U.S. patent application number 09/814205 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-01 for aluminum frame hanger for axle/suspension systems.
Invention is credited to Fabris, Eric W., Ramsey, John E..
Application Number | 20010035622 09/814205 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22704391 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010035622 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fabris, Eric W. ; et
al. |
November 1, 2001 |
Aluminum frame hanger for axle/suspension systems
Abstract
A frame hanger for suspending an axle/suspension system from an
aluminum vehicle frame also is formed of aluminum. The hanger is
directly attached to the other components of the frame by welds.
The hanger is an integral structure that successfully reacts loads
encountered by the axle/suspension system during operation of the
vehicle, and which are transmitted into the other components of the
vehicle frame through the hangers. The hanger reacts such loads and
especially side or lateral loads, despite being formed from the
lightweight metal aluminum, and together with the other components
of the vehicle frame is free of add-on support structures such as
gussets or the like. The aluminum hanger achieves such efficient
load reacting capabilities due to its structural design which
substantially completely and continuously surrounds and laterally
supports its respective beam bushing assembly of the
axle/suspension system suspended from the hanger.
Inventors: |
Fabris, Eric W.; (Akron,
OH) ; Ramsey, John E.; (Canton, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
David P. Dureska
Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLP
4518 Fulton Drive, NW
Canton
OH
44735-5548
US
|
Family ID: |
22704391 |
Appl. No.: |
09/814205 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60191168 |
Mar 22, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/104 ;
280/124.116; 280/784 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60G 9/003 20130101;
B60G 7/02 20130101; B60G 2206/7102 20130101; B60G 2204/143
20130101; B62D 29/008 20130101; B60G 2204/4302 20130101; B60G
2200/31 20130101; B60G 2206/601 20130101; B60G 2200/4622 20130101;
B62D 21/00 20130101; B60G 2204/42 20130101; B62D 29/00
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/104 ;
280/784; 280/124.116 |
International
Class: |
B60G 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An aluminum vehicle frame including a frame hanger for
suspending a suspension assembly of an axle/suspension system from
said vehicle frame, said frame including a pair of transversely
spaced longitudinally extending main members and a plurality of
cross members extending between and interconnecting said main
members, said axle/suspension system including a pair of
transversely spaced suspension assemblies, each one of said pair of
suspension assemblies including a longitudinally extending beam,
said beams of said pair of suspension assemblies capturing a
transversely extending axle having at least one wheel mounted on
each end of said axle, said beams each including at one of its ends
a bushing assembly for pivotally mounting the beam on said frame
hanger, wherein the improvement comprises: an integral frame hanger
which substantially surrounds and laterally supports said bushing
assembly, so that said hanger reacts lateral loads and other loads
transferred from said axle/suspension system into said frame during
operation of said vehicle, without requiring additional support
structure on said hanger and on said main members and said cross
members of said frame.
2. The frame hanger of claim 1, in which said hanger is formed of
aluminum.
3. The frame hanger of claim 2, in which said hanger is directly
attached to said frame main member by a continuous weld.
4. The frame hanger of claim 3, in which said hanger includes a
generally U-shaped base member formed with an opening for receiving
said beam bushing assembly; in which an inverted generally U-shaped
support member nests in and is attached to said base member; in
which said base member and said support member substantially
surround said beam bushing assembly; in which said base member is
formed with a pair of generally inboardly and upwardly extending
wings; in which a bent plate extends between and is attached to an
inboard wall of said support member and said wings; and in which a
connection member nests in and is attached to said base member and
said support member.
5. The frame hanger of claim 4, in which said connection member is
attached to said main member by a continuous weld and each of said
wings is directly welded to a respective one of said cross members.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The invention relates to vehicle frames and in particular to
frame hangers for mounting axle/suspension systems on the vehicle
frame. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a
hanger formed of aluminum which efficiently attaches to and forms a
part of an aluminum vehicle frame, whereby the overall weight and
cost of the frame is reduced as compared to aluminum frames which
utilize steel hangers, and further whereby the aluminum hanger
efficiently reacts loads emanating from the axle/suspension system
during operation of the vehicle.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] A typical leading or trailing arm air-ride axle/suspension
system is mounted on and depends from the frame of a vehicle by a
pair of rigid frame hangers located adjacent to one of the ends of
the axle/suspension system, and by a pair of flexible air springs
disposed at the other end of the system. The conventional hanger is
a fabricated welded steel box-like yoke structure that captures the
bushing assembly end of a respective one of the pair of suspension
arms or beams of the axle/suspension system, using a pivot pin or
bolt. The steel hanger in turn is either welded or bolted to
another component of the vehicle frame, depending on the material
used for the frame. For vehicle frames formed of steel, the steel
hanger typically is welded on, whereas for frames formed of
aluminum, such as semi-trailer tanker trailers, the hanger must be
bolted on because of the impracticality of welding together
dissimilar metals.
