GB2139727A

GB2139727A - Adjustable torque rod

Info

Publication number: GB2139727A
Application number: GB08406267A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wallace Gordon Chalmers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-03-12
Filing date: 1984-03-09
Publication date: 1984-11-14
Also published as: GB8406267D0

Abstract

An adjustable torque rod having a pair of identical, transversely-serrated mating castings 32-34 disposed intermediate the torque rod ends 20-22 secured together by a bolt 48 passing through mating slots 52 formed in the castings for longitudinal axial adjustment. The transverse serrations 46 preferably are formed on generally planar surfaces 44, said surfaces inclined at an angle upto about 40 DEG , preferably about 20 DEG , to the longitudinal axis of the torque rod. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Adjustable torque rod This invention relates to torque rods and, more particularly, torque rods which are adjustable in length!, Vehiciesuspensions using torque rods, particularly tandem axle suspensions, require alignment adjust ment. This is normally done by providing a torque rod having the opposite ends threaded with right- and left-hand threads onto a tube suchthat rotation ofthe tube shortens or lengthens the rod as desired. This requires end castings which receive extensive machining and internal threading in addition to reverse threading of opposite ends ofthe tube. Vernier adjustment ofthe torque rod is thus provided, butthis degree of accuracy normally is not necessary.

The present invention is directed to a novel steel torque rod which eliminates machining ofthetorque rod ends by the use of simple and identical rod-end fittings welded into atube having axial adjustment means secured thereto. The adjustment mean com prises two identical transversely-serrated castings disposed intermediatethetorque rod ends to permit joiningtogetherfor longitudinal axial adjustment By a bolt passing through matingslotsformed in the castings. The degree of longitudinal adjustment provided by means ofthe transverse serrations is swithin one-half of a serration pitch which is normally adequate for conventional torque rod use.

The torque rod assembly ofthe invention, in its broad aspect, comprises, in combination, an elon gated rod having a longitudinal axis; securing means formed at each end ofthe rod; and adjustment means intermediate the securing means, said adjustment means comprising a pair of identical mating compo nents each having an end portion affixed to a securing meansortothe rod,a body portion having aplurality of serrations transverse to the longitudinal axis of the rod formed thereon whereby the body portion of one adjustment component intermeshes with the body portion of the other adjustment component for longitudinal adjustment, and means for fastening the mating adjustment components together.

Each adjustment component body portion has said transverse serrations formed on a generally planar surface, said surface inclined at an angle within the range of Oto 40 , preferably about 20", to the longitudinal axis of the rod.

Thefastening meansnormallycomprisealongitu- dinal mating slot formed centrally in each adjustment component body portion and a nut and bolt assembly adapted to extend th rough said mating slots for securing said adjustment components together.

Thepresent invention will now be described with referencetotheaccompanying drawing, in which: Figure lisa side view of a conventional torque rod having-opposite rod endsthreaded ontoatube; Figure 2 is a side elevation of a torque rod of the present invention; Figure3 is a top view of the torque rod shown in Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the adjustment components separated from each other.

The coventional torque rod shown in Figure 1 comprisestwo rod ends 10, 12threadedontoatube 14 andsecuredthereto by means of pinch bolts 16 passing through lugs 18, well known in the art. Rod ends 10,12 have opposite left-and right-hand threads formed therein to receive the ends of rod 14. A high degreeofaccuracyofaxial adjustment can be obtained by rotating tube 14 relative to rod ends 10, 12 or by rotating one rod end relative to the other rod end, for shortening or lengthening the effective length of the torque rod.

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the torque rod ofthe present invention which comprises steel rod ends 20, 22 having a length of steel tube 24 secured to a rod end 22 such as by a weld 26.

Adjustable connector depicted by numeral 30 and shown in more detail in Figure 4 comprises a pair of identical, mating components 32, 34 cast from high tensile steel. Each component 32,34 consists of an end portion 36 having a transverse shape adapted for securement such as by weld 38 to an end of tube 24 or by weld 39 to extension 40 of rod end 20. Body portion 42 of each mating adjustment component hasa generally planar surface 44 with transverse serrations 46 formed thereon adapted to intermesh with each other as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 for positive securementtogether by bolt 48 having nut 50 threaded thereon. Bolt 48 passes th rough slot 52 formed longitudinally in each portion 42.

The plane of surface 44 of each of body portions 42 can be inclined to the longitudinal axis ofthetorque rod at an angle up to about 40 , preferably at an angle of about 20 , as shown, or disposed substantially parallel tothe longitudinal axisofthetorque rod. Bolt 48 functions essentially to hold the adjustment components together with the mating serrations carrying any load imposed on the torque rod during use.

The use of high tensile steel having 85,000 psi yield strength and 105,000 psi ultimate strength for the torque rod components, with welding together of the units comprising each connector component, results in an easily fabricated, strong torque rod.

The minimum adjustment of the adjustmentcomponents is equivalent to oneserration pitch permitting adjustment to within one-half of a serration pitch of the desired length. Adjustment components produced by sand casting can provide a pitch of 0.1 in. The adjustment components can be provided at one or both ends ofatorque rod or located central of the length ofthetorque rod.

It will be understood that modificationscan be made in the embodimentofthe invention illustrated and described herein without departing from the scope and purview of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

t. An adjustabletorque rod comprising, in combination, an elongated rod having a longitudinal axis; This print takes account of replacement documents submitted after the date of filing to enable the application to comply with the formal requiremenrsof the Patents Rules 1982.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

SPECIFICATION Adjustable torque rod This invention relates to torque rods and, more particularly, torque rods which are adjustable in length!, Vehiciesuspensions using torque rods, particularly tandem axle suspensions, require alignment adjust ment. This is normally done by providing a torque rod having the opposite ends threaded with right- and left-hand threads onto a tube suchthat rotation ofthe tube shortens or lengthens the rod as desired. This requires end castings which receive extensive machining and internal threading in addition to reverse threading of opposite ends ofthe tube. Vernier adjustment ofthe torque rod is thus provided, butthis degree of accuracy normally is not necessary.

