US4533010A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Truck having a front axle oscillatable relative to a rear axle
Assignee: Georgia Pacific Consumer Products LP
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Filing: 1982-12-30
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Granted: 1985-08-06
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Expires: 2002-12-30
Abstract
Abstract This invention discloses a front axle for a ground engaging vehicle. The front axle is oscillatable relative to a rear axle for enabling all the wheels to contact the ground under adverse terrain conditions. Primarily, the vehicle comprises a main frame having the rear axle attached; and, a sub-frame which is pivotally attached to the main frame and contains the front axle. The vehicle further includes a torque tube on the rear drive shaft having a hydraulic cylinder controlled torque tube for controlling the action of the sub-frame relative to the main frame.
Inventors
- 👤 David Harder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:39
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D21/00; B62D21/18; B62D21/186; B62D53/00; B62D53/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
In a vehicle having a main frame, at least one axle attached to said main frame, a sub-frame attached to said main frame, at least one axle secured to said sub-frame, a transfer case secured to said sub-frame, an engine secured to said sub-frame or main frame, a transmission secured to said sub-frame or main frame, a drive shaft for said axle attached to said main frame, a torque tube secured to said main frame and said sub-frame, and a locking mechanism secured to said main frame; the improvement comprising: said main frame and said sub-frame are substantially rectangular in configuration; means by which said sub-frame is pivotal respective to said main frame; means by which said torque tube is received on said drive shaft for said axle attached to said main frame, and is received in one end of said sub-frame for controlling the oscillation of said sub-frame and said axle relative to said main frame and said attached axle; and, a pair of spaced sleeves slidable on said torque tube; a hydraulic cylinder secured to said main frame and to said sleeves whereby said sleeves and said hydraulic cylinder comprise a locking mechanism which controls the oscillation of said sub-frame.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
In a vehicle having a main frame, at least one axle attached to said main frame, a sub-frame attached to said main frame, at least one axle secured to said sub-frame, a transfer case secured to said sub-frame, an engine secured to said sub-frame or main frame, a transmission secured to said sub-frame or main frame, a drive shaft for said axle attached to said main frame, a torque tube secured to said main frame and said sub-frame, and a locking mechanism secured to said main frame; the improvement comprising: said main frame and said sub-frame are substantially rectangular in configuration; means by which said sub-frame is pivotal respective to said main frame; means by which said torque tube is received on said drive shaft for said axle attached to said main frame, and is received in one end of said sub-frame for controlling the oscillation of said sub-frame and said axle relative to said main frame and said attached axle; and, a pair of spaced sleeves slidable on said torque tube; a hydraulic cylinder secured to said main frame and to said sleeves whereby said sleeves and said hydraulic cylinder comprise a locking mechanism which controls the oscillation of said sub-frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said sleeves are connected together by a rod, and said hydraulic cylinder has a piston which is connected to one of said sleeves so that said sleeves are reciprocated respective to said torque tube when said piston moves respective to the cylinder thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein a projection is affixed to said torque tube and extends through a wall of said sleeve; a flange is secured to the sleeves and are slidably captured to prevent rotation of said sleeves.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
83 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said sleeves are connected together by a rod, and said hydraulic cylinder has a piston which is connected to one of said sleeves so that said sleeves are reciprocated respective to said torque tube when said piston moves respective to the cylinder thereof; wherein a projection is affixed to said torque tube and extends through a wall of said sleeve; a flange is secured to the sleeves and are slidably captured to prevent rotation of said sleeves.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
163 words
A vehicle which has a main frame supported on at least one axle, a sub-frame secured to said main frame and supported on at least one axle, a transfer case, an engine and transmission, a rear drive shaft housing; the combination with said vehicle of a torque tube, and a locking mechanism therefor; means by which said sub-frame is pivotally mounted respective to said main frame; means by which said torque tube is attached to said drive shaft housing of said axle supporting said main frame, and is received in one end of said sub-frame for controlling the oscillation of said sub-frame and said supporting axle relative to said main frame and said supporting axle; means by which a pair of spaced sleeves are axially aligned and slidably mounted on said torque tube; a hydraulic cylinder secured to said main frame and to said sleeves whereby said sleeves and said hydraulic cylinder comprise a locking mechanism which controls the oscillation of said sub-frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
163 words
A vehicle which has a main frame supported on at least one axle, a sub-frame secured to said main frame and supported on at least one axle, a transfer case, an engine and transmission, a rear drive shaft housing; the combination with said vehicle of a torque tube, and a locking mechanism therefor; means by which said sub-frame is pivotally mounted respective to said main frame; means by which said torque tube is attached to said drive shaft housing of said axle supporting said main frame, and is received in one end of said sub-frame for controlling the oscillation of said sub-frame and said supporting axle relative to said main frame and said supporting axle; means by which a pair of spaced sleeves are axially aligned and slidably mounted on said torque tube; a hydraulic cylinder secured to said main frame and to said sleeves whereby said sleeves and said hydraulic cylinder comprise a locking mechanism which controls the oscillation of said sub-frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The improvement of claim 5 wherein said sleeves are connected together by a rod, and said hydraulic cylinder has a piston which is connected to one of said sleeves so that said sleeves are reciprocated respective to said torque tube when said piston moves respective to the cylinder thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The improvement of claim 6 wherein a projection is affixed to said torque tube and extends through a wall of said sleeve; a flange is secured to the sleeves and are slidably captured to prevent rotation of said sleeves.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
83 words
The improvement of claim 5 wherein said sleeves are connected together by a rod, and said hydraulic cylinder has a piston which is connected to one of said sleeves so that said sleeves are reciprocated respective to said torque tube when said piston moves respective to the cylinder thereof; wherein a projection is affixed to said torque tube and extends through a wall of said sleeve; a flange is secured to the sleeves and are slidably captured to prevent rotation of said sleeves.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3189117A
Cited
US4079955A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-08-05 | 1989-02-04 | 1989-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-08-05 | 1993-02-04 | 1993-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-08-05 | 1997-02-04 | 1997-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |