Abstract: A separate type of body and frame assembly includes a frame portion and a body portion. The frame portion includes a pair of side rails, each of which has a plurality of openings formed therethrough. A plurality of cross members extend between side rails and are secured thereto. Each of the cross members has first and second ends that extend through the openings formed through the side rails. Each of the first and second ends of the cross members is formed integrally and unitarily with the cross member and has a body mount structure, such as an aperture, formed therein or otherwise provided thereon. The ends of the cross members are initially inserted through the openings formed through the side rails. Then, such ends of the cross members are secured to the side rails, such as by electromagnetic pulse welding, to form the frame portion.

Abstract: A floor is partitioned into a plurality of areas S1 to S4 by a floor tunnel portion 11, side frames 13, side sills 12, and cross members 7, 8, 15, and 16, and the rigidity of the floor panels of the areas S1 to S3 is adjusted by rigidity adjustment portions 20, 21, 22, 23, and 25. These floor panels are set such that their natural frequency in a 2×1 mode, in which two antinodes are generated in the length direction of the automobile and one antinode is generated in the width direction of the automobile, is 240 to 260 Hz. Thus, a reduction in road noise due to automobile tire cavity resonance is achieved.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a vehicle chassis and a vehicle chassis that is formed in modules with couplers for connecting extruded beams. The method includes extruding a plurality of beams and a plurality of couplers that are loosely assembled together to a fixture having locating pins that are received in pockets formed on the couplers and securing the beams and couplers together to form a chassis. The chassis includes a center chassis module to which the fire wall bulkhead and passenger compartment are secured, a drive train and front suspension module to which the engine transmission and front suspension are attached, a rear suspension module to which the rear suspension and gas tank are secured, and front and rear crush modules including the front and rear bumper assemblies, respectively. Couplers used in forming the chassis include a central portion having an outer wall and a plurality of inner walls extending inwardly from the outer wall to the pocket.

Abstract: An underside of a motor vehicle, for example, a passenger car having cross-country mobility, is equipped with a covering device which has a covering part and a fastening system for the covering part which can be mounted on the underside, the fastening system having at least one spring element. In order to protect the covering part from damage when driving over an obstacle, the spring element is arranged between the underside and the covering part, the spring forces of the spring element acting approximately at a right angle with respect to the underside.

Abstract: A heat insulator apparatus for a vehicle floor, includes a plurality of heat insulating plates interposed between a vehicle floor and an exhaust part disposed below the vehicle floor in such a manner that the mutually adjoining heat insulating plates forms a gap therebetween to thereby form an air passage therebetween, for preventing the heat of the exhaust part from being transmitted to the vehicle floor. At least one of the heat insulating plates is formed such that an air entrance portion of the air passage is narrowed.

Abstract: Tunnel region of a floor structure of a bodyshell f a motor vehicle and a transverse bridge. A tunnel region of a floor structure with a transverse bridge for reinforcing the tunnel region, which is held on the tunnel region by brackets fixed on side walls of the tunnel region. The side walls of the tunnel region are aligned vertically in the region in which the brackets are attached, and the brackets are positioned at the same height on the side walls.

Abstract: A holder plate has two individual plates that extend at a distance from one another and are connected with each other by a film hinge. The hollow space between the individual plates is filled with an expandable material. For the fixation of the functional position of the holder plate at least one clamping and fixation element is pushed on the outer surfaces of the individual plates. The individual plates can also be connected with each other by integrally formed locking elements. The clamping and fixation element is advantageously formed as one piece. The individual plates of the holder plate can be produced in their unfolded state and can be folded into their functional position. When the expandable material is applied in partial segments to the individual plates of the holder plate, the partial segments are provided with a film hinge such that they can be flipped into the functional position.

Abstract: An automobile body structure having a crossbeam connecting left and right center pillars. The crossbeam has a pipe-like beam body and gussets mounted to the opposite ends of the beam body. A load inputted to one of the center pillars is transmitted via the crossbeam to the other center pillar. The inputted load is dispersed through those two center pillars to prevent the center pillar having received the input load from deformation.

