US3575441A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle suspension
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1968-12-23
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Granted: 1971-04-20
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Expires: 1988-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A rear suspension system for a motor vehicle having a rigid axle housing and a pair of lower suspension arms interconnecting the axle housing with the vehicle chassis. The arms are angled forwardly and outwardly. A stabilizer bar has its center portion extending transversely of the vehicle body and connected to the vehicle frame. The ends of the bar form integral upper suspension arms that extend rearwardly and outwardly and are secured to the axle housing. The stabilizer bar, in combination with the splayed lower arms, controls body roll, lateral body movement and axle windup.
Inventors
- 👤 Klaus H Arning
- 👤 Robert H Transou Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:28
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G21/00; B60G21/02; B60G21/04; B60G21/05; B60G21/055; B60G21/0551; B60G21/051; B60G9/00; B60G2200/00; B60G2200/30; B60G2200/314; B60G2202/00; B60G2202/10; B60G2202/12; B60G2202/13; B60G2202/135; B60G2202/136; B60G2202/1362; B60G2204/00; B60G2204/10; B60G2204/12; B60G2204/122; B60G2204/1222; B60G2204/1224; B60G2204/14; B60G2204/143; B60G2204/1434; B60G2204/40; B60G2204/41; B60G2204/43; B60G2204/4302; B60G2206/00; B60G2206/01; B60G2206/20; B60G2206/60; B60G2206/601
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A vehicle suspension system having body support structure, a pair of road wheels, a rigid axle housing rotatably supporting said wheels, suspension means interconnecting said support structure and said axle housing, said suspension means comprising first wheel position means interposed between said axle housing and said support structure, first pivot means connecting said first wheel-positioning means to said axle housing, second pivot means connecting said first wheel-positioning means to said support structure, said first wheel-positioning means being splayed in a forwardly and outwardly manner, second wheelpositioning means interposed between said axle housing and said support structure, said second wheel-positioning means being splayed rearwardly and outwardly, third pivot means connecting said second wheel-positioning means to said axle housing, and fourth pivot means connecting said second wheel-positioning means to said support structure, said first pivot means being spaced inwardly of said third pivot means and said second pivot means being spaced outwardly of said fourth pivot means when said suspension system is observed in top plan view, said first pivot means being vertically spaced apart from said third pivot means when said suspension system is observed in side elevational view.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A vehicle suspension system having body support structure, a pair of road wheels, a rigid axle housing rotatably supporting said wheels, suspension means interconnecting said support structure and said axle housing, said suspension means comprising first wheel position means interposed between said axle housing and said support structure, first pivot means connecting said first wheel-positioning means to said axle housing, second pivot means connecting said first wheel-positioning means to said support structure, said first wheel-positioning means being splayed in a forwardly and outwardly manner, second wheelpositioning means interposed between said axle housing and said support structure, said second wheel-positioning means being splayed rearwardly and outwardly, third pivot means connecting said second wheel-positioning means to said axle housing, and fourth pivot means connecting said second wheel-positioning means to said support structure, said first pivot means being spaced inwardly of said third pivot means and said second pivot means being spaced outwardly of said fourth pivot means when said suspension system is observed in top plan view, said first pivot means being vertically spaced apart from said third pivot means when said suspension system is observed in side elevational view.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
122 words
A vehicle suspension system having body support structure, a pair of road wheels, a rigid axle housing rotatably supporting said wheels, suspension means interconnecting said support structure and said axle housing, said suspension means comprising first wheel position means interposed between said axle housing and said support structure, first resilient means connecting said axle housing and to said support structure, said first wheel-positioning means being splayed in a forwardly and outwardly manner, second wheel-positioning means interposed between said axle housing and said support structure, said second wheel-positioning means being splayed rearwardly and outwardly, second resilient means connecting said second wheel-positioning means to said axle housing and to said support structure, said second resilient means having greater resiliency than said first resilient means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
122 words
A vehicle suspension system having body support structure, a pair of road wheels, a rigid axle housing rotatably supporting said wheels, suspension means interconnecting said support structure and said axle housing, said suspension means comprising first wheel position means interposed between said axle housing and said support structure, first resilient means connecting said axle housing and to said support structure, said first wheel-positioning means being splayed in a forwardly and outwardly manner, second wheel-positioning means interposed between said axle housing and said support structure, said second wheel-positioning means being splayed rearwardly and outwardly, second resilient means connecting said second wheel-positioning means to said axle housing and to said support structure, said second resilient means having greater resiliency than said first resilient means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A vehicle suspension system according to claim 1 and including said second wheel-positioning means comprising a one-piece stabilizer bar having integral suspension arm portions interposed between said axle housing and said support structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A vehicle suspension system according to claim 2 and including said second wheel-positioning means comprising a one-piece stabilizer bar having integral suspension arm portions interposed between said axle housing and said support structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A vehicle suspension system according to claim 2 and including said second wheel-positioning means comprising a one-piece stabilizer bar having integral suspension arm portions interposed between said axle housing and said support structure, said integral suspension arm portions sloping downwardly and forwardly in side elevational view.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
