# US 10,864,944 B2 · Vehicle frame > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,864,944 B2 - Document ID: US10864944B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/979,047 - Filed: 2018-05-14 - Published: 2019-11-14 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2018-05-14 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Yalla Mussa Abushawashi; Marwan Ahmad Elbkaily; Muhsin M. Hamdoon; Benjamin Mansfield - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10864944B2 ## CPC - B62D 21/02: comprising longitudinally or transversely arranged frame members - B62D 21/157: {for side impacts} - B62D 21/03: transverse members providing body support - B62D 21/07: wide-hipped frame type, i.e. a wide box-shaped mid portion with narrower sections extending from said mid portion in both fore and aft directions - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## Abstract A vehicle frame includes a first frame rail and a second frame rail elongated along a vehicle-longitudinal axis and spaced from each other along a cross-vehicle axis. The vehicle frame includes a cross-beam elongated along the cross-vehicle axis between the first frame rail and the second frame rail. The cross-beam includes a first groove and a second groove both proximate the first frame rail and spaced from each other along the cross-vehicle axis. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle frame comprising: a first frame rail and a second frame rail elongated along a vehicle-longitudinal axis and spaced from each other along a cross-vehicle axis; and a cross-beam elongated along the cross-vehicle axis between the first frame rail and the second frame rail, the cross-beam including a first groove and a second groove both proximate the first frame rail and spaced from each other along the cross-vehicle axis, the first groove elongated along the vehicle-longitudinal axis and the second groove elongated along a vehicle-vertical axis. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle frame of claim 1, wherein the cross-beam includes an intermediate portion, the first groove and the second groove are between the intermediate portion and the first frame rail, and a flexural strength of the cross-beam at the first groove is less than a flexural strength of the cross-beam at the intermediate portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vehicle frame of claim 1, wherein the cross-beam includes a top surface and a rear surface, the first groove located on the top surface and the second groove located on the rear surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The vehicle frame of claim 1, further comprising a body mount extending from the first frame rail away from the second frame rail by a first distance, and wherein the cross-beam extends from the first frame rail away from the second frame rail along the cross-vehicle axis by a second distance that is at least half as much as the first distance. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The vehicle frame of claim 1, wherein the cross-beam extends from the first frame rail away from the second frame rail along the cross-vehicle axis by at least 30 millimeters. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The vehicle frame of claim 1, wherein the cross-beam is monolithic. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The vehicle frame of claim 1, wherein the cross-beam is free of support brackets. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The vehicle frame of claim 1, wherein the cross-beam includes a third groove and a fourth groove both proximate the second frame rail and spaced from each other along the cross-vehicle axis. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The vehicle frame of claim 8, wherein a flexural strength of the cross-beam at each of the first groove, the second groove, the third groove and the fourth groove is less than a flexural strength of an intermediate portion of the cross-beam between the first groove and the second groove, and the third groove and the fourth groove. ### Claim 10 A vehicle, comprising: a first frame rail and a second frame rail elongated along a vehicle-longitudinal axis and spaced from each other along a cross-vehicle axis; a shock tower bracket fixed relative to the first frame rail; and a cross-beam extending from the first frame rail to the second frame rail at a vehicle-rearward position relative to the shock tower bracket, the cross-beam including a first groove and a second groove both proximate the first frame rail and spaced from each other along the cross-vehicle axis, the first groove elongated along the vehicle-longitudinal axis and the second groove elongated along a vehicle-vertical axis. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The vehicle of claim 10, further comprising a seat supported by the first frame rail directly above the cross-beam. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The vehicle of claim 10, further comprising a body mount extending from the first frame rail, and wherein the cross-beam extends from the first frame rail along the cross-vehicle axis away from the second frame rail such that the cross-beam is impacted before the body mount during a NHTSA rigid pole side impact test. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the cross-beam includes a top surface and a rear surface, the first groove located on the top surface and the second groove located on the rear surface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The vehicle of claim 10, further comprising a body mount extending from the first frame rail away from the second frame rail along the cross-vehicle axis by a first distance, and wherein the cross-beam extends from the first frame rail away from the second frame rail along the cross-vehicle axis by a second distance that is at least half as much as the first distance. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the cross-beam extends from the first frame rail away from the second frame rail along the cross-vehicle axis by at least 30 millimeters. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the cross-beam is monolithic. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the cross-beam includes a third groove and a fourth groove both proximate the second frame rail and spaced from each other along the cross-vehicle axis. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the cross-beam at each the first groove, the second groove, the third groove and the fourth groove has a flexural strength that is less than a flexural strength of an intermediate portion of the cross-beam between the first groove and the second groove, and the third groove and the fourth groove.