USRE40888EExpiredUtilityPatentIndex 62
Fabricated vehicle axle
Est. expiryApr 27, 2021(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
B60B 2360/1458B60B 2310/224B60B 35/06B60B 35/003B60G 2206/312B60G 2206/32B60B 2310/228B60B 2310/226B60B 2900/112B60G 2206/8201B60B 2310/302B60B 35/08
62
PatentIndex Score
2
Cited by
28
References
101
Claims
Abstract
A fabricated vehicle axle is shown to include a main body having an inverted U-shaped configuration. The fabricated vehicle axle further includes a continuous bottom plate welded to the main body. The fabricated axle also includes a first king pin top plate having a reversed curved fork portion welded to the main body at one end thereof. Similarly, the fabricated vehicle axle includes a second king pin top plate having a reversed curved fork portion welded to the main body at an opposite end thereof. Still further, the fabricated vehicle axle includes a first gooseneck part welded to the first king pin top plate and the first end of the bottom plate. Similarly, the fabricated vehicle axle includes a second gooseneck part welded to the second king pin top plate and the second end of the bottom plate. REEXAMINATION RESULTS The questions raised in reexamination request 90/007,703, filed Sep. 1, 2005 have been considered and the results thereof are reflected in this reissue patent which constitutes the reexamination certificate required by 35 U.S.C. 307 as provided in 37 CFR 1.570(e), for ex parte reexaminations, or the reexamination certificate required by 35 U.S.C. 316 as provided in 37 CFR 1.99(e) for inter partes reexaminations.
Claims
exact text as granted — not AI-modified1. A fabricated vehicle axle, comprising:
a main body having constructed as a single piece and, along the entirety of the length of the main body, the main body having a cross- section in the form of an inverted U-shaped configuration;
a continuous bottom plate welded to said main body having a first end with a first king pin bore extending through it the first end and a second end with a second king pin bore extending through it the second end ;
a first king pin top plate welded to said main body having a third king pin bore extending through it the first king pin top plate in substantial alignment with said first king pin bore;
a second king pin top plate welded to said main body having a fourth king pin bore extending through it the second king pin top plate in substantial alignment with said second king pin bore;
a first gooseneck part, constructed as a single piece separate from said main body single piece, welded to said first king pin top plate and said first end of said bottom plate; and
a second gooseneck part, constructed as a single piece separate from said main body single piece, welded to said second king pin top plate and said second end of said bottom plate.
2. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 1 wherein said main body includes suspension seat areas for said vehicle axle.
3. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 1 wherein said main body includes tapering edges at opposite ends thereof.
4. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 1 wherein said main body is formed from a main body blank.
5. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 1 wherein said main body is formed entirely from a main body blank.
6. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 4 wherein said main body blank used to form said main body comprises is formed from a rectangular strip of material.
7. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 1 wherein said main body is formed from a roll formed channel.
8. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 1 wherein said bottom plate is formed from a bottom plate blank.
9. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 1 wherein said bottom plate is formed entirely from a bottom plate blank.
10. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 8 wherein said bottom plate blank used to form said bottom plate comprises is formed from a rectangular strip of material.
11. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 8 wherein said bottom plate blank is rolled to have a flat top surface and slightly rounded corners on a surface opposing said flat top surface.
12. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 1 wherein said bottom plate includes a first head portion positioned at said first end thereof and a second head portion positioned at a second end thereof.
13. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 12 wherein said bottom plate includes a first transition zone portion adjacent to said first head portion and extending therefrom at a first bend, a body portion adjacent to said first transmission zone portion and extending therefrom at a second bend, a second transition zone portion adjacent to said body portion and extending therefrom at a third bend, said second transition zone portion also being adjacent to said second head portion and extending therefrom at a fourth bend.
14. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 1 wherein said bottom plate is of constant thickness.
15. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 14 wherein said constant thickness of said bottom plate is within a range of twelve to sixteen millimeters.
16. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 13 wherein said bottom plate includes a first angle formed by said second bend and a second angle formed by said third bend, said first and second angles being within a range of forty degrees to fifty degrees.
17. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 16 wherein said first angle is forty-five degrees and said second angle is forty-five degrees.
18. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 1 13 wherein said first transition zone portion includes a tie rod clearance region.
19. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 18 wherein said tie rod clearance region is configured in a waist-like shape in said transition zone portion.
20. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 12 wherein said first king pin bore extends through said first head portion.
21. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 1 wherein said bottom plate is constructed such that a minimum distance from a center of said first king pin bore to a closest edge of said bottom plate is at least forty millimeters.
22. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 22 21 wherein said minimum distance from said center of said first king pin bore to said closest edge of said bottom plate is approximately forty-five millimeters.
23. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 12 wherein said first head portion includes a steering stop integrally formed therewith.
24. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 1 wherein said bottom plate is relatively thick and relatively heavy compared to said main body.
25. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 24 wherein a section is formed by said bottom plate and said main body having a height defined by a distance between said bottom place plate and an opposing wall of said main body, said section further having a neutral axis positioned closer to said bottom plate than half of a height of said section.
26. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 1 A fabricated vehicle axle, comprising:
a main body having an inverted U - shaped configuration;
a continuous bottom plate welded to said main body having a first end with a first king pin bore extending through the first end and a second end with a second king pin bore extending through the second end;
a first king pin top plate welded to said main body having a third king pin bore extending through the first king pin top plate in substantial alignment with said first king pin bore;
a second king pin top plate welded to said main body having a fourth king pin bore extending through the second king pin top plate in substantial alignment with said second king pin bore; and
a first gooseneck part welded to said first king pin top plate and said first end of said bottom plate; and
a second gooseneck part welded to said second king pin top plate and said second end of said bottom plate;
wherein said first king pin top plate includes a head portion, a body portion and a curved fork portion.
27. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 26 wherein said third king pin bore extends through said head portion of the first king pin top plate.
28. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 26 wherein said curved fork portion includes a first leg and a second leg.
29. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 28 wherein said first and second legs of said curved fork portion are separated.
30. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 26 wherein said curved fork portion includes a bend such that said curved fork portion comprises a reversed curved fork portion .
31. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 30 wherein said bend of said curved fork portion forms a ninety degree angle.
32. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 1 wherein said first king pin top plate is welded to said main body by weld lines having weld ends, said main body and said bottom plate define a vertical loading neutral axis of said fabricated vehicle axle, and said first king pin top plate is configured such that the weld ends are positioned above the vertical loading neutral axis.
33. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 1 wherein said first head portion of said bottom plate includes a machining datum.
34. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 1 wherein said machining datum aids during fabrication of said fabricated vehicle axle.
35. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 1 wherein said first king pin bore extends through said head portion of said bottom plate at a position offset to a rear of said fabricated vehicle axle.
36. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 1 wherein said first king pin bore is positioned such that a center of the first king pin bore is offset from a center of said first end of said bottom plate to provide additional tie rod clearance.
37. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 13 further comprising a three pass weld that welds said first end of said bottom plate to a corresponding end of said main body.
38. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 37 A fabricated vehicle axle, comprising:
a main body having an inverted U - shaped configuration;
a continuous bottom plate welded to said main body having a first end with a first king pin bore extending through the first end and a second end with a second king pin bore extending through the second end;
a first king pin top plate welded to said main body having a third king pin bore extending through the first king pin top plate in substantial alignment with said first king pin bore;
a second king pin top plate welded to said main body having a fourth king pin bore extending through the second king pin top plate in substantial alignment with said second king pin bore;
a first gooseneck part welded to said first king pin top plate and said first end of said bottom plate; and
a second gooseneck part welded to said second king pin top plate and said second end of said bottom plate;
wherein said bottom plate includes a first head portion positioned at said first end thereof and a second head portion positioned at a second end thereof;
wherein said bottom plate includes a first transition zone portion adjacent to said first head portion and extending therefrom at a first end, a body portion adjacent to said first transition zone portion and extending therefrom at a second bend, a second transition zone portion adjacent to said body portion and extending therefrom at a third bend, said second transition zone portion also being adjacent to said second head portion and extending therefrom at a fourth bend; and
a three pass weld that welds said first end of said bottom plate to a corresponding end of said main body;
wherein said three pass weld includes a root pass first weld extending from a root pass first weld first point positioned outboard of said first king pin bore to a root pass first weld second point positioned inboard of said second bend, a second pass weld extending from a second pass weld first point positioned outboard of said first king pin bore to a second pass weld second point positioned inboard of said root pass first weld second point, and a final pass third weld extending from a final pass third weld first point positioned outboard of said first king pin bore to a final pass third weld second point positioned outboard of said second king pin bore.
39. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 38 wherein said root pass first weld second point is positioned between seventy-five millimeters and one hundred twenty-five millimeters inboard of said second bend.
40. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 38 wherein said second pass weld second point is positioned between ten millimeters and thirty millimeters inboard said root pass first weld second point.
41. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 38 wherein said root pass first weld forms a root pass first weld weld stop at said root pass first weld second point.
42. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 41 wherein said root pass first weld weld stop is obliterated by said second pass weld .
43. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 38 wherein said second pass weld forms a second pass weld weld stop at said second pass weld second point.
44. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 43 wherein said second pass weld weld stop is obliterated by said final pass third weld .
45. A bottom plate for a fabricated vehicle axle, comprising:
a first head portion having a first king pin bore extending through it; a second head portion having a second king pin bore extending through it; and a body portion positioned between said first head portion and said second head portion.
46. The bottom plate as defined by claim 45 further comprising a first transition zone portion adjacent to said first head portion and extending therefrom at a first bend to a second bend at said body portion, said body portion extending from said second bend to a third bend, a second transition zone portion adjacent to said body portion and extending therefrom at said third bend, said second transition zone portion also being adjacent to said second head portion and extending therefrom at a fourth bend.
47. The bottom plate as defined by claim 45 51 having constant thickness.
48. The bottom plate as defined by claim 47 wherein said constant thickness is within a range of twelve to sixteen millimeters.
49. A bottom plate for a fabricated vehicle axle, comprising:
a first head portion having a first king pin bore extending through it;
a second head portion having a second king pin bore extending through it;
a body portion positioned between said first head portion and said second head portion;
a first transition zone portion adjacent to said first head portion and extending therefrom at a first bend to a second bend at a said body portion, said body portion extending from said second bend to a third bend, a second transition zone portion adjacent to said body portion and extending therefrom at said third bend, said second transition zone portion also being adjacent to said second head portion and extending therefrom at a fourth bend; and The bottom plate as defined by claim 51 further comprising a first angle formed by said second bend and a second angle formed by said third bend, said first and second angles being within a range of forty degrees to fifty degrees; and wherein said bottom plate having has a constant thickness within a range of twelve to sixteen millimeters.
50. The bottom plate as defined by claim 49 wherein said first angle is forty-five degrees and said second angle is forty-five degrees.
51. A bottom plate for a fabricated vehicle axle, comprising:
a first head portion having a first king pin bore extending through it the first head portion ;
a second head portion having a second king pin bore extending through it the second head portion ;
a body portion positioned between said first head portion and said second head portion; and
a first transition zone portion adjacent to said first head portion and extending therefrom at a first bend to a second bend at said body portion, said body portion extending from said second bend to a third bend, a second transition zone portion adjacent to said body portion and extending therefrom at said third bend, said second transition zone portion also being adjacent to said second head portion and extending therefrom at a fourth bend, said first transition zone portion includes a tie rod clearance region.
52. The bottom plate as defined by claim 51 wherein said tie rod clearance region is configured in a waist-like shape in said first transition zone portion.
53. The bottom plate as defined by claim 45 51 being constructed such that a minimum distance from a center of said first king pin bore to a closest edge of said bottom plate is at least forty millimeters.
54. The bottom plate as defined by claim 53 being constructed such that said minimum distance from said center of said first king pin bore to said closest edge of said bottom plate is approximately forty-five millimeters.
55. A bottom plate for a fabricated vehicle axle, comprising:
a first head portion having a first king pin bore extending through it and a steering stop integrally formed therewith; a second head portion having a second king pin bore extending through it; and a body portion positioned between said first head portion and said second head portion.
56. A bottom plate for a fabricated vehicle axle, comprising:
a first head portion having a first king pin bore extending through it and a machining datum; a second head portion having a second king pin bore extending through it; and a body portion positioned between said first head portion and said second head portion.
57. The bottom plate as defined by claim 56 wherein said machining datum aids during fabrication of said fabricated vehicle axle.
58. A bottom plate for a fabricated vehicle axle, comprising:
a first head portion having a first king pin bore extending through it, said first king pin bore extends through said first head portion at a position offset to a rear of said bottom plate; a second head portion having a second king pin bore extending through it; and a body portion positioned between said first head portion and said second head portion.
