SINGLE-WALL INLINE SKATE FRAME WITH BOX BEAM WALL

Abstract

A one-sided inline skate frame for an inline skate includes a wheel mounting portion that rotatably mounts a plurality of inline skate wheels on one side of the wheel mounting portion. A box beam sidewall extends up from the wheel mounting portion. The box beam sidewall includes an outer wall section, an inner wall section, an upper wall section, and a lower wall section. The wall sections define a channel through the box beam sidewall. A forward base attachment member extends from an upper, forward portion of the box beam sidewall, and a rearward base attachment member extends from a rearward portion of the box beam wall. The forward and rearward based attachment members are configured for mounting a skate base to the frame.

Claims

1. A one-sided inline skate frame for an inline skate having a base and a plurality of wheels, the frame comprising: a wheel mounting portion configured to rotatably mount the plurality of wheels in an inline configuration such that the plurality of wheels are disposed on one side of the wheel mounting portion; a box beam sidewall extending upwardly from the wheel mounting portion, the box beam sidewall comprising an outer portion, an inner portion, an upper portion, and a lower portion, wherein the outer, inner, upper, and lower portions define a channel through the box beam sidewall; and a forward base attachment member extending from an upper end of the box beam sidewall, and a rearward base attachment member extending from the upper end of the box beam sidewall, wherein the forward and rearward base attachment members configured to attach to the base.

2. The one-sided inline skate frame of claim 1, wherein the wheel mounting portion comprises a plurality of separate nodes, each node configured to mount at least one of the plurality of wheels.

3. The one-sided inline skate frame of claim 1, wherein the wheel mounting portion comprises three nodes, each of the plurality of nodes configured to rotatably mount at least a corresponding one of the plurality of wheel.

4. The one-sided inline skate frame of claim 1, wherein the forward and the rearward base attachment members extend at a right angle from the box beam sidewall.

5. The one-sided inline skate frame of claim 4, wherein the rearward base attachment member comprises an upper portion extending from the box beam sidewall and an L-shaped portion having a first leg extending from the box beam sidewall parallel to the upper portion and a second leg joining the first leg to the upper portion.

6. The one-sided inline skate frame of claim 1, wherein the box beam sidewall further comprises at least one transverse aperture through the outer portion and the inner portion of the box beam sidewall.

7. The one-sided inline skate frame of claim 1, wherein the box beam sidewall further comprises at least two transverse apertures through the outer portion and the inner portion of the box beam sidewall.

8. The one-sided skate frame of claim 1, wherein the box beam sidewall further comprises at least one edge cutout.

9. The one-sided skate frame of claim 1, wherein the box beam sidewall comprises extruded aluminum.

10. The one-sided skate frame of claim 2, wherein the wheel mounting portion comprises three mounting nodes, and wherein the forward base attachment member is disposed longitudinally between a forward node and a center node, and the rearward base attachment member is disposed longitudinally between the center node and a rearward node.

11. A one-sided inline skate comprising: a frame; a foot securing portion comprising a foot-supporting base attached to the frame, and an ankle collar attached to the base; the frame comprising: a wheel mounting portion configured to rotatably mount the plurality of wheels in an inline configuration such that the plurality of wheels are disposed on one side of the wheel mounting portion; a box beam sidewall extending upwardly from the wheel mounting portion, the box beam sidewall comprising an outer portion, an inner portion, an upper portion, and a lower portion, wherein the outer, inner, upper, and lower portions define a channel through the box beam sidewall; and a forward base attachment member extending from an upper end of the box beam sidewall, and a rearward base attachment member extending from the upper end of the box beam sidewall, wherein the forward and rearward base attachment members configured to attach to the base.

12. The one-sided inline skate of claim 11, wherein the wheel mounting portion comprises a plurality of separate nodes, each node configured to mount at least one of the plurality of wheels.

13. The one-sided inline skate of claim 11, wherein the forward and the rearward base attachment members extend at a right angle from the box beam sidewall.

14. The one-sided inline skate of claim 11, wherein the box beam sidewall further comprises at least one transverse aperture through the outer portion and the inner portion of the box beam sidewall.