181 words
A vehicle suspension system having a body support structure, a pair of road wheels, a rigid axle housing rotatably supporting said road wheels, suspension means interconnecTing said support structure and said axle housing, said suspension means comprising a pair of lower suspension arms, first resilient pivot means connecting said arms to said support structure, second resilient pivot means connecting said arms to said axle housing, said arms being splayed in a forwardly and outwardly manner, a stabilizer bar having a transverse midportion and integral suspension arm portions, third resilient pivot means connecting said stabilizer bar to said support structure, fourth resilient pivot means connecting said stabilizer bar to said axle housing, said integral arm portions being splayed in a rearwardly and outwardly manner, said first resilient means being spaced inwardly of said third resilient means and said second resilient means being spaced outwardly of said fourth resilient means when said suspension system is observed in top plan view, said first resilient means being vertically spaced apart from said third resilient means when said suspension system is observed in side elevational view.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
181 words
A vehicle suspension system having a body support structure, a pair of road wheels, a rigid axle housing rotatably supporting said road wheels, suspension means interconnecTing said support structure and said axle housing, said suspension means comprising a pair of lower suspension arms, first resilient pivot means connecting said arms to said support structure, second resilient pivot means connecting said arms to said axle housing, said arms being splayed in a forwardly and outwardly manner, a stabilizer bar having a transverse midportion and integral suspension arm portions, third resilient pivot means connecting said stabilizer bar to said support structure, fourth resilient pivot means connecting said stabilizer bar to said axle housing, said integral arm portions being splayed in a rearwardly and outwardly manner, said first resilient means being spaced inwardly of said third resilient means and said second resilient means being spaced outwardly of said fourth resilient means when said suspension system is observed in top plan view, said first resilient means being vertically spaced apart from said third resilient means when said suspension system is observed in side elevational view.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
125 words
A vehicle suspension system having a body support structure, a pair of road wheels, a rigid axle housing rotatably supporting said road wheels, suspension means interconnecting said support structure and said axle housing, said suspension means comprising a pair of lower suspension arms, first resilient pivot means connecting said arms to said support structure and to said axle housing, said arms being splayed in a forwardly and outwardly manner, a stabilizer bar having a transverse midportion and integral suspension arm portions, second resilient pivot means connecting said stabilizer bar to said support structure and to said axle housing, said integral arm portions being splayed in a rearwardly and outwardly manner, said second resilient pivot means having greater lateral resiliency than said first resilient pivot means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
125 words
A vehicle suspension system having a body support structure, a pair of road wheels, a rigid axle housing rotatably supporting said road wheels, suspension means interconnecting said support structure and said axle housing, said suspension means comprising a pair of lower suspension arms, first resilient pivot means connecting said arms to said support structure and to said axle housing, said arms being splayed in a forwardly and outwardly manner, a stabilizer bar having a transverse midportion and integral suspension arm portions, second resilient pivot means connecting said stabilizer bar to said support structure and to said axle housing, said integral arm portions being splayed in a rearwardly and outwardly manner, said second resilient pivot means having greater lateral resiliency than said first resilient pivot means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
124 words
A vehicle suspension system having a body support structure, a pair of road wheels, a rigid axle housing rotatably supporting said road wheels, suspension means interconnecting said support structure and said axle housing, said suspension means comprising a pair of lower suspension arms, first resilient pivot means connecting said arms to said support structure and to said axle housing, said arms being splayed in a forwardly and outwardly manner, a stabilizer bar having a transverse midportion and integral suspension arm portions, second resilient pivot means connecting said stabilizer bar to said support structure and to said axle housing, said integral arm portions being splayed in a rearwardly and outwardly manner, said arm portions of said bar sloping downwardly and forwardly in side elevational view.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
124 words
A vehicle suspension system having a body support structure, a pair of road wheels, a rigid axle housing rotatably supporting said road wheels, suspension means interconnecting said support structure and said axle housing, said suspension means comprising a pair of lower suspension arms, first resilient pivot means connecting said arms to said support structure and to said axle housing, said arms being splayed in a forwardly and outwardly manner, a stabilizer bar having a transverse midportion and integral suspension arm portions, second resilient pivot means connecting said stabilizer bar to said support structure and to said axle housing, said integral arm portions being splayed in a rearwardly and outwardly manner, said arm portions of said bar sloping downwardly and forwardly in side elevational view.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A vehicle suspension system according to claim 7 and including said arm portions of said bar sloping downwardly and forwardly in side elevational view.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
