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US 2002/0162297 A1Published application
Expandable link system and method of making same
AssigneeTrim Trends, Inc.
InventorDonald G. Graber
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The flexible or expandable link for a heavy duty truck has an elongated U-shaped roll formed channel of a selected length made from a high strength metal and a pair of end brackets, each made from a sheet metal stamping of a lower strength metal, welded to the ends of the channel, with each end bracket having a pair of laterally spaced apart side walls having aligned openings in the side walls for receiving mounting pins or bushings.
Claims17
A link for a heavy duty truck comprising:
- an elongated U-shaped channel made from steel and having a pair of end portions;
- said channel having a top wall, a pair of side walls and a pair of arcuate end surfaces;
- said channel having a longitudinally extending axis spaced from said top and side walls of said channel;
- a pair of end brackets for said channel;
- each end bracket made from a sheet metal stamping to provide a body of generally rectangular configuration at one end thereof which forms a receptacle for the corresponding end portion of said channel;
- and
- means for securing said end brackets to said channel.
4 more elements
An end bracket for a link comprising a unitary body made from a sheet metal stamping;
- said body having a pair of spaced apart side walls, a top wall and a pair of overlapping flanges forming a bottom wall;
- said body being open at the front and back;
- said body having a longitudinal axis extending through the ends of said body spaced between said side walls and said top wall;
- the front end of said body being open and of generally rectangular configuration;
- and
- said side walls having a pair of aligned circular bearing openings which are located on an axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.