Patent ID: 8534412

Claim:
A frame for a vehicle comprising a longitudinally central portion with first and second longitudinal elements extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis and laterally adjacent each other, a first end element connected to a first end of said central portion and a second end element connected to an opposite end of said central portion, said first and second longitudinal elements being laterally spaced from each other to provide an opening for receiving an engine and transmission, said first and second end elements being aligned with each other and extending along a longitudinal axis in opposed directions away from said central portion, at least one of said end elements comprising a leg adapted to mount auxiliary equipment and extending in a downward direction transverse to said longitudinal axis, first and second arms, each of which is mounted at one end to said frame for pivotal motion about a respective horizontal axis transverse to said longitudinal axis and adapted to receive an axle at a free end opposite said one end, and suspension elements extending between each of said arms and said longitudinal or end elements, wherein said first and second longitudinal portions and said end portions are formed by an upper steel sheet, a lower steel sheet, and vertical sheets secured to said upper and lower sheets such that said frame has a box-shape in cross section and provides rigidity to said frame.