Abstract: An improvement on a vehicle floor structure is provided which includes joint members each of which has a closed hollow structure and joins a rear extension of one of side sills, one end of a rear seat cross member, and a front end of one of rear side members. Each of the joint members is installed between one end of the rear seat cross member and one of the side sills and has a lower-rigidity region formed adjacent the end of the rear seat cross member for facilitating ease of a lateral collapse of a vehicle body in the lower-rigidity region upon occurrence of a side collision of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vechicle body structure for an automotive vehicle comprising front side frames (21, 21) provided left and right at a front portion of a vehicle body (10) so as to hold a longitudinal center line of the vehicle body therebetween, rear side frames (26, 26) provided left and right at a rear portion of the vehicle body so as to hold the longitudinal center line of the vehicle body therebetween and side sills (23, 23) or floor frames (27, 27) provided left and right so as to hold the longitudinal center line of the vehicle body therebetween and lower than the front side frames and rear side frames when viewed from the side of the vehicle body, the front side frames, rear side frames and side sills or floor frames being connected to each other, and further a floor tunnel having the bottom-open U-shaped cross-sectional structure which extends along the longitudinal center line of the vehicle body between said front side frames and said rear side frames and protrudes upwardly of the side sills (23, 23) or floor fra

Abstract: A pillar, in particular a B-pillar, for a vehicle body, in particular a passenger car body, comprises a hat profile beam that has its crown towards the interior of the body. A lower hat profile beam has its own crown located within the crown of the beam and the flanges of the two beams are spot welded together. The hinges of the rear door are fixed to the beam. The front edge of the rear door swings into the crown of the beam when the door is opened. Thus, the beam has a high crown and utilizes the available space efficiently.

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: 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: A tractor having an engine disposed in a front position, a transmission case disposed in a rear position, and a main frame for interconnecting the engine and transmission case. Reinforcing frames are attached to opposite side surfaces of the main frame. The reinforcing frames are shaped to accommodate a mid-mount mower.

Abstract: A structure for a vehicle body having an outrigger integrally coupled with a rear end of a side sill, a side end of a rear cross member and a front end of a rear side frame by means of die-cast molding. The structure may also have a support member supporting a rear trailing arm and a side jack up point, wherein the support member and the side jack up point are integrally coupled with the outrigger by means of die-cast molding.

Abstract: A cross member for use in an automobile body is formed of an extruded material and has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is formed by vertically stacking two closed sectional portions. The second portion extends downward from one of the front and rear walls of the first portion in the form of an apron. The second portion is provided with a cutout portion matching the contour of the floor tunnel. A bottom wall of the first portion is joined to the top of the floor tunnel, and the edge faces of one closed sectional portion of the first portion are joined to the inner sides of the respective side sills.

Abstract: A forward structure for a self-supporting body shell of a passenger car has two forward structure side members, with which a function carrier is connected on at least four fastening points in a force-transmitting manner, the function carrier being constructed of two cross member sections and two side member sections. The function carrier is designed as a one-piece cast component. The cross member sections and the side member sections are provided with a U-shaped shell profile which is open in the downward direction. Each side member section is provided with at least one geometrically caused desired deformation area which, in the event of a deformation of the forward structure side member in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, can be additionally plastically deformed.

Abstract: A vehicle body front structure and an impact absorbing method thereof, in which an impact force applied to front side members is efficiently absorbed by an intended deformation of a reinforcing member. A part of the impact force applied to the front side members (12) is received by supporting forces in axial directions of a dash cross member (20) and a pillar brace (22). A recess (24) is provided in the dash cross member (20) in the portion thereof connected with the front side member (12). A recess (26) is provided in the pillar brace (22) in the portion thereof connected with the front side member (12). Due to the dash cross member (20) and the pillar brace (22) compressively deforming in the axial directions starting at these recesses (24), (26), the dash cross member (20) and the pillar brace (22) absorb impact force which is applied to the front side members (12) from the front of the vehicle.

