Bracket system

Abstract

Packaging for axle assemblies having a pair of wheel end assemblies. Each wheel end assembly includes studs. A base bracket has a main body portion with a receiving surface to support a portion of a first axle assembly. A slot extends from the receiving surface to accept a stud. At least one end portion extends from the main body portion. An intermediate bracket includes a first receiving surface at a first end of the intermediate bracket. The first receiving surface engages a portion of the first axle assembly. A slot extends from the first receiving surface to accept a stud of the first axle assembly. A second receiving surface is located at a second end of the intermediate bracket. The second receiving surface supports a portion of a second axle assembly. A slot extends from the second receiving surface to accept a stud of the second axle assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for packaging axle assemblies in a stacked and spaced arrangement, each axle assembly having a pair of wheel end assemblies mounted at opposite ends of an axle, each of the pair of wheel end assemblies including a hub with at least one stud extending from the hub, the system comprising:
 at least one base bracket including:
 a main body portion having at least one receiving surface for engaging and supporting a portion of a first axle assembly, the main body portion also having at least one surface defining a slot extending from a receiving surface for accepting a stud; and 
 at least one end portion extends transversely from the main body portion; and 
   at least one intermediate bracket including:
 at least one first receiving surface located at a first end of the intermediate bracket, the first receiving surface for receiving and engaging another portion of the first axle assembly to position the intermediate bracket relative to the first axle assembly; and 
 at least one surface defining a slot extending from the first receiving surface for accepting another stud of the first axle assembly; 
 at least one second receiving surface located at a second opposite end of the intermediate bracket, the second receiving surface for engaging and supporting a portion of a second axle assembly; and 
 at least one surface defining a slot extending from the second receiving surface for accepting a stud of the second axle assembly. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one end portion extends transversely from the main body portion of the base bracket, the end portion extends a distance at least equal to a distance that the hub and studs extend from the main body portion. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  further including another receiving surface on the main body portion of the base bracket for receiving a portion of another axle assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  further including another receiving surface on the intermediate bracket for receiving a portion of the other axle assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  further including another base bracket for receiving and supporting a second end portion of the first axle assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  further including another intermediate bracket for receiving and securing the second end portion of the first axle assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  further including a cover material on at least one of the receiving surface and slot of at least one of the base bracket and intermediate bracket to protect components of the axle assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the receiving surface has at least one arcuate surface. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  further including more than one surface defining a slot for accepting respective studs and that extends from the receiving surface of at least one of the base bracket and intermediate bracket. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein a fastener is threaded onto the stud in the slot to secure an axle assembly to inhibit relative movement in all directions between a bracket and the axle assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  further including structure for at least one brake assembly of the axle assembly to engage and inhibit rotation of the brake assembly. 
     
     
         12 . A bracket for supporting an axle assembly, the axle assembly having a pair of wheel end assemblies mounted at opposite ends of an axle, each wheel end assembly including a hub with at least one stud, the bracket comprising:
 a main body portion having at least one receiving surface for engaging and supporting a portion of an axle assembly, the main body portion also having at least one surface defining a slot extending from a receiving surface for accepting a stud; and   at least one end portion extending transversely from the main body portion.   
     
     
         13 . A bracket for receiving a pair of axle assemblies, each of the pair of axle assemblies having a pair of wheel end assemblies mounted at opposite ends of an axle, each of the pair of wheel end assemblies includes a hub with at least one stud, the bracket comprising:
 at least one first receiving surface located at a first end of the bracket, the first receiving surface for receiving a portion of a first axle assembly, and at least one surface defining a slot extending from the first receiving surface for accepting a stud of the first axle assembly; and   at least one second receiving surface located at a second opposite end of the bracket, the second receiving surface for engaging and securing a portion of a second axle assembly, and at least one surface defining a slot extending from the second receiving surface for accepting a stud of the second axle assembly.   
     
     
         14 . A method of packaging axle assemblies in a stacked and spaced arrangement, each axle assembly having a pair of wheel end assemblies mounted at opposite ends of an axle, each wheel end assembly including a hub with at least one stud, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a base bracket having a main body portion with a receiving surface for engaging and supporting a portion of a first axle assembly, at least one surface defining a slot extending from the receiving surface for accepting a stud, and at least one end portion extending transversely from the main body portion;   placing a first axle assembly in the base bracket so a portion of a first axle engages the receiving surface of the main body portion and a stud is located within the slot extending from the receiving surface;   providing an intermediate bracket having a first receiving surface located at a first end of the intermediate bracket, the first receiving surface of the intermediate bracket for receiving and securing another portion of the first axle assembly and at least one surface defining a slot extending from the first receiving surface for accepting another stud of the first axle assembly, and the intermediate bracket having a second receiving surface located at a second opposite end of the intermediate bracket, the second receiving surface for engaging and supporting a portion of a second axle assembly and at least one surface defining a slot extending from the second receiving surface for accepting a stud of the second axle assembly;   placing the intermediate bracket on the first axle assembly so the other portion of the first axle assembly engages the receiving surface of the intermediate bracket and a stud is located within the slot extending from the first receiving surface of the intermediate bracket; and   then placing a second axle assembly in the intermediate bracket so a portion of the second axle assembly engages the second receiving surface of the intermediate bracket and a stud is located within the slot extending from the second receiving surface of the intermediate bracket.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further including the step of clamping an axle to at least one of the brackets with a fastener threaded onto the stud located within the slot. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  further including the step of placing a pair of axle assemblies in respective receiving surfaces of the base bracket. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further including the step of placing a pair of axle assemblies in respective receiving surfaces of the intermediate bracket.