AU2014100156A4 - A Stabilizer Kit - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a stabilizer kit for retrofitting to a four-wheel drive vehicle. The kit includes a mounting bracket arrangement for mounting to a chassis assembly of the vehicle. The kit further includes a stabilizer bar arrangement for mounting to the mounting bracket arrangement. 4y4' ~ ~ 4~ 's.',' '~ * '~"'~ '' /4;," #' 4~p~

Description

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT A STABILIZER KIT The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 A STABILIZER KIT TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a stabilizer kit for retrofitting to a four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle. The present invention has particular application to Nissan Patrol and Toyota Landcruiser 4WD vehicles. BACKGROUND [0002] 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. [0003] Stabilizer bars (also called sway bars) typically form part of factory 4WD suspension systems and are designed to keep the 4WD's body from rolling when negotiating difficult terrain. [0004] Nissan Patrols are manufactured with generally U-shaped stabilizer bars. These stabilizer bars include a pair of short feet interconnected by a long interconnecting bar extending across the chassis. In practice, the Applicant has discovered that the factory fitted Nissan Patrol stabilizer bars are too short so that they prematurely cease to yield and be effective in difficult terrain. In particular, angular displacement across the bar's effective length is outside the working torsional range due to the inadequate foot length. [0005] The preferred embodiment of the invention provides an improved stabilizer kit for retro-fitting to Nissan Patrols. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stabilizer kit for retrofitting to a four-wheel drive vehicle, the kit including: a mounting bracket arrangement for mounting to a chassis assembly of the vehicle; and a stabilizer bar arrangement for mounting to the mounting bracket arrangement.

2 [0007] The mounting bracket arrangement may include a pair of mounting brackets. Each mounting bracket may include a chassis mounting plate for mounting to the chassis assembly. Each mounting bracket may include a stabilizer mounting plate extending from the chassis mounting plate and to which the stabilizer bar arrangement can be mounted. Each plate may include one or more holes for receiving fasteners. [0008] The mounting bracket arrangement may include a pair of retainers for retaining respective mounting brackets. [0009] The stabilizer bar arrangement may include: a pair of upright supports for extending from respective mounting brackets; and a stabilizer bar for extending between the upright supports. The stabilizer bar may define a recess for receiving a differential of the vehicle. [00010] The stabilizer bar may include a pair of feet, a pair of shins extending inwardly from respective feet, a pair of thighs extending inwardly from respective shins, and a crotch interconnecting the thighs. The shins may extend orthogonally from the feet. The shins may be co-axial. The thighs may taper inwardly. The crotch may be linear and extend parallel to the shins. The shins, thighs and crotch may lie in a plane transverse with a plane of the feet. [00011] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a four wheel drive vehicle retro-fitted with the stabilizer kit. The kit may be retrofitted just forward of the rear wheel axle of the vehicle. [00012] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mounting bracket arrangement for retrofitting a stabilizer bar arrangement to a chassis assembly of a vehicle, the bracket arrangement including a pair of mounting brackets. [00013] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stabilizer bar for retrofitting to a four-wheel drive vehicle, the stabilizer bar including a pair of feet, each foot having a length of more than 180mm. [00014] Preferably, each foot is 315mm long.

