A corner bracket

Abstract

The present invention discloses a corner bracket (4) suitable for interconnecting a front connection profile (3) and a frame side member (2) in a frame (1) comprising at least two frame side members (2) and at least one front connection profile (3). Said corner bracket comprises: at least a first connecting arm (5) suitable for connection to an inner surface of a frame side member (2); at least a first connection hole (5a) on the first connecting arm (5); at least a second connecting arm (6) connected on at least one side to the first connecting arm (5), and suitable for connection, on at least another side thereof, to an inner surface of the front connection profile (3); at least a second connection hole (6a) on the second connecting arm (6); and at least one reinforcement section (7) in the form of a rib interconnecting the first connecting arm (5) and the second connecting arm (6).

Description

[0001] 8343.1169

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] A CORNER BRACKET

[0004] Technical Field

[0005] The present invention relates to a corner bracket, particularly used in a frame of a heavy commercial vehicle.

[0006] Background of the Invention

[0007] A land vehicle is a motorized or non-motorized vehicle designed to carry passengers and / or cargo. Among land vehicles, heavy commercial vehicles such as trucks, lorries, tractors, and trailers are specifically used for transporting heavy loads. Therefore, a structure known as the frame, which forms the skeleton of such heavy commercial vehicles, must be durable. Said frame generally comprises at least two frame side members provided parallel to each other, and traverses that interconnect said frame side members at specific intervals. The frame also comprises front and rear connection profiles, also referred to as cross, that connect said frame side members to each other at the front and / or rear sections.

[0008] While the traverses are directly connected to the frame side members by means of a fastening element such as a bolt or nut, the front connection profiles cannot be directly connected to the frame side members due to their relatively complex structures and the need for a connection requiring high strength. For this reason, in such vehicle frames, corner brackets are used to connect the front connection profile to the frame side member. Said corner brackets are attached from one part to the frame side member and from another part to the front connection profile, so that the front connection profile is connected to the frame side member.

[0009] In applications of the known art, said corner brackets are connected to the frame side member and the front connection profile from their outer surfaces (the surfaces of the frame side member and the front connection profile that do not face each other). However, such a connection structure does not ensure a balanced distribution of the loads acting on 1

[0010] Confidential8343.1169

[0011] the frame and also limits the available areas on the frame side member and the front connection profile for attaching various external components.

[0012] Brief Description of the Invention

[0013] The present invention discloses a corner bracket suitable for interconnecting a front connection profile and a frame side member in a frame comprising at least two frame side members and at least one front connection profile. Said corner bracket comprises at least a first connecting arm suitable for connection to an inner surface of a frame side member; at least a first connection hole on the first connecting arm; at least a second connecting arm connected on at least one side to the first connecting arm, and suitable for connection, on at least another side thereof, to an inner surface of the front connection profile; at least a second connection hole on the second connecting arm; and at least one reinforcement section in the form of a rib interconnecting the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm.

[0014] Thanks to the corner bracket of the present invention, which is connected the frame side member and the front connection profile at their inner surfaces, a frame equipped with said bracket can achieve a more balanced load distribution. Furthermore, connecting the corner bracket to the inner surfaces of the frame side member and the front connection profile allows reinforcement sections to be incorporated in the corner bracket, thereby ensuring durability even with low weight. In addition, since the corner bracket is connected to the inner surfaces of the frame side member and the front connection profile, other components can be attached to any desired location on the outer surfaces of the frame side member and the front connection profile.

[0015] Object of the Invention

[0016] An object of the present invention is to provide a corner bracket for connecting a frame side member and a front connection profile to each other, particularly in a frame of a heavy commercial vehicle.

[0017] 2

[0018] Confidential8343.1169

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a corner bracket that ensures balanced load distribution between the frame side member and the front connection profile, with which it is connected.

[0020] A further object of the present invention is to provide a corner bracket that does not limit the available areas on the frame side member and the front connection profile for attaching various external components.

[0021] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a corner bracket equipped with various functions.

[0022] Yet a furher object of the present invention is to provide a durable and long-lasting corner bracket.

[0023] Description of the Drawings

[0024] Exemplary embodiments of the corner bracket according to the present invention are illustrated in the attached figures, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a frame using the corner bracket of the invention.

[0026] Figure 2 is a perspective view from the inside of a frame, illustrating the corner bracket of the invention as used in the frame.