59. A bottom plate for a fabricated vehicle axle, comprising:
a first head portion having a first king pin bore extending through it the first head portion , said first king pin bore is positioned such that a center of the first king pin bore is offset from a center of said first head portion to provide additional tie rod clearance;
a second head portion having a second king pin bore extending through it the second head portion ; and
a body portion positioned between said first head portion and said second head portion.
60. A king pin top plate for a fabricated vehicle axle, comprising:
a head portion having a king pin bore extending through it the head portion ;
a body portion adjacent to said head portion; and
a curved fork portion adjacent to said body portion.
61. The king pin top plate as defined by claim 60 wherein said curved fork portion includes a first leg and a second leg.
62. The king pin top plate as defined by claim 61 wherein said first and second legs of said curved fork portion are separated.
63. The king pin top plate as defined by claim 60 wherein said curved fork portion includes a bend such that said curved fork portion comprises a reversed curved fork portion .
64. The king pin top plate as defined by claim 63 wherein said bend of said curved fork portion forms a ninety degree angle.
65. A method of welding a fabricated vehicle axle having a main body and a bottom plate having a first head portion with a first king pin bore extending through it the first head portion , a first transition portion adjacent to said first head portion and extending therefrom at a first bend, a body portion adjacent to said first transition portion and extending therefrom at a second bend, a second transition portion adjacent to said body portion and extending therefrom at a third bend, and a second head portion adjacent to said second transition portion and extending therefrom at a fourth bend, said second head portion having a second king pin bore extending through it the second head portion , said method comprising the steps of:
extending a first root pass weld between a first root pass first point positioned outboard relative to said first king pin bore and a first root pass second point positioned inboard relative to said second bend;
extending a first middle pass weld between a first middle pass first point positioned outboard relative to said first king pin bore and a first middle pass second point positioned inboard relative to said first root pass second point;
extending a second root pass weld between a second root pass first point positioned outboard relative to said second king pin bore and a second root pass second point positioned inboard relative to said third bend;
extending a second middle pass weld between a second middle pass first point positioned outboard relative to said second king pin bore and a second middle pass second point positioned inboard relative to said second root pass second point; and
extending a final pass weld between a final pass first point positioned outboard relative to said first king pin bore and a final pass second point positioned outboard relative to said second king pin bore.
66. A bottom plate for a fabricated vehicle axle, comprising:
a first head portion having a first king pin bore extending through it; a second head portion having a second king pin bore extending through it; a body portion positioned between said first head portion and said second head portion; a first transition zone portion adjacent to said first head portion and extending therefrom at a first bend to a second bend at a said body portion, said body portion extending from said second bend to a third bend, a second transition zone portion adjacent to said body portion and extending therefrom at said third bend, said second transition zone portion also being adjacent to said second head portion and extending therefrom at a fourth bend; and a first angle formed by said second bend and a second angle formed by said third bend, said first and second angles being within a range of forty degrees to fifty degrees.
67. The bottom plate as defined by claim 66 wherein said first angle is forty-five degrees and said second angle is forty-five degrees.
68. The bottom plate as defined by claim 66 wherein said first transition zone portion includes a tie rod clearance region.
69. The bottom plate as defined by claim 68 wherein said tie rod clearance region is configured in a waist-like shape in said first transition zone portion.
70. The bottom plate as defined by claim 66 being constructed such that a minimum distance from a center of said first king pin bore to a closest edge of said bottom plate is at least forty millimeters.
71. The bottom plate as defined by claim 70 being constructed such that said minimum distance from said center of said first king pin bore to said closest edge of said bottom plate is approximately forty-five millimeters.
72. The bottom plate as defined by claim 66 wherein said first head portion includes a steering stop integrally formed therewith.
73. The bottom plate as defined by claim 66 51 wherein said first head portion includes a machining datum.
74. The bottom plate as defined by claim 73 wherein said machining datum aids during fabrication of said fabricated vehicle axle.
75. The bottom plate as defined by claim 66 51 wherein said first king pin bore extends through said first head portion at a position such that a center of said first king pin bore is offset to from a center of said bottom plate towards a rear of said bottom plate.
76. The bottom plate as defined by claim 66 wherein said first king pin bore is positioned to provide additional tie rod clearance.
77. A bottom plate for fabricated vehicle axle comprising:
a first head portion having a first king pin bore extending through it the first head portion ;
a second head portion having a second king pin bore extending through it the second head portion ; and
a body portion positioned between said first head portion and said second head portion;
wherein said body portion of said bottom plate has a section profile with at least two rounded corners.
