Trailer/dolly ABS system module

• US 8,511,929 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2009
• Issued: 08/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Haldex Brake Corporation
• Original Assignee: Haldex Brake Corporation
• Inventors: Raye, Victor J., Donovan, Jerry J., Greene, James L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stodola, Daniel P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SETLIFF, MATTHIEU F
• Application Number:
  US12/392,819
• Publication Number:
  US 20100215429A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,637 Days
• Field of Search: 403/187, 403/188, 403/235, 403/262, 403/403, 403/384, 403/385, 403/386, 403/398, 248/228.6, 248/231.71, 248/688, 248/220.21, 248/220.22, 248/228.1, 248/228.5, 248/229.1, 248/229.15, 248/229.2, 248/229.25, 52/39
• US Class Current: 403/385
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/10 Arrangement of tyre-inflating pumps mounted on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 15/36 Other control devices or valves characterised by definite functions electrically controlled valves in fluid-pressure brake systems B60T15/027, B60T15/028
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/20 specially for trailers, e.g. in case of uncoupling of or overrunning by trailer inertia-actuated overrun brakes B60T13/08
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/176 Brake regulation specially adapted to prevent excessive wheel slip during vehicle deceleration, e.g. ABS B60T8/1755 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/3685 characterised by the mounting of the modulator unit onto the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 9/08 Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 27/065 using screwthread connection of crossbeam to A- pillars B62D25/147; mounting load bearing surfaces B62D21/09; securing mudguards B62D25/163; connections for synthetic parts B62D29/048
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/02 Clamps, i.e. with gripping action effected by positive means other than the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/67 Rigid angle couplings
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/00 Joining sheets or plates , e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them F16B17/00 takes precedence; by sticking together F16B11/00; dowel connections F16B13/00; pins, including deformable elements F16B19/00; covering of walls E04F13/00; fastening signs, plates, panels or boards to a supporting structure, fastening readily-detachable elements, e.g. letters to signs, plates, panels, or boards, G09F7/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/08 by means of welds or the like welding B23K
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4973 Replacing of defective part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/45 Flexibly connected rigid members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/70 Interfitted members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7062 Clamped members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7075 including discrete retainer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7105 Connected by double clamp
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/75 having a joining piece extending through aligned openings in plural members

Abstract

An apparatus and method for mounting a trailer/dolly air brake system module onto a mounting surface of a trailer/dolly using a mounting element. More particularly, a trailer/dolly air brake system module is mounted to an I-beam or C-channel of the trailer/dolly via welding methods, fasteners, or clamps. This allows the trailer/dolly air brake system module to be easily removable and replaceable, minimizing trailer/dolly down time as well as diagnostic troubleshooting/repair time. More particularly, the system module is for a trailer/dolly air brake system module. The method allows for continued use of a trailer/dolly vehicle.

Claims

1. A clamp comprising:

a pair of oppositely disposed C-shaped clamping members for engaging laterally opposite flanges of a mounting surface, each clamping member having at least one lug portion thereof; and

a pair of L-shaped brackets, each of the pair of L-shaped brackets having a first body portion having a longitudinal length along a longitudinal axis, and a second body portion having a longitudinal length along a longitudinal axis, where the first and second body portions are joined and are substantially perpendicular to one another, such that the longitudinal length of the first body portion is greater than the longitudinal length of the second body portion forming a distal extending tab on the first body portion, the distal extending tab being disposed between said at least one lug portions of each of said clamping members, the distal extending tab of each of said L-shaped brackets being secured to the at least one lug portion of each of said clamping members via fasteners,

wherein each of said L-shaped brackets is adapted to receive a panel between the second body portion of each of said L-shaped brackets.

2. The clamp of claim 1, wherein said pair of brackets are secured to each other via fasteners.

3. The clamp of claim 1, wherein said brackets face each other to form a T-shape, forming a groove in between said brackets.