15. The one-sided inline skate of claim 11, wherein the box beam sidewall further comprises at least one edge cutout.

16. The one-sided skate of claim 11, wherein the box beam sidewall comprises extruded aluminum.

17. A method for constructing a frame for a one-sided inline skate, the method comprising: extruding a skate blank comprising, the blank comprising: i) a box beam sidewall section defining a through channel, ii) a wheel mounting section extending from a bottom side of the sidewall section, and iii) a base mounting section defining a through channel and extending from a top side of the sidewall section; machining the wheel mounting section to produce wheel mounting nodes with through apertures configured to receive wheel axles; machining the sidewall section to shape a front end and a rear end of the sidewall section, and to define at least one transverse aperture through the sidewall section; and machining the base mounting section to define a forward base attachment portion with a mounting aperture and a rearward base attachment portion with a mounting aperture.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising machining the sidewall section to produce an edge cutout in the sidewall section.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the skate blank comprises an aluminum extrusion.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0025] FIG. 1 is an upper front left side view of a first embodiment of a low-vibration inline skate in accordance with the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 2A is a right side view of the inline skate shown in FIG. 1;

[0027] FIG. 2B is a lower right-side view of the base of the inline skate shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the forward and rearward bosses for attachment to the frame;

[0028] FIG. 3A is an upper right-side view of the frame for the inline skate shown in FIG. 1;

[0029] FIG. 3B is a plan view of the frame for the inline skate shown in FIG. 1;

[0030] FIG. 4 is a back exploded view showing the frame and the base for the inline skate shown in FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 5 is a partially exploded detail view of the front wheel and axle assembly for the inline skate shown in FIG. 1;

[0032] FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing another embodiment of the axle assembly for the inline skate shown in FIG. 1;

[0033] FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing another embodiment of the axle assembly for the inline skate shown in FIG. 1;

[0034] FIG. 8 is an upper perspective view of another embodiment of a one-sided frame for an inline skate in accordance with the present invention, configured to support three wheels;

[0035] FIG. 9 is a side view of the frame for an inline skate shown in FIG. 8;

[0036] FIG. 10 is a back view of the frame for an inline skate shown in FIG. 8; and

[0037] FIG. 11 describes a method for making the one-sided frame for an inline skate shown in FIGS. 8-10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] This disclosure is in the field of inline skates. As used herein, upward, upwardly, upper, and similar terms are defined conventionally to refer to a direction generally perpendicular to axles of the inline skate and away from the ground during use of the inline skate, and vertical and vertically are similarly defined to mean a direction perpendicular to axles of the inline skate. Similarly, forward and rearward and similar terms are conventionally defined to refer generally to the direction aligned with the skate frame and perpendicular to the upward direction.

[0039] Refer now to the FIGURES which illustrate currently preferred embodiments of single-wall inline skates and skate frames in accordance with the present invention. In some embodiments such inline skates may include foot enclosure portions not shown herein.

[0040] FIG. 1 is an upper front-right side view of a single-wall inline skate 100 in accordance with the present invention and FIG. 2A is a right side view of the single-wall inline skate 100. FIG. 2B is a lower side view of the base 102 of the inline skate 100. Conventional boot or foot-enclosing portions and conventional lacing, straps, and the like are not shown to better illustrate novel aspects of the single-wall inline skate 100. The inline skate 100 shown in FIG. 1 is intended for the left foot of the user. A right-foot skate has a similar arrangement but may preferably be constructed in mirror symmetry to the inline skate 100 shown in FIG. 1.

[0041] The skate 100 includes four wheel assemblies 110 rotatably mounted to a frame 120 having a single sidewall 122. In other embodiments the skate may include a different number of inline wheel assemblies 110, for example two, three, five, or six wheel assemblies. Unlike conventional inline skates, the outer or lateral side of the wheel assemblies 110 are mounted for rotation on a corresponding axle assembly 140 that is attached to the sidewall 122 on one side only (i.e., in a cantilevered attachment), such that the wheel assemblies 110 are not obscured by a frame sidewall or other frame structure.

[0042] A contoured skate base 102 is attached to the frame 120. The base 102 is configured to underlie and support the skater's foot. The base 102 includes a forward foot portion 102A that is integral with a rearward heel cup portion 102B. An ankle collar 104 is pivotably attached to the heel cup portion 102B.