Abstract: A vehicle body includes a main frame having two longitudinal members. An auxiliary frame is fixed to the main frame. A cross member is fixed to the longitudinal members in the end region of the vehicle and is provided with a connecting section which extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle. A strutting configuration forms an essentially horizontal continuation of the auxiliary frame in the direction of the vehicle end. One end of the strutting configuration is fixed to points on the auxiliary frame which are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The other end of the strutting configuration is fixed to the connecting section of the cross member. A vehicle body is thus obtained which has an improved stiffness all the way to the end of the vehicle and which is particularly useful for open vehicles without a roof structure.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure comprises a first cross member and a second cross member disposed on a floor (11) between a side sill (12) provided at both sides of a vehicle body and a floor tunnel (14) provided in a longitudinal direction in middle of the vehicle body, and a third cross member having one end, a front edge, and a rear edge thereof connected to the side sill (12), the first cross member (15), and the second cross member (16), respectively, between the first cross member (15) and the second cross member (16). This enables an improvement in stiffness of the vehicle body against side impact efficiently by a simple reinforcing structure.

Abstract: An adjustable pedalbox and floor mechanism includes a pedalbox having at least one pedal associated therewith. The pedalbox is in communication with a vehicle seat via an adjustable floor mechanism that extends therebetween. The pedal and seat positions are independently adjustable in the vertical and/or horizontal directions. The floor mechanism is continuous between the pedalbox and the vehicle seat and remains generally horizontal with respect to the ground.

Abstract: A reinforced structural member is provided which includes a reinforcing member received in the cavity of a structural member. The reinforcing member includes a carrier having divergent, intersecting legs which preferably engage and rest upon the structural member, a thermally expandable reinforcing material, and a fastener for coupling the reinforcing material to the carrier. The thermally expandable reinforcing material is preferably provided as separate elements positioned on the carrier, whereby upon activation by heat, the expandable material melts, foams and expands so that after curing, the structural member is bonded to the carrier. The shape of the carrier in combination with the expanded reinforcing material serves to stiffen and reinforce the structural member. The thermally expandable material is preferably initially dry and non-tacky, and the fasteners serves to maintain the relative position of the reinforcing material elements on the carrier prior to activation of the reinforcing material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a floor panel assembly which delimits a bottom of a passenger compartment. The floor panel assembly includes a floor panel and a pair of reinforcing members. A pair of side sills each of which has a center pillar, are respectively positioned at both sides of the floor panel, and a reinforcing tunnel part is integrally formed on a center portion of the floor panel so that it protrudes upward and extends in a lengthwise direction of a vehicle body. The pair of reinforcing members respectively extend from side walls of the reinforcing tunnel part to lower ends of the center pillars of the side sills, across the floor panel. Each reinforcing member has a hollow beam-shaped contour. The reinforcing members are fastened with respect to the center pillars due to the fact that they are welded to front seat brackets by the medium of fastening brackets.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure comprise a cross member and a floor. Two parallel side members extend along a longitudinal central line of a vehicle and outwardly from the cross member. The cross member is formed by extrusion in a first direction lying in parallel to a transverse line crossing the longitudinal central line. The floor is formed by extrusion in a second direction lying in parallel to the longitudinal central line. The floor includes a recess recessed inwardly and a floor panel portion that defines at least a portion of the recess defining edge. The cross member has an integral tooth fitted into the recess and connected to said floor along the recess defining edge.

Abstract: A laminate for reinforcing a structural member having a plurality of side walls comprises a carrier having at least one inclined support surface. Each support surface has an outer edge disposed toward a respective side wall. A layer of extruded uncured structural foam is on each support surface and terminates inwardly of the outer edge. The foam expands when cured and tumbles down the inclined support surface of the carrier to become bonded to the side wall as well as the carrier. By being spaced from the outer edge of the support surface, the tendency for the foam to wipe against the side wall is minimized as is the tendency for a worker to touch the foam when the worker places the carrier into the structural member.

Abstract: A body mount bushing connects the structural components of a frame portion of a vehicular body and frame assembly together and provides a mounting support for connecting a body portion of the assembly to the frame portion. Each of the body mount bushings includes a hollow cylindrical bushing portion having one or more V-shaped projections extending therefrom. An end of a first structural component and an end of a second structural component can be formed having respective recesses, within with the projections of the body mount bushing extend. The structural components may be secured to the projections of the body mount bushing by welding, riveting, bolting, and the like. The body mount bushings also provide a mounting support for connecting the body portion to the frame portion. To accomplish this, the bushing portions of the body mount bushings are sized to receive and support respective body mounts provided on the body portion of the vehicular body and frame assembly.