4. The clamp of claim 3, wherein said panel is disposed in said groove and said panel is secured to said brackets via fasteners.

5. The clamp of claim 4, wherein said fasteners are removable.

6. The clamp of claim 1, wherein said panel is removable from said brackets.

7. The clamp of claim 1, wherein said mounting surface is an I-beam and wherein said laterally opposite flanges are of a lower flange portion of said I-beam.

8. The clamp of claim 7, wherein said fasteners tighten said clamping members around said I-beam to secure the clamp to said I-beam.

9. The clamp of claim 1, wherein said mounting surface is selected from a group consisting of an I-beam or a C-channel.

10. The clamp of claim 1, wherein each of the oppositely disposed C-shaped clamping members have two lug portions thereof, extending substantially perpendicularly from the opening of the C-shaped clamping members, and

wherein a slot is formed between each of the two lug portions, so that the panel is able to be received in the slot.

11. A clamping system comprising:

a pair of clamps for engaging two separate mounting surfaces, said clamps each having a pair of oppositely disposed C-shaped clamping members for engaging laterally opposite flanges of said mounting surfaces, each clamping member having at least one lug portion thereof, said clamps each having a pair of L-shaped brackets, each of the pair of L-shaped brackets having a first body portion having a longitudinal length along a longitudinal axis, and a second body portion having a longitudinal length along a longitudinal axis, where the first and second body portions are joined and are substantially perpendicular to one another, such that the longitudinal length of the first body portion is greater than the longitudinal length of the second body portion forming a distal extending tab on the first body portion, the distal extending tab being disposed between said at least one lug portion of each of said clamping members, wherein the distal extending tab of each of said L-shaped brackets is secured to the at least one lug portion of each of said clamping members via fasteners; and

a module panel, said module panel secured to each of said clamps between the second body portion of each of said L-shaped brackets.

12. The clamping system of claim 11, wherein fasteners secure said module panel to each of said clamps.

13. The clamping system of claim 11, wherein said brackets on each of said clamps face each other to form a T-shape, forming a groove in between said brackets for each of said clamps.

14. The clamping system of claim 13, wherein said panel is disposed in said groove on each said clamps and said panel is secured to said brackets of each of said clamps via fasteners.

15. The clamping system of claim 11, wherein said mounting surfaces are selected from a group consisting of an I-beam or a C-channel, or a combination thereof.

16. The clamping system of claim 11, wherein each of the oppositely disposed C-shaped clamping members have two lug portions thereof, extending substantially perpendicularly from the opening of the C-shaped clamping members, and

wherein a slot is formed between each of the two lug portions, so that the panel is able to be received in the slot.

17. A method for assembly of a clamp comprising:

introducing a pair of oppositely disposed C-shaped clamping members for engaging laterally opposite flanges of a mounting surface, each clamping member having at least one lug portion thereof;

introducing a pair of L-shaped brackets, each of the pair of L-shaped brackets having a first body portion having a longitudinal length along a longitudinal axis, and a second body portion having a longitudinal length along a longitudinal axis, where the first and second body portions are joined and are substantially perpendicular to one another, such that the longitudinal length of the first body portion is greater than the longitudinal length of the second body portion forming a distal extending tab on the first body portion;

disposing the distal extending tab of each of said L-shaped brackets between said at least one lug portion of each of said C-shaped clamping members;

fastening the distal extending tab of each of said L-shaped brackets to the at least one lug portion of each of said clamping members; and

inserting a panel between said second body portion of each of said L-shaped brackets, and securing said panel to the second body portion of each of said L-shaped brackets via fasteners.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of tightening said clamping members around said mounting surface to secure the clamp to said mounting surface.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said mounting surface is selected from a group consisting of an I-beam or a C-channel.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein each of the oppositely disposed C-shaped clamping members have two lug portions thereof, extending substantially perpendicularly from the opening of the C-shaped clamping members, and

wherein a slot is formed between each of the two lug portions, so that the panel is able to be received in the slot.