[0043] As seen most clearly in FIG. 2B, which shows the base 102 in isolation, a first attachment boss 101 extends downwardly from the forward portion 102A of the base 102 and a second attachment boss 103 extends downwardly from the heel portion 102B of the base 102. The first and second attachment bosses 101, 103 are configured to be attached to the frame 120 with fasteners 105A, 106A (FIG. 2A) that extend through boss apertures 105, 106 and corresponding apertures 121, 121 in the frame 120 (FIG. 3A). Other attachment methods are contemplated, and may be used to attach the frame to the base of the skate boot. See, for example, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-10 and discussed below.

[0044] The plurality of inline wheel assemblies 110 each includes an elastic ground-engaging portion 111 for example an abrasion-resistant, high-density urethane wheel. The ground-engaging wheel 111 is fixedly attached to a hub 113 having a central through aperture. A bearing assembly 112 is installed in the central aperture. The bearing assemblies 112 in a current embodiment includes a pair of coaxial and spaced-apart bearing subassemblies positioned in the wheel 112 central aperture with a spacer therebetween. Each of the wheel assemblies 110 is rotatably mounted on a corresponding one of axle assemblies 140. The axle assemblies 140 are attached to the frame sidewall 122 in a cantilevered arrangement, such that the wheel assemblies 110 are approximately centered below the base 102.

[0045] A perspective view of the one-sided frame 120 is shown in isolation in FIG. 3A, and a plan view of the frame 120 is shown in FIG. 3B. Refer also to FIG. 4, which shows an exploded back view of the base 102 and the frame 120. The frame sidewall 122 includes a lower section defining a wheel mounting portion 124 having a plurality of apertures 123 for mounting the axle assemblies 140. The sidewall 122 is preferably located medially, i.e., on the right (or interior) side for the left-foot skate shown in FIG. 1, and on the left (or interior) side for the right-foot skate (not shown). A plurality of locking protrusions 125, each associated with one of the apertures 123, are also visible in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0046] The sidewall 122 further includes a forward attachment portion 126 extending upwardly from a front section of the wheel mounting portion 124 and a rearward attachment portion 128 extending upwardly from a back section of the wheel mounting portion 124. Each attachment portion 126 and 128 includes an attachment aperture 121. A generally L-shaped forward attachment member 130 extends from the front section of the sidewall 122. The forward attachment member 130 includes a leg 131 fixed to, or integral with, and extending away from the sidewall 122 and an attachment plate 132 extending upwardly from the leg 131. The attachment plate 132 is generally parallel to the forward attachment portion 126 of the sidewall 122. Similarly, an L-shaped rearward attachment member 135 extends from a back section of the sidewall 122. The rearward attachment member 135 includes a leg 136 fixed to, or integral with, the sidewall 122 and an attachment plate 137 extending upwardly from the leg 136. The attachment plate 137 is generally parallel to the rearward attachment portion 128 of the sidewall 122. The attachment plates 132, 137 include an aperture 121 aligned with a corresponding attachment aperture 121 in the sidewall 122.

[0047] The leg 131 of the forward attachment member 130 and the leg 136 of the rearward attachment member 135 are hourglass shaped, i.e., wide at each end and narrow in the middle, as seen most clearly in FIG. 3B. In particular, the legs 131, 136 are sized and shaped to extend between neighboring wheel assemblies 110, for example at an elevation above the axle assemblies 140. For example, in this embodiment the forward attachment member 130 extends between the two front wheel assemblies 110 and the rearward attachment member 135 extends between the two rear wheel assemblies 110 (see FIG. 2A).

[0048] Referring again to FIGS. 2B and 4, the first and second attachment bosses 101, 103 each include a transverse aperture 105, 106 respectively, that is sized and positioned to slidably receive conventional attachment hardware (not shown), for attaching the base 102 to the frame 120. The first attachment boss 101 of the base 102 slidably engages the frame 120 between the forward attachment portion 126 of the sidewall 122 and the corresponding plate 132 of the forward attachment member 130. Attachment members 105A, 106A (FIG. 2A) extend through corresponding apertures 121, 121, and boss apertures 105 or 106 to attach the base 102 to the frame 120. The second attachment boss 103 of the base 102 slidably engages the frame 120 between the rearward attachment portion 128 of the sidewall 122 and the plate 137 of the rearward attachment member 135. It will be appreciated that the first and second bosses 101, 103 extending down from the foot pad portion of the base 102 provide a leverage arm that improve the user's ability to control the skate frame 120.