78. The bottom plate as defined by claim 77 further comprising a first transition zone portion adjacent to said first head portion and extending there from therefrom at a first bend to a second bend at said body portion, said body portion extending from said second bend to a third bend, a second transition zone portion adjacent to said body portion and extending therefrom at said third bend, said second transition zone portion also being adjacent to said second head portion and extending therefrom at a fourth bend.
79. The bottom plate as defined by claim 77 having constant thickness.
80. The bottom plate as defined by claim 79 wherein said constant thickness is within a range of twelve to sixteen millimeters.
81. The bottom plate as defined by claim 80 further including a first angle formed by said second bend and a second angle formed by said third bend, said first and second angles being within a range of forty degrees to fifty degrees.
82. The bottom plate as defined by claim 81 wherein said first angle is forty-five degrees and said second angle is forty-five degrees.
83. The bottom plate as defined by claim 77 wherein said first transition zone portion includes a tie rod clearance region.
84. The bottom plate as defined by claim 83 wherein said tie rod clearance region is configured in a waist-like shape in said first transition zone portion.
85. The bottom plate as defined by claim 77 being constructed such that a minimum distance from a center of said first king pin bore to a closest edge of said bottom plate is at least forty millimeters.
86. The bottom plate as defined by claim 85 being constructed such that said minimum distance from said center of said first king pin bore to said closest edge of said bottom place is approximately forty-five millimeters.
87. The bottom plate as defined by claim 77 wherein said first head portion includes a steering stop integrally formed therewith.
88. The bottom plate as defined by claim 77 wherein said first head portion includes a machining datum.
89. The bottom plate as defined by claim 88 wherein said machining datum aids during fabrication of said fabricated vehicle axle.
90. The bottom plate as defined by claim 77 wherein said first king pin bore extends through said first head portion at a position such that a center of said first king pin bore is offset to from a center of said bottom plate towards a rear of said bottom plate.
91. The bottom plate as defined by claim 77 wherein said first king pin bore is positioned such that a center of said first king pin bore is offset from a center of said first said first head portion to provide additional the tie rod clearance.
92. The bottom plate as defined by claim 66 having constant thickness.
93. A fabricated vehicle axle, comprising:
a main body constructed as a single piece and, along the entirety of the length of the main body, the main body having a cross - section in the form of an inverted U - shaped configuration; a continuous bottom plate welded to said main body having a first end with a first king pin bore extending through the first end and a second end with a second king pin bore extending through the second end; a first king pin top plate welded to said main body having a third king pin bore extending through the first king pin top plate in substantial alignment with said first king pin bore; a second king pin top plate welded to said main body having a fourth king pin bore extending through the second king pin top plate in substantial alignment with said second king pin bore; a first gooseneck part, constructed as a single piece separate from said main body single piece, welded to said first king pin top plate and said first end of said bottom plate; and a second gooseneck part, constructed as a single piece separate from said main body single piece, welded to said second king pin top plate and said second end of said bottom plate;
wherein said main body has a length substantially less than a length of the bottom plate.
94. A fabricated vehicle axle, comprising:
a main body constructed as a single piece and, along the entirety of the length of the main body, the main body having a cross - section in the form of an inverted U - shaped configuration, said main body having a top surface extending along the entire length of the main body; a continuous bottom plate welded to said main body having a first end with a first king pin bore extending through the first end and a second end with a second king pin bore extending through the second end; a first king pin top plate welded to said main body having a third king pin bore extending through the first king pin top plate in substantial alignment with said first king pin bore; a second king pin top plate welded to said main body having a fourth king pin bore extending through the second king pin top plate in substantial alignment with said second king pin bore; a first gooseneck part, constructed as a single piece separate from said main body single piece, welded to said first king pin top plate and said first end of said bottom plate; and a second gooseneck part, constructed as a single piece separate from said main body single piece, welded to said second king pin top plate and said second end of said bottom plate.