The present invention is directed to a novel steel torque rod which eliminates machining ofthetorque rod ends by the use of simple and identical rod-end fittings welded into atube having axial adjustment means secured thereto. The adjustment mean com prises two identical transversely-serrated castings disposed intermediatethetorque rod ends to permit joiningtogetherfor longitudinal axial adjustment By a bolt passing through matingslotsformed in the castings. The degree of longitudinal adjustment provided by means ofthe transverse serrations is swithin one-half of a serration pitch which is normally adequate for conventional torque rod use.

The torque rod assembly ofthe invention, in its broad aspect, comprises, in combination, an elon gated rod having a longitudinal axis; securing means formed at each end ofthe rod; and adjustment means intermediate the securing means, said adjustment means comprising a pair of identical mating compo nents each having an end portion affixed to a securing meansortothe rod,a body portion having aplurality of serrations transverse to the longitudinal axis of the rod formed thereon whereby the body portion of one adjustment component intermeshes with the body portion of the other adjustment component for longitudinal adjustment, and means for fastening the mating adjustment components together.

Each adjustment component body portion has said transverse serrations formed on a generally planar surface, said surface inclined at an angle within the range of Oto 40 , preferably about 20", to the longitudinal axis of the rod.

Thefastening meansnormallycomprisealongitu- dinal mating slot formed centrally in each adjustment component body portion and a nut and bolt assembly adapted to extend th rough said mating slots for securing said adjustment components together.

Thepresent invention will now be described with referencetotheaccompanying drawing, in which: Figure lisa side view of a conventional torque rod having-opposite rod endsthreaded ontoatube; Figure 2 is a side elevation of a torque rod of the present invention; Figure3 is a top view of the torque rod shown in Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the adjustment components separated from each other.

The coventional torque rod shown in Figure 1 comprisestwo rod ends 10, 12threadedontoatube 14 andsecuredthereto by means of pinch bolts 16 passing through lugs 18, well known in the art. Rod ends 10,12 have opposite left-and right-hand threads formed therein to receive the ends of rod 14. A high degreeofaccuracyofaxial adjustment can be obtained by rotating tube 14 relative to rod ends 10, 12 or by rotating one rod end relative to the other rod end, for shortening or lengthening the effective length of the torque rod.

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the torque rod ofthe present invention which comprises steel rod ends 20, 22 having a length of steel tube 24 secured to a rod end 22 such as by a weld 26.

Adjustable connector depicted by numeral 30 and shown in more detail in Figure 4 comprises a pair of identical, mating components 32, 34 cast from high tensile steel. Each component 32,34 consists of an end portion 36 having a transverse shape adapted for securement such as by weld 38 to an end of tube 24 or by weld 39 to extension 40 of rod end 20. Body portion 42 of each mating adjustment component hasa generally planar surface 44 with transverse serrations 46 formed thereon adapted to intermesh with each other as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 for positive securementtogether by bolt 48 having nut 50 threaded thereon. Bolt 48 passes th rough slot 52 formed longitudinally in each portion 42.

The plane of surface 44 of each of body portions 42 can be inclined to the longitudinal axis ofthetorque rod at an angle up to about 40 , preferably at an angle of about 20 , as shown, or disposed substantially parallel tothe longitudinal axisofthetorque rod. Bolt 48 functions essentially to hold the adjustment components together with the mating serrations carrying any load imposed on the torque rod during use.

The use of high tensile steel having 85,000 psi yield strength and 105,000 psi ultimate strength for the torque rod components, with welding together of the units comprising each connector component, results in an easily fabricated, strong torque rod.

The minimum adjustment of the adjustmentcomponents is equivalent to oneserration pitch permitting adjustment to within one-half of a serration pitch of the desired length. Adjustment components produced by sand casting can provide a pitch of 0.1 in. The adjustment components can be provided at one or both ends ofatorque rod or located central of the length ofthetorque rod.

It will be understood that modificationscan be made in the embodimentofthe invention illustrated and described herein without departing from the scope and purview of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

t. An adjustabletorque rod comprising, in combination, an elongated rod having a longitudinal axis; This print takes account of replacement documents submitted after the date of filing to enable the application to comply with the formal requiremenrsof the Patents Rules 1982.

securing means formed at each end ofthe rod; and adjustment means intermediate the securing means, said adjustment means comprising a pair of identical mating components each having an end portion affixed to a securing means orto the rod, a body portion having a plurality of serrations transverse to the longitudinal axis ofthe rod formed thereon wherebythe body portion of one adjustment component intermeshes with the body portion of the other adjustment componentfor longitudinal adjustment, and meansforfastening the mating adjustment components together.
2. An adjustabletorque rod as claimed in Claim 1 in which each adjustment component body portion has said transverse serrations formed on a generally planarsurface,said surface inclined atan angle within the range of 0'to about 40" to the longitudinal axis of the rod.
3. An adjustable torque rod as claimed in Claim 2 in which said fastening means comprises a longitudinal mating slot formed centrally in each adjustment component body portion, and a bolt adapted to extend through said mating slots for securing said adjustment components together.
4. An adjustable torque rod as claimed in Claim X, 2 or3 in which said securing means formed at each end ofthe rod comprise rod-end fittings.
5. An adjustable torque rod as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3 in which said adjustment components are formed of high tensile steel and are weldedto the securing means orthe rod.