[0027] Figure 3 is a perspective view from the outside of a frame, illustrating the corner bracket of the invention as used in the frame.

[0028] Figure 4 is a front view illustrating the corner bracket of the invention as used in a frame.

[0029] All the parts illustrated in figures are individually assigned a reference numeral and the corresponding terms of these numbers are listed below:

[0030] Frame (1)

[0031] Frame side member (2)

[0032] Front connection profile (3)

[0033] Corner bracket (4)

[0034] First connecting arm (5)

[0035] 3

[0036] Confidential8343.1169

[0037] First connection hole (5a)

[0038] Support rib (5b)

[0039] Second connecting arm (6)

[0040] Second connection hole (6a)

[0041] Reinforcement section (7)

[0042] Towing connection slot (8)

[0043] Towing fastening element (8a)

[0044] Suspension connection slot (9)

[0045] Suspension intermediate element (9a)

[0046] Support section (10)

[0047] Connection slot (10a)

[0048] Fastening element (11)

[0049] Rear connection profile (12)

[0050] TraverseCross member (13)

[0051] Description of the Invention

[0052] The frames forming the skeleton of heavy commercial vehicles such as trucks, lorries, tractors, and trailers generally comprise two frame side members, traverses interconnecting said frame side members at specific intervals, and front and rear connection profiles interconnecting the frame side members at their front and rear portions. In this case, the connection between the front connection profile and the frame side members is provided by corner brackets. Therefore, the present invention provides a corner bracket for providing a durable and reliable connection between the front connection profile and the frame side member.

[0053] The corner bracket (4) according to the present invention, as illustrated in figures 1-4, is suitable for interconnecting a front connection profile (3) and a frame side member (2) in a frame (1) comprising at least two frame side members (2) and at least one front connection profile (3), said corner bracket comprising at least a first connecting arm (5) suitable for connection to an inner surface of a frame side member (2) (to the surface of the frame side member (2) facing the front connection profile (3)); at least a first (preferably a plurality of) connection hole (5a) on the first connecting arm (5); at least a second connecting arm (6) connected on at least one side to the first connecting arm (5),

[0054] 4

[0055] Confidential8343.1169

[0056] and suitable for connection, on at least another side thereof, to an inner surface of the front connection profile (3) (to the surface of the front connection profile (3) facing the frame side member (2)); at least a second (preferably a plurality of) connection hole (6a) on the second connecting arm (6); and at least one (preferably, three) reinforcement section (7) in the form of a rib interconnecting the first connecting arm (5) and the second connecting arm (6).

[0057] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the corner bracket (4) is used in a frame (1) of a heavy commercial vehicle such as a truck, lorry, tractor, or trailer for connecting the front connection profile (3) to a frame side member (2). Here, the first connecting arm (5) is connected to the inner surface of the frame side member (2) (the surface remaining inside the frame (1)), while the second connecting arm (6) is connected to the inner surface of the front connection profile (3) (the surface remaining inside the frame (1)). For achieving said connections, fastening elements (11), e.g. bolts, are inserted through the connection holes on the frame side member (2) and the front connection profile (3) and also through the first connection hole (5a) or the second connection hole (6a), thereby being attached to another fastening element (11), e.g. a nut. In this way, the first connecting arm (5) and the second connecting arm (6) are practically and reliably connected to the frame side member (2) and the front connection profile (3). Here, as the corner bracket (4) comprises the reinforcement sections (7) in the form of ribs interconnecting the first connecting arm (5) and the second connecting arm (6), a durable connection can be achieved between the first connecting arm (5) and the second connecting arm (6). Said reinforcement sections (7) ensure high mechanical strength for the corner bracket (4) without increasing the wall thickness of the first connecting arm (5) and the second connecting arm (6), thereby adding less total weight compared to applications with increased wall thickness. The use of reinforcement sections (7) in the form of ribs is enabled by connecting the corner bracket (4) to the inner surface of the frame side member (2) and the inner surface of the front connection profile (3). Accordingly, the first connecting arm (5) attached to the inner surface of the frame side member (2) and the second connecting arm (6) attached to the inner surface of the front connection profile (3) allow the incorporation of rib-shaped reinforcement sections (7). As a result, the corner bracket (4) achieves high mechanical strength despite having a relatively low weight. Tests have demonstrated that, connecting the corner bracket (4) to the inner surfaces of the frame side member (2) and the front connection profile (3) gives 5

[0058] Confidential8343.1169

[0059] more balanced load distribution between the frame side member (2) and the front connection profile (3). In addition, connecting the corner bracket (4) to the inner surfaces of the frame side member (2) and the front connection profile (3) eliminates the limitation on mounting various components (for example, a steering box bracket or a spring hanger) to the outer surfaces of the frame side member (2) and the front connection profile (3).