[0005] Although steel hangers satisfactorily mount an
axle/suspension system on steel or aluminum vehicle frames and
successfully react loads emanating from the system during
over-the-road operation of the vehicle, as noted immediately above,
the steel hanger must be bolted rather than welded to an aluminum
vehicle frame. In order to securely bolt the steel hanger to the
aluminum frame, typically a pair of heavy mounting plates are
disposed between the hanger and the frame to serve as an interface,
which adds unwanted weight and cost to the vehicle. Such
complicated bolt mounting also lessens the efficiency of the
distribution of loads being transferred from the axle/suspension
system, through the hanger, and into the other components of the
vehicle frame. Such inefficiency often necessitates the use of
add-on flanges, gussets and the like to the hanger and/or vehicle
frame. Hangers which are welded directly to the vehicle frame
without the use of intervening mounting plates and the like, can be
much more efficient in transferring loads into the other components
of the vehicle frame.
[0006] To avoid such problems associated with mounting steel
hangers on otherwise aluminum frames, prior art aluminum hangers
have been developed. However, such aluminum hangers have heretofore
generally mimicked the design of steel hangers, with a resulting
inability of the aluminum hanger to successfully react loads
transferred to the hanger from the axle/suspension system, and
especially lateral or side loads, without the use of additional
flanges, gussets, and the like which add unwanted weight,
complexity and cost to the hanger.
[0007] The present invention solves the problems of excessive
weight and inefficient mounting of a steel hanger to an aluminum
vehicle frame, as well as the problems associated with prior art
aluminum hangers, through the use of a lightweight yet sturdy
aluminum hanger construction which is easily mounted on an aluminum
vehicle frame.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Objectives of the present invention include providing a
hanger for aluminum vehicle frames which also is formed of
aluminum, but which has a design sturdy enough to react loads
emanating from the axle/suspension system, and further which mounts
simply and directly to the other frame components for efficient
transfer of such loads from the hanger into the other frame
components.
[0009] These objectives and advantages are obtained by the aluminum
frame hanger for axle/suspension systems of the present invention,
the general nature of which may be stated as including an aluminum
vehicle frame having a frame hanger for suspending a suspension
assembly of an axle/suspension from the vehicle frame, the frame
including a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending
main members and a plurality of cross members extending between and
interconnecting the main members, the axle/suspension system
including a pair of transversely spaced suspension assemblies, each
one of the pair of suspension assemblies including a longitudinally
extending beam, the beams of the pair of suspension assemblies
capturing a transversely extending axle having at least one wheel
mounted on each end of the axle, the beams each including at one of
its ends a bushing assembly for pivotally mounting the beam on the
frame hanger, wherein the improvement comprises an integral frame
hanger which substantially surrounds and laterally supports the
bushing assembly, so that the hanger reacts lateral loads and other
loads transferred from the axle/suspension system into the frame
during operation of the vehicle, without requiring additional
support structure on the hanger and on the main members and the
cross members of the frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of
the best mode in which applicants have contemplated applying the
principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown
in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and
set forth in the appended claims.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an aluminum
frame of the type utilized on tanker trailers of semi-trailers,
which includes prior art steel hangers used to suspend
axle/suspension systems from the frame;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side view, with portions
broken away and in section and hidden parts represented by dashed
lines, showing the manner of attachment of the prior art steel
hanger to the aluminum portion of the vehicle frame;
[0013] FIG. 2A is a fragmentary bottom view of the components shown
in FIG. 2, and showing in dashed lines a suspension beam mounted on
the hanger;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1, but showing
aluminum hangers of the present invention suspending the
axle/suspension systems from the aluminum frame;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the assembly of parts
shown in FIG. 3;
[0016] FIG. 5 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the
aluminum hanger of the present invention utilized in FIGS. 3 and
4;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the hanger of FIG. 5 shown
in an assembled state; and
[0018] FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom view, with hidden
parts represented by dashed lines, showing the manner of welded
attachment of the hanger of FIG. 6 to the other components of the
vehicle frame as represented in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0019] Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the
drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] A vehicle frame is indicated generally at 10 and is shown in
FIG. 1. Frame 10 represented in FIG. 1 is a portion of an aluminum
tanker trailer frame of a semi-trailer. Tanker trailer frame 10
includes a pair of main members 11, a plurality of front and rear
cross members 12A and 12B, respectively, and front and rear pairs
of hangers 14A and 14B, respectively, for suspending
axle/suspension systems 15A and 15B, respectively, from the tanker
trailer frame. Trailer frame 10 utilizing prior art hangers 14A and
14B now will be described so that the general environment in which
the hanger of the present invention is used can be best
understood.