3 [00015] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [00016] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for 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: [00017] Figure 1 is a rearward-downward looking perspective view showing a stabilizer kit retrofitted to a chassis assembly of a Nissan Patrol in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [00018] Figure 2 is an exploded view showing a mounting bracket arrangement and upright support of a stabilizer bar arrangement of the kit of Figure 1; and [00019] Figure 3 is an upward-sideward looking perspective view showing the retrofitted stabilizer kit of Figure 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [00020] According to an embodiment the present invention, there is provided a stabilizer kit 100 shown in Figure 1 for retrofitting to a chassis assembly 102 of a Nissan Patrol (i.e. 4WD vehicle). The kit 100 includes a mounting bracket arrangement 104 for mounting to the chassis assembly 102. A stabilizer bar arrangement 106 is provided for mounting to the mounting bracket arrangement 104. A detailed description of the stabilizer kit 100 is provided below. [00021] The mounting bracket arrangement 104 includes a pair of mounting brackets 108. Turning to Figure 2, each mounting bracket 108 includes a planar chassis mounting plate 200 for mounting to a chassis mount 110 (see Fig. 1) of the chassis assembly 102. The brackets (108) are mounted onto the chassis 110 forward of the rear upper link crossmember 111. In contrast, factory rear stabilizers have welded mounts 4 located aft or rearward of the upper link crossmember 111. Each mounting bracket further includes a bent stabilizer mounting plate 202 extending from the chassis mounting plate 200 and to which the stabilizer bar arrangement 106 is mounted. The plates 200, 202 include holes 204 for receiving threaded fasteners. [00022] The mounting bracket arrangement 104 also includes a pair of plate retainers 206 for retaining respective mounting brackets 108. In use, a pair of fasteners (e.g. bolts) 208 extend through the chassis mounting plate 200, chassis mount 110, pair of washers 210, retainer 206 and then engage with pair of fastening nuts 212. Another fastener 214 extends through the chassis mounting plate 200 and chassis mount 110, and then engages with nut 216. [00023] The stabilizer bar arrangement 106 includes a pair of length-adjustable upright supports 218 for extending from respective mounting brackets 108. A threaded top end 220 of each support 218 passes through the bent stabilizer mounting plate 202 and is secured with nut 222. The bottom end 224 of each support 218 is enlarged and fastened to a respective end of a bent stabilizer bar 112 shown in Figure 1. [00024] The stabilizer bar 112 extends between the upright supports 218. The stabilizer bar 112 defines a recess 113 for receiving a differential (not shown) of the Nissan Patrol. The stabilizer bar 112 includes a pair of long straight feet 114 (see also Fig. 3), a pair of horizontal shins 116 extending inwardly from respective feet 114, a pair of thighs 118 extending inwardly and upwardly from respective shins 116, and a horizontal crotch 120 interconnecting the thighs 118. The shins 116 extend orthogonally from the feet 114, and the shins 116 are co-axial. The thighs 118 taper inwardly toward the crotch 120. The crotch 120 is linear and extends parallel to the shins 116. The shins 116, thighs 18 and crotch 120 lie in a plane transverse with a plane of the feet 114. [00025] The feet 114 extend horizontally backward along and parallel to the differential. In practice, each foot 114 is about 315 mm long which is significantly longer than thel80mm feet of factory fitted stabilizer bars. The additional length of the feet 114 and stabilizer bar 112 enables greater yielding and improved effectiveness of the Nissan Patrol navigating difficult terrain.

5 [00026] As shown in Figure 3, the kit 100 is retrofitted just forward of the rear wheel axle (not shown) and associated rear suspension 300 of the Nissan Patrol. The fitted kit 100 is located well behind the front axle and associated front suspension. [00027] 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. [00028] In one embodiment, the kit 100 can be retro-fitted to a Toyota Landcruiser. [00029] 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. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art. [00030] Reference throughout this specification to 'one embodiment' or 'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Claims (5)

1. A stabilizer kit for retrofitting to a four-wheel drive vehicle, the kit including: a mounting bracket arrangement for mounting to a chassis assembly of the vehicle; and a stabilizer bar arrangement for mounting to the mounting bracket arrangement.

2. A four wheel drive vehicle retro-fitted with the stabilizer kit of claim 1.

3. A mounting bracket arrangement for retrofitting a stabilizer bar arrangement to a chassis assembly of a four-wheel drive vehicle, the bracket arrangement including a pair of mounting brackets.

4. A stabilizer bar for retrofitting to a four-wheel drive vehicle, the stabilizer bar including a pair of feet, each foot having a length of more than 180mm.

5. A stabilizer bar as claimed in claim 4, wherein each foot is about 315mm in length. Dated this 20th day of February 2014 SUPERIOR ENGINEERING (QLD) PTY LTD by my attorneys Cullens Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys