Frame assembly for a wheeled work machine

Abstract

A rigid frame assembly for a wheeled work machine includes a pair of spaced apart longitudinal members with transverse ties. The longitudinal members define a cargo support portion at one end of the longitudinal members and a front portion at an end remote from the cargo support portion. A middle portion is disposed between the cargo support portion and the front portion. The middle portion has a transverse width greater than at least one of the cargo support portion and the front portion. An upstanding support is joined to the front portion. The upstanding support includes a lift arm pivot.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A rigid frame assembly for a wheeled work machine, the frame assembly comprising: 
 a pair of spaced apart longitudinal members with transverse ties, the longitudinal members defining a cargo support portion at one end thereof and a front portion at an end remote from the cargo support portion, and a middle portion disposed between the cargo support portion and the front portion, the middle portion having a transverse width greater than at least one of the cargo support portion and the front portion; and    an upstanding support joined to the front portion, the upstanding support including a lift arm pivot.    
     
     
         2 . The rigid frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein the middle portion has a transverse width greater than both the cargo support portion and the front portion.  
     
     
         3 . The rigid frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein portions of the longitudinal members forming the front portion are offset from portions of the longitudinal members forming the cargo support portion with an inclined portion disposed therebetween in each longitudinal member.  
     
     
         4 . The rigid frame assembly of  claim 3  wherein the inclined portion of each longitudinal member is closer to the cargo support portion than the upstanding support.  
     
     
         5 . The rigid frame assembly of  claim 4  wherein a section modulus of the longitudinal member comprising the inclined portion is greater than a section modulus of each portion of the corresponding longitudinal member comprising the cargo support portion and the front portion.  
     
     
         6 . The rigid frame assembly of  claim 4  wherein the front portion includes a plate member joining the longitudinal members together.  
     
     
         7 . The rigid frame assembly of  claim 6  and further comprising a lift arm pivotally connected to the upstanding support at the lift arm pivot.  
     
     
         8 . The rigid frame assembly of  claim 7  and further comprising a lift cylinder joined to the plate member at one end and the lift arm at the other end, the lift cylinder extending through an aperture in the upstanding support.  
     
     
         9 . The rigid frame assembly of  claim 8  wherein the plate member includes an aperture through which the lift cylinder extends.  
     
     
         10 . The rigid frame assembly of  claim 1  and further comprising a lift arm pivotally connected to the upstanding support at the lift arm pivot.  
     
     
         11 . The rigid frame assembly of  claim 10  and further comprising a lift cylinder joined to the front portion at one end and the lift arm at the other end, the lift cylinder extending through an aperture in the upstanding support.  
     
     
         12 . The rigid frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein one of the transverse ties is a torque tube located proximate a connection of the cargo support portion and the middle portion.