Pontoon boat center lift trailer axle assembly

• US 6,003,888 A
• Filed: 02/23/1998
• Issued: 12/21/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Byron L. Godbersen
• Original Assignee: Byron L. Godbersen
• Inventors: Godbersen, Byron L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stormer, Russell D.
• Application Number:
  US09/028,100
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 301/124.1, 301/127, 280/124.166, 280/124.169, 280/124.177, 267/273, 267/276, 267/279, 29/896.9, 29/896.91, 29/896.93
• US Class Current: 280/124.169
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 11/225 Neidhart type rubber springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/1424 Torsional
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/04 Trailers
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/38 Low or lowerable bed vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/1033 on a loading frame, e.g. the vehicle being a trailer B60P3/1008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/1066 Arrangement of supports, rollers or winches on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49611 for vehicle or clutch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49615 Resilient shock or vibration absorber utility

Abstract

A torsion axle for a trailer for transporting a load such as a pontoon boat. The torsion axle assembly is part of a wheel unit for maintaining stability for the trailer during transport. The torsion axle is assembled to have two pairs of resilient elements and an elongated shaft housed between inner and outer elongated sections. The inner and outer elongated sections are held together temporarily by a weld and then releasably held together by releasable fasteners in a normal use position.

Claims

1. The method of assembly of a torsional axle assembly comprising the steps of:

forming a first elongated outer section having at least three sides formed at right angles in cross section;

inserting a first pair of elongated resilient elements each into an opposed interior corner of said outer section;

placing an elongated shaft having a square cross section within said outer section in a nested relationship with said first resilient elements, leaving a pair of free outer surfaces of said shaft;

placing a second pair of elongated resilient elements each into engagement with a said free outer surface of said shaft;

forming a second elongated outer section and engaging said first section therewith to enclose said first section and form a right angular interior therewith, whereby said free outer surfaces nest with said second resilient elements;

forcing said first and second sections together into a normal use position against resistance of said pairs of resilient elements;

temporarily fastening said first and second section together in said normal use position, and releasing said force; and

releasably fastening said first and second sections together for normal use to obviate failure of said temporary fastening during normal use.

2. A torsional axle assembly comprising:

a first elongated outer section having at least three sides formed at right angles in cross section and having opposed interior corners;

a pair of elongated resilient elements each inserted into one of said interior corners;

an elongated shaft having a square cross section placed within said outer section in a nested relationship with said resilient elements, whereby said shaft has a pair of continuous outer surfaces free of engagement with said resilient elements;

a second pair of elongated resilient elements each placed into engagement with a said free outer surface of said shaft;

a second elongated outer section placed into engagement with said first section, said second section having a square cross section and having opposed interior corners within said second section, each interior corner of said second section engaged with one of said second pair of elements;

means temporarily fastening said first and second section together in a normal use position prior to normal use of said torsional axle assembly; and

means fastening said first and second sections together in said normal use position for normal use of said torsional axle assembly to obviate failure of said temporary fastening means.