[0021] The components of tanker trailer frame 10 are formed of
aluminum unless otherwise specified. Frame 10 is manufactured from
aluminum because reduced weight is an important consideration in
tanker trailer applications, and also because the type of tank (not
shown) typically attached to the frame is formed of aluminum and it
is easier to attach like metals to one another when constructing a
vehicle. Each main member 11 of frame 10 is an elongated, generally
C-shaped beam. The open portion of each main member 11 is opposed
to the open portion of the other main member and faces inboard
relative to frame 10. Main members 11 are connected to each other
in a transversely spaced-apart parallel relationship by cross
members 12A and 12B, which extend between and are perpendicular to
the main members. Each end of each cross member 12A, B nests in the
open portion of a respective one of main members 11, and is secured
therein by any suitable means such as welding or mechanical
fastening. More particularly, each cross member 12A, B also is a
generally C-shaped beam, with its nested ends each being coped
(FIGS. 1 and 2) so that the bottom surface of each of the cross
members is in the same horizontal plane as the bottom surface of
main members 11. Cross members 12A and 12B are longitudinally
spaced-apart.
[0022] The structure of trailer frame 10 is completed by front and
rear hangers 14A and 14B, respectively, which are each attached to
and depend from respective ones of the aluminum frame main members
11 and certain ones of the plurality of cross members 12A and 12B,
respectively, disposed adjacent to the hangers to aid in mounting
axle/suspension systems 15A and 15B, respectively, on the frame.
More specifically, hangers 14A and 14B typically are formed of
steel rather than the aluminum used to form the other components of
frame 10, because the hangers are subjected to severe loadings
during operation of the vehicle. These loads, and especially side
or lateral loads, are transferred from axle/suspension systems 15A,
15B, through hangers 14A, 14B, respectively, and into main members
11 and cross members 12A and 12B, respectively, of frame 10.
[0023] However, it is impractical to weld dissimilar materials such
as steel and aluminum, and welding is the preferred method of
attaching hangers to a trailer frame to keep the weight and cost of
the trailer to a minimum. This problem has conventionally been
solved, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A, by welding a generally
rectangular-shaped steel plate 16 to the top of each steel hanger
14A, B, and also welding a generally corresponding shaped and sized
aluminum plate 17 to the bottom surface of a respective one of
aluminum main members 11 and to respective pairs of aluminum cross
members 12A, B. A plurality of aligned pairs of openings (not
shown) are formed in plates 16 and 17 and a fastener 18 in turn is
passed through each one of the aligned pairs of openings to
effectively mount steel hangers 14A and 14B on the other structural
components of aluminum frame 10.
