US 12,337,637 B2
Clamp group and round axle with alignment features
Sean T. Lindsay, Schaumburg, IL (US); Ryan M. Ettenhofer, Schaumburg, IL (US); Michael P. Robinson, Schaumburg, IL (US); Ashley T. Dudding, Schaumburg, IL (US); and Richard J. Aumann, Schaumburg, IL (US)
Assigned to Hendrickson USA, L.L.C., Schaumburg, IL (US)
Appl. No. 18/554,183
Filed by HENDRICKSON USA, L.L.C., Schaumburg, IL (US)
PCT Filed Mar. 9, 2022, PCT No. PCT/US2022/019460
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Oct. 5, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/216398, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 13, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/171,425, filed on Apr. 6, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2025/0010677 A1, Jan. 9, 2025
Int. Cl. B60G 11/113 (2006.01)
CPC B60G 11/113 (2013.01) [B60G 2202/11 (2013.01); B60G 2204/4306 (2013.01)] 29 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A clamp group mounting of a leaf spring to a round axle including alignment features, comprising:
a round axle, a leaf spring and a clamp group connecting the leaf spring to the axle;
the axle extending laterally and having an arcuate upper surface and arcuate lower surface;
a locator ring having a fish-mouth tapered lower end, and having the lower end welded to the arcuate upper surface of the axle;
the leaf spring extending longitudinally and at least forward or rearward relative to the axle, and further comprising a bore that receives a locator element that extends at least upward or downward from the leaf spring;
the clamp group comprising a spring seat, top pad and a plurality of fasteners that connect the top pad, leaf spring, and spring seat to the axle;
the spring seat further comprising:
a downward facing generally arcuate surface configured to receive the arcuate upper surface of the axle;
a recess in the downward facing arcuate surface, wherein the recess receives the locator ring that is welded to the arcuate upper surface of the axle;
a generally planar upper surface above which the leaf spring is positioned and further comprising a recess that receives the locator element extending downward from the leaf spring;
the top pad further comprising:
a generally planar lower surface above the leaf spring;
an upper surface that engages the fasteners.