Patent ID: 6857692

Claim:
A frame and support structure for a vehicle having a longitudinal axis, said frame and support structure comprising: spaced-apart first and second side sill assemblies extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle; spaced-apart first and second frame members extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, said first and second frame members being disposed between the first and second side sill assemblies; and, at least one lateral support assembly that includes: first and second outriggers, said first outrigger extending between the first side sill assembly and the first frame member, wherein opposing ends of the first outrigger are secured to the first side sill assembly and the first frame member, respectively, and said second outrigger extending between the second side sill assembly and the second frame member, wherein opposing ends of the second outrigger are secured to the second side sill assembly and the second frame member, respectively; a cross member extending between the first and second frame members, wherein opposing ends of the cross member are secured to the first and second frame members, respectively; and a first bulkhead disposed in the first side sill assembly and a second bulkhead disposed in the second side sill assembly.