Abstract: A closed channel structural member, such as a side rail or a cross member, for use in a vehicle body and frame assembly, includes an internal reinforcing structure to increase the strength and rigidity thereof. Portions of the side rail are removed so as to provide an opening. This can be accomplished by forming two flanges that can be bent inwardly within the side rail to form the opening. A combined internal reinforcing member and mounting bracket is assembled to the side rail by moving it laterally such that a pair of side walls and an upper wall are inserted through the opening formed through the side rail until tabs provided on the side walls and the upper wall of the reinforcement member and mounting bracket abut the outer surface of the side rail. Then, portions of the reinforcing member and bracket are secured to the side rail by welding.

Abstract: A structure for a front part of an automotive vehicle body having front side frames 2 extending longitudinal directions above a front axle 1, intermediate frames 5 connecting rear ends of the side frames 2 to front ends of floor frames 4 extending longitudinal directions underneath a floor of a passenger compartment and a dash panel 7 separating an engine compartment 6 from the passenger compartment, wherein the dash panel extends upwardly from longitudinally intermediate portions of the intermediate frames. With this construction, since the connecting points between the front side frames and the intermediate frames, i.e., the part that is to be bent by virtue of a crash load, are located forward of he dash panel, the effect on the deformation of the passenger compartment by the deformation of the frames can be alleviated.

Abstract: The inventive combination comprises a front bumper skin (34) pertaining to a motor vehicle and an inner closing part (12) pertaining to an engine compartment, mounted to the rear of said skin in relation to the principal direction in which the vehicle travels. The closing part (12) comprises a front transversal profiled section (18).

Abstract: The invention relates to the front section of a railway car comprising a motor transverse beam (2) which is horizontally arranged and vertical to the railway car axis (1). Both front section ends are firmly connected to the longitudinal supports located on the sides of a railway car (1), said supports being parallel to the railway car axis (1). The longitudinal supports (10) extend along the railway car axis (1) as diagonal longitudinal supports (3) from the motor transverse beam (2) toward the buffer elements (4). The longitudinal support ends which are situated opposite the motor transverse beam (2) are firmly connected to said buffer elements (4). A coupling support (6) is arranged in the middle of the motor transverse beam (2). Supports (5) which diagonally extend forward are firmly connected to said coupling support and the buffer elements (4). This results in forming a more compact nose of the inventive front section.

Abstract: A frame structure capable of increasing collision energy absorption includes a floor member or structure. The floor member has extruded side sill members which are adapted to undergo lateral buckling in response to side collisions while resisting axial or longitudinal deformation due to end-on collisions. Extruded impact dispersing deformable sections with a smaller rigidity than the associated side sills are provided on the inboard sides of the sills and arranged to smooth buckling and disperse collision energy. At least one extruded, flat, passenger occupancy floor section, which is located inboard of the impact dispersing deformable sections, is provided to prevent buckling deformation and maintain the cabin space.

Abstract: A frame assembly is provided for a vehicle. The frame assembly includes a pair of frame rails and a subframe disposed between the frame rails. The subframe includes a unitary, generally U-shaped cradle including a front cross member and a pair of side members extending from the front cross member. A pair of front attachment members extend from a front portion of the cradle and attach to the frame rails. A pair of rear attachment members extend from a rear portion of the cradle and attach to the frame rails.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a floor structure 1. The floor structure 1 has a floor body 3 formed with generally-uniform sections in a vehicle's fore-and-aft direction, a dash cross member 11 connected with a front end of the floor body 3 and a rear cross member 13 connected with a rear end of the floor body 3. A side sill 5 is arranged on one side of the floor structure 1. A pillar 21 is connected with the side sill 5 through its lower end 21a. In the structure, a strength adjusting part 29 is formed in the side sill 5, for adjusting the strength of the side sill 5 in local. When the vehicle has a frank collision, the strength adjusting part 29 operates to reduce a collision reactive force generated on the side of the lower end 21a of the pillar 21 in comparison with the collision reactive force generated besides the lower end 21a of the pillar 21.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has at least one vehicle occupant seat arranged laterally of a side member. The vehicle occupant seat is arranged on seat rails which extend in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle and are fixedly connected by way of a seat underframe with a vehicle floor. The side member and the seat rail adjoining the side member have mutually assigned safety devices which are arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle. The safety devices can be brought into an operative connection with one another such that the seat rail and the side member are connected by way of the safety devices during high dynamic stressing of the vehicle occupant seat and/or of the side member.

Abstract: An arrangement for absorption of the energy of impact for road or rail bound vehicles contains an elongated insert (6)—in the form of a rigid lever or as part of a lever of length r and featuring two end faces (10, 11), the first end face (10) being attached to the long side of a section component (3) and the second face (11) coupled via a collision component (12) to an impact area (9) projecting out from the section component (3) in such a manner that a force of impact acting on the impact area (9), while displacing the collision component (12) in the direction of the force of impact, effects a rotational movement (D) of the insert (6) about a predetermined point of rotation (P) in the section component (3) and local bending of the section component (3) at the point of rotation (P).

Abstract: A supporting structure of a unitized body includes at least one hollow support that is made up of two longitudinal segments, the longitudinal segments being joined to each other in the area of a joining plane extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the hollow support, the end areas of the longitudinal segments being joined to each other so as to overlap. The end areas of the longitudinal segments, which overlap each other, extend diagonally with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the hollow support in the joining area.

Abstract: A structure for a front portion of a vehicle having a ladder type frame installed on left and right side frames arranged longitudinally of a vehicle at a position a predetermined distance rearward from front tips of impact absorption beams at front ends of the side frames and forward of a dash panel in such a manner as to extend between the left and right side frames. The ladder type frame is disposed rearward of the impact absorption beams and forwardly of the dash panel so that auxiliary machines of the vehicle, such as a battery an air conditioning compressor, and the like, are mounted thereon. A crushable zone is provided in front of front side frames. In the above construction, the length of the zone for accommodating the auxiliary machines of the vehicle is markedly shorter than that provided by the prior art, and therefore it is possible to sufficiently reduce the length of the nose of the vehicle.

Abstract: The floor installation structure of a motor vehicle is constructed of two floor sheets connected with each other by a connection unit that has an upper and a lower heel sheet as well as a tunnel segment, which is connectable with a central tunnel.

Abstract: A vehicle frame includes a space frame assembly which is mounted to a pair of longitudinal mainframes. The space frame assembly includes a multiple of interconnected supports, which are configured to support a plurality of vehicle components.

Abstract: A side rail for a vehicle frame having a generally open C-shaped cross section defined by a vertically extending web, upper and lower flanges extending from the edges of the web, and upper and lower lips extending from the edge of the upper and lower flanges, respectively. The upper lip extends from the edge of the upper flange and is folded such that a portion of the upper lip is parallel to and abuts an inwardly facing surface of the upper flange. Similarly, the lower lip extends from the edge of the lower flange and is folded such that a portion of the lower lip is parallel to and abuts an inwardly facing surface of the lower flange. The horizontal positioning of the upper and lower lips provide for an increase in the structural strength of the side rail, while permitting a cross member to be positioned between and adjacent to both the upper and lower lips. The cross member can then be attached to the side rail by riveting the cross member to the upper and lower flanges.

Abstract: In an automotive vehicle body structure including a crash load transmitting member extending from a front end of the vehicle body to a part adjacent to the floor member, and integrally carrying a seat thereon, a stopper is fixedly attached to the main frame, and adapted to abut a part of the crash load transmitting member upon a rearward movement of the crash load transmitting member by a prescribed distance. A guide member normally retains the crash load transmitting member firmly to the vehicle body main frame as a part of the vehicle body, but allows the crash load transmitting member to move rearward, and hit the stopper so that the desired deceleration time history may be achieved in the crash load transmitting member which is integral with the seat, and the deceleration of the vehicle occupant may be favorably controlled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle frame. The frame is constructed from two parallel siderails running longitudinally down the length of the vehicle. An intermediate cross member support is positioned between the siderails to support a driver's cab. A datum support hole is positioned through each siderail to support mounting of one end of the cross member support for the driver's cab. The remaining support holes are arrayed in rows and columns positioned with reference to the datum support hole. A first row of supplemental support holes runs parallel to a bottom flange on each siderail and includes the datum support hole. A second row of supplemental support holes in each siderail runs parallel to and above the first row. A third row of supplemental support holes in each siderail runs parallel to the first and second rows and is positioned above the second row by the distance as the second row is above the first row.

Abstract: A vehicle body front structure includes: a frame having a front frame and a floor frame joined together by a curved portion provided along a toe board, the front frame extending in a forward direction from the curved portion, the floor frame extending in a rearward direction therefrom; a side structure disposed transversely outwardly of the frame, respectively; and a closed-section torque box for joining the frame to the side structure. The frame and the side structure are joined to an upper surface of the torque box to be substantially horizontally relative to each other, and are also joined to a lower surface of the torque box which is formed in such a manner as to be oriented downwardly toward the side structure, to thereby increase the joint area of the torque box on a side thereof where the torque box is joined to the side structure.

Abstract: A seat cross-member is provided in a vehicle with at least one platform, including longitudinal and cross-members as well as a center tunnel and chassis side members. The seat cross-member includes two profiled partial cross-members that are fastened at least on end sides to the longitudinal members and that, in the region of the center tunnel, are connected together, on the one hand, by at least one connecting element and, on the other hand, by the center tunnel. The connecting element has a bracket for a bearing of a drive shaft.

Abstract: The invention concerns a body of a motor vehicle with at least one seat module. The purpose of the invention is to simplify the assembly of the seats in the body and at the same time to reinforce the body. For this purpose it is proposed that the seat module include a floor part, at least one seat, the seat adjusting elements, the seat covering parts, the electrical wires connected to the seat and a floor covering and that it be preassembled outside of the body. The floor part has supporting edges at its periphery which are supported in adhesive channels on the load-bearing structure of the body. The seat module is inserted as a prefabricated unit into the load-bearing structure of the body in such a way that the floor part in the region of the seat module forms a double floor with the vehicle floor of the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a seat-mounting structure for an automobile and more particularly, to the seat-mounting structure for an automobile equipped with extra reinforcing mounting bracket on the cross section of a side member and a cross member to provide improved supporting strength of a seat and thus ensure the safety of passengers in case of an accident by dispersing a large load to the seat to both side member and cross member.

Abstract: An energy management system and method for absorbing and directing kinetic energy during an impact event of a motor vehicle includes a vehicle subframe 30 attached to a vehicle chassis 20, with a pair of deformable attachment brackets 40 and 42 interposed therebetween. The deformable attachment brackets 40 and 42 are preferably fixedly attached to the subframe 30 and removably attached to the vehicle chassis 20 via fasteners 50 extending through a fastener hole 52 in each of the attachment brackets 40 and 42. A relief opening 54 is proximate to and aligned with the fastener hole 52, the relief opening 54 being larger than the fastener 50. A deformable barrier 56 disposed between the fastener hole 52 and relief opening 54 may be provided with a slot 58 extending between the fastener hole 52 and relief opening 54.

Abstract: Reinforcement (30) for reinforcing a vehicle frame structure (10), having a triangular shape in cross section, including one section (20) in parallel to a side frame member (11), and the other section (21) being attached to a lower section of the side frame member (11). The present invention prevents interference with pipes passing in a lateral direction of the vehicle frame (10) and the exhaust system components. Further, the reinforcement (30) of the invention has a large section modulus, thereby effectively reinforcing the vehicle frame (10).

Abstract: The invention concerns a body of a motor vehicle with at least one seat module. The purpose of the invention is to simplify the assembly of the seats in the body and at the same time to reinforce the body. For this purpose it is proposed that the seat module include a floor part, at least one seat, the seat adjusting elements, the seat covering parts, the electrical wires connected to the seat and a floor covering and that it be preassembled outside of the body. The floor part has supporting edges at its periphery which are supported in adhesive channels on the load-bearing structure of the body. The seat module is inserted as a prefabricated unit into the load-bearing structure of the body in such a way that the floor part in the region of the seat module forms a double floor with the vehicle floor of the body.

Abstract: A structure of a suspension mounting portion of the invention is provided with a side member which extends in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle and is connected to a lower surface of a floor panel, a closed cross sectional portion which is formed by use of the floor panel and the side member, a suspension bolt which mounts a suspension system constituting element to a lower side of the closed cross sectional portion, a first mounting surface which is provided by use of a recess portion formed on a bottom wall of the side member and mounts the suspension bolt, a reinforce which is provided to an inner portion of the closed cross sectional portion, and a second mounting surface which is provided to the reinforce and mounts the suspension bolt. The suspension system constituting element is mounted to the lower side of the closed cross sectional portion by the suspension bolt fixed through the first mounting surface and the second mounting surface.

Abstract: There is provided a cab structure that a joint portion of a cab and a chassis frame has sufficient shear strength and which can disperse external force to the entire cab or chassis frame to reduce the burden of load and can sufficiently resist the impact load in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A cross member as part of a motor-vehicle floor assembly is provided which, on both sides, comprises an attachment region for the screwing on of a rear axle unit, and a spring-receiving region which is adjacent to the attachment region and is intended for the fixing in place of a helical spring. In order to be able to absorb in a specific manner the compression and bending stresses introduced in the attachment and spring-receiving region, the cross member is provided with a stiffening structure of additional metal plates, the stiffening structure being used to obtain a local increase in the stiffening and strength of these regions. The stiffening structure is formed by extruded and bent steel plates which are nested one into another like boxes and are connected to one another and to the base and side walls of the cross member by spot welding. This box structure enables the screw-on intersecting point to be adjusted with respect to the rear axle in the body shell in the X- and Y-directions.

