Resilient tie rods and axle assemblies employing same
AssigneeHendrickson USA, L.L.C.
InventorsMichael J. Gottschalk, Mark W. Dankow, Scott A. Massa, Harold D. Johnson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tie rod for a vehicle axle assembly is constructed using substantially compliant, flexible, and/or resilient material. Such a resilient tie rod may be provided with a rectangular or otherwise non-circular cross-section. Such a resilient tie rod may be used in combination with an axle assembly of the type having an axle and a steering knuckle rotatably associated with each end of the axle. The tie rod may be rotatably or non-rotatably secured to the steering knuckles.
Claims60
A tie rod for use in a vehicle axle assembly having an axle with first and second ends and a pair of steering knuckles rotatably associated with the first and second ends of the axle, wherein the tie rod is adapted to be secured to the steering knuckles, is comprised of a substantially resilient material, and has a non-circular cross-section.
An axle assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
- an axle having first and second ends;
- a first steering knuckle rotatably associated with the first end of the axle;
- a second steering knuckle rotatably associated with the second end of the axle;
- and
- a tie rod extending between the first and second steering knuckles, wherein the tie rod is non-rotatably secured to the steering knuckles.
An axle assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
- an axle having first and second ends;
- a first steering knuckle rotatably associated with the first end of the axle;
- a second steering knuckle rotatably associated with the second end of the axle;
- a first connector associated with the first steering knuckle and at least partially comprised of a resilient material;
- a second connector associated with the second steering knuckle and at least partially comprised of a resilient material;
- and
- a tie rod extending between the first and second connectors, wherein the tie rod is comprised of a substantially resilient material.
A tie rod for use in a vehicle axle assembly having an axle with a pair of steering knuckles rotatably associated with the ends of the axle, wherein the tie rod is adapted to be secured to the steering knuckles and has a generally linear portion with a non-circular cross-section and first and second regions which are inclined with respect to each other.
An axle assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
- an axle having first and second ends;
- a first steering knuckle rotatably associated with the first end of the axle;
- a second steering knuckle rotatably associated with the second end of the axle;
- and
- a tie rod extending between the first and second steering knuckles, wherein the tie rod has a non-circular cross-section and is oriented in an inclined configuration which is inclined with respect to a vertical direction and a horizontal direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.