[0024] Trailer frame 10 then is ready to support axle/suspension
systems 15A and 15B. Inasmuch as each axle/suspension system 15A, B
is suspended from frame 10, but does not form an integral part
thereof, only the major components that comprise each system will
be cited for aiding in the description of the environment in which
prior art steel frame hangers 14A, B are used. Each axle/suspension
system 15A, B, includes a generally identical pair of suspension
assemblies 31, with each one of the pair of suspension assemblies
being suspended from a respective one of the hangers of the pair of
hangers 14A, B, respectively. Each suspension assembly 31 includes
a suspension arm or beam 32 which is pivotally mounted at one of
its ends on its respective hanger 14A, B via a bushing assembly 35,
in a usual manner. Bushing assembly 35 forms a part of beam 32 and
includes an outer metal tube 36 which is captured within its
respective hanger 14A, B. As is well-known to those skilled in the
suspension art, bushing assembly 35 includes other components which
are hidden in the drawings and/or not fully described herein,
including an elastomeric bushing mounted in tube 36, an inner metal
tube, and a pivot bolt. An air spring 33 is suitably mounted on and
extends between the upper surface of the other end of beam 32 and
its respective main member 11 at a location directly beneath a
respective one of cross members 12A, B. A shock absorber 34 extends
between and is mounted on suspension beam 32 and its respective
hanger 12A, B. Each suspension assembly 31 also includes an air
brake (not shown). An axle 37 extends between and is captured in
the pair of suspension beams 32 of each axle/suspension system 15A,
B. Wheels (not shown) are mounted on each end of axle 37.
[0025] Unfortunately, the use of hangers 14A, B formed of steel,
and additional mounting structures including heavy steel plate 16
and aluminum plate 17, which plates each are typically from about
3/8 of an inch to about 1/2 inch thick, and fasteners 18, all used
to facilitate mounting of steel hangers 14A, B on other components
of aluminum frame 10, adds unwanted weight and cost to the vehicle.
In addition, the use of plates 17, 16 introduces high fatigue
stresses at the welded attachment points of each of the aluminum
plates to a respective one of main members 11 and its respective
pair of cross members 12A, B, and at the welded attachment points
of each of the steel plates to its respective prior art hanger 14A,
B, respectively. More particularly, fastened plates 16 and 17
cantilever loads, particularly in tension, in relation to
spaced-apart fasteners 18, and such loads pass through the plates
from its respective axle/suspension system 15A, B and hanger 14A,
B, respectively, as those loads are passing into main members 11
and cross members 12A, B, respectively. Such cantilevering of loads
causes movement and separation of plates 16, 17, and in turn
induces high fatigue stresses and possible failure on the welds
that attach the plates to hangers 14A, B, and to frame members 11
and cross members 12A, B, respectively. A hanger that is welded
directly to a vehicle frame, on the other hand, such as in the case
where a steel hanger is welded to a frame having the remainder of
its components formed from steel, is much more efficient in evenly
and uniformly transferring loads from the hanger into the other
components of the frame. However, as previously noted hereinabove,
it is impractical to directly weld together components formed of
dissimilar metals.
[0026] In addition, even though hangers 14A, B are formed of a
robust steel material, due to its rigid, fabricated welded box-like
design that captures outer metal tube 36 of beam bushing assembly
35, the prior art steel frame hanger is not completely efficient in
transferring loads from the hanger and into the other components of
aluminum vehicle frame 10. Thus, frame hangers 14A, B each must be
augmented with various gussets, flanges, and the like each referred
to as 38, to make the hangers more efficient in the transfer of
such loads. Such additional structure also adds unwanted weight and
cost to the vehicle. Moreover, similar support structures such as
gussets, flanges and the like (not shown) are added to frame main
members 11 and cross members 12A, B to assist in making the
transfer of loads more efficient between hangers 14A, B and the
main members and cross members of the frame. Also, the ends of
cross members 12A, B adjacent to hangers 14A, B, as best shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2, must be coped out to nest in main members 11, so
that the bottom surface of the inboard non-nested central portion
of the cross members traversing between the main members is at the
same horizontal level as the bottommost surface of the main
members. This is necessary to enable aluminum plate 17 to rest
flush against the bottom surface of its respective main member and
cross members 12A, B for welding the plate to those components of
the frame. Such coping adds additional cost to the vehicle.
