adjustably fastened to a securing tubular member of the tubular exoskeleton to permit the body rod assembly to be displaced normal to the axis of the securing tubular member.   
     
     
         29 . A customizable automobile as in  claim 28 , further comprising plural individual body panels, plural removable body rod assemblies and plural means for removably coupling a body panel to a removable body rod assembly, each body panel removably coupled to a respective body rod assembly with a respective means for removably coupling a body panel to a removable body rod assembly, wherein each of said removable body rod assemblies comprises a panel connector that is adjustably fastened to a securing tubular member of the tubular exoskeleton. 
     
     
         30 . A customizable automobile as in  claim 28 , further comprising a first number of receiving fittings disposed in one or more securing tubular members, wherein one or more of a second number of receiving fittings, which is less than said first number of receiving fittings, has a body panel fastened thereto with one or more removable body rod assemblies, and a third number of receiving fittings, which is equal to the first number of receiving fittings minus the second number of receiving fittings, does not does not have removable body rod assemblies fastened thereto, to accommodate different body panel configurations.