Patent ID: 6152486
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: B60G

Abstract:
In combination with a trailing arm suspension having a pair of trailing arms, each with a first end rotatably mounted to opposite sides of a trailer frame, an air spring disposed between each trailing arm and the trailer frame to resiliently resist the upward movement of the trailing arms with respect to the frame, and an axle connected to the trailing arms, the axle having opposite ends adapted for mounting a wheel thereto, an anti-creep device comprising at least one support arm mounted to one of the trailer frame and trailing arm suspension for rotational movement between a retracted position and an extended position, the support arm in the extended position being adapted to extend between the trailing arm and trailer frame to prevent relative movement of the axle toward the trailer frame and thereby prevent trailer frame creep, the support arm in the retracted position being disengageable from the suspension and frame so that the axle is free to move relative to the frame, the improvement comprising:a bracket rotatably mounted to one of the frame and suspension; anda frangible coupling connecting the support arm to the support bracket and designed to fail at a predetermined load below that at which damage will result to the trailer or suspension during loading or operation when the support arm assembly is in the extended position.