TRAILER FRAME CONSTRUCTION

• US 3,735,998 A
• Filed: 03/05/1971
• Issued: 05/29/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Leon K. Green
• Original Assignee: Leon K. Green
• Inventors: Green, Leon K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Goodman, Philip
• Application Number:
  US05/121,363
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 280/16R,16T
• US Class Current: 280/795
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/20 trailer type, i.e. a frame specifically constructed for use in a non-powered vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 63/08 Component parts or accessories

Abstract

A vehicle frame construction including opposite side longitudinal members interconnected by means of longitudinally spaced and transversely extending cross-beams secured therebetween. The side beams or members each include upstanding or outside flanges having inwardly projecting generally horizontal lower flange portions and upstanding upper flange portions supported along the upper edge portions from the upper marginal portions of the outside flanges and including lower marginal edges spaced inwardly of the corresponding outside flanges and spaced above the corresponding lower flange portions. The cross-beams extend between and have their ends abutted against the opposing surfaces of the outside flanges and secured thereto by welding. The lower marginal edges of the upper flanges abut and are welded to the adjacent upper surface portions of the opposite ends of the cross-beams and the inner edge portions of the lower flange portions abut and are secured to the undersurfaces of the opposite ends of the cross-beams with the remote marginal portions of the lower flanges spaced below the adjacent undersurfaces of the cross-beams whereby strength at the junctures of the opposite ends of the cross-beams and longitudinal members is afforded without extreme rigidity thus providing a frame which is strong and yet capable of flexure under extreme and shock loads without failure.

Claims

1. A frame construction including opposite side longitudinal members interconnected by means of longitudinally spaced and transversely extending cross-beams secured therebetween, said side longitudinal members each including an upstanding outside web having an inwardly projecting generally horizontal lower flange and an upstanding upper flange including an upper edge portion extending along and supported from the upper marginal portion of the corresponding outside web and a lower marginal edge spaced inwardly of the corresponding outside web and spaced above the corresponding lower flange, the opposite end portions of the cross-beams being upwardly inclined and abutted against and welded to the inner opposing surfaces of the outside webs and the free marginal edge portions of the upper and lower flange portions being abutting against and welded to the upper and lower surfaces of the opposite portions of the cross-beams at points spaced from the terminal ends of the cross-beams.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said cross-beams comprise inverted channel members.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said upper and lower flanges of said longitudinal members are formed integrally with said outside webs.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the upper marginal edge portions of said outside webs are smoothly bent inwardly and downwardly and merge smoothly into said upper flanges, the latter being generally planar and downwardly convergent relative to each other and downwardly divergent relative to the corresponding outside webs.

5. The combination of claim 3 wherein the upper marginal edge portions of said outside webs are bent sharply downwardly and inwardly to form said upper flange portions, said upper flange portions being downwardly and inwardly inclined and divergent from the corresponding outside webs.

6. A frame construction including opposite side longitudinal members interconnected by means of longitudinally spaced and transversely extending cross-beams secured therebetween, said side longitudinal members each including an upstanding outside web having an inwardly projecting generally horizontal lower flange and an upstanding upper flange including an upper edge portion extending along and supported from the upper marginal portion of the corresponding outside web and a lower marginal edge spaced inwardly of the corresponding outside web and spaced above the corresponding lower flange, the opposite ends of the cross-beams being abutted against and secured to the inner opposing surfaces of the outside webs and the free marginal edge portions of the upper and lower flange portions being abutting against and secured to the upper and lower surfaces of the opposite ends of the cross-beams at points spaced from the terminal ends of the cross-beams, said upper and lower flanges of said longitudinal members being formed integrally with said outside webs, the upper marginal edge portions of said outside webs terminating in generally horizontally inwardly directed flanges which are in turn bent downwardly at their inner edge portions to define said upstanding upper flange portions, said upper flange portions being substantially vertically disposed with their lower ends spaced vertically above and in vertical alignment with the inner marginal edge portions of the corresponding lower flanges.