A chassis (plural: "chassis") (IPAEng: ˈʃæːsiː, ˈtʃæːsiː) consists of a framework that supports an inanimate object, analogous to an animal's skeleton, for example in a motor vehicle or a firearm.

Examples of use

In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the frame plus the "running gear" like engine, transmission, driveshaft, differential, and suspension. A body (sometimes referred to as "coachwork"), which is usually not necessary for integrity of the structure, is built on the chassis to complete the vehicle. Commercial vehicle manufacturers may have “chassis only”, “cowl and chassis”, as well as "cab and chassis" versions that can be outfitted with specialized bodies. These include motor homes, fire engines, ambulances, box trucks, etc.

• A tank's chassis (hull) comprises the bottom part of the tank, which includes the tracks, power plant, driver's seat, and crew compartment. This describes the lower hull, although common usage of "tank chassis" might include the upper hull to mean the tank without the gun turret. Tank chassis often serve as basis for tank-converted platforms such as armored personnel carriers, combat engineering vehicles, etc.

• A chassis in a television, radio, or other electronic device consists of the metal frame on which the circuit boards and other electronics are mounted. In the absence of a metal frame the chassis refers to the circuit boards and components themselves, not the physical structure.

• In computers, the chassis refers to the rigid framework onto which the motherboard, memory, disk drives, and other equipment are mounted. It also supports the shell-like case: the housing that protects all of the vital internal equipment from dust, moisture, and tampering. The term "case modding" refers to the artistic styling of otherwise rather functional and plain computer encasings. Main article: computer case for personal machines or rack mount for commercial grade servers.

See also

• Frame (vehicle)
• Backbone chassis
• Body-on-frame
• Monocoque, structural shell, instead of a structural frame
• 19-inch rack