Patent ID: 7600785

Claim:
A frame for a heavy-duty vehicle, said frame comprising: a pair of transversely spaced-apart, parallel, elongated and longitudinally extending main members; at least two cross members extending between and being attached to said main members; at least a pair of hangers, each one of said hangers being attached to a respective one of said main members for suspending an axle/suspension system from said frame; and a force distribution assembly directly attached to said main members and to said hangers, said force distribution assembly extending transversely between and perpendicular to said main members and said hangers, whereby said force distribution assembly interrupts the transmission of forces encountered by said axle/suspension system that move through each one of said hangers and into its respective main member, and redirects at least a portion of said forces across the force distribution assembly and into the other one of said main members, said force distribution assembly including at least one of a shearable member and a crushable component.