Abstract: A vehicle front structure includes side rails, rail tips, and a tension member. The side rails extend longitudinally in a front portion of the vehicle on left and right sides of a central longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The rail tips have a plurality of flat walls that define a hollow polygonal body disposed about a tip axis. The rail tips have proximal and distal ends. The proximal end is fixedly coupled to a forward terminal end of the side rail inboard of an outer quarter of a total vehicle width. The rail tip extends outboard and forward such that the distal end is disposed within the outer quarter. The flat walls have a forward wall thickness that is less than a rearward wall thickness. The tension member is fixedly coupled to the distal ends and spans laterally therebetween.

Abstract: A vehicle front structure includes side rails, rail tips, and a tension member. The side rails extend longitudinally in a front portion of the vehicle on left and right sides of a central longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The rail tips have a plurality of flat walls that define a hollow polygonal body disposed about a tip axis. The rail tips have proximal and distal ends. The proximal end is fixedly coupled to a forward terminal end of the side rail inboard of an outer quarter of a total vehicle width. The rail tip extends outboard and forward such that the distal end is disposed within the outer quarter. The flat walls have a forward wall thickness that is less than a rearward wall thickness. The tension member is fixedly coupled to the distal ends and spans laterally therebetween.

Abstract: A vehicle front structure includes side rails, rail tips, and a tension member. The side rails extend longitudinally in a front portion of the vehicle on left and right sides of a central longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The rail tips have a plurality of flat walls that define a hollow polygonal body disposed about a tip axis. The rail tips have proximal and distal ends. The proximal end is fixedly coupled to a forward terminal end of the side rail inboard of an outer quarter of a total vehicle width. The rail tip extends outboard and forward such that the distal end is disposed within the outer quarter. The flat walls have a forward wall thickness that is less than a rearward wall thickness. The tension member is fixedly coupled to the distal ends and spans laterally therebetween.

Abstract: A vehicle front structure includes side rails, rail tips, and a tension member. The side rails extend longitudinally in a front portion of the vehicle on left and right sides of a central longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The rail tips have a plurality of flat walls that define a hollow polygonal body disposed about a tip axis. The rail tips have proximal and distal ends. The proximal end is fixedly coupled to a forward terminal end of the side rail inboard of an outer quarter of a total vehicle width. The rail tip extends outboard and forward such that the distal end is disposed within the outer quarter. The flat walls have a forward wall thickness that is less than a rearward wall thickness. The tension member is fixedly coupled to the distal ends and spans laterally therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for damping vibration in a vehicle structure via a mass of a spare wheel includes a bar. The bar has a first end elastically coupled to the vehicle structure, wherein the first end is arranged for vertical movement relative to the vehicle structure. The bar also has a second end pivotably coupled to the vehicle structure, wherein the second end is arranged to facilitate the vertical movement of the first end. The bar additionally includes an arrangement for mounting a spare wheel, wherein damping of vibration in the vehicle structure is provided when the spare wheel is mounted on the bar.

Abstract: A clam-shell bracket for defining a mounting flange on a structural member, such as a hydroformed vehicle cross-member or frame rail, includes a lower body featuring an integrated locating feature with which to preposition the bracket on the structural member, and permanently-attached male threaded fasteners with which to thereafter secure the bracket to the structural member. The bracket further includes a hinged upper body having slotted bolt holes through which the lower body's fasteners may freely pass as the upper body is pivoted into the assembled position, thereby reducing the time required for bracket installation. The use of fasteners on the both the hinged end and opposite end of the lower clamp body provides an improved clamping force about the structural member, while the improved clamping force cooperates with the mating locating features of the bracket and the structural member to improve the lateral applied load transfer therebetween.

Abstract: A clam-shell bracket for defining a mounting flange on a structural member, such as a hydroformed vehicle cross-member or frame rail, includes a lower body featuring an integrated locating feature with which to preposition the bracket on the structural member, and permanently-attached male threaded fasteners with which to thereafter secure the bracket to the structural member. The bracket further includes a hinged upper body having slotted bolt holes through which the lower body's fasteners may freely pass as the upper body is pivoted into the assembled position, thereby reducing the time required for bracket installation. The use of fasteners on the both the hinged end and opposite end of the lower clamp body provides an improved clamping force about the structural member, while the improved clamping force cooperates with the mating locating features of the bracket and the structural member to improve the lateral applied load transfer therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for damping vibration in a vehicle structure via a mass of a spare wheel includes a bar. The bar has a first end elastically coupled to the vehicle structure, wherein the first end is arranged for vertical movement relative to the vehicle structure. The bar also has a second end pivotably coupled to the vehicle structure, wherein the second end is arranged to facilitate the vertical movement of the first end. The bar additionally includes an arrangement for mounting a spare wheel, wherein damping of vibration in the vehicle structure is provided when the spare wheel is mounted on the bar.