Land vehicles: wheels and axles – Axle – Cranked or bowed
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-02
2001-10-09
Stormer, Russell D. (Department: 3617)
Land vehicles: wheels and axles
Axle
Cranked or bowed
C301S132000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06299259
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to a torsion axle assembly. More particularly, the invention relates to a torsion axle assembly for light weight vehicles that has readily removable, universally mountable spindle axles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional torsion axles for the wheels of light weight vehicles such as boat trailers are known to comprise a unitary, one piece construction wherein the spindle axles are welded into the torsion arms of the torsion axle assembly. The torsion arm is in turn welded to a square inner torsion bar that is seated inside a square tubular axle beam, wherein the four comers of the square tubular axle beam accept rubber cords of a given length that provide torsional resistance to the square inner torsion bar. Often, the axle beam is welded to the vehicular frame.
A general complaint regarding the use of a torsion axle assembly has been that if a spindle axle becomes damaged due to excessive bearing wear or excessive impact, repairing the damaged spindle axle thereon requires removing the entire torsion axle. Removal of the entire torsion axle is time consuming and inordinately costly. Moreover, repair usually cannot be undertaken en route, and the vehicle must be carried to a repair facility. The present three piece torsion axle assembly with removable spindle axles is adapted to use on trailers such as are towed into and out of harsh environments, or moved under abnormal road and trail conditions such that the spindles and associated wheel bearings may suffer damage during normal use. By way of example, boat trailer axles and their spindles submerged in salt or fresh water are often worn by corrosion, dirt, etc. Likewise, utilities trailers exposed to sand and dust are subjected to a similarly harsh environment.
Accordingly, it can be understood that it would be desirable to have a means of quickly and easily repairing or replacing a damaged spindle axle or an associated bearing assembly. The disclosure of the present invention provides such means.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Disadvantages of the prior art unitary torsion axles have been overcome by the present invention which basically includes a torsion axle assembly having readily removable and replaceable spindle axles. The assembly includes a tubular axle beam which is substantially straight and substantially square in cross section, and a substantially square inner torsion bar seated inside and extending along the length of the tubular axle beam with the corners of the inner torsion bar offset from the comers of the axle beam to form longitudinal corner cavities at the corners of the axle beam. Round rubber cords are positioned in the four comer cavities of the tubular axle beam for providing torsional resistance to the rotation of the square inner torsion bar with respect to the axle beam. Torsion arms are rigidly secured at their proximal ends to the square inner torsion bar at opposing ends of the torsion bar, and spindle axles are removably mounted to the distal ends of the torsion arms. Each removable spindle axle generally includes an elongated spindle axle body having a proximal end and a distal end, a boss of defined conical taper being disposed at the proximal end of the elongated spindle axle body and arranged and configured to be mounted in abutment with the spindle axle socket of a torsion arm, which has a tapered interior surface that matches the taper of the boss. A nut connects to the threads of the proximal end of the spindle axle and functions as a releasable securing means on the proximal end of the spindle axle body for releasably securing the spindle to the spindle axle socket of the torsion arm. The distal end of the spindle is arranged and configured to rotatably mount a wheel and hub assembly thereon.
During use of the torsion axle assembly, should spindle axle or bearing failure occur, the spindle axle can be rapidly replaced without having to remove the entire torsion axle assembly from the vehicle. Replacement of the spindle axle is achieved by removing the nut or other releasable securing means from the proximal end of the damaged spindle axle, thereby allowing the operator to disengage the tapered boss of the damaged spindle axle from the corresponding tapered spindle axle socket of the torsion arm. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the releasable securing means comprises a single threaded fastener, a matching threaded stem, and a cotter key. Other types of releasable securing means can be used if desired. The operator then places the tapered boss of a replacement spindle axle in abutment with the corresponding spindle axle socket of the torsion arm and engages the securing means on the proximal end of the spindle axle body to draw the tapered boss into firm, non-rotational contact with the tapered spindle axle socket of the torsion arm. Ease of removal and insertion of the boss of the spindle axle is ensured by proper selection of the taper of the boss and the socket. In the preferred embodiment, the boss and socket have substantially matching conical tapers of between 5° and 15°. Also, the replacement spindle axle may be universally mounted in either torsion arm owing to the tapered boss design.
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Stormer Russell D.
Thomas Kayden Horstemeyer & Risley
LandOfFree
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