Patent ID: 9039022
Filing Date: 2015-05-26
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. A suspension support apparatus for a chassis structure of a tractor vehicle, the chassis structure of the tractor vehicle having first and second longitudinally-extending and laterally spaced-apart beam structures, the first and second longitudinally-extending and laterally spaced-apart beam structures each having a plurality of engagement locations, the suspension support apparatus comprising: first and second longitudinally-extending and laterally spaced-apart ribs configured to be selectively positioned and aligned with any of the plurality of engagement locations formed on the first and second longitudinally-extending and laterally spaced-apart beam structures, each of the first and second ribs being L-shaped in cross-section and each having a first vertical surface, a second vertical surface on an opposite side of the rib from the first surface and a third horizontal surface, the first surface of the first rib and the first surface of the second rib facing each other and the second surface of the first rib and the second surface of the second rib facing away from each other, the third horizontal surface of the first and second ribs each defining a channel portion facing away from each other, each of the first and second beam structures being I-beam shaped in cross-section and each having at least a first vertical side, a second vertical side opposite the first side and a third horizontal side, the first side of the first beam structure and the first side of the second beam structure facing each other and the second side of the first beam structure and the second side of the second beam structure facing away from each other, the third horizontal sides of the first and second beam structures being positionable in the corresponding channel portions of the third surfaces of the first and second ribs such that the first and second ribs are slidably movable along the first and second beam structures; a single axle member and suspension fixedly connected between the first and second ribs; and a plurality of fasteners configured to be removably attached to the second surfaces of the first and second ribs and to removably secure the first and second ribs to the corresponding first and second beam structures in a first releasable attachment in which the second surfaces of the first and second ribs are in a mutual facing relationship with the first sides of the corresponding first and second beam structures, respectively, with the plurality of fasteners removably connected therebetween at any selected engagement location of the plurality of engagement locations, and wherein the plurality of fasteners are configured to, when the tractor vehicle is not in operation, allow for the first and second ribs to be released from the first releasable attachment with the corresponding beam structures at the selected engagement location, repositioned relative to the corresponding beam structures, and secured to the corresponding beam structures in at least a second releasable attachment at any other engagement location of the plurality of engagement locations, and wherein, when the tractor vehicle is not in operation and the first and second ribs are secured to the corresponding beam structures in one of the releasable attachments at any engagement location of the plurality of engagement locations, the suspension support apparatus functions as a fixed position suspension to lock the first and second ribs into a fixed position relative to the corresponding beam structures via the releasable attachment, such that the suspension support apparatus is repositionable along the first and second spaced-apart beam structures to reconfigure the chassis structure between at least one of a wide spread configuration and a closed tandem configuration.