Abstract: Known self-supporting body shells provide a floor area in the vehicle center which is formed by an engine transmission support, on which floor area the transmission case is fastened which is connected with the engine. A passenger car body shell is provided with connection arms constructed as profile pieces in the area between the side members and the engine transmission support. The connection arms are tension and pressure cross members. In the event of a crash, a deformation of the vehicle body is prevented in this area as well as a rotation of the engine and of the transmission which otherwise leads to an undesirable deformation of the vehicle body in the driver's and front passenger's area.

Abstract: A bottom structure for a self-supporting motor vehicle frame body, especially a passenger automobile frame body, has two lateral beams extending into the rear. The beams are joined together in the rear area by at least two spaced-apart crossbeams. At least one central longitudinal strut reaches or extends between the crossbeams and is disposed parallel to the lateral beams with broadened thrusting surfaces and the ends of the strut resting against the crossbeams.

Abstract: A motor vehicle, particularly a convertible, with a vehicle body to which longitudinally moving struts are assigned and with a supporting frame which includes a longitudinally moving strut, is constructed so that at least one of the struts is constructed so that its length can be varied and has assigned to it an absorbing unit for determining a longitudinal stress, a control element for bringing about a counterforce as well as a control unit for the control element.

Abstract: An operator's cab in a construction machine, which has pillars standing at a left side surface and a right side surface, includes a frame reinforcement member that extends between the pillars and meets at a near right angle to the pillars so as to create a resistance against a bending load applied to the pillars.

Abstract: In an automobile body frame, a hollow beam formed by extrusion molding from a light metal material is used for linearly coupling the rear end of each front side frame to the side end of a rear cross member. A sheet rail bracket is formed by die casting for coupling the adjoining region of the center-pillar coupling portion of the side sill to the hollow beam.

Abstract: A control device for controlling rigidity of a car body has device for adjusting rigidity of a right side frame and a left side frame extending in the longitudinal direction of a car. The device is attached to the side frames. The control device has a controller for controlling operation of the device for adjusting rigidity of the right and left side frames according to a form of collision judged by an output of a collision detector such as an acceleration sensor. Further, a control device for controlling deformation of a frame has an actuator for generating a force in a direction of restricting or facilitating deformation of a frame, an external force detection sensor for detecting an external force inputted into the frame, and a controller for controlling operation of the actuator according to an output signal of the external force detection sensor. The actuator is arranged in a portion of the frame in which deformation of the frame greater than that of the periphery is predicted.

Abstract: A passenger car, such as a coupe or a convertible includes a car body having a B column and side walls which limit the occupants' space below a window breast and within the vertical extent of which in each case the B column is disposed. Essentially vertically aligned reinforcing profiles are assigned to the car body walls in the region of the B columns for absorbing forces acting laterally on the vehicle, which reinforcing profiles in each case are provided with at least one cantilever arm extending therefrom, and which is supported in each case at least at its end averted from the reinforcing profile at a part of the car body.

Abstract: Indicated is a structural flooring component for vehicles which has a bottom plate (10) and a number of profile parts (20) for the attachment of equipment components to the floor. The bottom plate (10) has a number of molded in support surfaces which are arranged at given intervals and form downward pointing protrusions in the bottom plate (10). Each of the support surfaces holds a flooring connection profile (20), the cross section of which is smaller than that of the support surface.

Abstract: A floor plate assembly for a railway freight car structure. The assembly includes a floor plate and set of floor plate support assemblies, each having a base and at least one side wall. The side wall has an outer margin that in some embodiments is welded to the floor plate. A reinforcing bar is welded to the base and has a margin which is located closely adjacent to the floor plate and which is welded to the floor plate in some embodiments. In some embodiments the floor plate support assemblies each have two side walls and the reinforcing bar is welded to the base between the side walls. The floor plate support assemblies may be formed away from the railway freight car that is under construction by using a jig to facilitate welding the reinforcing bar to the base. The floor plate assembly may also be assembled separately and then may be efficiently welded to the members of the freight car underframe.

