Patent ID: 7281600

Claim:
A method of assembling a plurality of vehicle chassis, the method comprising: assembling a first vehicle chassis structural frame having a first frame portion defining a first open space, partially defining the first vehicle chassis structural frame, and having a predetermined configuration such that the first open space maintains a predetermined amount of spatial integrity in the event of a load exerted on the first frame portion or a vehicle component operatively connected thereto, and a first selection of at least one frame component further defining the first vehicle chassis structural frame and operatively connected to the first frame portion such that the first vehicle chassis structural frame has a first length; and assembling a second vehicle chassis structural frame having a second frame portion substantially identical to the first frame portion, defining a second open space, partially defining the second vehicle chassis structural frame, and having a predetermined configuration such that the second open space maintains a predetermined amount of spatial integrity in the event of a load exerted on the second frame portion or a vehicle component operatively connected thereto, and— a second selection of at least one frame component further defining the second vehicle chassis structural frame and operatively connected to the second frame portion such that the second vehicle chassis structural frame has a second length; wherein the second length is different from the first length.