[0027] Moreover, those skilled in the trailer frame/suspension
assembly art previously have made attempts to design an aluminum
hanger to avoid many of the above-described problems inherent in
using a steel hanger in connection with a vehicle frame which is
otherwise formed of aluminum. Although such prior art aluminum
hangers generally are reduced in weight over steel hangers and can
be welded directly to the other components of the vehicle frame,
thus eliminating add-on structure such as plates 16 and 17 and
fasteners 18, such prior art aluminum hangers also have several
disadvantages. First, prior art aluminum hangers generally have
mimicked the design of the steel hangers shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
Since aluminum is a less robust metal than steel, prior aluminum
hangers having such a design have been unable to adequately react
the lateral loads imposed on the hanger, particularly by outer
metal tube 36 of bushing assembly 35 during operation of the
vehicle. Thus, such prior art aluminum hangers are required to be
made more robust through the use of plates, gussets, flanges and
the like, both on the hanger and on the other components of the
frame such as main members 11 and cross members 12A, B. Such add-on
structures ultimately defeat the purpose of using an aluminum
hanger which could be welded directly to the other components of
the frame.
[0028] Hanger 24A, B of the present invention replaces prior art
steel hanger 14A, B. Since the components of axle/suspension
systems 15A, B which hangers 24A, B, respectively, support are the
same as shown in FIGS. 1-2 and described hereinabove, only
differences between present invention hanger 24A, B and prior art
hanger 14A, B, as well as changes to certain other components of
frame 10 due to the use of the present invention hanger, will be
described immediately below.
[0029] Hanger 24A, B is shown in FIGS. 3-7, with FIGS. 3, 4 and 7
showing the hanger as a component of frame 10'. Since frame 10'
differs from frame 10 of FIG. 1 only in that frame 10' uses present
invention hanger 24A, B rather than prior art hanger 14A, B, and
certain reinforcing gussets, flanges, and the like are removed from
the frame due to the use of the present invention hanger, all of
the similar components of the frame and axle/suspension systems
15A', B' shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 7 are identified by a prime ' but
use the same identifying number as the parts shown in FIGS. 1 and
2.
[0030] Each hanger 24A, B is formed of aluminum and includes a
generally U-shaped base 25 formed with an opening 26 for receiving
suspension beam 32'. U-shaped base 25 further includes a pair of
inboardly upwardly extending wings 42, which are especially
important for aiding in the transfer of lateral or side loads from
hanger 24A, B and into other components of frame 10', as will be
described in greater detail below. A generally inverted U-shaped
support member 27 nests in U-shaped base 25 adjacent to and
straddling opening 26 and is attached to the base preferably by
welds (not shown), and especially aids in reacting vertical loads,
as well as side loads. The vertical portions of support member 27
are formed with transversely aligned openings 28 for receiving the
pivot bolt which passes through and pivotally attaches beam bushing
assembly 35' to hanger 24A, B. A pair of vertically disposed,
horizontally spaced alignment guides 44 each are located on the
outboard vertical sidewall of support member 27 to aid in the
alignment of axle/suspension system 15A', B', as is well-known to
the art and literature. A bent plate 29 extends between and is
welded to the inboard vertical sidewall of support member 27 and to
wings 42 of U-shaped base 25 to provide additional support to the
structure primarily for reacting side loads. A generally
oval-shaped connection member 30 nests in U-shaped base 25 and
rests on the upper horizontal surface of support member 27, and is
welded to the U-shaped base and the support member to complete the
structure of aluminum hanger 24A, B.
[0031] Hanger 24A, B is attached to the other components of frame
10' by a continuous weld 40 disposed at the interface of the
uppermost edge of connection member 30 and the bottom surface of
its respective main member 11' (FIG. 7). Each wing 42 of U-shaped
base 25 is welded to a respective one of cross members 12A', B'
(FIGS. 4 and 7) to complete the attachment of hangers 24A, B and
the structure of trailer frame 10' incorporating the hangers of the
present invention.