[0049] In an alternative embodiment (not shown) a transverse attachment plate extends between a top end of the attachment portions 126, 128 and the corresponding attachment plate 132, 137, and the skate base is attached to the frame with attachment members that extend vertically through mounting apertures in the transverse attachment plate.

[0050] In alternative embodiments (see, for example, FIGS. 8-10) one or more mounting plates extend perpendicularly from an upper portion of the sidewall 122, for example forward and rearward plates, and the base 102 is attached to the upper face of the one or more mounting plates, for example with bolts that extend through apertures in the mounting plates and engage nut plates embedded in the base, as is known in the art.

[0051] FIG. 5 shows a front end of the frame 120 and wheel assemblies 110, with one of the axle assemblies 140 in exploded view. The axle assemblies 140 include a main axle member 141 having an axle shaft 145 configured to slidably engage the corresponding bearing assembly 112. An outer end 146 of the axle shaft 145 is threaded, and configured to engage an attachment bolt 149. An inner end of the axle shaft 145 defines a flange 143, and an end portion 142 extends through the corresponding aperture 123 in the wheel mounting portion 122 of the frame 120. The end portion 142 includes a threaded aperture 147, and the main axle member 141 is fixed to the frame 120 with an attachment member 148 that engages the threaded aperture 147. In this embodiment the attachment member 148 is configured to permanently fix the axle member 141 to the wheel mounting portion 122. In other embodiments the attachment member 148 is removable, such that the axle member 141 may be removed. The end portion 142 is sized such that the flange 143 and the attachment member 148 clampingly engage the frame 120. The flange 143 includes a shaped portion 144, for example a flat face portion that is sized and shaped to engage a corresponding one of the locking protrusions 125 on the wheel mounting portion 122 of the frame 120, such that the main axle member 141 is prevented from rotating with respect to the frame 120.

[0052] The attachment member 148 in this embodiment fixes the axle member 141 to the sidewall 122. In alternative embodiments the axle members are permanently fixed to the sidewall 122. For example, the attachment member 148 may be configured with a drive head that only allows the attachment member 148 to be rotated in the direction that tightens the attachment. Alternatively the axle member may be co-formed with the sidewall 122, or formed as a single piece that is permanently affixed to the sidewall 122 by welding, brazing, adhesives, or the like.

[0053] It will be appreciated by persons of skill in the art that with this arrangement the main axle member 141 is advantageously not pre-tensioned by the attachment members 148 and 149. In addition, removing and replacing the wheel assemblies 110 is simplified because the main axle member 141 is prevented from rotating when removing and replacing the attachment member 149.

[0054] An alternative embodiment of an axle assembly 240 is shown in FIG. 6. The axle assembly 240 is similar to the axle assembly 140 described above, but provides protection against unintentional loosening of the attachment member 149 during use. In this embodiment the main axle member 241 has an axle shaft 245 that includes one or more shaped end recesses or notches 244 (two shown). An annular cap member 250 is disposed between attachment member 149 and the main axle member 141 and corresponding bearing assembly 112. The cap member 250 includes a central aperture 252 configured to receive the threaded end of attachment member 149 therethrough. The annular cap member 250 includes corresponding protrusions 254 that are configured to engage the end notches 244 on the axle shaft 245. The shaped flange 143 engages the flange protrusion 125 preventing the axle member 141 from rotating, and the engagement of the protrusions 254 with the end notches 244 similarly prevents the cap member 250 from rotating. The annular cap member 250 isolates the attachment member 149 from the rotational motion of the bearing assembly 112. The annular cap member 250 therefore protects the attachment member 149 from coming loose due to the rotations of the wheel assembly 110, improving safety to the skater.

