Clamp Group and Round Axle With Alignment Features

A clamp group mounting of a leaf spring to a round axle including alignment features, comprising:

• a round axle, a leaf spring and a clamp group connecting the leaf spring to the axle;
• the axle extending laterally and having an arcuate upper surface and arcuate lower surface;
• a locator ring having a fish-mouth tapered lower end, and having the lower end welded to the arcuate upper surface of the axle;
• the leaf spring extending longitudinally and at least forward or rearward relative to the axle, and further comprising a bore that receives a locator element that extends at least upward or downward from the leaf spring;
• the clamp group comprising a spring seat, top pad and a plurality of fasteners that connect the top pad, leaf spring, and spring seat to the axle;
• the spring seat further comprising:
• a downward facing generally arcuate surface configured to receive the arcuate upper surface of the axle;
• a recess in the downward facing arcuate surface, wherein the recess receives the locator ring that is welded to the arcuate upper surface of the axle;
• a generally planar upper surface above which the leaf spring is positioned and further comprising a recess that receives the locator element extending downward from the leaf spring;
• the top pad further comprising:
• a generally planar lower surface above the leaf spring;
• an upper surface that engages the fasteners.