[0060] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the corner bracket (4) comprises at least one towing connection slot (8) suitable for attaching a towing hook and provided on the second connecting arm (6), specifically in alignment between the ends of the second connecting arm (6) and the first connecting arm (5) that are distant from each other. Said corner bracket (4) further comprises at least one towing fastening element (8a) (for example, a bolt) connected to the towing connection slot (8). Here, said towing connection slot (8) comprises at least one threaded connection. The threaded connection enables connection of the towing fastening element (8a) in the form of a screw, and also allows another fastening element to be connected to the corner bracket (4). In such applications, for example, when it is necessary to tow a vehicle comprising the frame (1) using the corner bracket (4), a towing hook can be connected to said corner bracket (4). For connecting the towing hook to the corner bracket (4), said towing hook is attached onto the towing fastening element (8a). In this way, the towing hook is reliably connected to the frame (1) through the corner bracket (4). In this embodiment, since the towing connection slot (8) is provided on the second connecting arm (6) in alignment between the ends of the second connecting arm (6) and the first connecting arm (5) that are distant from each other, the force applied during towing remains between the frame side member (2) and a central axis of the vehicle equipped with said frame. Accordingly, the lever arm of the towing force applied by means of the towing hook is reduced, and the moment resulting from the towing force is minimized.

[0061] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the corner bracket (4) comprises at least one suspension connection slot (9) provided on an upper section of the second connecting arm (6) and / or the first connecting arm (5). Here, for example, if a cabin is mounted onto the frame (1), the suspension connection slot (9) provides the connection between the frame (1) and the suspension system to be used between the cabin and the frame (1). Said suspension connection slot (9) preferably has a hollow cylindrical structure. In this embodiment, the corner bracket (4) preferably comprises at least one 6

[0062] Confidential8343.1169

[0063] suspension intermediate element (9a) provided within the suspension connection slot (9). The suspension intermediate element (9a), preferably of flexible structure, is used to create the suspension connection. Said corner bracket (4) further comprises at least one support section (10) interconnecting the suspension connection slot (9) and the first connecting arm (5). The support section (10) may comprise at least one connection slot (10a) at a portion thereof connected to the first connecting arm (5). In this embodiment, when said corner bracket (4) is connected to the frame side member (2), at least one fastening element (11), e.g. a bolt, can be inserted through at least one connection hole on the frame side member (2), so as to be placed into said connection slot (10a). In this way, the loads acting on the suspension connection slot (9), which provides the connection to the suspension system, can be distributed evenly onto the frame (1).

[0064] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the corner bracket (4) comprises at least two first connection holes (5a) provided on the first connecting arm (5). In this embodiment, the corner bracket (4) further comprises at least one support rib (5b) located on the first connecting arm (5), between the at least two first connection holes (5a). Said support rib (5b) provides a further increase in the mechanical strength of the corner bracket (4).

[0065] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the second connecting arm (6) is in the form of a “C” profile. Here, the front connection profile (3) is also preferably in the form of a “C” profile, wherein the second connecting arm (6) is positioned inside said front connection profile (3). In this way, the front connection profile (3) and the corner bracket (4) are connected to each other in a more durable manner. Here, the at least one reinforcement section (7) is provided as an extension of an upper and / or lower arm of the second connecting arm (6) with the “C” profile structure. In this way, the second connecting arm (6) and the first connecting arm (5) are connected to each other in a durable manner. In this embodiment, said at least one second connection hole (6a) is also preferably located on an upper and / or lower arm of the second connecting arm (6) with the “C” profile structure.

[0066] The present invention also discloses a frame (1) comprising said corner bracket (4). The frame (1), preferably suitable for use in a heavy commercial vehicle, comprises at least two frame side members (2), each with an inner surface to which a first connecting arm 7

[0067] Confidential8343.1169

[0068] (5) of at least one corner bracket (4) is connected; at least one front connection profile (3) connected to the second connecting arms (6) of the corner brackets (4) attached to said frame side members (2); at least four (preferably more) fastening elements (11) for connecting said corner brackets (4) to the frame side members (2) and to the front connection profile (3); and at least one rear connection profile (12) interconnecting the frame side members (2) at their rear sections. Said frame (1) further comprises at least one traverse (13) interconnecting said frame side members (2) at their middle sections.