Abstract: A vehicular body and frame assembly includes a pair of side rails, wherein one or both of the side rails has an integral support surface formed therein to facilitate the mounting of various components on the vehicle frame assembly. Each of the side rails is formed from a closed channel structural member having a desired cross sectional shape. A portion of each side rail is further formed having a cross sectional shape that is substantially similar to, but rotationally offset from, the cross sectional shape of the remainder of the side rail. The transitions from the side rails to the rotationally offset portions and from the rotationally offset portions back to the side rails are preferably smooth and continuous. The rotationally offset portions may extend throughout any desired portion or portions of the side rails, and may further vary in the amount of rotational offset if desired.

Abstract: A passenger compartment for a passenger car has one B-column on each vehicle body side which leads into a side member situated below the B-column for increasing the transverse stiffness of the passenger compartment in the event of side impact loads. A transversely stiffening tube construction is composed of two laterally exterior upright reinforcing tubes and a tube-shaped stiffening element which extends over the width of the vehicle body. In order to achieve a more favorable introduction of force in the event of a side impact load, each upright reinforcing tube is linked to an adjoining connection plate with a lower edge area which is supported on the exterior side of the side member. An inwardly projecting supporting tube leads away from each reinforcing tube above the elevation of the side member. This supporting tube is rigidly connected in the area of the passenger compartment with one of the outer ends of the transversely extending, tube-shaped stiffening element.

Abstract: Provided is a structure of a front body of an automobile comprising a steering system which can prevent a steering gear case from coming in contact with a road surface during running on a bad road or the like even if an under cover is not provided, and which can reduce costs, weight and size, and can provide proper (small) changes in the toe angle and the driver with a smooth sense of steering. In the front body of an automobile in which the suspension arm (lower control arm) and the steering gear case (pinion case) are attached to the suspension frame and at least a part of the steering gear case (for example, a pinion case) is placed below the suspension frame, a downward protrusion which protrudes downward and has a face slanted downward toward the rear portion of the automobile body is provided on the bottom portion of the suspension frame.

Abstract: A disclosed floor structure of a vehicle body is provided with a floor member, a pillar member extending upward of the vehicle body from a base portion thereof with respect to the floor member, and a cross member provided in a width direction of the vehicle body on the floor member. The end portion of the cross member is attached to the base portion of the pillar member and includes a front side portion of the end portion located on a front side of the vehicle body and a rear side portion of the end portion located on a rear side of the vehicle body. Here, against a force applied from outside to inside of the vehicle body in the width direction, an attaching strength of the front side portion of the cross member to the base portion of the pillar member is higher than that of the rear side portion of the cross member to the base portion of the pillar member.

Abstract: A box-shaped structure is defined by an inner projection of a rear inner panel forming a side portion of a vehicle body and a roof rail outer member of a roof rail extending transversely of the vehicle body at an upper portion of a rear part of the roof rail. The box-shaped structure includes as bracing an outer projection of a rear pillar stiffener for reinforcing the rear inner panel and a stiffener projection of a hinge stiffener for reinforcing the roof rail outer member, which extend diagonally within the box-shaped structure to thereby divide the structure into a plurality of closed sections. A rear portion of the rear inner panel and the rear panel stiffener joint comprise a rear pillar. With the structure thus constructed, the connection between the rear pillar and the roof rail will be imparted increased stiffness against a twisting stress and against external stresses applied from the directions of the corners of the closed sections.

Abstract: An underbody assembly for a motor vehicle includes a floorpan extending longitudinally and transversely. The underbody assembly also includes a side sill operatively connected to the floorpan to provide more than one underbody load floor height of the floorpan relative to body side assemblies of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle frame is provided including a pair of frame rails. A rear suspension support assembly extends between the pair of frame rails. The rear suspension support assembly includes a rear suspension crossmember having first and second ends each attached to one of the frame rails. A pair of spring brackets are attached to the rear suspension crossmember and to the frame rails. The rear suspension support assembly has a generally X-shaped configuration which improves the frame stiffness.

Abstract: A flatbed trailer design that unitizes the three main components of a trailer bed, the main rails, the cross members and the floor, to create a lightweight and stronger trailer. The trailer design comprises two main rails having dual webs and a plurality of shouldered cross members. These dual web main rails and shouldered cross members have top flanges that are formed by the upper plane of the flooring members. In addition, intermediate flooring supports are used between cross members. A flooring/cross member design for box-type (e.g., van) trailers, box-type bodies or even container bodies, whose top flanges of the cross members are formed by the upper plane of the flooring and whose flooring supports are intermediate, exhibiting a combined lower height. This result provides more interior space for these type of trailers while maintaining, or even reducing, the size of the cross member.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a bed having an opening through which a sling leg may be passed. A sling load portal includes the opening and a door mounted under the bed and movable between a closed position wherein the door is in registration with the opening and an open position wherein the door is removed from registration with the opening, providing a path through the bed to a lift provision connected to the frame of the vehicle.

Abstract: A splice joint for connecting a pair of open channel side rail sections in a vehicular body and frame assembly focuses stresses imposed thereon away from the longitudinal edges of the structural members. In a first aspect of this invention, one or both end portions of the side rail sections are formed having an offset. The end portions of the side rail sections overlap one another and are secured together in any conventional manner, such as by welding. Preferably, the welds are made in such a manner that they terminate prior to reaching any of the longitudinally extending edges of the side rail sections. In a second aspect of this invention, the portions of the side rail sections are butt welded together. A support bracket is secured to the side rail sections in any conventional manner, such as by welding. Again, the welds are preferably made in such a manner as to terminate prior to reaching any of the longitudinally extending edges of the side rail sections.

Abstract: Improved structural and operational components for sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and light truck vehicles. A hybrid vehicle structure utilizing structural subframes in the front and rear of the vehicle and a monocoque body structure in the center. A common subframe system is used for the front ends of both the sport utility vehicles and light truck vehicles. In addition, substantially the same subframe system is used for the rear end of the sports utility vehicle. A common suspension system is also used for the front ends of the SUVs and light truck vehicles. The same suspension system is also used for the rear end of the SUV. Use of common components and subsystems create significant savings in tooling and assembly costs. At the same time, the present invention maintains performance characteristics of the SUVs and light truck vehicles comparable to or exceeding the characteristics of SUVs and light truck vehicles in the same class.

Abstract: A floor structure (1) for a load-carrying platform of a truck. The truck has a pair of parallel side rails (3) extending in a longitudinal direction of the truck. The floor structure (1) includes a floor panel part (2) made from a fiber reinforced plastic (5) and a pair of longitudinal sills (4) extending along the pair of side rails (3) under the floor panel part (2) and made from the fiber reinforced plastic (5). The floor panel part (2) is thicker in a first area (11, T1) (111, T3) between the longitudinal sills (4) than in second and third areas (12, T2) (112, T4) outside the first area.

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 cargo floor construction and method of constructing same that includes a multiplicity of mounting clips that are secured to the cargo vehicle support members in laterally spaced and longitudinally aligned rows. The mounting clips are provided with a shape for mating and interlocking with the lateral edges of longitudinally extending floor planks that preferably are extruded with the mating edge shapes. Fasteners are used to secure the mounting clips to the vehicle support members but those fasteners do not pierce the floor planks. In some embodiments of the interlocking mounting clips and floor plank edges, the floor plank is elastically deformed to engage or snap onto the mounting clip to prevent lateral movement of the floor plank in either direction.

Abstract: Arrangement for the vehicle-fixed holding of control units in a motor vehicle. An electronic control unit carrier component is constructed as an essentially flatly designed sheet metal stamping. The control unit receiving areas are in each case arranged side-by-side on a top side as well as on a bottom side of the sheet metal stamping.

