Trailer frame

Abstract

A trailer frame including an axle section having two spaced longitudinal frame members connected by at least one cross member, the longitudinal frame members each having a first end and a second end; a rear section attachable to the axle section; and a dimple assemble joining the axle section to the rear section, the dimple assembly including a dimple pattern formed on each frame member of the axle assembly, the dimple pattern on the axle assembly defining a first dimple axis, and a dimple pattern formed on one end of the rear section and nestable within the dimple pattern formed on the axle section, the dimple pattern on the rear section defining a second dimple axis offset relative to the first dimple axis to create a camber between the axle section and the rear section when the first dimple is nested within the second dimple pattern.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A trailer frame comprising:
 an axle section having two longitudinal frame members on each side of the axle section that are connected by at least one cross member, the two longitudinal frame members each include a first end and a second end that each have a plurality of axle dimples, and the axle section having a means for securing at least one axle;   a front section having a front cross member and two longitudinal frame members on each side of the front section, the two longitudinal frame members each include a first end fixedly secured to the front cross member and a second end having a plurality of front dimples in nested engagement with the plurality of axle dimples on the first end of the axle section; and   a rear section having a rear cross member and two longitudinal frame members on each side of the rear section, the two longitudinal frame members each include a first end fixedly secured to the rear cross member and a second end having a plurality of rear dimples in nested engagement with the plurality of axle dimples on the second end of the axle section,   wherein a camber of the trailer frame is preset in at least one of the rear section and the front section by offsetting at least one of the axle dimples, front dimples, and rear dimples.   
     
     
         2 . The trailer frame of  claim 1 , wherein the rear dimples are offset relative to the axle dimples. 
     
     
         3 . The trailer frame of  claim 1 , wherein the front dimples are offset relative to the axle dimples. 
     
     
         4 . The trailer frame of  claim 1 , wherein the two longitudinal frame members on each side of the rear section and the two longitudinal frame members on each side of the front section include rails having a z-shaped cross section. 
     
     
         5 . The trailer frame of  claim 1 , wherein the means for securing at least one axle includes at least one torsion suspension assembly supported on outer and inner frame members on each side of the axle section. 
     
     
         6 . The trailer frame of  claim 5 , wherein the torsion suspension assembly includes
 an elastomeric element housed between the longitudinal frame member, the elastomeric element defining a central bore and plural pin receiving bores located on a circle spaced radially outward from the central bore,   a cylindrical journal received in the central bore in the elastomeric element,   an outer end cap supported on an outer frame member and an inner end cap supported on an inner frame member, wherein the outer and inner end caps are insertable through the outer and inner frame members enclose at least a portion of the elastomeric element, each end cap having at least one pin extending inward therefrom, wherein the pins from the end caps are received in respective pin receiving bores, each pin extending an extent such that a portion of the pin on the outer end cap overlaps a portion of the pin on the inner end cap within the elastomeric element, each end cap defining an axle mount bore having a non-circular shape, and   an axle mount having a non-circular cross section insertable through the axle mount bores in the end caps and rotatably received in the cylindrical journal.   
     
     
         7 . A torsion suspension assembly for a trailer frame comprising:
 an elastomeric element, the elastomeric element defining a central bore and plural pin receiving bores located on a circle spaced radially outward from the central bore,   a cylindrical journal received in the central bore in the elastomeric element,   an outer end cap and an inner end cap, wherein the outer and inner end caps are adapted to enclose at least a portion of the elastomeric element, each end cap having at least one pin extending inward therefrom, wherein the pins from the outer and inner end caps are received in respective pin receiving bores, each pin extending an extent such that a portion of the pin on the outer end cap overlaps a portion of the pin on the inner end cap within the elastomeric element, each end cap defining an axle mount bore having a non-circular shape, and   an axle mount having a non-circular cross section insertable through the axle mount bores in the end caps and rotatably received in the cylindrical journal.   
     
     
         8 . An enhanced axle section in a trailer frame, the axle section comprising: a pair of frame rails, each frame rail including a first frame half and a second frame half that are joined together to define a central cavity; and at least one cross member extending between the pair of frame rails to join them together. 
     
     
         9 . The enhanced axle section of  claim 8 , wherein the cross member includes a top rail and a bottom rail and a web section between the top and bottom rail, wherein the web section includes plural patterned members. 
     
     
         10 . The enhanced axle section of  claim 9 , wherein each frame rail defines a suspension opening; the axle section further comprising a suspension cartridge insertable within the cavity and alignable with the suspension opening. 
     
     
         11 . The enhanced axle section of  claim 10 , wherein the suspension cartridge includes a torsion disk suspension. 
     
     
         12 . A trailer frame comprising: a first frame member and a second frame member, wherein the first frame member and the second frame member each have a dimple pattern comprising at least one dimple formed thereon, and wherein said dimple pattern on the first frame member defines a first dimple axis and the dimple pattern on the second frame member defines a second dimple axis offset relative to the first dimple axis to create a camber between the first frame member and the second frame member when the first dimple pattern is nested within the second dimple pattern. 
     
     
         13 . The trailer frame of  claim 12  further comprising a fastener attaching the dimple pattern on the first frame member to the dimple pattern on the second frame member. 
     
     
         14 . The trailer frame of  claim 13 , wherein the fastener is a Huck® fastener. 
     
     
         15 . The trailer frame of  claim 12 , wherein each dimple pattern includes plural dimples