A.o. Smith Corporation

Benjamin E Coursin

Phillip C Ruehl

A vehicle frame (200) has a rear portion with a rear siderail (204) of hat-shape cross-section, and a front portion with a front siderail (202) of C-shape cross-section received within the hat-shaped rear side-rail. The siderails are attached to each other at a joint (206) and have respective vertical sections (208) and (210) in overlapped contact with each other at the joint and providing a first mounting pad (230) of increased stock thickness. A cross member (226) is attached to the siderails at the joint and has a vertical flange (228) in overlapped contact with a respective vertical section (214) of the rear siderail to provide a second mounting pad (232) of increased stock thickness. A spring hanger (218) is mounted to and extends horizontally between the mounting pads.

Vehicle frame with overlapped sections

A truck frame (10) supports the non-continuous structural components of a truck, including a front cab (12) and a rear load box (14). The truck frame includes a front frame (16) supporting the front cab, and a rear frame which is split into a front portion (70) supporting the front cab (12) and the rear load box (14), and a rear portion (72) supporting the rear load box (14). The front and rear portions of the truck rear frame have siderails (74, 76, 78, 80) which are separately formed structural components attached to each other at joints (82, 84) at the rear spring front hangers (48, 54).

Split rear truck frame

A fiber reinforced resin drive shaft for use in a vehicle and having improved resistance to torsional buckling. The drive shaft includes a tubular member composed of a thermosetting resin reinforced with fibrous material which consists of a mixture of substantially continuous glass and graphite fibers. A rib is integrally connected to the tubular member and extends radially from the member. The rib extends only a portion of the length of the member and has a thickness sufficient to substantially increase the resistance of the tubular member to torsional buckling.

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Milwaukee, WI, United States of America

Benjamin E Coursin