The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 06, 1988
Filed:
Jun. 22, 1987
Delbert D DeRees, Romeo, MI (US);
American Motors Corporation, Southfield, MI (US);
Abstract
An axle beam for supporting drivetrain and steering components of a motor vehicle comprises a first elongated channel member having a substantially hat-shaped cross section including first and second sidewalls, a bottom wall having a longitudinal edge at one edge of each of the sidewalls, and side flanges extending outwardly from the other edges of the sidewalls. A second elongated member includes surface portions registering with and bonded to the side flanges of the first member. An end plate is secured at each longitudinal end of the beam and is configured to support a wheel spindle support knuckle. Additional steering structure including the steering control assembly can be mounted on sidewalls of the beam. Additional reinforcement can be provided to the axle beam by corrugated web panels inserted within the longitudinal channel as well as by flanged apertures formed in the sidewalls of the first elongated member. Preferably, the first and second elongated members are stamped to conveniently form corresponding configurations which further serve to reinforce the axle beam and provide clearance for adjacent vehicle components.