[0069] Thanks to the corner bracket (4) of the present invention, which is connected to the frame side member (2) and the front connection profile (3) at their inner surfaces, a frame (1) equipped with said bracket (4) can achieve a more balanced load distribution. Furthermore, connecting the corner bracket (4) to the inner surfaces of the frame side member (2) and the front connection profile (3) allows reinforcement sections (7) to be incorporated in the corner bracket (4), thereby ensuring durability even with low weight. In addition, since the corner bracket (4) is connected to the inner surfaces of the frame side member (2) and the front connection profile (3), other components can be attached to any desired location on the outer surfaces of the frame side member (2) and the front connection profile (3).

[0070] Confidential

Claims

8343.1169CLAIMS1. A corner bracket (4) suitable for interconnecting a front connection profile (3) and a frame side member (2) in a frame (1) comprising at least two frame side members (2) and at least one front connection profile (3), said corner bracket (4) characterized by comprising:at least a first connecting arm (5) suitable for connection to an inner surface of a frame side member (2);at least a first connection hole (5a) on the first connecting arm (5); at least a second connecting arm (6) connected on at least one side to the first connecting arm (5), and suitable for connection, on at least another side thereof, to an inner surface of the front connection profile (3);at least a second connection hole (6a) on the second connecting arm (6); and at least one reinforcement section (7) in the form of a rib interconnecting the first connecting arm (5) and the second connecting arm (6).

2. A corner bracket (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the corner bracket (4) comprises at least one towing connection slot (8) suitable for attaching a towing hook and provided on the second connecting arm (6).

3. A corner bracket (4) according to claim 2, characterized in that the towing connection slot (8) is provided in alignment between the ends of the second connecting arm (6) and the first connecting arm (5) that are distant from each other.

4. A corner bracket (4) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the corner bracket (4) comprises at least one towing fastening element (8a) connected to the towing connection slot (8).

5. A corner bracket (4) according to any of the claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the towing connection slot (8) comprises at least one threaded connection.

6. A corner bracket (4) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the corner bracket (4) comprises at least one suspension connection slot (9)9Confidential8343.1169provided on an upper section of the second connecting arm (6) and / or the first connecting arm (5).

7. A corner bracket (4) according to claim 6, characterized in that the suspension connection slot (9) has a hollow cylindrical structure.

8. A corner bracket (4) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the corner bracket (4) comprises at least one suspension intermediate element (9a) provided within the suspension connection slot (9).

9. A corner bracket (4) according to any of the claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the corner bracket (4) comprises at least one support section (10) interconnecting the suspension connection slot (9) and the first connecting arm (5).

10. A corner bracket (4) according to claim 9, characterized in that the support section (10) comprises at least one connection slot (10a) at a portion thereof connected to the first connecting arm (5).

11. A corner bracket (4) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the corner bracket (4) comprises at least two first connection holes (5a) provided on the first connecting arm (5).

12. A corner bracket (4) according to claim 11, characterized in that the corner bracket (4) comprises at least one support rib (5b) located on the first connecting arm (5), between the at least two first connection holes (5a).

13. A corner bracket (4) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second connecting arm (6) is in the form of a “C” profile.

14. A corner bracket (4) according to claim 13, characterized in that the at least one reinforcement section (7) is provided as an extension of an upper and / or lower arm of the second connecting arm (6) with the “C” profile structure.10Confidential8343.116915. A frame (1) comprising at least one corner bracket (4) according to any of the preceding claims.

16. A frame (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that the frame (1) comprises at least two frame side members (2), each with an inner surface to which a first connecting arm (5) of at least one corner bracket (4) is connected; at least one front connection profile (3) connected to the second connecting arms (6) of the corner brackets (4) attached to said frame side members (2); at least four (preferably, more) fastening elements (11) for connecting said corner brackets (4) to the frame side members (2) and to the front connection profile (3); and at least one rear connection profile (12) interconnecting the frame side members (2) at their rear sections.

17. A frame (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that the frame (1) comprises at least one traverse (13) interconnecting said frame side members (2) at their middle sections.

18. A frame (1) according to any of the claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the frame (1) is suitable for use in a heavy commercial vehicle.11Confidential

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