AU2012232947B2

AU2012232947B2 - A Device

Info

Publication number: AU2012232947B2
Application number: AU2012232947A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Michael Robert Hayes; Gregory John Heick
Original assignee: Superior Eng Qld Pty Ltd
Current assignee: SUPERIOR ENGINEERING (QLD) Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-10-14
Filing date: 2012-09-28
Publication date: 2014-08-14
Anticipated expiration: 2032-09-28
Also published as: AU2012232947A1

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a device for impeding fracturing of an automobile suspension spring retaining means. The device includes a brace for bracing the spring retaining means to a chassis of the automobile. 38 30 16361

Description

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION A DEVICE The following statement is a full description of this invention: 1 A DEVICE TECHNICAL FIELD 5 The present invention relates to a device for impeding fracturing of an automobile suspension spring retaining means. BACKGROUND 10 Conventionally, an automobile suspension system comprises a coil spring which is disposed between a lower spring mount and an upper spring retaining means colloquially known as a spring tower. During operation of the automobile, the coil spring is compressed and extended repeatedly, putting large loads and stresses on the spring tower. In 4WD vehicles that are operated under off-road conditions, 15 the spring tower can often be put under significant stress, which eventually leads to damage and fracture. Repair and replacement of spring towers can be costly and time consuming. Embodiments of the invention provide a device which impedes the fracturing of the 20 spring tower. The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. 25 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for impeding fracturing of an automobile suspension spring retaining means, the 30 device including a brace for bracing the spring retaining means to a chassis of the automobile; wherein the brace has at least one support extending from the hub to the chassis, the support having an elongate support arm; and wherein the support includes: a first portion defining a plurality of axially separated slots, and a second portion defining a plurality of axially separated apertures, wherein the slots of the 2 first portion are aligned with the apertures of the second portion such that the first portion can be mounted to the second portion via fasteners through each aligned slot and aperture. 5 The brace advantageously reduces an applied spring load acting on the spring retaining means by dividing and redistributing a portion of the spring load to a chassis of the automobile, thereby reducing the spring load acting on the spring retaining means and impeding it from fracture. 10 The brace may include a hub for mounting to the top of a spring tower of the spring retaining means. The hub may have an annular body for locating concentrically with an annular roof of the spring tower. The support may be length adjustable. The brace may include a pair of supports 15 for connecting to respective cross members of the chassis. The supports may be integral with the hub. Alternatively, one or both supports may be fastened to the hub. In one embodiment, one or both supports may be fastened to the hub via nuts and bolts. 20 The support may include an adjustment means for adjusting the length of the support. The support may comprise a first portion and a second portion axially adjustable relative to the first portion. The first and second portions may each have a flange projecting therefrom and the flanges may be attacheable to one another. The support may include an adjustable fastener which can be adjusted to change 25 the distance between the flanges, to adjust the length of the support arm. The slots of the first portion may be aligned with the apertures of the second portion. The first portion may be mounted to the second portion via fasteners through each aligned slot and aperture. 30 The fasteners may slide within slots of the first portion whilst situated in apertures of the second portion to allow for the length of the support arm to be adjusted. The fasteners may be tightened to secure the position of the second portion relative to the first portion.

3 The support may be integrally formed with the hub. The support may define at least one opening to receive a fastener for attachment to a cross member of the chassis. The fastener may be a U-bolt. 5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for 10 those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: 15 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device for impeding fracturing of an automobile suspension spring tower according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of an automobile chassis showing the installation of 20 two of the devices of Figure 1. Figure 3A is an end view of a device for impeding fracturing of an automobile suspension spring tower according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 25 Figure 3B is a side view of the device as shown in Figure 2A. Figure 3C is a plan view of the device as shown in Figures 3A and 3B. 30 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 shows a device for impeding fracturing of an automobile suspension spring tower 100 (i.e. spring retaining means) (see Figure 2). The device includes 4 a brace 10 for bracing the spring tower 100 to a chassis 102 of the automobile (see Figure 2). As illustrated in Figure 2, each brace 10 advantageously reduces an applied 5 spring load acting on the spring tower 100 by dividing and redistributing a portion of the spring load to a chassis 102 of the automobile, thereby reducing the spring load acting on the spring tower 100 and impeding it from fracture. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, each brace 10 includes a hub 12 for mounting to the 10 top of a corresponding spring tower 100. The hub 12 has an annular body for locating concentrically with an annular roof of the spring tower 100. The hub 12 defines a plurality of openings 14 for receiving fasteners such as studs for attachment to the spring tower 100. 15 Each brace 12 includes a pair of elongate support arms 16, 18 extending from the hub 12 for connecting to respective cross members 104, 106 of the chassis 102. Each elongate support arm 16, 18 is integrally formed with the hub 12 and support arm 16 is length adjustable. In an alternative embodiment, elongate support arm 18 may be fastened to the hub via two sets of nuts and bolts. 20 The front support arm 16 includes an upper (i.e. first) portion 22 and a lower (i.e. second) portion 24 which is axially adjustable relative to the upper portion 22. The first and second portions 22, 24 each have a flange 26, 28 projecting therefrom and the flanges 26, 28 are attacheable to one another via an adjustable fastener 25 30 in the form of a threaded bolt having a nut. The position of the nut along the threaded bolt can be incrementally adjusted to change the distance between the flanges 26, 28 and to adjust the length of the front support arm 16. As more clearly shown in Figure 2, the upper portion 22 defines three axially 30 separated slots 32. The lower portion 24 defines three axially separated apertures 34 (only two shown in Figure 2) corresponding to the three slots 32. The slots 32 of the upper portion 22 are aligned with the apertures 34 of the lower portion 24. The upper portion 22 is mounted to the lower portion 24 via fasteners such as nuts and bolts 36 through each aligned slot 32 and aperture 34.