Abstract: Double-leafed hinged door type front and rear doors do not have a center pillar in a side opening. In order that one can open and close the front and rear doors independently of each other and in order to protect passengers by absorbing any impact caused by side collision, reinforcing members (10, 11) obtained from high tensile steel by hydroforming are provided near joint surfaces of the front door (2) and rear door (3) provided to the side opening of a car body (1).

Abstract: The invention refers to a beam arrangement for a vehicle. This beam arrangement is designed to extend between and connect two frame side members (2,3) which extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The beam arrangement includes two side portions (7,8) which extend substantially vertically, and a connecting portion (9) which connects the side portions. The side portions (7,8) converge, as seen from above, in each of the end regions (4,5) of the beam arrangement towards a point situated in a central region of the beam arrangement which comprises less than 20% of the total length of the beam arrangement.

Abstract: A fastening arrangement of a door sill on the floor panel of a motor vehicle provides a welded connection between a welding flange on a longitudinal side of the door sill and an edge zone of the floor panel extending laterally next thereto. The welded connection, being distributed along the length of the door sill, has at least one run of spot welds. The butt joint between the welding flange of the door sill and the opposite edge zone of the floor panel is bridged in the rearward length area by a tension member or lug extending transversely thereto. The tension member is fastened by one end on the door sill and by of the other end on the adjacent area of the floor panel.

Abstract: A frame structure capable of increasing collision energy absorption includes a floor member. The floor member has extruded side sill members which are adapted to undergo lateral buckling response to side collisions while resisting axial or longitudinal deformation due to end-on collisions. Extruded impact dispersing deformable sections with a smaller rigidity than the associated side sills are provided on the inboard sides of the sills and arranged to smooth buckling and disperse collision energy. At least one extruded, flat, passenger occupancy floor section, which is located inboard of the impact dispersing deformable sections, is provided to prevent buckling deformation and assure cabin space.

Abstract: According to a body structure of the present invention, a floor panel member is reinforced by a pair of first members, and the second member comprised of plural pipes is disposed along the width of a vehicle so as to integrate the first members 1. An end of the second member is extended along the longitudinal side of the vehicle and is fixed by welding in the state of penetrating into a side sill. There is no necessity of providing any reinforcement material because the second member has a high strength continuously along the width of the vehicle. Moreover, there is no necessity of increasing a board thickness for the purpose of securing the rigidity because the second member penetrates into the side sill. On the other hand, the second member can be manufactured by cutting an existing steel pipe to a predetermined side, and it is therefore possible to cope with the change in the width of the vehicle only by changing a cutting size.

Abstract: A stiff torque box is used with frame rail segments to compose a vehicle frame. The stiff torque box is used to cross-link the left hand and right hand sides of a vehicle frame and is made up of an extruded aluminum skeleton which forms a number of internal cavities, as well as connecting tabs. The connecting tabs are used to fix the frame rail segments to the stiff torque box. Implementing stiff torque boxes in vehicle frame construction allows for more rigid vehicle frames with the advantage of additional weight savings. This construction is ideal for aluminum frame, front wheel drive and body on frame vehicles. Because of the characteristics of such a vehicle frame, opportunities arise to implement other weight conservative vehicle components.

Abstract: Tunnel region of a floor structure of a bodyshell f a motor vehicle and a transverse bridge. A tunnel region of a floor structure with a transverse bridge for reinforcing the tunnel region, which is held on the tunnel region by brackets fixed on side walls of the tunnel region. The side walls of the tunnel region are aligned vertically in the region in which the brackets are attached, and the brackets are positioned at the same height on the side walls.

Abstract: A lower frame assembly for use in a skid steer loader machine has front and rear end portions. A front wall is positioned at the front end portion of the lower frame assembly and is connected between a pair of side rails. Each of a pair of spaced transmissions housings with front and rear end portions is connected at the front end portion to the front wall and extends rearwardly along a respective side rail. A fuel tank is connected at the rear end portion of the transmission housings and extends between the side rails so that the fuel tank is integral with the lower frame assembly.