GB2555114A

GB2555114A - A frame

Info

Publication number: GB2555114A
Application number: GB1617642.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cronk Richard
Original assignee: Pearson Engineering Ltd
Current assignee: Pearson Engineering Ltd
Priority date: 2016-10-18
Filing date: 2016-10-18
Publication date: 2018-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 2036-10-18
Also published as: GB201617642D0; GB2555114B

Abstract

A roller suspension frame sub-assembly is provided and comprises an elongate unitary body. The body has one or more mounting points for suspension components. The suspension frame body may be adapted to receive one or more of: a spray guard, suspension units, roll pivot, wheel station or ballast plate. The spray guard may be mounted directly onto the body. In embodiments, the body may provide a roll limit stop. In embodiments, the roller suspension frame can comprise a single length of box steel with mounting locations for roller suspension components. The assembly may find use in a military vehicle such as a mine roller.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: A frame

Abstract Title: Suspension frame with mounting points (57) A roller suspension frame sub-assembly is provided and comprises an elongate unitary body. The body has one or more mounting points for suspension components. The suspension frame body may be adapted to receive one or more of: a spray guard, suspension units, roll pivot, wheel station or ballast plate. The spray guard may be mounted directly onto the body. In embodiments, the body may provide a roll limit stop. In embodiments, the roller suspension frame can comprise a single length of box steel with mounting locations for roller suspension components. The assembly may find use in a military vehicle such as a mine roller.

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A FRAME

The present invention relates generally to a frame and particularly a frame on which components of a roller suspension assembly can be mounted.

Suspension frames often serve as the mounting points for multiple different types of suspension components and typically are therefore complex welded fabrications. The present invention seeks to provide a simplified suspension frame structure.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a suspension frame comprising an elongate unitary body having one or more mounting points for suspension components.

The body may be adapted to receive one or more of: a roll pivot; wheel station suspension units; spray guard; ballast plate.

In some embodiment the body provides a roll limit stop. This may be, for example, a slot/hole the sides/edges of which limit travel of a roll pivot component such as a caster bracket.

At least part of the body may be tubular. Alternatively or additionally at least part of the body may be non-tubular.

At least part of the body may be hollow. Alternatively or additionally at least part of 25 the body may be non-tubular.

At least part of the body may have a generally circular, square, rectangular or elliptical section.

At least part of the body may have an I- or L- or U-section.

The body may be a single length of box section material, for example having a generally rectangular section.

One or more faces of the body may have one or more cut outs/holes to provide mounting points.

One or more faces of the body may be unperforated. For example in some embodiments a bottom, in use, face is unperforated so as to provide a skid surface / bash plate.

The body may be formed from a metal material such as steel or aluminium. In some embodiment other materials such as a composite material may be used.

A further aspect provides a roller suspension frame comprising a single length of box section steel having mounting locations for a plurality of roller suspension components.

A further aspect provides a box section roller suspension frame.

The present invention also provides a roller assembly or sub-assembly comprising one or more suspension frames as described herein.

Also provided is a roller gang assembly comprising one or more suspension frames as described herein.

The present invention also provides a vehicle having one or more roller assemblies or sub-assemblies as described herein. For example, the frame may be provided as part of an item of front end equipment for a military vehicle, such as a mine roller or other equipment for dealing with unexploded ordnance.

Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used separately or together.

Further particular and preferred aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with the features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combination other than those explicitly set out in the claims.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

Accordingly, while embodiment can be modified in various ways and take on various 5 alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout 10 the drawings and detailed description where appropriate.

In the following description, all orientational terms, such as upper, lower, radially and axially, are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the invention or its connection to a closure.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealised or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers are used to designate like elements throughout the various views, several embodiments of the present invention are further described. The figures are not necessary drawn to scale, and in some instances the drawings may have been exaggerated or simplified for illustrative purposes only. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the many possible applications and variations of the present invention based on the following examples of possible embodiments of the present invention.

A suspension frame is typically a complex welded fabrication. In this embodiment it has to incorporate the following elements:

roll pivot where it connects to the caster bracket roll limit stop mountings for the independent wheel station suspension units

- mounting of the spray guards possibly other mountings, such as a ballast plate or lights

The embodiment shown and formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention provides a suspension frame consisting of a single length of laser cut box section steel.

