Axle alignment system for multi-axle trailers

An axle alignment system for a multi-axle trailer includes a mounting bracket, a mounting pin, at least one original equipment spacer, and at least one adjustable spacer. When the mounting bracket is utilized with the mounting pin and the original equipment spacer, the axle alignment system will only exclusively assume a nonadjustable, standard configuration. In contrast, when the mounting bracket is utilized with the mounting pin and the adjustable spacer, the axle alignment system will be activated and assume one of multiple possible adjusted configurations allowing one to align an axle of a multi-axle trailer.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates generally to the trailer equipment field and, more particularly, to an axle alignment system for multi-axle trailers.

BACKGROUND

Multi-axle trailers are relatively common. As a result of a permanent unbalanced weight distribution on the trailer or other circumstances, the axles of the trailer may become partially misaligned. This document relates to an axle alignment system that may be activated and utilized to correctly align those axles. By eliminating misalignment between axles, the service life of trailer tires is increased. More specifically, the tread on the tires wears evenly, the tires run cooler and the risk of blowouts is reduced. In addition, towing resistance is reduced thereby increasing the fuel economy of the towing vehicle.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the purposes and benefits described herein, an axle alignment system is provided for a multi-axle trailer. That axle alignment system comprises a mounting bracket, a mounting pin extending through the mounting bracket and two original equipment spacers for receiving and holding the mounting pin exclusively in a home position. In addition, the axle alignment system includes two adjustable spacers that replace the two original equipment spacers and allow adjustment of the mounting pin between at least two positions whereby the axle alignment system provides (a) a nonadjustable, standard configuration with the mounting pin and the two original equipment spacers and (b) an activated, adjustable configuration with the mounting pin and the two adjustable spacers allowing one to align an axle on the multi-axle trailer.

The two original equipment spacers have a first identical shape while the two adjustable spacers have a second identical shape wherein the first shape differs from the second shape. In one possible embodiment, the first shape has four sides and the second shape has more than four sides. In accordance with an additional aspect, the mounting pin is a bolt and cooperating nut. Further, each of the two adjustable spacers includes an eccentric aperture: that is an aperture that is provided off center in the spacer.

In one possible embodiment, the mounting bracket is substantially U-shaped and includes a base section, a first lug and a second lug. The first lug includes a first elongated opening having a first longitudinal axis extending across a first channel of the first lug while the second lug includes a second elongated opening having a second longitudinal axis extending across a second channel of the second lug.

The mounting pin extends through the first elongated opening, the second elongated opening and aligned apertures in each of the original equipment spacers when the axle alignment system is in the nonadjustable, standard configuration. In contrast, the mounting pin extends through the first elongated opening, the second elongated opening and aligned eccentric apertures in the two adjustable spacers when the axle alignment system is in the activated, adjustable configuration.

In accordance to an additional aspect, a method is provided for adjusting the alignment of an axle of a multi-axle trailer with an axle alignment system including a mounting bracket, a mounting pin, at least one original equipment spacer and at least one adjustable spacer. That method may be broadly described as comprising the step of replacing the at least one original equipment spacer that exclusively allows the axle alignment system to assume a nonadjustable, standard configuration, with the at least one adjustable spacer that activates the axle alignment system and allows adjustment of the alignment of the axle of the multi-trailer. In one possible embodiment, that method further includes the step of securing the mounting bracket to frame of the multi-axle trailer.

In the following description, there are shown and described several preferred embodiments of the axle alignment system. As it should be realized, the axle alignment system is capable of other, different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the axle alignment system as set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the axle alignment system, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made toFIG. 1illustrating a first embodiment of the axle alignment system10for a multi-axle trailer. That system10may be broadly described as including a mounting bracket12having a first lug14, a second lug16and a base section18connecting the first and second lugs. As further illustrated, the first lug14has a first elongated opening20and a first channel22defined between two blocks24defining the sidewalls of the channel.

Similarly, the second lug16includes a second elongated opening26aligned with the first elongated opening20, and a second channel25(not shown inFIG. 1) defined between two mounting blocks28(seeFIG. 3). A first mounting pin30, in the form of a bolt and cooperating nut, extends through the elongated openings20,26. As illustrated, the mounting pin30includes a head34having a first, four-sided or rectangular shape. In addition, the alignment system10includes an original equipment spacer36in the form of a four-sided, rectangular plate corresponding in shape to the head34. The spacer36includes a central aperture38for engaging the mounting pin at the nut receiving end.

In use, the mounting bracket12is fixed, welded or otherwise secured to the frame of the trailer with the mounting pin30and cooperating nut40utilized to secure the end of the leaf spring S in a manner known in the art. When the axle alignment system10incorporates and uses the first mounting pin30in combination with the original equipment spacer36, the axle alignment system provides a nonadjustable, standard configuration. This configuration allows no relative adjustment of the axle with respect to the trailer frame and the other axles of the trailer.

