Pressurized structural member of a motor vehicle frame

摘要

An elongated structural member of a vehicle frame. The structural member is hollow to form an elongated chamber. Filler material in the chamber is compressed by a source of pressure to press the filler material laterally outwardly against the walls of the chamber to strengthen the structural member and resist buckling. The filler material includes a flexible bag filled with small solid particles. The source of pressure may include one or more compression coil springs, or a tension rod or a gas generant.