Patent ID: 8052204
Filing Date: 2011-11-08
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. In a vehicle frame assembly having a front frame assembly comprised of a front frame cross member and first and second inner members extending rearwardly from the front frame cross member, and a floor frame assembly comprised of side sill members, a center frame member and a plurality of cross members extending between and interconnecting the side sill members and the center frame member, a frame joint between the first and second inner members and the center frame member comprising: first and second spaced apart side walls of said center frame member integrally formed with and extending from a center wall of said center frame member; first and second spaced apart side walls of said first inner member integrally formed with and extending from a center wall of said first inner member, said first side wall of said first inner member contiguous with and blending into said first side wall of said center frame member and said second side wall of said first inner member contiguous with and blending into said second side wall of said center frame member; first and second spaced apart side walls of said second inner member integrally formed with and extending from a center wall of said second inner member, said first side wall of said second inner member terminating at said second side wall of said first inner member and said second side wall of said second inner member contiguous with and blending into said second side wall of said center frame member thereby providing a primary load path from said first inner member to said center frame member and a secondary load path from said second inner member to said center frame member; and a reinforcing wall member extending from said second side wall of said first inner member toward said first side wall of said center frame member to transfer loads from said first side wall of said second inner member to said first side wall of said center frame member.