| 摘要 |
<p>A lightweight vehicle frame (10, 110) capable of bearing significant loads is provided. The vehicle frame (10, 110) includes first (20, 120) and second (22, 122) rail members extending parallel to one another and at least one cross-member (24, 26, 28, 30) extending between the first (20, 120) and second (22, 122) rail members. At least one of these members (20, 120, 22, 122, 24, 26, 28, 30) includes adjacent apertures (46, 48, 50, 58, 60, 62, 64, 146, 148, 150) in a side wall (44, 56). One of the apertures (46, 58) is larger in size proximate one edge (66, 67) of the side wall (44, 56) than an opposite edge (68, 69) of the side wall (44, 56). The other aperture (48, 60) is complementary in shape and is larger in size proximate the opposite edge (68, 69) of the side wall (44, 56) than the one edge (66, 67) of the side wall (44, 56). The resulting structure reduces the weight of the vehicle frame (10, 110), yet maintains significant load-bearing capabilities.</p> |