Reference is now made toFIGS. 2 and 3illustrating the axle alignment system10wherein a second mounting pin30′ replaces the first mounting pin30and an adjustable spacer36′ replaces the original equipment spacer36. Together, the second mounting pin30′ and adjustable spacer36′ provide the axle alignment system10with an activated, adjustable configuration which allows one to align an axle on the multi-axle trailer. As should be appreciated, the head34′ of the second mounting pin30′ has a second multi-sided shape of more than four sides corresponding to the multi-sided shape of the adjustable spacer36′. Further, the second mounting pin30′ is eccentric: that is the pin projects off-center from the head34′. Similarly, the adjustable spacer36′ includes an eccentric aperture38′: that is an aperture that is off-center in the spacer. The eccentricity of the pin30′ and the spacer36′ match.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the adjustable axle alignment system10is mounted to the frame F of a trailer T by welding or otherwise securing the base section18of the bracket12to the frame. The mounting point for the leaf spring S of the trailer axle (not shown) is then adjustable depending upon the orientation of the pin head34′ and spacer36′. More specifically, the first channel22has a width between the side walls defined by the blocks24that substantially corresponds to the width of the pin head34′ but includes the necessary clearance to allow the pin head to be received in channel22. By rotating or manipulating the eccentric pin30′, the position of the mounting pin30′ in the aligned elongated slots20,26may be adjusted forward or rearward as desired to properly align the axles of the trailer in accordance with a method that will be described in great detail below. The elongated openings20,26may, for example, allow up to 1.5 inches of fore/aft adjustment. When properly seated, the opposing side walls of the pin head34′ engage the side walls of the channel22defined by the blocks24.

After inserting the pin30′ through the slot20, the end of the leaf spring S and the slot26, the adjustable spacer36′ is positioned in the second channel on the second lug16. The spacer36′ is oriented so that the end of the mounting pin30′ is received through the aperture38′ and the second spacer36′ is seated fully in the second channel with the side walls of the spacer abutting the side walls of the channel25formed by the blocks28. The nut40is then secured on the end of the mounting pin30′ to complete the connection. At this point it should be appreciated that the pin head34′ and spacer36′ are securely held in the channels22,25and, therefore, in turn, the mounting pin30′ is secured in position in the elongated slots20,26at the desired position to provide proper axle alignment.

An alternative embodiment of the axle alignment system10′ is illustrated inFIG. 4. Like components in the mounting assembly10′ are provided with the same reference numbers used for the mounting assembly10illustrated inFIGS. 1-3. The differences between the two embodiments10,10′ will now be described. Specifically, in the second embodiment10′, the mounting pin30is a standard bolt32and cooperating nut40. Further, the axle alignment system10′ includes two original equipment spacers36and two adjustable spacers36′. In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustable spacers36′ have replaced the original equipment spacers36and the system10is activated for adjusting axle alignment.

As further illustrated, the first lug14includes a third elongated opening42and the second lug16includes a fourth elongated opening44. The third and fourth elongated openings42,44are aligned. The blocks24and28are longer so as to form longer channels22,25. Thus, channel22holds both elongated openings20,42while channel25holds both elongated openings26,44. The second embodiment10′ illustrated inFIG. 4provides still greater adjustability as the mounting pin30may be positioned/received in either set of openings20,26or42,44and then positioned by the adjustable spacers36′ at different points along those sets of openings.

As should be appreciated, the axle alignment systems10,10′ facilitate a method of adjusting alignment of an axle of a multi-axle trailer. That method may be broadly described as replacing at least one original equipment spacer36that exclusively allows the axle alignment system to assume a single, nonadjustable, standard configuration, with at least one adjustable spacer36′ that actuates the axle alignment system and allows adjustment of the alignment of an axle of the multi-axle trailer. The method may also include securing the mounting bracket12to the frame F of the trailer T.

Further details of the method of using the axle alignment system10or10′ to align an axle are known in the art and are described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 8,567,772, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

In summary, the axle alignment system10provides a number of benefits and advantages. When the mounting bracket12is used in conjunction with the first mounting pin30and the original equipment spacer36, the axle alignment system is only capable of assuming a nonadjustable, standard configuration of the type that may be provided by the original equipment manufacturer. If the customer/purchaser desires the optional activation of the axle alignment system, the first mounting pin30is replaced with the second mounting pin30′ and the original equipment spacer36is replaced with the adjustable spacer36′. Whereas the first mounting pin30and original equipment spacer36are non-eccentric, the second mounting pin30′ and adjustable spacer36′ are eccentric thereby providing the axle alignment system with an activated, adjustable configuration allowing adjustment between multiple positions for aligning a trailer axle of a multi-axle trailer.

The foregoing has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, the first mounting pin30′ and the second mounting pin30′ may actually both comprise a single eccentric pin that is held in a neutral, nonadjustable position by an original equipment spacer36but that may be adjusted between at least two different positions when used with an adjustable spacer36′. The adjustable spacers36′ may include 6, 8, 10 or even 12 sides to respectively provide 3, 4, 5 or even 6 different adjustment positions. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.