US 8,998,260 B2 · Frame support, suspension stop, and method of improving a motor vehicle

Abstract

An apparatus, kit, and method for improving a motor vehicle. Embodiments include right and left frame supports, a cross beam, and two mounts for air bump stops, for instance, outboard of the vehicle frame. Damage to the frame can be prevented in severe suspension impacts and vehicle handling and performance can be improved both on and off road surfaces. Certain embodiments include impact pads clamped to the axle of the vehicle, hardware or bolts that attach components together or to the frame of the vehicle, or a combination thereof. Components can be configured to attach to the vehicle frame. Particular embodiments support the frame at the top, bottom, outboard side, or a combination thereof, and some frame supports have a channel portion, a hollow box portion, and two parallel gusset plates, for example. In some embodiments, the cross beam can fit between and attach to the gusset plates.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An apparatus for a motor vehicle having an axle and a frame extending over the axle, the frame comprising a right frame rail and a left frame rail, the apparatus comprising:

a right-side frame support comprising a first mount for a first air bump stop;
a left-side frame support comprising a second mount for a second air bump stop;
a cross beam having a first end and a second end;
the first air bump stop;
the second air bump stop;
a first air bump impact pad;
a first air bump impact pad clamp;
a second air bump impact pad;
and
a second air bump impact pad clamp;
wherein each of the right-side frame support and the left-side frame support comprises two parallel gusset plates and when the apparatus is installed on the motor vehicle, the first end of the cross beam fits between and attaches to the two parallel gusset plates of the right-side frame support;
and the second end of the cross beam fits between and attaches to the two parallel gusset plates of the left-side frame support.

9 more elements

A kit for a motor vehicle having an axle and a frame extending over the axle, the frame comprising a right frame rail and a left frame rail, the kit comprising:

a right-side frame support that, when the kit is installed on the motor vehicle, attaches to the right frame rail above the axle and supports the right frame rail, the right-side frame support comprising a first mount for a first air bump stop;
a left-side frame support that, when the kit is installed on the motor vehicle, attaches to the left frame rail above the axle and supports the left frame rail, the left-side frame support comprising a second mount for a second air bump stop;
and
a cross beam having a first end and a second end, the cross beam extending, when the kit is installed on the motor vehicle, substantially parallel to the axle from the right-side frame support to the left-side frame support with the first end attaching to the right-side frame support and the second end attaching to the left-side frame support;
wherein each of the right-side frame support and the left-side frame support comprises:
a substantially horizontal channel portion comprising a substantially horizontal top flange, a substantially horizontal bottom flange, and a substantially vertical web;
and
a mount portion extending from the web to the first mount, the mount portion comprising a mount top.

5 more elements

A method for a motor vehicle having an axle and a frame extending over the axle, the frame comprising a right frame rail and a left frame rail, the method comprising, in any order, at least the acts of:

attaching a right-side frame support to the right frame rail above the axle, the right-side frame support comprising a first mount;
attaching a left-side frame support to the left frame rail above the axle, the left-side frame support comprising a second mount;
attaching a cross beam to the right-side frame support and to the left-side frame support so that the cross beam extends from the right-side frame support to the left-side frame support and is substantially parallel to the axle, including:
fitting a first end of the cross beam between two parallel gusset plates on the right-side frame support;
and
attaching the first end of the cross beam to the two parallel gusset plates on the right-side frame support;
attaching a first air bump stop to the first mount on the right-side frame support;
and
attaching a second air bump stop to the second mount on the left-side frame support.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Frame support, suspension stop, and method of improving a motor vehicle

Life of this patent

Frame support, suspension stop, and method of improving a motor vehicle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19