Land vehicles: wheels and axles – Axle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-26
2001-10-09
Stormer, Russell D. (Department: 3617)
Land vehicles: wheels and axles
Axle
C301S131000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06299258
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various containers have been developed for storing and/or transporting waste or other materials. Such containers may be made from molded polymer or other similar materials, and commonly include a cover to prevent accumulation of water and to retain the waste material in the container. Such containers may include two or more wheels at the lower portion of the container to facilitate movement of the container. Waste containers may be subjected to substantial loads when heavy objects are placed in the container, and known containers typically have a steel axle to support the load. However, because such containers are commonly left outdoors for extended lengths of time, corrosion of the steel axles occurs. Furthermore, such axles also add weight to the container, making the container difficult to handle. Accordingly, an axle alleviating the above problems was desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention is a one-piece injection molded composite axle for containers including an elongated body portion having an I-shaped cross section. The elongated body portion defines opposite ends, each of which has a spindle integrally formed thereon for carrying a wheel mounting part. The axle is formed of a non-corroding fiber reinforced polymer material.
Another aspect of the present invention is a wheeled container including a container body forming a cavity that is shaped to retain articles therein. The container body has an opening configured to provide access to the cavity to permit insertion and removal of articles in the cavity. The container body has a lower portion defining a pair of spaced-apart generally vertical sidewalls, each sidewall having an opening therethrough. The wheeled container also includes an elongated composite axle made of a fiber reinforced polymer material extending between the vertical sidewalls. The composite axle defines integral spindles at opposite ends thereof, a portion of each spindle extending through a selected one of the openings. First and second wheels are rotatably mounted on the spindles.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is a composite axle for containers including an elongated body defining an axis and having an I-shaped cross section formed by a vertical web and parallel, spaced-apart horizontal wall sections. Each horizontal wall section defines opposite side edges that are horizontally spaced-apart from the vertical web. The elongated body further includes a plurality of reinforcement ribs extending between the horizontal wall sections transverse to the vertical web. The reinforcement ribs are connected with the vertical web and the horizontal wall section, and are integrally formed therewith. The composite axle is made of a fiber reinforced composite material.
These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 427636 (1890-05-01), Swalley
patent: 470261 (1892-03-01), Sheldon
patent: 479618 (1892-07-01), Bettendorf
patent: 905673 (1908-12-01), Elliott
patent: 922684 (1909-05-01), Ette
patent: 1170172 (1916-02-01), Litchfield
patent: 2132725 (1938-10-01), Davis
patent: 2133091 (1938-10-01), Gettig
patent: 2370773 (1945-03-01), Bradley
patent: 2388441 (1945-11-01), Ressinger
patent: 3492016 (1970-01-01), O'Connor et al.
patent: 3501202 (1970-03-01), Hanley et al.
patent: 3638352 (1972-02-01), Christiansen
patent: 3869265 (1975-03-01), Wolter et al.
patent: 3966260 (1976-06-01), Braun
patent: 4200326 (1980-04-01), Wilcox
patent: 4380480 (1983-04-01), Delfino et al.
patent: 4450976 (1984-05-01), Snyder et al.
patent: 4671434 (1987-06-01), Johnston et al.
patent: 4802876 (1989-02-01), Bertrand
patent: 4927171 (1990-05-01), Westerlund
patent: 4927205 (1990-05-01), Bowler et al.
patent: 5000467 (1991-03-01), Becca
patent: 5129672 (1992-07-01), Hiromoto et al.
patent: 5180178 (1993-01-01), Caceres
patent: 5285936 (1994-02-01), Matricardi, Jr.
patent: 5547104 (1996-08-01), Parker
patent: 5603555 (1997-02-01), Dickey
patent: 5647463 (1997-07-01), Richter
patent: 5716107 (1998-02-01), Parker et al.
Sweeney Daniel J.
Wright Gordon C.
21st Century Plastics Corporation
Nguyen Long Bao
Price Heneveld Cooper DeWitt & Litton
Stormer Russell D.
LandOfFree
Composite axle for containers and the like does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Composite axle for containers and the like, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Composite axle for containers and the like will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2585794