[0055] Another alternative embodiment of an axle assembly 240 is shown in FIG. 7. In this embodiment the axle member 341 includes an axle shaft 345 having a reduced-diameter distal end 344. A cap member 350 is configured to slidably engage the distal end 344 in a manner that rotationally locks the cap 350 to the axle shaft 345, i.e., such that the cap member 350 will not rotate with respect to the axle member 341. In this embodiment the distal end 344 includes one or more outwardly-extending ribs 347, and the cap member 350 includes a tubular portion 354 having one or more channels 357, and a flange 352. The tubular portion 354 is configured to slide onto the distal end 344 such that the ribs 347 slidably engage corresponding channels 357 such that the cap member 350 is rotationally locked with the axle member 341. Alternative locking mechanisms are contemplated. For example the tubular portion 354 and distal end 344 may be non-circular, e.g., oval or polygonal. In another example the tubular portion 354 may include a shaped distal end, for example a plurality of teeth or longitudinal extensions, that are configured to engage corresponding recesses in the axle member 341. The cap member in these various embodiments are configured to prevent the rotation of the wheel assembly, for example the bearing assembly 112 from frictionally transmitting rotational forces to the attachment bolt 149, to prevent the attachment bolt 149 from coming loose from the axle member.

[0056] FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of an inline skate 400 with a one-sided frame 420, in accordance with the present invention, wherein the base 402, the ankle collar 404 and wheels 411 are illustrated in broken line. Refer also to FIG. 9, which shows an upper-rear view of the one-sided frame 420 in isolation.

[0057] The frame 420 has a lower wheel mounting portion 424, a central box beam sidewall 427 that extends up from the wheel mounting portion 424, and forward and rearward base attachment portions 426 and 428 that extend outwardly from an upper end of the box beam sidewall 427. As used herein a box beam wall or a box beam sidewall is defined to mean a structural wall having inner and outer wall portions (e.g., left and right wall portions) that are connected to each other on opposite edges by joining wall portions (e.g., upper and lower wall portions), such that the wall portions define a channel therethrough. The definition expressly encompasses such box beam structures that also have intermediate connecting members, for example posts or elongate ledges, between the inner and outer wall portions.

[0058] In this embodiment the wheel mounting portion 424 is configured to mount three wheels 411 inline. The wheel mounting portion 424 includes a front wheel node 424A, a middle wheel node 424B, and a rear wheel node 424C. Each wheel node 424A, 424B, and 424C is configured to rotatably support a corresponding one of the wheels 411. In other embodiments the wheel mounting portion may be configured to mount more or fewer wheels 411, for example 2, 4, 5, or 6 wheels. The wheel nodes 424A, 424B, 424C in this embodiment define recesses between adjacent wheel nodes, reducing the amount of material in the frame 420 and therefore provide the advantage of a lower-weight frame 420. The plural wheel nodes also provide aesthetic advantages.

[0059] In other embodiments the wheel mounting portion 424 may have more or fewer wheel nodes. For example, in an embodiment the wheel mounting portion may include a forward wheel node configured to mount more than one wheel and a rearward wheel node configured to mount one or more wheels. In other embodiments the wheel mounting portion may not define separate wheel nodes, for example the wheel mounting portion may be generally rectangular, defining a linear lower edge (similar to the wheel mounting portion 124 shown in FIG. 3A). In still other embodiments the lower edge of the wheel mounting portion may have a curved wavy shape in the longitudinal direction for example a sinusoidal shape. Other shapes for the wheel mounting portion will be apparent to persons of skill in the art, based on the teachings contained herein.

[0060] The box beam wall 427 extends upwardly from, and is generally aligned with, the wheel mounting portion 424. The box beam wall 427 is discussed in more detail below. The forward base attachment plate 426 extends away from a top end of the box beam wall 427 at or near a front end of the box beam wall 427. Similarly, the rearward base attachment plate 428 extends away from a top end of the box beam wall 427 at or near the back end of the wall 427. The attachment plates 426, 428 extend in the direction of the wheels 411. As seen most clearly in FIG. 8, one or both of the attachment plates 426, 428 may be positioned wholly or partially lower than a plane defined by a top end of the wheels 411, such that the attachment plate 426 and/or 428 is positioned between an upper portion of two adjacent wheels 411, allowing the base 402 to be advantageously positioned as low as possible without interfering with rotation of the wheels 411.