[0032] It is understood that a number of important features of
present invention hanger 24A, B enable its formation from a
lightweight metal such as aluminum, rather than a heavier metal
such as steel. Beam opening 26 and U-shaped base 25, as well as
support member 27, enable hanger 24A, B to generally completely and
continuously surround the pivotal attachment area of beam 32' to
the hanger, thus providing enhanced structural support, which is a
design feature quite different than the design of conventional
prior art fabricated steel hangers 14A, B which have several
components welded together into a more open box-like yoke structure
(FIG. 2A). U-shaped base 25 welds not only to its respective main
member 11' via connection member 30, but to a respective pair of
cross members 12A', B' via wings 42. This latter structural
feature, together with bent plate 29, aids in providing superior
lateral load distribution to hanger 24A, B by channeling the side
loads encountered by the hanger into cross members 12A', B' and
into the other structural components of frame 10', such as main
members 11'. This design feature, coupled with the other design
features of hanger 24A, B which substantially completely and
continuously surround outer metal tube 36' of bushing assembly 35',
results in excellent lateral support structure. This lateral
support enables hanger 24A, B to especially successfully react side
loads, despite the fact that the hanger is formed of aluminum,
without the use of associated gussets, flanges, and the like. The
integral one-piece structure of U-shaped base 25 also allows for
elimination of a heavy C-channel frame cross brace between each of
the front and rear pairs of hangers 24A and 24B, respectively,
which braces were commonly utilized in prior art hangers 14A, B
(not shown in FIG. 1). Moreover, certain other add-on structural
components used in frame 10 to assist prior art hanger 14A, B in
reacting loads, such as gussets, flanges, and the like, are not
required in frame 10' due to the structure of hanger 24A, B. The
design of hanger 24A, B also allows for simpler weld attachment to
the other frame components than is found in prior art aluminum
hangers due to the use of continuous weld 40. In particular, weld
interruptions are minimized which results in fewer areas of weld
stress fatigue and possible weld failure. The structure of hanger
24A, B also eliminates the need of costly coping of each end of
cross members 12A', B' to which hanger 24A, B is attached, such as
shown in FIG. 2 for prior art hanger 14A, B.
[0033] Thus, it can be seen that hanger 24A, B of the present
invention, because of its formation from aluminum, is lightweight,
and eliminates complicated attachment assemblies which heretofore
have been needed to successfully attach steel hangers to aluminum
frames. In addition, the simplified yet efficient structure enables
hanger 24A, B to successfully react loads passing through the
hanger from its associated axle/suspension system 15A', B' and into
the other components of frame 10', without the use of additional
gussets, flanges or the like on hanger 24A, B or frame 10'.
[0034] Although those skilled in the trailer frame/suspension
assembly art previously have made attempts to design an aluminum
hanger to replace steel hangers for aluminum frame applications,
applicants believe that aluminum hanger 24A, B of the present
invention incorporates a novel structural design which enables the
hanger to react various loads passing through the hanger during
operation of the vehicle, and especially lateral or side loads.
Previous attempts to solve this problem in an aluminum structure
using conventional hanger design required utilization of extremely
thick side plates, reinforcement bosses, gussets and the like, both
on the hanger and vehicle frame, which defeated the purpose of a
lightweight aluminum hanger, despite the fact that such hangers
could be welded directly to the other components of the vehicle
frame. The present invention in particular reacts lateral loads
with success due especially to support member 27, bent plate 29,
and wings 42 of U-shaped base 25 which attach to cross members
12A', B' and direct the side loadings into the cross members and
other components of the frame such as main members 11'.
[0035] It is understood that hanger 24A, B of the present invention
can be used in connection with tapered beams utilizing reduced-size
bushings or, alternatively, can be designed for use with
conventional-sized beams utilizing conventional-size bushings by
widening the hanger. Although preferred for use on aluminum tanker
trailer frames, it is contemplated that hanger 24A, B of the
present invention also could be utilized on other types of aluminum
semi-trailer frames or even on aluminum movable subframes for
semi-trailers. Hanger 24A, B also could be utilized on aluminum
vehicle frames other than semi-trailer frames.
[0036] Accordingly, the improved aluminum frame hanger for
axle/suspension systems is simplified, provides an effective, safe,
inexpensive, and efficient structure which achieves all the
enumerated objectives, provides for eliminating difficulties
encountered with prior steel and aluminum hanger structures, and
solves problems and obtains new results in the art.
[0037] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used
for brevity, clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary
limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of
the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes
and are intended to be broadly construed.
[0038] Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention
is by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited
to the exact details shown or described.
[0039] Having now described the features, discoveries and
principles of the invention, the manner in which the improved
hanger is constructed, arranged and used, the characteristics of
the construction and arrangement, and the advantageous, new and
useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices,
elements, arrangements, parts and combinations are set forth in the
appended claims.
* * * * *