228 words
A vehicle suspension system having a body support structure, a pair of road wheels, a rigid axle housing rotatably supporting said road wheels, suspension means interconnecting said support structure and said axle housing, said suspension means comprising a pair of lower suspension arms, first resilient pivot means connecting said arms to said arms to said support structure and to said axle housing, said arms being splayed in a forwardly and outwardly manner, a stabilizer bar having a transverse midportion and integral suspension arm portions, second resilient pivot means connecting said stabilizer bar to said support structure and to said axle housing, said arms being splayed in a forwardly and outwardly manner, a stabilizer bar having a transverse midportion and integral suspension arm portions, second resilient pivot means connecting said stabilizer bar to said support structure and to said axle housing, said integral arm portions being splayed in a rearwardly and outwardly manner, said support structure comprising left and right frame side rail members, said rail members each having a downwardly open girder portion arranged parallel to one of said lower suspensIon arms, said girder portions each having spaced vertical sidewall parts, the forward ends of said lower suspension arms being disposed within said girder portions and between said sidewall parts, said first resilient pivot means including means interconnecting said sidewall parts and the ends of said suspension arms.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
228 words
A vehicle suspension system having a body support structure, a pair of road wheels, a rigid axle housing rotatably supporting said road wheels, suspension means interconnecting said support structure and said axle housing, said suspension means comprising a pair of lower suspension arms, first resilient pivot means connecting said arms to said arms to said support structure and to said axle housing, said arms being splayed in a forwardly and outwardly manner, a stabilizer bar having a transverse midportion and integral suspension arm portions, second resilient pivot means connecting said stabilizer bar to said support structure and to said axle housing, said arms being splayed in a forwardly and outwardly manner, a stabilizer bar having a transverse midportion and integral suspension arm portions, second resilient pivot means connecting said stabilizer bar to said support structure and to said axle housing, said integral arm portions being splayed in a rearwardly and outwardly manner, said support structure comprising left and right frame side rail members, said rail members each having a downwardly open girder portion arranged parallel to one of said lower suspensIon arms, said girder portions each having spaced vertical sidewall parts, the forward ends of said lower suspension arms being disposed within said girder portions and between said sidewall parts, said first resilient pivot means including means interconnecting said sidewall parts and the ends of said suspension arms.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
92 words
A vehicle suspension system according to claim 7 and including said arm portions of said bar sloping downwardly and forwardly in side elevational view, said support structure comprising left and right frame rail members, said rail members having portions arranged parallel to said lower suspension arms, said rail portions each having spaced vertical sidewall parts, the forward ends of said lower suspension arms being disposed within said rail portions and between said sidewall parts, said first resilient pivot means including means interconnecting said sidewall parts and the ends of said suspension arms.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
124 words
A vehicle suspension means having body support structure, a pair of road wheels, a rigid axle housing rotatably supporting said road wheels, suspension means interconnecting said support structure and said axle housing, said suspension means comprising a pair of suspension arms having their rearward ends pivotally connected to said axle housing, said arms being splayed in a forwardly and outwardly manner, said support structure including left and right frame side rail members, said frame rail members each having a downwardly open girder portion arranged parallel to said suspension arms, said girder portions having spaced sidewall parts, the forward ends of said suspension arms being disposed within said girder portions and between said sidewall parts, pivot means interconnecting said sidewall parts and said suspension arms.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
124 words
A vehicle suspension means having body support structure, a pair of road wheels, a rigid axle housing rotatably supporting said road wheels, suspension means interconnecting said support structure and said axle housing, said suspension means comprising a pair of suspension arms having their rearward ends pivotally connected to said axle housing, said arms being splayed in a forwardly and outwardly manner, said support structure including left and right frame side rail members, said frame rail members each having a downwardly open girder portion arranged parallel to said suspension arms, said girder portions having spaced sidewall parts, the forward ends of said suspension arms being disposed within said girder portions and between said sidewall parts, pivot means interconnecting said sidewall parts and said suspension arms.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
A vehicle suspension system according to claim 1 and including said first and third pivot means being laterally resilient, said first pivot means having greater lateral resiliency than said third pivot means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
A vehicle suspension system according to claim 6 and including said second pivot means having greater lateral resiliency than said fourth pivot means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A vehicle suspension system according to claim 6 and including said arm portions of said stabilizer bar sloping downwardly and forwardly when observed in side elevational view.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-19 | 1974-10-19 | 1975-04-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-19 | 1978-10-19 | 1979-04-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-19 | 1982-10-19 | 1983-04-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |