Apparatus for optimizing the stiffness of an axle
AssigneeSnow Family Trust
InventorRobert E. Snow
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus including a stiffening structure for stiffening a portion of an axle with a first diameter. The apparatus further includes a set of elements, wherein each of the set of elements includes a semi-circular longitudinal channel of a pre-determined length, and further includes a second diameter that is substantially similar to the first diameter. The apparatus also includes an outer surface comprising a set of expanded structures, wherein each expanded structure of the set of expanded structures further includes a set recesses, wherein each of the elements can be coupled together around the axle with the set of expanded structures, and wherein the amount of deflection of the axle is substantially reduced for the pre-determined length.
Claims19
An apparatus including a stiffening structure stiffening a portion of a vehicle axle for reducing deflection of said axle, wherein said axle is continuous in said apparatus comprising:
- a first set of elements adapted to couple to said axle, wherein each of said elements includes a semi-circular longitudinal channel of a first pre-determined length, and said first set of elements are configured to create a substantially cylindrical cavity along said first pre-determined length;
- wherein each element includes a set of expanded structures, located generally near the ends of each element, each expanded structure having a recess configured to accept a fastener to facilitate clamping said elements around said axle;
- wherein each element includes a non-expanded structure located generally between said set of expanded structures;
- and
- wherein a first amount of deflection of said axle is substantially reduced for said first pre-determined length.
An apparatus including a stiffening structure stiffening a portion of a vehicle axle for reducing deflection of said axle, wherein said axle is continuous in said apparatus comprising:
- a first set of elements adapted to be coupled to said axle, wherein each of said elements includes a semi-circular longitudinal channel of a first pre-determined length;
- a second set of elements adapted to be coupled to said axle, wherein each of said elements includes a semi-circular longitudinal channel of a second pre-determined length that is longer than said first predetermined length;
- wherein each element includes a set of expanded structures, located generally near the ends of each element, each expanded structure having a recess configured to accept a fastener to facilitate clamping said elements around said axle;
- wherein each element includes a non-expanded structure located generally between said set of expanded structures;
- and
- wherein coupling said corresponding elements to said axle are configured to reduce an amount of deflection in relative to said predetermined length.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.