IP Library › Granted Patent US 12691943
Granted Patent B1
US 12691943 · App. 19/271,904 · Granted Jul 28, 2026

Vehicle frame

Inventors: Craig A. Holt (Chesterfield Township, MI); Luis G. Schuck (Troy, MI); Anish S. Natu (Rochester Hills, MI)
Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
B62D21/02B62D27/065
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12691943
App. No.
19/271,904
Granted
Jul 28, 2026
Kind
B1
Abstract

A frame is provided for a vehicle. The frame comprises at least one gusset that includes a connection portion, an attachment portion and a curved portion that is bent and connects the connection portion to the attachment portion. The frame further includes a side rail that supports the at least one gusset at the attachment portion, and a crossmember that is attached to and supported by the at least one gusset at the connection portion and is directly connected to the side rail.

Claims (40)

1 . A frame for a vehicle, the frame comprising:

at least one gusset that includes a connection portion, an attachment portion and a curved portion that is bent and connects the connection portion to the attachment portion;

a side rail that supports the at least one gusset at the attachment portion; and

a crossmember that is attached to and supported by the at least one gusset at the connection portion and is directly connected to the side rail, wherein:

the at least one gusset includes a pair of gussets that include internal faces facing each other, and external faces facing away from each other, and

the crossmember is directly connected to one of the external faces.

2 . The frame of claim 1 , further comprising:

at least a first fastener that directly connects the crossmember to a portion of the side rail.

3 . The frame of claim 1 , wherein the at least one gusset connects the crossmember to a first wall of the side rail.

4 . The frame of claim 3 , further comprising:

a first fastener that fastens the crossmember to the at least one gusset, wherein a first vertical plane extends through a longitudinal axis of the first fastener; and

a second fastener that fastens the crossmember to the side rail at a position outside of the first vertical plane to directly connect the crossmember to the side rail.

5 . The frame of claim 4 , further comprising:

a third fastener that fastens the crossmember to the side rail at a position outside of the first vertical plane, wherein a second vertical plane extends through longitudinal axes of the second and third fasteners.

6 . The frame of claim 5 , wherein:

the crossmember is connected to the at least one gusset through a weldless connection, and

the first, second and third fasteners are bolts.

7 . The frame of claim 1 , wherein the at least one gusset has a welded connection to the side rail.

8 . The frame of claim 1 , wherein the crossmember is directly connected to the side rail through a welded connection.

9 . The frame of claim 1 , wherein the curved portion has a bend radius measured from a point that is positioned inboard from the at least one gusset.

10 . An apparatus comprising:

at least one gusset;

a side rail that supports the at least one gusset; and

a crossmember that is attached to and supported by the at least one gusset, and is directly fixed to the side rail through a weldless connection, wherein:

the at least one gusset includes a pair of gussets that include internal faces facing each other, and external faces facing away from each other, and

the crossmember is directly fixed to one of the external faces.

11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising:

at least a first fastener that directly fixes the crossmember to a portion of the side rail to establish the weldless connection.

12 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the at least one gusset connects the crossmember to a first wall of the side rail.

13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising:

a first fastener that fastens the crossmember to the at least one gusset, wherein a first vertical plane extends through a longitudinal axis of the first fastener; and

a second fastener that fastens the crossmember to the side rail at a position outside of the first vertical plane to directly fix the crossmember to the side rail and establish the weldless connection.

14 . The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising:

a third fastener that fastens the crossmember to the side rail at a position outside of the first vertical plane, wherein a second vertical plane extends through longitudinal axes of the second and third fasteners.

15 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the at least one gusset has a welded connection to the side rail.

16 . A suspension system comprising:

a pair of gussets that each include a connection portion, an attachment portion and a curved portion that is bent and connects the connection portion to the attachment portion;

a side rail that supports the pair of gussets at the attachment portions;

at least one fastener; and

a crossmember that is directly connected to each of the connection portions of the pair of gussets at a first position by a same fastener of the at least one fastener, is sandwiched between the connection portions, and is directly fixed to the side rail at second and third positions disposed outside a vertical plane that extends through a longitudinal axis of the fastener.