Axle Shock-load absorber and Guard

Abstract

A device for reducing axle failures on motorized vehicles that includes a sleeve that wraps around the axle and a separate single pieces or two-piece axle guard that wraps around said sleeve. The present invention allows the torsional flex that the axle manufacturer intended to occur but prohibits the axle from bending and possibly breaking. The present invention also acts as a shock-absorber for the axle by absorbing energy that is being transferred through the axle during normal use. Absorbing this energy increases the life of the axle and drive-train and reduces the risk of failure during use.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device that absorbs energy being transferred through an axle during use. 
     
     
         2 . A device that in the event of an axle break caused by excessive torsional flex will allow the vehicle to remain operable. 
     
     
         3 . A device that prevents the axle from bendinge. 
     
     
         4 . A device that prevents the axle from bending without preventing the intended torsional-flex of the axle to occur. 
     
     
         5 . A device consisting of a tubular sleeve ( FIG. 1-1 ) that may be made out of, but not limited to, a polymeric or rubber material, and is slit down the length or split into two halves. Alternatively, the tubular sleeve can be created by molding or casting a polymeric, rubber, or metal material directly around the axle. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 4  where said sleeve is encapsulated by two axle guard halves ( FIG. 1-2 ) made out of, but not limited to, aluminum , steel, thermoplastic polymer, thermoset polymer, or rubber. Alternatively, the axle guard can be a single piece version ( FIG. 4-3 ). 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 4  where said housing halves have fins or cored out sections ( FIG. 3-1 ) along the main body for weight reduction. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 5  where said housing halves are affixed to each other by means of screws ( FIG. 1-3 ). 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 5  where said housing halves consist of mating holes containing dowel pins ( FIG. 1-4 ). 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 5  where the single axle guard version ( FIG. 4-3 ) is pressed onto the sleeve ( FIG. 4-2 ) along the longitudinal length of the sleeve. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 5  where the single axle guard version ( FIG. 4-3 ) is molded onto the sleeve ( FIG. 4-2 ).