5 The nuts and bolts 36 slide within slots 32 of the upper portion 22 whilst situated in apertures 34 of the lower portion 24 to allow for the length of the front support arm 16 to be adjusted. The nuts and bolts 36 are tightened to secure the position of the 5 lower portion 24 relative to the upper portion 22. The front support arm 16 defines an end opening 38 to receive a fastener such as a stud for attachment to a cross member 104 of the chassis 102. In contrast, the rear support arm 18 defines two openings 40 to receive a U-bolt 42 for attachment 10 to a rear cross member 106 of the chassis 102. To install the brace 10 in an automobile, the hub 12 is first attached to the spring tower 100 via studs through the openings 14. To secure the front support arm 16 in place, the nuts and bolts 36, and the fastener 30 are loosened so that the nuts 15 and bolts 36 positioned within the apertures 34 of the lower portion 24 can slide within the slots 32 of the upper portion 22. The upper portion 22 and the lower portion 24 can therefore slide relative to one another. The front support arm 16 is then adjusted to an appropriate length and attached to the cross member 104 of the chassis 102 via a fastener through the end opening 38. The fastener 30 is then 20 tightened to tension the upper and lower portions 22, 24. Next, the nuts and bolts 36 are tightened to secure the upper and lower portions 22, 24 together. Once the front support arm 16 is secured in place, the rear support arm 18 is attached to the rear cross member 106 of the chassis 102 via the U-bolt 42. 25 The configuration of the front support arm 16 advantageously allows the arm 16 to be easily adjusted to accommodate varying distances between the spring tower and the front cross member of the chassis, which also facilitates a secure and robust connection between the spring tower and the front cross member. 30 Figure 3 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention where like numerals refer to like features previously described. In Figure 3, the brace 10' only has one support arm 16' extending from the hub 12'. The support arm 16' advantageously reduces the applied spring load acting on the spring tower 100 by bracing the spring tower 100 to a cross member 104 of the chassis 102.

6 The support arm 16' which operates in the same manner as front support arm 16 as described with reference to the brace 10 in Figures 1 and 2. 5 A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention. For example, the first and second portions 22, 24 of the front support arm 16 may have any number of corresponding slots and apertures. In one alternative 10 embodiment, the first and second portions 22, 24 may have two or four corresponding slots and apertures. The rear support arm 18 of the brace 10 of Figures 1 and 2 may also be length adjustable and may have a similar configuration to front support arm 16. 15 Further, the brace 10 may have more than two supports. For example, the brace may have a third support arm for bracing the spring tower to another portion of the chassis. The third support arm may also be length adjustable. 20 In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

Claims

1. A device for impeding fracturing of an automobile suspension spring retaining means, the device including a brace for bracing the spring retaining means to a chassis of the automobile; wherein the brace has at least one support extending from the hub to the chassis, the support having an elongate support arm; and wherein the support includes: a first portion defining a plurality of axially separated slots, and a second portion defining a plurality of axially separated apertures, wherein the slots of the first portion are aligned with the apertures of the second portion such that the first portion can be mounted to the second portion via fasteners through each aligned slot and aperture.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the brace includes a hub for mounting to the top of a spring tower of the spring retaining means.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the hub has an annular body for locating concentrically with an annular roof of the spring tower.

4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support may include an adjustment means for adjusting the length of the support.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second portion is axially adjustable relative to the first portion.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second portions each have a flange projecting therefrom, the flanges being attachable to one another.

7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support includes an adjustable fastener which can be adjusted to change the 8 distance between adjustable portions of the support, to adjust the length of the support arm.

8. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fasteners can slide within slots of the first portion whilst situated in apertures of the second portion to allow for the length of the support arm to be adjusted.

9. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fasteners are tightened to secure the position of the second portion relative to the first portion.

10. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support is integrally formed with the hub.

11. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support defines at least one opening to receive a fastener for attachment to a cross member of the chassis.

12. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the fastener is a U-bolt.

13. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the brace includes a pair of supports for connecting to respective cross members of the chassis.

14. A device for impeding fracturing of an automobile suspension spring retaining means, the device being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.