VEHICLE FRAME APPARATUS FOR ACCOMMODATING WHEELCHAIR RAMP

A vehicle frame apparatus that is configured to be operably secured to a vehicle so as to provide modifications to the vehicle in order to facilitate the vehicle accepting accessories such as but not limited to a wheelchair tub. The present invention includes a hanger assembly wherein the hanger assembly includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The hanger assembly is operably to provide a lower mounting position for the axle on vehicles having independent wheel suspension. The present invention further includes an upper spring mount and a lower spring mount. The lower spring mount provides a spring retention member configured to assist in position maintenance of the lower end of a spring. An upper shock mount is included so as to position the shock in a proper position. A hub spacer is also included so as to move the hub outward from the axle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to vehicle frames, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a vehicle frame apparatus that is configured to provide access for wheelchair tubs and other similar elements wherein the vehicle includes independent suspension.

BACKGROUND

Vehicle frames are well known in the art and are also referred to as the chassis. The frame supports not only the body of the vehicle but further provides the necessary structure to support the motor and other components such as but not limited to the suspension. Depending upon the type of vehicle and the design purpose thereof, chassis can employ different types of suspension components. One common type of suspension system is an independent suspension system. This provides an improved ride as each wheel is controlled by its own suspension components and as such is allowed to react to the condition of the road under the wheel without transferring any motion to other wheels.

While independent suspension components provide benefits, there are issues created by the design that can make certain vehicle modifications difficult or impossible. By way of example, for some types of vehicles such as mini vans the independent suspension can inhibit accessories such as wheel chair ramps and tubs. Physically challenged drivers must have their vehicles modified in order to accommodate their wheel chair. These modifications require access elements for the wheelchair such as but not limited to a ramp and further require other elements to ensure space to store the wheelchair once placed in the vehicle. One issue arises with certain types of mini vans having independent suspension that results in an inability to add these wheelchair components with the stock chassis.

Accordingly, there is a need for a chassis modification that is configured to facilitate the ability to accommodate wheelchair access and storage elements wherein the present invention includes a frame modification to a vehicle type having independent suspension.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a vehicle frame apparatus that includes elements configured to facilitate mounting of wheelchair components to the vehicle wherein the present invention includes a modified axle and hanger.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a modified vehicle frame having independent suspension that enables the vehicle to be outfitted for wheelchair elements wherein the present invention further includes a spacer that is placed between the axle and hub.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle frame apparatus that includes elements configured to facilitate mounting of wheelchair components to the vehicle that further includes a bottom spring pocket modification.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a modified vehicle frame having independent suspension that enables the vehicle to be outfitted for wheelchair elements wherein the present invention further includes a modified hub mount.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle frame apparatus that includes elements configured to facilitate mounting of wheelchair components to the vehicle that further includes a spring retention member.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a modified vehicle frame having independent suspension that enables the vehicle to be outfitted for wheelchair elements wherein the present invention further includes a modified shock bracket.

Another object of the present invention is to a provide a vehicle frame apparatus that includes elements configured to facilitate mounting of wheelchair components to the vehicle wherein a mounting bracket for a top of a shock is present.

An alternate object of the present invention is to provide a modified vehicle frame having independent suspension that enables the vehicle to be outfitted for wheelchair elements wherein the present invention that further includes a c-shaped member as part of the hanger assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Now referring in particular to the Figures submitted herewith, the vehicle frame apparatus100is manufactured from metal and the components thereof are secured utilizing techniques that include but are not limited to mechanical fasteners and welding. The vehicle frame apparatus100includes an axle10wherein the axle10includes a first end11and a second end12. The ends of the axle are configure to have a hub15secured thereto wherein the hub15has operably coupled thereto the brake assembly20. The brake assembly20is a conventional disc brake assembly and it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that a brake assembly20is operably coupled to each end of the axle. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the size and shape of the axle10could vary based upon the vehicle in which the vehicle frame apparatus100is being mounted. The vehicle frame apparatus100embodied herein is for a specific model of a minivan but it should be understood that the vehicle frame apparatus100could be adapted to operably couple into alternate styles of vehicles.

