US3556554A — Vehicle suspension systems

Claim 1

Independent Claim 199 words

A vehicle suspension device in combination with a vehicle frame, comprising a trailing bellcrank link having a pivotal connection at one end thereof to said vehicle frame and movable pivotally thereon in a vertical plane, a second pivotal connection at the other end of said trailing bellcrank link operatively connected to an axle of said vehicle, a first spring acting independently of said bellcrank link as a suspension spring between the axle and vehicle frame and adapted to resist vertical displacement of said bellcrank link relative to said vehicle frame, a second spring disposed vertically below the axle and adapted to serve as an antiroll spring, coacting abutments provided by said bellcrank link and axle respectively and arranged to receive said antiroll spring therebetween to resist relative angular movement between said link and axle, and nonyielding restraining means extending between said abutments for resisting movement of said abutments away from each other, said bellcrank link being formed with a downwardly projecting portion, relative to an associated vehicle, the abutment associated with the bellcrank link being formed on the downwardly projecting portion and defining a spacing relative to the abutment provided by said axle to receive said second spring therebetween.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 199 words

A vehicle suspension device in combination with a vehicle frame, comprising a trailing bellcrank link having a pivotal connection at one end thereof to said vehicle frame and movable pivotally thereon in a vertical plane, a second pivotal connection at the other end of said trailing bellcrank link operatively connected to an axle of said vehicle, a first spring acting independently of said bellcrank link as a suspension spring between the axle and vehicle frame and adapted to resist vertical displacement of said bellcrank link relative to said vehicle frame, a second spring disposed vertically below the axle and adapted to serve as an antiroll spring, coacting abutments provided by said bellcrank link and axle respectively and arranged to receive said antiroll spring therebetween to resist relative angular movement between said link and axle, and nonyielding restraining means extending between said abutments for resisting movement of said abutments away from each other, said bellcrank link being formed with a downwardly projecting portion, relative to an associated vehicle, the abutment associated with the bellcrank link being formed on the downwardly projecting portion and defining a spacing relative to the abutment provided by said axle to receive said second spring therebetween.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 37 words

A vehicle suspension device according to claim 1 wherein the abutment associated with the axle is formed on a bracket arranged to be attached to the axle and positioned below the axle relative to an associated vehicle.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 78 words

A vehicle suspension device according to claim 1 wherein the restraining means comprises a bolt, passage means in said abutments through which said bolt passes, said bolt having a locked nut at its end to prevent movement of the abutments away from each other beyond a predetermined distance and said passage means including a clearance hole in at least one of the abutments to allow unrestricted movement of said at least one of said abutments towards the other.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 63 words

A vehicle suspension device according to claim 1 wherein said restraining means comprises a bolt passing through a clearance hole formed in one abutment and secured in a tapped boss secured to the other abutment, the end passing through the tapped boss being provided with a locked nut, the bolt being positioned beneath the antiroll second spring centrally with respect to the spring.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 18 words

A vehicle suspension device according to claim 1 wherein the antiroll second spring is a coiled steel spring.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 24 words

A vehicle suspension device according to claim 1 wherein the link includes a universal joint arranged to be attached to an associated vehicle frame.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 25 words

A vehicle suspension device according to claim 1 wherein the antiroll second spring is a spring of elastomeric material mounted in compression between the abutments.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 24 words

A vehiCle suspension device according to claim 7 wherein the spring of elastomeric material consists of layers of elastomeric material interleaved with metal plates.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 14 words

A vehicle suspension device according to claim 7 wherein the elastomeric material is rubber.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 30 words

A vehicle axle assembly comprising a pair of vehicle suspension devices as claimed in claim 1 wherein the suspension spring of each such device is comprised of a pneumatic spring.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 164 words

A vehicle suspension device in combination with a vehicle frame, comprising a trailing bellcrank link having angularly related arms, one of said arms being a trailing arm and having a pivotal connection at one end thereof to said vehicle frame to provide swinging movement in a vertical plane, a supporting platform carried on a vehicle axle and having a pivotal connection with the other end of said trailing arm, a suspension spring acting independently of said bellcrank link and operatively disposed between said platform and vehicle frame to provide vehicle suspension support and arranged to control vertical displacement of said trailing arm relative to the vehicle frame, an antiroll second spring, coacting abutment means provided by the other of said bellcrank arms and said axle respectively and receiving said antiroll spring therebetween to resist relative angular movement between said other arm and supporting platform, and nonyielding restraining means extending between said abutments for limiting movement of said coacting abutment means away from one another.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 164 words

A vehicle suspension device in combination with a vehicle frame, comprising a trailing bellcrank link having angularly related arms, one of said arms being a trailing arm and having a pivotal connection at one end thereof to said vehicle frame to provide swinging movement in a vertical plane, a supporting platform carried on a vehicle axle and having a pivotal connection with the other end of said trailing arm, a suspension spring acting independently of said bellcrank link and operatively disposed between said platform and vehicle frame to provide vehicle suspension support and arranged to control vertical displacement of said trailing arm relative to the vehicle frame, an antiroll second spring, coacting abutment means provided by the other of said bellcrank arms and said axle respectively and receiving said antiroll spring therebetween to resist relative angular movement between said other arm and supporting platform, and nonyielding restraining means extending between said abutments for limiting movement of said coacting abutment means away from one another.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1974-01-18	1974-07-20	1975-01-19	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1978-01-18	1978-07-20	1979-01-19	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1982-01-18	1982-07-20	1983-01-19	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Vehicle suspension systems

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