Trailer sub-frame assembly

Abstract

A sub-frame assembly for use with a vehicle having wheels such as a trailer is provided. The sub-frame assembly comprises two or more frame members, one or more cross members, and two or more stub torsion axle assemblies. Each of the stub torsion axle assemblies have a torsion arm, a spindle extending from the torsion arm for mounting one of the wheels, and a distal end extending from the stub torsion axle assembly for mounting to the frame assembly. The frame assembly may further comprise one or more shim plates for reception between the cross member and the distal end of the stub torsion axle assembly for allowing adjustment of the toe angle of the wheel assembly. In addition, the stub torsion axle assembly may be rotatably mounted to the cross member whereby the camber angle of the wheel assembly may be adjusted.

1 . A sub-frame assembly mountable to a frame of a trailer, the sub-frame assembly comprising: 
 two or more frame members;    one or more cross members; and    one or more stub torsion axle assemblies mounted to the sub-frame assembly, each of said stub torsion axle assemblies having a stub axle, a torsion arm, a spindle extending from said torsion arm for mounting one of said wheels, and a distal end for mounting to the trailer frame,    the stub axle comprising a housing, a stub shaft within the housing and connected to the torsion arm, and at least one resilient member compressed between the stub shaft and the housing,    wherein the at least one resilient member resists rotation of the torsion arm.    
   
   
       2 . The frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein the stub torsion axle assembly is rotatably mounted to the cross member whereby the camber angle of the wheel assembly may be adjusted.  
   
   
       3 . The frame assembly of  claim 1  further comprising one or more shim plates for reception between the cross member and the stub torsion axle assembly for allowing adjustment of the toe angle of the wheel.  
   
   
       4 . (canceled)  
   
   
       5 . A trailer assembly comprising: 
 a frame including two or more frame members and one or more cross members;    two or more stub torsion axle assemblies, each of said stub torsion axle assemblies having a stub axle, a torsion arm, a spindle extending from said torsion arm for mounting a wheel, and a distal end for mounting to the frame;    the stub axle comprising a housing, a stub shaft within the housing and connected to the torsion arm, and at least one resilient member compressed between the stub shaft and the housing;    wherein the at least one resilient member resists rotation of the torsion arm and further wherein at least one of the wheel toe angle and wheel camber angle is adjustable.    
   
   
       6 . The trailer assembly of  claim 5  further comprising one or more shim plates for reception between the cross member and the stub torsion axle assembly for allowing adjustment of the toe angle of the wheel.  
   
   
       7 . The trailer assembly of  claim 5  wherein the distal end is rotatably mounted to the cross member whereby the camber angle of the wheel assembly may be adjusted.  
   
   
       8 - 10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 . The trailer assembly of  claim 5  further comprising a sub-frame assembly, wherein said stub torsion axle assembly is mounted to the sub-frame assembly, and wherein said sub-frame assembly is mounted to the frame assembly.  
   
   
       12 . The trailer assembly of  claim 11  wherein the frame assembly further comprises frame members having a reduced cross sectional area relative to frame members of the sub-frame assembly.  
   
   
       13 . A trailer assembly comprising: 
 a frame including two or more frame members and one or more cross members;    two or more stub torsion axle assemblies, each of said stub torsion axle assemblies having a torsion arm, a spindle extending from said torsion arm for mounting a wheel, and a distal end extending from said stub torsion axle assembly for mounting to the frame; wherein said frame has an adjustable size.    
   
   
       14 . The frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein said frame further comprises two or more indexing holes, a connecting member for connecting said stub torsion axle assembly to the frame and said connecting member being received in one of the indexing holes for allowing adjustment of the camber angle of the wheel.  
   
   
       15 . The trailer assembly of  claim 5  wherein said frame further comprises two or more indexing holes, a connecting member for connecting said stub torsion axle assembly to the frame and said connecting member being received in one of the indexing holes for allowing adjustment of the camber angle of the wheel.  
   
   
       16 . The trailer assembly of  claim 5 , comprising means for adjusting the camber angle of the wheel.  
   
   
       17 . The trailer assembly of  claim 5  further comprising means for adjusting the toe angle of the wheel.  
   
   
       18 . The trailer assembly of  claim 5  further comprising means for adjusting the length or width of the frame.  
   
   
       19 . The trailer assembly of  claim 5  further comprising means for adjusting the toe angle of the wheel and means for adjusting the camber angle of the wheel.  
   
   
       20 . The trailer assembly of  claim 7  further comprising one or more shim plates between the cross member and the distal end, the selected presence of which causes a change of the toe angle of the wheel.  
   
   
       21 . A sub-frame assembly mountable to a trailer frame, the sub-frame assembly comprising: 
 a. at least two parallel frame members;    b. at least one cross member extending between the parallel frame members;    c. at least two axle assemblies attached to the cross member, each axle assembly having a bracket and capable of having a wheel mounted thereon;    d. a first member rotatably mounted to the axle assembly; and    e. a connecting member for connecting the bracket of the axle assembly to the cross member and the first member;    wherein rotation of the first member results in a change in the camber angle of the wheel.    
   
   
       22 . The sub-frame assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the first member is a cam member comprising an offset hole for receiving the connecting member therein for connecting the axle assembly, the cam member, and the cross member together.  
   
   
       23 . The sub-frame assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the bracket comprises a slot, and the cam member further comprises a projection in communication with the slot; wherein rotation of the cam member causes engagement of the projection with the bracket, causing the change in the camber angle of the wheel.  
   
   
       24 . The sub-frame assembly of  claim 21 , further comprising one or more shim plates insertable between the bracket and the cross member for adjusting toe angle of the wheel.