The vehicle frame apparatus100includes a hanger assembly30wherein the hanger assembly30provides the operably coupling of the axle10to the frame of the vehicle and further accommodates the independent suspension components. The hanger assembly30includes an upper support member32and a lower support member34. The upper support member32is planar in manner having a curved upper section33that is shaped to secure to frame portion5. The curved upper section33is contiguous with lower section36wherein the lower section36is operably coupled with the lower support member34. The lower support member34includes upper portion37and lower portion38. The lower support member34provides a lower mounting point for the axle10in order to allow the vehicle to accommodate further modifications for wheelchairs and components related thereto. The upper portion37is welded to the frame and further includes a support arm39operably coupled thereto wherein the support arm39also terminates into the frame and is operably coupled thereto. The lower portion38includes opening31having void35wherein the void35is configured to have secured there an end of suspension arm member40. The lower support member34further includes rear support arm member27wherein rear support arm member27is operably coupled to the rear wall of the lower support member34and the frame providing the necessary structural support and proper position. The rear arm support member27is angular in orientation with the lower support member34and is manufactured from square metal tubing. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the vehicle frame apparatus100includes two lower support members34equally constructed and opposedly located on the chassis of the vehicle on which the vehicle frame apparatus100has been installed.

The suspension arm member40has operably coupled thereto distal to the lower support member34a spring mount assembly45. The spring mount assembly includes a spring46, upper spring mount member47and lower spring mount member48. The spring mount assembly45is adjacent to shock absorber50and the two combine in an arrangement to provide independent wheel suspension. The spring46is a conventional metal spring having sufficient force to execute the desired application. The upper spring mount47is conical in shape and extends downward from a frame portion. The upper spring mount47is shaped so as to be insertably coupled with the upper end of the spring46so as to retain spring46in a desired position at the upper end thereof. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the upper spring mount47could be provided in alternate shapes and sizes and still achieve the desired objective.

The lower spring mount member includes a first portion50. The first portion50is annular in shape having an upper surface51. The upper surface51has formed thereon a spring engagement member52. The spring engagement member52extends upward from the upper surface51of the first portion50. The spring engagement member52protrudes into the lower end of the spring46so as to provide positional securing thereof. Adjacent to the first portion50is the spring retention member55. The spring retention member55is a modified c-shaped structure having an upper wall56and lower wall57. The upper wall56is positioned adjacent to the first portion50and is formed in order to ensure positional stability and security of the spring46. The lower wall57is contiguous with the upper wall56and extends outward therefrom away from first portion50.

The vehicle frame apparatus100further includes an upper shock mounting bracket60. The upper shock mounting bracket60is square u-shaped and is configured with a bottom opening61so as to operably coupled to a top end of a shock99. The upper shock mounting bracket60is secured to a portion of a wheel well and is positioned so as to move the shock99so that the vehicle frame apparatus100can permit the vehicle to which the vehicle frame apparatus100is mounted an ability to accommodate elements such as but not limited to wheelchair tubs. In order to further accommodate the ability for the aforementioned element to be placed in a vehicle in which the vehicle frame apparatus100is secured, the vehicle frame apparatus100includes a hub spacer70. The hub spacer70is secured to hub mount71wherein the hub mount71is formed on the end of axle10. The hub spacer70moves the hub15outwards from the end of the axle10. The hub spacer70is manufactured from metal and includes a center aperture72. The peripheral edge73of the hub spacer70is shaped so as to mateably align with the hub surface74so as to accommodate fastening thereto so as to be between the hub mount71and the hub15. It should be understood within the present invention that the hub spacer70could be provided in alternate thicknesses so as to facilitate the outward mounting of the hub15as needed to ensure proper mounting of the vehicle frame apparatus100.

The vehicle frame apparatus100provides a positioning of the axle10wherein the axle position is lower than that of the position of the axle when the vehicle frame apparatus100is not operably coupled to a vehicle. The vehicle frame apparatus100is configured to accommodate independent suspension and provides location of components thereof in a required position in order for a vehicle to which the vehicle frame apparatus100has been mounted to accommodate elements such as but not limited to a wheelchair tub.