[0061] As seen most clearly in FIG. 8, in this embodiment the wheel mounting portion 424 is configured to mount three wheels 411. The forward based mounting plate 426 is disposed longitudinally between the front node 424A and the center node 424B, and the rearward based mounting plate 428 is disposed longitudinally between the center node 424B and the rearward node 424C. This configuration allows one or both of the mounting plates 426, 428 to be positioned lower on the frame 420 extending partially between adjacent wheels 411, which allows the user's foot to be relatively closer to the ground during use.

[0062] Refer now also to FIG. 10, which shows a back end view of the one-sided frame 420. The rearward attachment plate 428 in this embodiment comprises an upper portion 428U that is located higher than the forward attachment plate 426 and includes apertures 429 (FIG. 9) for fixing the base 402 to the frame 420. The rearward attachment plate 428 also includes an L-shaped lower portion 428L comprising a first leg that extends downwardly from the upper portion 428U and a second leg that extends from the first leg to the wall 427, defining an opening 425, and providing a sturdy, light-weight construction supporting heel of the base 402. In the current embodiment the L-shaped portion 428L is relatively narrow and positioned at a back end of the upper portion 428U, to produce a relatively lower weight frame 420. In other embodiments the L-shaped portion 428L may be substantially the same length in the longitudinal direction as the upper portion 428U. The L-shaped portion 428L significantly improves the strength and rigidity of the rearward attachment plate 428. In other embodiments the rearward attachment plate 428 is a simple, single plate (similar to the forward attachment plate 426) and may be substantially coplanar with the forward attachment plate 426, i.e., such that the rearward attachment plate does not provide any lift for the heel.

[0063] Referring still to FIGS. 9 and 10, the box beam wall 427 includes an outer wall portion 431 (facing the wheels 411) and a spaced-apart inner wall portion 433, with a gap or opening 435 formed therebetween. An upper wall portion 437 and a lower wall portion 439 connect the outer and inner wall portions 431, 433, producing a box beam structure. This box beam wall 427 has been found to provide an excellent strength to weight ratio for the wall 427.

[0064] The box beam walls 431, 433 in this embodiment further define large transverse apertures, for example forward aperture 451 and rearward aperture 453 and an edge cutout 455 between the base attachment portions 426, 428. The apertures 451, 453 and edge cutout 455 reduce the weight of the box beam wall 427, and may be engineered to provide a desired flexibility in the frame 420. In other embodiments the box beam walls may include a plurality of smaller apertures and/or cutouts, for example.

[0065] The wheels 411 may be attached to the wheel mounting portion 424 with axle assemblies such as those shown in FIGS. 5-7. In other embodiments axles are permanently fixed to the wheel mounting portion 424 of the one-sided frame.

[0066] In a currently preferred embodiment the one-sided frame 420 is configured to have an extrudable cross section along the length of the frame 420. As will be apparent to persons of skill in the art from FIGS. 9 and 10, the one-sided frame 420 in the current embodiment may be fabricated by extruding a blank (not shown) having a cross section generally similar to the back view shown in FIG. 10 including openings 425 and 435. For example, the one-sided frame 420 may comprise an aluminum extrusion or aluminum alloy extrusion. The blank may then be machined, for example removing material to form the wheel nodes 424A, 424B, 424C, attachment plates 426, 428, large apertures 451, 453, edge cutout 455, and the frame's 420 front and rear shaped ends.

[0067] A method for producing the one-sided frame 500 is illustrated in FIG. 11. In this method a skate blank is first extruded 502. The skate blank includes a central box beam wall section with at least one through channel, a wheel mounting section extending from the wall section, and a base mounting section optionally including a through channel.

[0068] The wheel mounting section is machined 504 to produce wheel mounting nodes 424A, 424B, 424C, and an aperture for the axles is drilled. The box beam wall section is machined 506 to shape the ends, and to define one or more apertures and edge cutouts, for example the apertures 451, 453 and edge cutout 455. The base mounting section is machined 508 to define the forward base attachment member 426 and the rearward base attachment member 428, including mounting apertures 429.

[0069] It is contemplated, and will be apparent to persons of skill in the art, that the inline skate frame 120 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B may be readily modified to include a box beam sidewall above the wheel mounting portion 124, similar to the box beam sidewall 427 shown in FIG. 8-10.

[0070] While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.