95. A fabricated vehicle axle, comprising:
a main body constructed as a single piece and formed from a main body blank having a substantially uniform width, said main body, along the entirety of the length of the main body, having a cross - section in the form of an inverted U - shaped configuration; a continuous bottom plate welded to said main body having a first end with a first king pin bore extending through the first end and a second end with a second king pin bore extending through the second end; a first king pin top plate welded to said main body having a third king pin bore extending through the first king pin top plate in substantial alignment with said first king pin bore; a second king pin top plate welded to said main body having a fourth king pin bore extending through the second king pin top plate in substantial alignment with said second king pin bore; a first gooseneck part, constructed as a single piece separate from said main body single piece, welded to said first king pin top plate and said first end of said bottom plate; and a second gooseneck par, constructed as a single piece separate from said main body single piece, welded to said second king pin top plate and said second end of said bottom plate.
96. A fabricated vehicle axle, comprising:
a main body constructed as a single piece and formed entirely from a generally rectangular - shaped main body blank having tapered edges at opposite ends thereof, said main body, along the entirety of the length of the main body, having a cross - section in the form of an inverted U - shaped configuration; a continuous bottom plate welded to said main body having a first end with a first king pin bore extending through the first end and a second end with a second king pin bore extending through the second end; a first king pin top plate welded to said main body having a third king pin bore extending through the first king pin top plate in substantial alignment with said first king pin bore; a second king pin top plate welded to said main body having a fourth king pin bore extending through the second king pin top plate in substantial alignment with said second king pin bore; a first gooseneck part, constructed as a single piece separate from said main body single piece, welded to said first king pin top plate and said first end of said bottom plate; and a second gooseneck part, constructed as a single piece separate from said main body single piece, welded to said second king pin top plate and said second end of said bottom plate.
97. A fabricated vehicle axle, comprising:
a main body constructed as a single piece and, along the entirety of the length of the main body, the main body having a cross - section in the form of an inverted U - shaped configuration; a continuous bottom plate welded to said main body having a first end with a first king pin bore extending through the first end and a second end with a second king pin bore extending through the second end, said bottom plate having a tie rod clearance region; a first king pin top plate welded to said main body having a third king pin bore extending through the first king pin top plate in substantial alignment with said first king pin bore; a second king pin top plate welded to said main body having a fourth king pin bore extending through the second king pin top plate in substantial alignment with said second king pin bore; a first gooseneck part, constructed as a single piece separate from said main body single piece, welded to said first king pin top plate and said first end of said bottom plate; and a second gooseneck part, constructed as a single piece separate from said main body single piece, welded to said second king pin top plate and said second end of said bottom plate.
98. The fabricated vehicle axle as defined by claim 97 wherein said tie rod clearance region is configured in a waist- like shape.
99. A fabricated vehicle axle, comprising:
a main body, along the entirety of the length of the main body, having a cross - section in the form of an inverted U - shaped configuration; a continuous bottom plate welded to said main body having a first end with a first king pin bore extending through the first end and a second end with a second king pin bore extending through the second end; a first king pin top plate welded to said main body having a third king pin bore extending through the first king pin top plate in substantial alignment with said first king pin bore; a second king pin top plate welded to said main body having a fourth king pin bore extending through the second king pin top plate in substantial alignment with said second king pin bore; a first gooseneck part, constructed as a single piece separate from said main body single piece, welded to said first king pin top plate and said first end of said bottom plate; and a second gooseneck part, constructed as a single piece separate from said main body single piece, welded to said second king pin top plate and said second end of said bottom plate;
wherein said bottom plate is relatively thick and relatively heavy compared to said main body.
100. The fabricated vehicle axle defined by claim 99 wherein a section is formed by said main body and said bottom plate and said section has a neutral axis positioned closer to said bottom plate than half of a height of said section.
101. A fabricated vehicle axle, comprising:
a main body, along the entirety of the length of the main body, having a cross - section in the form of an inverted U - shaped configuration; a continuous bottom plate welded to said main body having a first end with a first king pin bore extending through the first end and a second end with a second king pin bore extending through the second end; a first king pin top plate welded to said main body having a third king pin bore extending through the first king pin top plate in substantial alignment with said first king pin bore; a second king pin top plate welded to said main body having a fourth king pin bore extending through the second king pin top plate in substantial alignment with said second king pin bore; a first gooseneck part, constructed as a single piece separate from said main body single piece, welded to said first king pin top plate and said first end of said bottom plate; and a second gooseneck part, constructed as a single piece separate from said main body single piece, welded to said second king pin top plate and said second end of said bottom plate;
wherein a king pin bore group for the fabricated axle consists of said first king pin bore, said second king pin bore, said third king pin bore and said fourth king pin bore.Cited by (0)
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