Abstract:
A running gear support assembly for supporting a portable machine. The running gear support assembly includes a pair of wheel hubs, an axle beam supported between the pair of wheel hubs, and at least one support bracket. The support bracket is coupled to the axle beam and configured to support the portable machine. Substantially the entire weight of the portable machine is supported by the axle beam.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/638,530 filed on Dec. 23, 2004, titled “Running Gear with Integral Engine Supports,” the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a support apparatus for transportation of portable machinery. More particularly, the invention relates to portable machinery including a running gear with integral engine supports. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Portable machinery such as air compressors and generators often use trailer-type frames with wheels and axles for mobility. A compressor assembly is usually mounted on a trailer equipped with running gear, including two wheels mounted on an axle. The trailer includes a support frame and a towing assembly. This method of transporting portable machinery usually requires a substantial structure to handle the weight of the machinery. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, the invention provides a running gear support assembly for supporting a portable machine. The running gear support assembly includes a pair of wheel hubs, an axle beam coupled between the pair of wheel hubs, and at least one support bracket coupled to the axle beam. The axle beam supports substantially the entire weight of the portable machine. 
     In another embodiment, the invention provides a portable machine assembly for supporting a portable machine. The portable machine assembly includes a frame, a pair of wheel hubs, an axle beam coupled between the pair of wheel hubs, at least one attachment bracket coupled between the frame and the axle beam, and at least one support bracket coupled to the axle beam. The axle beam supports substantially the entire weight of the portable machine. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a portable machine assembly. 
         FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of the portable machine assembly shown in  FIG. 1  and showing a running gear support assembly. 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the running gear support assembly shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the portable machine assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
       FIGS. 1 and 4  illustrate a portable machine assembly  10  including a towable assembly or frame  12  and a running gear support assembly  14  (as also shown in  FIGS. 2-3 ). The portable machine assembly  10  supports objects, such as engines, generators, compressors, batteries, tires, food, gardening supplies, tools, etc. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the towable frame  12  includes towable bars  18  that can be coupled to a towing vehicle (not shown), and a towable case  20  coupled to the running gear support assembly  14  with attachment brackets  22 . In some embodiments, the attachment brackets  22  can include threaded bolts to couple the towable case  20  to the running gear support assembly  14 . In other embodiments, the attachment brackets  22  can include other suitable means to couple the towable case  20  to the running gear support assembly  14 . 
     In some embodiments, the running gear support assembly  14  supports an engine  16 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . However, the engine  16  shown in  FIGS. 1-4  is only for illustration purposes. In other embodiments, the running gear support assembly  14  can support other relatively-heavy equipment, such as air compressors, electric generators, and refrigeration systems. The combined weight of objects other than the engine that can be supported by the towable frame  12  (i.e., batteries, tires, food, etc.) is generally less than the weight of the engine  16  supported by the running gear support assembly  14 . As a result, the towable frame  12  may be manufactured of lighter and/or less expensive material than the running gear support assembly  14 . 
       FIGS. 2-3  illustrate the running gear support assembly  14  including a running gear  24  having an axle beam  26 . In one embodiment, the axle beam  26  includes a non-circular cross section. As shown in  FIG. 2 , a support extension  28  extends from each end of the axle beam  26 . In one embodiment, the support extension  28  has a non-circular cross section. The running gear  24  also includes a torsion arm  30  at each end of the axle beam  26 . Each torsion arm  30  includes a first end  32  having a corresponding non-circular bore for housing the non-circular support extension  28 . The non-circular cross-section of each extension support  28  prevents the torsion arms  30  from rotating with respect to the axle beam  26 . Additionally, each torsion arm  30  rotatably supports a wheel hub  34  at a second end  36 . The wheel hubs  34  can rotate with respect to the torsion arms  30  and the axle beam  26  allowing movement of the towable frame  12  (as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 ) without rotation of the axle beam  26 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , the running gear  24  includes two support brackets  38 . In other embodiments, the running gear support assembly  14  can include one bracket coupled to the running gear  24  to support the engine  16 . Each support bracket  38  includes a support plate  40  and two connection plates  42  extending downwardly at an angle from the support plate  40 . Each of the connection plates  42  includes a notch  44  that receives the axle beam  26 . In one embodiment, each notch  44  defines a non-circular cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of the axle beam  26  to inhibit rotation of the support brackets  38  with respect to the axle beam  26 . The cross-sections defined by the axle beam  26  and the support extensions  28  can define other suitable shapes allowing the connection plates  42 , the attachment brackets  22 , and the torsion arms  30  to avoid rotational movement with respect to the axle beam  26 . Moreover, the connection plates  42 , the attachment brackets  22 , and the torsion arms  30  can be coupled to the axle beam  26  using suitable fastening methods, such as welding, press fitting, etc. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , the running gear  24  also includes mounting brackets  46  to couple the engine  16  to the support brackets  38 . The mounting brackets  46  and the support brackets  38  generally transfer the weight of the engine  16  to the axle beam  26 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the mounting brackets  46  are spaced apart to allow the engine  16  to be positioned between the mounting brackets  46 . The mounting brackets  46  are coupled to the engine  16  and to the support plate  40 . In other embodiments, the mounting brackets  46  can be used to support portable compressors or other relatively heavy-machinery. Moreover, the mounting brackets  46  can have configurations other than the configurations illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , and can be coupled to the supported machinery (i.e., engine  16 , portable compressors, etc.) by suitable means. In some embodiments, the mounting brackets  46  can be used to couple the engine  16  directly to the axle beam  26  without the use of the support brackets  38 . In other embodiments, the running gear support assembly  14  can include other brackets to transport additional pieces of machinery without using the towable frame  12 . Thus, all or portions of the towable frame  12  may not be necessary to transport the engine  16  and additional pieces of machinery. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , an isolation mount  48  is coupled to each mounting bracket  46  coupled to the support plate  40 . The isolation mounts  48  generally include a rubber-like or resilient material to help prevent vibration of the engine  16  with respect to the running gear  24 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the isolation mounts  48  enclose the coupling means of the mounting brackets  46  and support plates  40 . The isolation mounts  48  also help prevent excessive wear of the mounting brackets  46  and the support plates  40 . 
     Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.