# US 7,461,865 B2 · Aluminum hanger and hanger assembly

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- Number: US 7,461,865 B2
- Document ID: US7461865B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/606,692
- Filed: 2006-11-30
- Published: 2007-08-09
- Granted: 2008-12-09
- Earliest claimed: 2002-07-12
- Assignees: East Manufacturing Corporation
- Inventors: James H. Adams
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7461865B2

## CPC

- B60G 7/02: Attaching arms to sprung part of vehicle {(B60G7/006 takes precedence)}
- B60G 3/145: {the arm forming the axle housing}
- B60G 11/27: wherein the fluid is a gas
- B62D 29/008: {predominantly of light alloys, e.g. extruded}
- B62D 63/08: Component parts or accessories
- B60G 2200/30: Rigid axle suspensions
- B60G 2202/152: Pneumatic spring
- B60G 2204/143: on the vehicle body or chassis
- B60G 2204/4302: for fixing suspension arm on the vehicle body or chassis
- B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00})
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)

## Abstract

A hanger assembly comprises a pair of hangers; a pair of trailer attachment plates, each attachment plate attached to one of the pair of hangers; and a transverse support member having a first end attached to one of the pair of hangers and a second end attached to the remaining hanger of the pair of hangers. The hanger assembly is made of aluminum and provides a lightweight, high strength hanger assembly for a trailer that cuts down on the weight of the trailer without diminishing the strength as compared to conventional trailers, and that is compatible with a conventional air ride suspension system and retrofittable on existing aluminum trailers in a bolt-on configuration.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A trailer hanger assembly comprising: a pair of hangers, each hanger comprising a monolithic aluminum body comprising a swing arm attachment portion and a shock absorber attachment bracket portion; a pair of trailer attachment plates, each attachment plate attached to a respective one of the pair of hangers; and a transverse support member having a first end attached to one of the pair of hangers and a second end attached to the remaining hanger of the pair of hangers.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The trailer hanger assembly of claim 1, wherein the monolithic aluminum hangers are formed as extrusions.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The trailer hanger assembly of claim 1,, wherein the transverse support member comprises at least one generally U-shaped aluminum channel having a central portion and a pair of leg portions extending from the central portion.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The trailer hanger assembly of claim 1, wherein the swing arm attachment portion of each hanger body further comprises a pair of alignment guides formed generally parallel to and spaced from each other to provide adjustable axle alignment.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The trailer hanger assembly of claim 1, wherein the shock absorber bracket comprises a first bracket portion extending perpendicularly from a side of the hanger body and a second bracket portion generally parallel to the side of the hanger body.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The trailer hanger assembly of claim 1, wherein each trailer attachment plate has a plurality of apertures for attachment of the hanger assembly to the trailer.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The trailer hanger assembly of claim 1, wherein the swing arm attachment portion includes a pair of apertures.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The trailer hanger assembly of claim 1, wherein the shock absorber bracket includes a pair of apertures.