Abstract: The running board of the present invention provide the structural integrity to withstand the static and dynamic loads to which articles of this type are normally subjected. The design of the running board in terms of its configuration, the components making up the running board, namely, the blow molded exterior shell and the foam core, have specific structural characteristics. For example, the foam core has a density in the range of 100 kg/m.sup.3 to 150 kg/m.sup.3 and has sufficient resiliency to permit the part to return to substantially its original shape following removal of a load of predetermined magnitude.

Abstract: A seat support assembly for an automotive vehicle with a seat having integrated occupant restraints has forward and rearward transversely extending seat support members each having opposed ends with a seat attachment section and an attachment flange. A pair of seat reinforcement members are positioned adjacent and underside of the attachment section on each of the opposed ends of the forward and rearward seat support members, each of the pair seat support reinforcements members having a mating flange adapted for mating between the attachment flange and a portion of the vehicle floor pan. A floor pan reinforcement member is adapted for mating with an underside of the floor pan and has a support flange wrapping around an outer side adjacent the mating flange and the attachment flange.

Abstract: An armoring assembly for a vehicle having a body frame, and having a passenger compartment, the passenger compartment having a roof and a plurality of roof supporting columns, the roof and each roof supporting column having an inwardly facing surface; the armoring assembly consisting of a plurality of interior trim panels, each interior trim panel being fitted for covering the inwardly facing surface of one of the roof supporting columns of the passenger compartment, each interior trim panel having an outer surface and an inner surface, and each interior trim panel consisting of a bullet proof material; and consisting of trim attaching means respectively interconnecting each interior trim panel to the column to which it is fitted, the trim attaching means being capable of holding the interior trim panels in place while bullets fired from a firearm impinge upon their outer surfaces.

Abstract: A peripheral beam system for a manufactured home comprising a multiplicity of transverse beams secured perpendicular to plural longitudinally extending beams. Plural peripheral beams are secured to the multiplicity of transverse beams to extend parallel to the plural longitudinally extending beams. The peripheral beams extend downwardly from the manufactured home for resting on a foundation to support the manufactured home relative to a foundation. The downwardly extending peripheral beams enabling the manufactured home to be mounted onto a foundation at a permanent home site through the use of simple lifting jacks and without the use of lifting cranes.

Abstract: In a body portion and frame assembly of a motor vehicle including a component assembly consisting of two longitudinally extending U-shaped profile members with outwardly directed spaced legs interconnected by transverse bottom and end panels which are welded to the U-shaped profile members, longitudinal frame members of the vehicle extend through the spaces between the spaced legs and are position-adjustable therein before they are welded to the legs of the U-shaped profile members thereby forming the body portion and frame member assembly with the frame members being accurately spaced from each other independently of tolerance deviations imparted by the transverse panels attached to the profile members.

Abstract: A center tunnel for a vehicle, especially a motor vehicle, has a section shape that is open at the bottom and has sections in the form of hollow members that are directed lengthwise, at least areawise. A center tunnel that has a simple design and can be manufactured economically, and which is torsionally rigid and can accept high forces, is formed by a double-walled hollow body manufactured by the internal high-pressure shaping method, viewed in cross section, with spaced wall sections of the hollow body being brought together areawise.

Abstract: A floor structure of a vehicle body is provided with a floor having a tunnel member disposed in the center of the vehicle body with respect to the width direction of the vehicle body such that it extends in the forward/backward direction of the vehicle body and a floor member disposed adjacent to the tunnel member in the width direction of the vehicle body. The floor member has a joint portion joining to the tunnel member. The floor structure is further provided with a closed section formed at a root portion of the tunnel member by use of the tunnel member and the floor member, and a cross member disposed on the floor member such that it extends in the width direction of the vehicle body. The cross member has a flange portion connected to the tunnel member. Here, the joint portion of the floor member to be joined to the tunnel member overlaps the flange portion of the cross member to be connected to the tunnel member throughout entire of the flange portion.

