Patent ID: 7350818
Filing Date: 2008-04-01
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. A frame rail for use in a vehicle frame rail assembly comprising: a front section; an intermediate section; and a rear section; wherein the sections are seamlessly transitioned from a front of the rail to a rear of the rail, each section comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface of the front section converging toward the upper surface of the front section at a first transition between the front section and intermediate section, the lower surface of the intermediate section diverging from the upper surface of the intermediate section at a second transition between the intermediate section and the rear section; wherein when the frame rail is horizontal, the elevation of the upper surfaces of at least a rear portion of the front section, of the intermediate section, and of at least a forward portion of the rear section is the same; and wherein the lower surface of the front section transitions into the lower surface of the intermediate section at a first transition, the first transition comprising a first bend defining a first radius and a second bend defining a second radius, and wherein the lower surface of the intermediate section transitions into the lower surface of the rear section at a second transition, the second transition comprising a third bend defining a third radius and a fourth bend defining a fourth radius; wherein the rear section comprises at least a first rear portion and second rear portion, the first rear portion being forwardly of the second rear portion, and wherein there is a seamless transition between the first and second rear portions; wherein the rear section comprises at least a third rear portion rearwardly of the second rear portion and in addition to the first and second rear portions, and wherein there is a seamless transition between the second and third rear portions; and wherein the seamless transitions between the first and second rear portions and between the second and third rear portions are each rearwardly of a rear axle mounting location where a rear axle is to be coupled to the frame rail.