John A Brink

US Patent:

7207593, Apr 24, 2007

Filed:

Mar 22, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/806035

Inventors:

Nancy L. Saxon - Oakland Township MI, US
Braden Bromley - Royal Oak MI, US
Steven R. Miller - Clarkston MI, US
James Eckelberry - Canton OH, US
Craig Holt - Chesterfield MI, US
Steven G. Saieg - Sterling Heights MI, US
Shaun Muston - Brownstown MI, US
Jos Timmermans - Ortonville MI, US
John Raymond Brink - Lake Orion MI, US
Martin J. Watterson - Lebanon PA, US

Assignee:

ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC - Troy MI

International Classification:

B60G 5/00

US Classification:

280678, 280683, 2801492, 280789

Abstract:

A tractor-trailer slider includes spaced apart longitudinal side rails having control arm supports extending downwardly from the side rails for supporting the slider. Portions of the longitudinal side rails and the control arms supports are integrated using one or more common plates. Lightening holes and edge of the slider are flanged to reinforce the walls. Coining and ribbing are also used for additional reinforcement. Lateral cross-members extend between the longitudinal side rails. The lateral cross-members have tabs on opposing ends that are received in an interlocking relationship with complementary elongated slots in the longitudinal side rails. Air spring supports arranged at forward and rearward portions of the slider are secured to the longitudinal side rails, the control arm supports, and the lateral cross-members to provide a structurally rigid frame. The air spring supports provide spaced apart air spring mounting pads.