Abstract: A modular vehicle frame assembly includes a first generally U-shaped front cradle having a base portion and a pair of spaced apart leg portions extending forwardly from the base portion. A second generally U-shaped front cradle has a base portion and a pair of spaced apart leg portions extending rearwardly from the base portion. The second front cradle is secured to the first front cradle. A pair of axially extending side rails are secured to the leg portions of the second front cradle and extend rearwardly therefrom. A third generally U-shaped rear cradle has a base portion and a pair of spaced apart leg portions extending rearwardly from the base portion. The third rear cradle is secured to the side rails.

Abstract: A vehicle frame structure comprises a right side primary longitudinal member and a left side primary longitudinal member, at least two cross beams extending there between that define in combination a ladder like frame having a forward portion and a rearward portion that correspond with the front and rear of a vehicle. Right and left side rocker members are supported in a spaced relationship with respect to the right and left side primary longitudinal members. A "C" node is disposed between adjacent primary members and rocker members. Right side and left side rear beams have a forward end and an opposed rearward end, an upper surface and an opposed lower surface, and an inwardly facing surface and an opposed outwardly facing surface.

Abstract: A vehicle front frame structure in which an impact-absorbing extension frame is formed from an inverted U-shaped upper piece overlapping an upright U-shaped lower piece. Because the upper surface of the extension frame is formed only of the U-shaped upper piece, the need for a conventional joined construction is eliminated, thus allowing the upper surface only to be strengthened to provide the optimum desired impact absorbing deformation characteristics.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure in which load from a front of a vehicle, which load is applied to a front side member, is absorbed via a reinforcing member fixed to a floor panel and extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The reinforcing member is provided so as to be inclined, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, toward a side sill provided at a vehicle transverse outer side of the reinforcing member, and is provided such that, when a load is applied, the reinforcing member is slidable toward a rear of the vehicle with a rear end portion of the reinforcing member contacting the side sill.

Abstract: A skid plate and cross member assembly for a vehicular frame includes a skid plate having a platform and a cross member having a body. A locking element, preferably having holes or slots, is formed in the body of the cross member. A moldable material in a moldable state is placed in a mold for the skid plate. The cross member is pressed into the moldable platform of the skid plate so that the locking element is immersed and the moldable material fills the voids of the locking element. After the moldable material has cured, the cross member is interlocked with the skid plate to form a lightweight skid plate and cross member assembly. This assembly is secured to side rails of a vehicular frame to protect lower components of a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a perimeter frame including laterally spaced right and left side rails of tubular construction and front and rear bumper rails of tubular construction extending between the side rails. A structural tunnel extends longitudinally of the vehicle midway between the side rails and has front and rear ends. The structural tunnel includes an inverted U-shaped channel having vertically depending the first and second legs, and a close-out plate which extends horizontally between the legs. First and second front shear walls extend forwardly and diagonally from the first and second legs at the front of the tunnel to the respective right and left side rails of the perimeter frame. Similarly, first and second rear shear walls extend generally rearward and diagonally from the first and second legs at the rear end of the tunnel to the respective left and right side rails of the perimeter frame.

Abstract: A floor structure for an automobile particularly an automobile without a center tunnel. A one-piece plate-shaped middle part is incorporated into the floor structure to provide reinforcement in a middle functional area. Receptacles for a plurality of vehicle functional parts are integrally mounted on the middle part.

Abstract: An impact reinforcement for a curved rail in a motor vehicle includes a base portion extending longitudinally for attachment to a curved portion of a curved rail, and a flange portion connected to the base portion and extending longitudinally into a straight portion of the curved rail.

Abstract: A floor assembly for a passenger car includes a double-walled floor provided with local reinforcements between laterally external side members and a center tunnel. To reduce the cost of manufacturing and assembly of the floor assembly, the double-walled floor on the driver and passenger sides is formed by at least one hollow member manufactured by the internal high-pressure shaping method. The respective hollow members abut the associated laterally external side member and the center tunnel and are permanently connected therewith. The reinforcements are formed by wall sections of the respective hollow body that are adjacent to one another areawise and are opposite one another.