Patent ID: 6550798
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: B60G,Y10S

Abstract:
An adjustable connector for mounting an axle to a frame of a vehicle, the vehicle frame having an I-beam parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the I-beam having an upper flange and a lower flange connected by a vertical web, each of the flanges having an inner edge and an outer edge relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, comprising;an axle mounting plate having a first end, a second end, a first plurality of apertures and a mounting slot formed therein, said first end having a holding flange configured to engage the outer edge of the lower flange of the vehicle frame when said axle mounting plate is positioned between the lower flange of the vehicle frame and the axle running transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, said second end having positioning tabs extending downwardly and configured to straddle the axle when said axle mounting plate is positioned between the lower flange of the vehicle frame and the axle; an axle hold down bracket having a proximal end, a distal end, an arched body portion there between and a first plurality of apertures formed in said arched body portion, said distal end having a locator flange, said locator flange configured to engage said mounting slot formed in said axle mounting plate, said proximal end adapted to abut the web of the vehicle frame; a U-bolt having two substantially parallel legs and a base leg extending therebetween, each of said substantially parallel legs having an end configured to receive a threaded fastener, said U-bolt being sized and shaped for straddling the axle with its legs extending upwardly through said first plurality of apertures formed in said axle mounting plate and through said first plurality of apertures formed in said axle hold down bracket, said first plurality of apertures formed in said axle hold down bracket configured to be in substantial alignment with said first plurality of apertures formed in said axle mounting plate when said locator flange engages said mounting slot and said proximal end is in abutment with the web portion of the vehicle frame; whereby, as said ends of said U-bolt are engaged by said threaded fasteners, said arched body portion of said axle hold down bracket is urged toward said axle mounting plate and the axle, thereby urging said distal end of said axle hold down bracket along the longitudinal axis of the axle and said proximal end of said axle hold down bracket is held in abutment with the web of the vehicle frame, such that said axle mounting plate is similarly urged along the longitudinal axis of the axle, thereby causing said holding flange to securely engage the vehicle frame.