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:
Oct. 23, 2012
Filed:
Jan. 17, 2011
Phillippi R. Pierce, Canton, OH (US);
R. Scott Fulton, Hudson, OH (US);
Kimm L. Carr, Canton, OH (US);
Dane Gregg, Uniontown, OH (US);
Kevin J. Erdmann, Mitchell, SD (US);
Phillippi R. Pierce, Canton, OH (US);
R. Scott Fulton, Hudson, OH (US);
Kimm L. Carr, Canton, OH (US);
Dane Gregg, Uniontown, OH (US);
Kevin J. Erdmann, Mitchell, SD (US);
Hendrickson USA, L.L.C., Itasca, IL (US);
Abstract
An axle-to-beam connection for axle/suspension systems includes a pair of U-bolt brackets that extend generally to or beyond a selected centerline of the axle. The U-bolt brackets are located a distance from one another so that the distance between the U-bolt brackets is equivalent to or preferably less than the outside diameter of the axle resulting in a slight deformation of the axle and a compressive preload between the axle and the U-bolt brackets when the axle is seated between the U-bolt brackets. A weld is placed between the U-bolt brackets and the axle at or beyond the horizontal centerline of the axle within the residual compressive stress field on the axle created by the interference fit of the axle into the U-boll brackets. Means for securing connection of the axle to the beam includes a U-boll or other similar means to provide additional locating support to the axle.