Triple axle with rubber torsion mechanism
View Patent ↗A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a triple torsion axle system and kit with various features to help reduce or prevent damage that otherwise may occur with large loads. For example, each axle assembly includes larger diameter caps on the ends of each torsion bar to prevent the bar from pulling out of its outer tube during high side loads. In another example, the outer end of the torsion bar has a rounded surface that is fixed to a swing arm so as to better equalize the stress around the weld joint. Additionally, the triple torsion axle is configured such that when the vehicle is unloaded, the middle axle assembly supports more weight than the two adjacent axle assemblies. However, when the vehicle is loaded, all three axle assemblies provide similar support to the vehicle.
1. A triple axle system for a vehicle, comprising:
a first axle assembly fixed to a bottom of said vehicle;
a second axle assembly fixed to said bottom of said vehicle; and,
a third axle assembly fixed to said bottom of said vehicle and located between said first axle assembly and said second axle assembly;
wherein said third axle assembly provides more support to said vehicle than said first axle assembly and said second axle assembly when said vehicle is unloaded; and,
wherein said first axle assembly, said second axle assembly, and said third axle assembly provide substantially equal support to said vehicle when loaded.
2. The triple axle system of claim 1 , wherein said first axle assembly, said second axle assembly, and said third axle assembly are torsion axles.
3. The triple axle system of claim 2 , wherein said first axle assembly, said second axle assembly each include a plurality of elongated shock absorbing members of a first length and said third axle assembly includes a plurality of shock absorbing members of a second length; wherein said second length is larger than said first length.
4. The triple axle system of claim 3 , wherein said first length is about 16 inches and said second length is about 20 inches.
5. The triple axle system of claim 4 , wherein first axle assembly, said second axle assembly, and said third axle assembly each include two, elongated torsion bars.
6. The triple axle system of claim 5 , further comprising a retention cap disposed on an inner end of each of said torsion bars.
7. The triple axle system of claim 6 , wherein said retention cap is composed of rubber.
8. The triple axle system of claim 4 , wherein said plurality of shock absorbing members of a first and second length are composed of a material having a durometer of about 72.
9. The triple axle system of claim 5 , wherein an outer end of each of said torsion bars has a rounded shape and is fixed within a swing arm.
10. A triple axle system kit for a vehicle, comprising:
a first axle assembly configured for mounting to a bottom of said vehicle;
a second axle assembly configured for mounting to said bottom of said vehicle; and,
a third axle assembly configured for mounting to said bottom of said vehicle between said first axle assembly and said second axle assembly;
wherein said third axle assembly is configured to provide more support to said vehicle than said first axle assembly and said second axle assembly when said vehicle is unloaded; and,
wherein said first axle assembly, said second axle assembly, and said third axle assembly are configured to provide substantially equal support to said vehicle when loaded.
11. The triple axle system kit of claim 10 , wherein said first axle assembly, said second axle assembly, and said third axle assembly are torsion axles.
12. The triple axle system kit of claim 11 , wherein said first axle assembly, said second axle assembly each include a plurality of elongated shock absorbing members of a first length and said third axle assembly includes a plurality of shock absorbing members of a second length; wherein said second length is larger than said first length.
13. The triple axle system kit of claim 12 , wherein said first length is about 16 inches and said second length is about 20 inches.
14. The triple axle system kit of claim 13 , wherein first axle assembly, said second axle assembly, and said third axle assembly each include two, elongated torsion bars.
15. The triple axle system kit of claim 14 , further comprising a retention cap disposed on an inner end of each of said torsion bars.
16. The triple axle system kit of claim 14 , wherein an outer end of each of said torsion bars has a rounded shape and is fixed within a swing arm.
17. A torsion axle system comprising:
a tubular member;
a torsion bar having an inner end located within said tubular member and an outer end located outside of said tubular member;
a plurality of shock absorbing members positioned along at least a portion of a length of said torsion bar; and,
a cap member fixed to said inner end of said torsion bar and rotating with said torsion bar within said tubular member; said cap member having a diameter larger than a diameter of said torsion bar.
18. The torsion axle system of claim 17 , wherein said cap member is composed of rubber.
19. The torsion axle system of claim 17 , wherein said cap member abuts inner ends of said plurality of shock absorbing members.
20. The torsion axle system of claim 17 , wherein said cap member is composed of steel.