Bolt assembly for spring hanger system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11485183-B2
Application number	US-202117336503-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 2, 2021
Priority date	Jun 18, 2018
Publication date	Nov 1, 2022
Grant date	Nov 1, 2022

Abstract

An axle hanger includes a web, a first flange extending in a first direction perpendicular to the web, and a second flange extending in the first direction perpendicular to the web, spaced from and parallel to the first flange. A first return extends from the first flange toward the second flange parallel to the web, and a second return extends from the second flange toward the first flange parallel to the web. The axle hanger is easier to install and access in the event a hanger spring needs replacement, and the hanger can be more stably secured to the axle.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A bolt assembly for an axle hanger, the axle hanger including a first flange with a first aperture therein and a free edge and a second flange with a second aperture therein, the first and second apertures being coaxial, the bolt assembly comprising:
a bolt head;
a shank coupled with the bolt head, the shank including a first cylindrical portion having a first diameter and a second cylindrical portion having a second diameter less than the first diameter, wherein the second cylindrical portion extends coaxially from a distal end of the first cylindrical portion, and wherein the shank is extendable through the first and second apertures of the axle hanger; and
a locking tab cooperable with one of the first flange and the second flange of the axle hanger, the locking tab being configured to preclude rotation of the bolt head.

2. A bolt assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the second cylindrical portion of the shank is threaded.

3. A bolt assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the locking tab is integral with the bolt head.

4. A bolt assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the bolt head is rectangular, and wherein the locking tab is defined by a bent edge of the bolt head.

5. A bolt assembly according to claim 4 , wherein the locking tab is perpendicular to the bolt head and is engageable with the free edge of the first flange.

6. A bolt assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the bolt head comprises a hex-shape head, and wherein the locking tab comprises a bendable tab extending from opposing flats of the hex-shape head.

7. A bolt assembly according to claim 6 , wherein the bendable tab is configured to be bent against the free edge of the first flange.

8. A bolt assembly according to claim 6 , wherein the bendable tab is integral with the hex-shape head.

9. A bolt assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the locking tab comprises a washer.

10. A bolt assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the locking tab comprises a washer with a lanced locking tab extending outwardly therefrom.

11. A bolt assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first aperture is non-circular, and wherein the locking tab comprises a key intermediate the bolt head and the shank that is shaped corresponding to the first aperture.

12. A system comprising:
a bolt having a cylindrical shaft and a head; and
a hanger having a web, first and second generally parallel and spaced apart flanges extending from the web, the first flange defining a first aperture and the second flange defining a second aperture coaxial with the first aperture, the first and second apertures configured to receive the bolt therethrough,
wherein one of the bolt and the hanger comprises a locking tab configured for locking engagement with the other of the bolt and the hanger, and wherein the locking tab cooperates with the other of the bolt and the hanger to preclude rotation of the bolt with respect to the hanger when the bolt is fully received within the first and second apertures with the head of the bolt abutting a corresponding surface of the first flange or the second flange.

13. A system according to claim 12 , wherein the locking tab extends from the head of the bolt.

14. A system according to claim 13 , wherein the locking tab is configured at manufacture for locking engagement with a free end of the first flange or the second flange to preclude rotation of the bolt with respect to the hanger.

15. A system according to claim 13 , wherein the locking tab is configured at assembly for locking engagement with a free end of the first flange or the second flange to preclude rotation of the bolt with respect to the hanger.

16. A system according to claim 15 , wherein the locking tab is bendable from a non-locking configuration to a locking configuration by a user at assembly of the bolt to the hanger for locking engagement with a free end of the first flange or the second flange to preclude rotation of the bolt with respect to the hanger.

17. A system according to claim 12 , wherein the locking tab extends from a free end of one of the first flange and the second flange in a direction away from the other of first flange and the second flange.

18. A system according to claim 12 , wherein the locking tab extends from one of the first flange and the second flange in a direction away from the other of first flange and the second flange.

Assignees

• Lippert Components Inc

Inventors

• VANORT Kaleb
• Hughes Andrew
• Frick Jonathan
• Taqiuddin Mohammed
• Bailey Bruce
• Heiner Phillip

Classifications

• B60G2204/44

  Centering or positioning means · CPC title

• B60G11/12

  Links, pins, or bushes · CPC title

• B60G2202/112

  longitudinally arranged · CPC title

• B60G11/04 Primary

  arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle · CPC title

• B60G2204/422

  Links for mounting suspension elements · CPC title