Mounting locations for the suspension components above are provided as simple cut holes on relevant box faces. Elements bolt onto the box.

The roll pivot allows the suspension frame to rotate about a roll pivot axis relative to the caster bracket. Movement of the frame is restricted by the edges of the box holes through which the bracket passes, thereby acting as a roll stop.

In this embodiment the lower (in use) face is left untouched as skid surface / bash plate.

A roller formed in accordance with the present invention may have one or more roller gangs.

In this embodiment each roller gang has three wheels which are carried on a single 5 suspension frame. Each wheel can move up and down independently due to the suspension units. In addition the whole sub-assembly can roll about the roll axis (constrained by the caster bracket clearance hole). In this embodiment there are two roller gang sub-assemblies provided on the roller assembly (Figure I). Each subassembly is connected to a cross beam by its respective caster bracket.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A suspension frame comprising an elongate unitary body having one or more mounting points for suspension components.

2. A frame as claimed in claim I, in which the body is adapted to receive one or more of: a roll pivot; wheel station suspension units; spray guard; ballast plate.

3. A frame as claimed in claim I or claim 2, in which the body provides a roll limit

10 stop.

4. A frame as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least part of the body is tubular.

15 5. A frame as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least part of the body is non-tubular.

6. A frame as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least part of the body is hollow.

7. A frame as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least part of the body is solid.

8. A frame as claimed in any preceding claim, in which in which at least part of the 25 body has a generally circular, square, rectangular or elliptical section.

9. A frame as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least part of the body has an I- or L- or U-section.

5 10. A frame as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the body is a single length of box section material.

11. A frame as claimed in any preceding claim, in which one or more faces of the body have one or more cut outs/holes.

12. A frame as claimed in any preceding claim, in which one or more faces of the body are unperforated.

13. A frame as claimed in claim 12, in which a bottom, in use, face is unperforated.

14. A frame as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the body is formed from steel.

15. A roller suspension frame comprising a single length of box section steel having 20 mounting locations for one or more roller suspension components.

16. A box section roller suspension frame.

17. A frame substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as 25 shown in, the accompanying drawings.

18. A roller assembly or sub-assembly comprising one or more suspension frames as claimed in any preceding claim.

5 19. An assembly or sub-assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

21. A roller gang assembly comprising one or more suspension frames as claimed in any of claims I to 17.

22. A roller gang assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

23. A vehicle having one or more assemblies as claimed in any of claims 18 to 22.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS

1. A suspension frame sub-assembly comprising an elongate unitary body and a spray guard, the body having one or more mounting points for suspension

5 components, in which the spray guard is mounted directly onto the body.

2. A frame sub-assembly as claimed in claim I, in which the body is adapted to receive one or more of: a roll pivot; wheel station suspension units; ballast plate.

10 3. A frame sub-assembly as claimed in claim I or claim 2, in which the body provides a roll limit stop.

4. A frame sub-assembly as claimed in claim 3, in which the body includes a hole through which a castor bracket can pass and in which, in use, movement of the frame

15 is restricted by the edges of the hole through which the bracket passes, thereby acting as a roll stop.

5. A frame sub-assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least part of the body is tubular.

6. A frame sub-assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least part of the body is non-tubular.

7. A frame sub-assembly as claimed of the body is hollow.

in any preceding claim, in which at least part

8. A frame sub-assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least part of the body is solid.

5

9. A frame sub-assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which in which at least part of the body has a generally circular, square, rectangular or elliptical section.

10. A frame sub-assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least part of the body has an I- or L- or U-section.

11. A frame sub-assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the body is a single length of box section material.

12. A frame sub-assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which one or more

15 faces of the body have one or more cut outs/holes.

13. A frame sub-assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which one or more faces of the body are unperforated.

20

14. A frame sub-assembly as claimed in claim 13, in which a bottom, in use, face is unperforated.

15. A frame sub-assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the body is formed from steel.

16. A sub-assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the body is a single length of box section steel having mounting locations for one or more roller suspension components.

5

17. A roller assembly or sub-assembly comprising one or more suspension frame sub-assemblies as claimed in any preceding claim.

18. A roller gang assembly comprising one or more suspension frame subassemblies as claimed in any of claims I to 16.

19. A vehicle having one or more assemblies as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB 1617642.2 Examiner: Mr Robert Macdonald