Patent Application
20160023513
The present invention relates to an trailer and or truck axles and their associated spindle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a novel mechanism by which a worn and or damaged spindle can be remediated.
Most trailers utilize some form of rotational support structure. Typically this support is a central shaft for a rotating wheel or gear otherwise known as an axle. There are several types of axles currently available in various types of environments. Amongst those found on wheeled vehicles, there are two primary types; namely, a fixed wheel to axle and a rotating wheel on fixed to vehicle axle. The first, as its name implies has the axle fixed to the wheels so that axle rotates along with them; the second type has the axle fixed to the vehicle, such that the wheels rotate around the axle and are not fixedly attached thereto.
In the first case, there are bearings or bushing provided at the mounting points where the axle is supported. In the latter case, a bearing or bushing sits inside a central hole in the wheel thereby permitting the wheel or gear to rotate around the axle. There are various other types of axles currently available. It should be noted that a spindle or arm is fixedly attached to the end of the axle by welding in the latter case (rotating wheel on fixed to vehicle axle) such that the wheel can rotate thereupon.
However, a problem arises when the spindle becomes damage as it is difficult for there to be a simple repair solution to this problem for users in an off road or difficult environment. Additionally, past solutions have required the worn or damage spindle to be removed by welding torch requiring a great deal of down time. Further, it is desirable that the solution be cost effective and easy for a user to correct as it is costly to replace the worn or damaged spindle even sometimes necessitating the replacement of the entire axle itself.
Accordingly, there needs to be some solution to overcome the aforementioned problems.
The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the known art and the problems that remain unsolved by providing a spare stub assembly an axle assembly as described herein below.
A spare stub assembly comprising:
In another aspect, further comprising:
In another aspect, further comprising:
In another aspect, further comprising:
In another aspect, wherein the spindle is disposed such that a back end thereof is directed to a side of the flange and a staircase portion of the spindle is located to the another side thereof.
An axle assembly having:
In another aspect, further comprising:
In another aspect, wherein each flange further comprises:
In another aspect, wherein each flange further comprises:
In another aspect, further comprising:
In another aspect, further comprising:
A vehicular axle spindle system comprising:
In another aspect, further comprising:
In another aspect, wherein the spare stub spindle assembly further comprises:
In another aspect, wherein the spindle further comprises a back side and a staircase side.
In another aspect, wherein the staircase side protrudes from one end of the third flange and the back side protrudes from the opposite side.
In another aspect, wherein the first flange further comprises a central hole therein.
In another aspect, wherein the back side of the spindle is inserted within the tubular member.
In another aspect, wherein the first flange and third have a corresponding hole for attachment with a bolt.
In another aspect, wherein the first flange and third have corresponding holes for attachment with bolts.
These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.
The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in each figure. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
As previously implied, there are inherent limitations associated with a one piece axle design in that if damaged, the spindle is difficult, costly and time consuming to repair in the field. Thus, the general purpose of the present embodiment is to eliminate the need to replace the entire axle when a spindle becomes damaged (such as when a bearing burns out and the hub assembly falls off mid transit). The present embodiment substantially departs from the conventional trailer axle designs of the prior art in that it utilizes bolt on spindles having an integrated flange that can be replaced in the field without the need for equipment to cut off the old spindle and weld on a new spindle to the trailer axle. This has the intended effect of ensuring a quick and easy field repair for a truck, trailer owner or operator.
The brackets 2 and the flanges 4 are each welded to the respective surface of the axle 1 such that the axle 1 tube, brackets 2 and flanges 4 form an axle assembly. Additionally, each of the spindles 3A is welded to one of the spare stub circular flanges 3B once it is inserted through a central hole within the flanges 3B; it can help to think of the flanges 3B as a donut shaped or annulus device. The weld 6 is a circular one about the first forward staircase edge 3D of the spindle nearest the back end 3C thereof. For simplicity, a spindle 3A and a flange 3B form a ‘spare stub assembly’ although there are other structures thereon that are described herein that are also included in this assembly; for example a raised lip on the flange, a set of stairs on the spindle, a threaded end thereof etc. These back ends 3C of each spindle sits within the axle 1 on either side thereof such that the back end 3C helps to stabilize the spare stub assembly as it is prepared for mounting to the axle assembly by locking bolts and nuts.
It should be understood that the forward staircase edge 3D of the spindle is positioned and welded a short distance within the donut or annulus hole in the center of the flanges 3B that is opposite the side having the raised lip 3E; thus, the weld is within the inner surface of each annulus hole of the flanges 3B such that weld material forms a flush surface with the rest of the circular platter surface of the flanges 3B. Finally, each of the spare stub circular flanges 3B has a raised circular lip 3E that rises about the central donut or annulus hole and that sits about the back end 3C of the spindle. The outer circular surface of the raised circular lips 3E are made to directly abut the inner surface of the axle flange 4 inside the central annular hole and optionally of the axle 1 tube circular end thereby adding stability to the overall device. Thus, when the back end 3C is inserted within the tube of the axle 1 the raised lip 3E is inserted in circular hole found in the center of the axle flanges 4 that match the aforementioned lip 3E; this further provide mounting support for a user as it helps a user to present the spare stub assembly for attachment of the device to the axle 1.
The brackets 2 and the flanges 4 are each welded to the respective surface of the axle 1 such that the axle 1 tube, brackets 2 and flanges 4 form an axle assembly. Circular welds 5 are made between the back of each of the circular flanges and the axle 1 on either end thereof. It should be understood that the circular flanges 4 each have a center cutout so as to make the flanges 4 into a donut or annulus shape; this permits the back end 3C of the spindle to be inserted therein and on into the hollow tube of the axle 1. Finally, a group of holes 7 perforating both the spare stub flanges 3B and the integral axle flanges 4; these holes 7 serve to enable a locking mechanism (bolt-nut etcetera) to secure the spare spindle assembly to the axle flange thereon.
The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations, combinations, modifications or equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as exemplary modes for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all the embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
