Patent ID: 6138358
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: B21D,B23P,B62D,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a vehicle frame assembly comprising the steps of:(a) forming a first vehicle frame component by:(1) providing a closed channel structural member(2) hydroforming the closed channel structural member to have a central portion extending between first and second end portions, wherein the central portion defines a first dimension that is smaller than a second dimension defined by at least one of the first and second end portions;(3) dividing the central portion of the hydroformed closed channel structural member to provide a first section including the first end portion and a second section including the second end portion; and(4) securing the first end portion of the first section to the second end portion of the second section to form the first vehicle frame component;(b) providing a plurality of second vehicle frame components; and(c) securing the first vehicle frame component and the plurality of second vehicle frame components together to form the vehicle frame assembly.