Patent ID: 8746764

Claim:
A vehicle comprising: a primary support structure defining a longitudinal axis, and including a frame rail extending along and laterally offset from the longitudinal axis and having an axial end; an impact beam attached to the axial end of the frame rail, wherein the impact beam is disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis, and extends outboard of the frame rail relative to the longitudinal axis to a distal end; a body panel mount attached to the frame rail and axially spaced from the impact beam along the longitudinal axis, wherein the body panel mount is disposed outboard of the frame rail relative to the longitudinal axis; and a load transferring member having a first axial end attached to one of the impact beam and the body panel mount, and a second axial end disposed adjacent to and a pre-defined distance from the other of the impact beam and the body panel mount; wherein the load transferring member extends at a first acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis between the impact beam and the body panel mount; and wherein the pre-defined distance between the second axial end of the load transferring member and the one of the impact beam and the body panel mount disposed adjacent the second axial end of the load transferring member is between the range of 3 mm and 15 mm.