Axle beam for industrial vehicle, method of manufacturing the same and rear steering apparatus

{
  "publication_number": "US2008142570A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Axle beam for industrial vehicle, method of manufacturing the same and rear steering apparatus",
  "abstract": "An axle beam for an industrial vehicle has a beam and a boss. The beam is supported on a vehicle body. The boss is provided at opposite ends of the beam for supporting a kingpin. The beam includes at a longitudinally middle thereof a portion having a closed cross-section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the beam and is shaped at the portion to form a space which is surrounded by a front and rear and a top and bottom of the beam. The portion is formed by welding two members or by one tube member.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method of manufacturing an axle beam for an industrial vehicle having a beam and a boss, the beam including a tube portion while being supported on a vehicle body, the boss being connected to opposite ends of the beam in a longitudinal direction of the beam for supporting a kingpin, comprising the steps of: fusing a tube material to form the beam in a first manufacturing process; and connecting the boss to the beam in a second manufacturing process.",
    "2. The method of manufacturing the axle beam according to claim 1, wherein the first manufacturing process includes: forming the beam having the tube portion at a middle portion thereof in the longitudinal direction; and shaping the opposite ends of the beam thinner than the tube portion.",
    "3. The method of manufacturing the axle beam according to claim 2, wherein the first manufacturing process includes: producing a plurality of identical beams from one tube material; and determining a cutting line in staggered arrangement of the identical beams for fusing the tube material.",
    "4. The method of manufacturing the axle beam according to claim 1, wherein the first manufacturing process includes fusing the tube material by using a three dimensional plasma fusing apparatus or a three dimensional laser fusing apparatus.",
    "5. The method of manufacturing the axle beam according to claim 1, wherein the first manufacturing step includes utilizing the tube material of a seamless type."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to an axle beam in a wheel suspension system for an industrial vehicle and a method of manufacturing the same. Conventionally, a rear axle beam for supporting rear wheels in an industrial vehicle such as forklift truck is pivotally connected to a vehicle frame for supporting a rear wheel for the sake of traveling stability of the vehicle and comfort of riding. For example, as disclosed in FIG. 8 of Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-16107, a rear axle beam (31) includes an axle beam body (34) having a first plate 32 and a pair of second plates (33a, 33b) and also includes two pairs of bosses (35a, 35b) for supporting kingpins (not shown). Each pair of the bosses (35a, 35b) is welded on each side of the axle beam body (34) in such a manner that the bosses (35a, 35b) are vertically arranged on the upper side and the lower side, respectively. The rear axle beam (31) is pivotally supported with respect to a rear frame of a vehicle body (not shown) through a pair of center pins (36) which is formed at the middle portion of the axle beam body (34) as seen in the direction of the vehicle width.\n\nReferring to FIG. 8 of Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-16107, one of the center pins (36) is fixedly connected to the first plate (32) that interconnects a pair of the second plates (33a, 33b). Though it is not directly apparent from the above FIG.",
  "cpc": [
    "B60B 35/08",
    "B60G 17/005",
    "B60G 2200/322",
    "B60G 2204/129",
    "B60G 2206/30",
    "B60G 2206/31",
    "B60G 2206/32",
    "B60G 2300/022",
    "B60G 9/02",
    "B66F 9/07568"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B23K 10/02",
    "B60B 35/08",
    "B60B 35/16",
    "B60G 1/02",
    "B60G 17/005",
    "B60G 9/02",
    "B62D 7/14",
    "B66F 9/075"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "KATAE KENICHI"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "KATAE KENICHI"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2008-02-14",
  "publication_date": "2008-06-19",
  "priority_date": "2003-05-15",
  "application_number": "US-3120508-A",
  "family_id": "33028385",
  "citations": [
    "US1873453A",
    "US1899347A",
    "US2073035A",
    "US2911262A",
    "US3768585A",
    "US3804467A",
    "US4046218A",
    "US4137990A",
    "US4161327A",
    "US4361360A",
    "US4465292A",
    "US5429423A",
    "US5810377A",
    "US5865452A",
    "US5865452C1",
    "US5910377A",
    "US6032967A",
    "US6078110A",
    "US6122948A",
    "US6202781B1",
    "US6257679B1",
    "US6293022B1",
    "US6412879B1",
    "US6585331B2",
    "US6609649B1",
    "US6695351B2",
    "US6758535B2",
    "US6808189B1"
  ]
}