IP Library Granted Patent US 12,472,774
Granted Patent B1
US 12,472,774 · App. 18/932,895 · Granted Nov 18, 2025

Vehicle having an axle tether to reduce vehicle lift

Inventors: Milind S Parab (Auburn Hills, MI); Pramod R Tatkare (Auburn Hills, MI); Pankaj V Kolhe (Auburn Hills, MI); Vikas Sanghavi (Auburn Hills, MI); Ranjit B Pandhare (Auburn Hills, MI); Meyyappan Valliappan (Auburn Hills, MI)
Assignee: FCA US LLC
B60B35/005
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,472,774
App. No.
18/932,895
Granted
Nov 18, 2025
Kind
B1
Abstract

A vehicle including a vehicle frame, a front axle positioned proximate the vehicle frame, a pair of wheels attached to the front axle, and a tether having one end attached to the front axle and an opposing end attached to the frame, wherein the tether is configured to prevent the axle from moving rearwardly during a collision to prevent one of the wheels from under-riding the frame.

Claims (14)

1 . A vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle frame;

a front axle positioned proximate the vehicle frame;

a pair of wheels attached to the front axle;

a sway bar connected to the front axle by a steering link; and

a tether having one end attached to the front axle and an opposing end attached to the sway bar,

wherein the tether is configured to prevent the axle from moving rearwardly during a collision to prevent one of the wheels from under-riding the frame.

2 . The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the tether is a wired metal rope.

3 . The vehicle according to claim 2 , wherein the tether is formed of steel.

4 . The vehicle according to claim 2 , wherein the tether includes a first looped end connected to the axle and a second looped end connected to the sway bar.

5 . The vehicle according to claim 4 , wherein the axle includes at least one flange having an aperture and the first looped end is attached to the aperture.

6 . The vehicle according to claim 5 , wherein the sway bar incudes a through-hole and the second looped end is attached to the through-hole.

7 . The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the axle includes at least one flange having a first aperture positioned proximate the axle and a second aperture located distal from the axle, and

wherein the steering link is secured to the first aperture and the tether is secured to the second aperture.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 25, 2025
From: PARAB, MILIND S; TATKARE, PRAMOD R; KOLHE, PANKAJ V; SANGHAVI, VIVAS; PANDHARE, RANJIT B.; VALLIAPPAN, MEYYAPPAN
To: FCA US LLC
Reel/Frame 072373/0299 →
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“Butler Built Front Axle Tether,” Speedway Motors online, published Jan. 17, 2015, http://www.speedwaymotors.com/ButlerBuilt-BBP-4922-Sprint-Car-Front-Axle-Tether,92796.html. (Accessed on Apr. 1, 2025) (Year: 2015). [cited by examiner]
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