Weight reduced front steer beams

{
  "publication_number": "US6394473B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Weight reduced front steer beams",
  "abstract": "A suspension system includes a steer beam of a generally I-beam like construction having a web and flanges. A plurality of lightening apertures are located through the web and by reinforcing the lightening apertures and adjusting the relationship of the web to the flanges a greatly lightened steer beam is provided without reducing the strength and rigidity thereof. The lightening apertures are preferably elongated slot-like apertures oriented along the length of the web. Each lightening aperture includes a reinforced area along its perimeter that is integrally formed within the web.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A front steer beam for a vehicle suspension system comprising: a substantially I-beam shaped support beam having a web located between a first and a second flange, said web having a first thickness and a second thickness, said second thickness greater than said first thickness and each of said reinforced lightening apertures located through said second thickness; a first and a second spring pad integrally formed with said first flange; and a plurality of reinforced lightening apertures located through said web.",
    "2. The front steer beam as recited in claim 1, wherein said reinforced lightening apertures define a perimeter in said web, said reinforced lightening apertures reinforced along said perimeter.",
    "3. The front steer beam as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said reinforced lightening apertures are elongated slots.",
    "4. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein said elongated perimeter is oriented along a length of said web.",
    "5. A vehicle suspension system comprising: a substantially I-beam shaped steer beam having a web located between a first and a second flange, said web having a first thickness and a second thickness, said second thickness greater than said first thickness; a first and a second steerable hub assembly pivotally mounted to said steer beam; a first and a second spring pad integrally formed with said first flange; a leaf spring mounted adjacent each of said spring pads; and a plurality of reinforced lightening apertures located through said second thickness of said web.",
    "6. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein said lightening apertures are elongated slot-like apertures oriented along a length of said web.",
    "7. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein said second thickness is defined within an elongated perimeter.",
    "8. A vehicle front suspension system comprising: a substantially I-beam shaped steer beam having a web located between a first and a second flange, said steer beam mounted transverse to a vehicle longitudinal axis, said web having a first thickness and a second thickness defining an elongated perimeter along a length of said web, said second thickness greater than said first thickness, a first and a second steerable hub assembly pivotally mounted to said steer beam; a first and a second spring pad integrally formed with said first flange; a leaf spring mounted adjacent each of said spring pads, said leaf springs mounted substantially parallel to said-vehicle longitudinal axis; and a reinforced lightening slot through said second thickness, said reinforced lightening slot located within said elongated perimeter.",
    "9. The front steer beam as recited in claim 8, wherein said reinforced"
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "B60G 9/00",
    "Y10S 180/905"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "MERITOR HEAVY VEHICLE TECH"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2000-08-22",
  "publication_date": "2002-05-28",
  "grant_date": "2002-05-28",
  "priority_date": "2000-08-22",
  "application_number": "US-64339000-A",
  "family_id": "24580613",
  "citations": [
    "US1248037A",
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    "US3096996A",
    "US3761108A",
    "US3856344A",
    "US5588660A",
    "US6196563B1"
  ]
}