US3595597A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle levelling systems
Assignee: Girling Ltd
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Filing: 1969-06-04
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Granted: 1971-07-27
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Expires: 1989-06-04
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle suspension system of the kind in which the sprung mass of the vehicle is yieldably supported from road wheels adjacent the two ends of the vehicle and the support means associated with the road wheels adjacent one end include a fluid-pressure support device, the fluid pressure in that device being controlled automatically to compensate for variations in the loading of the vehicle by a levelling valve which is responsive to variations in the height of the sprung mass adjacent said one end of the vehicle; the position of the datum level from which the levelling valve measures the height of the unsprung mass is automatically adjusted in accordance with variations in the height of the sprung mass of the vehicle adjacent the other end thereof; the sprung mass of the vehicle can thus be kept level fore and aft.
Inventors
- 👤 Graham J Wenham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 09:55
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G17/00; B60G17/02; B60G17/033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
In a vehicle suspension system comprising: means yieldably supporting the sprung mass of the vehicle from road wheels adjacent the front and rear ends respectively of the vehicle; said support means associated with the road wheels adjacent one end of the vehicle including at least one fluid pressure support device; means for supplying fluid under pressure to said support device; a levelling valve for controlling the pressure of the fluid supplied to said support device; said levelling valve being responsive to variations in the height adjacent said one end of the vehicle of the sprung mass of the vehicle relative to a datum level; the improvement which comprises: means connected to the levelling valve for changing the datum level relative to which the levelling valve operates, adjusting means operatively connecting the datum level changing means with the opposite end of the vehicle, said adjusting means being responsive to variations in the height of the sprung mass of the vehicle adjacent said other end for automatically varying said datum level changing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
In a vehicle suspension system comprising: means yieldably supporting the sprung mass of the vehicle from road wheels adjacent the front and rear ends respectively of the vehicle; said support means associated with the road wheels adjacent one end of the vehicle including at least one fluid pressure support device; means for supplying fluid under pressure to said support device; a levelling valve for controlling the pressure of the fluid supplied to said support device; said levelling valve being responsive to variations in the height adjacent said one end of the vehicle of the sprung mass of the vehicle relative to a datum level; the improvement which comprises: means connected to the levelling valve for changing the datum level relative to which the levelling valve operates, adjusting means operatively connecting the datum level changing means with the opposite end of the vehicle, said adjusting means being responsive to variations in the height of the sprung mass of the vehicle adjacent said other end for automatically varying said datum level changing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
A vehicle suspension system as set forth in claim 1, said levelling valve comprising a valve body, and an actuating arm movable relative to said body to control the pressure of fluid supplied to said support device; said actuating arm being coupled to the road wheels adjacent said one end of the vehicle, said valve body being adjustably supported on the sprung mass of the vehicle, and said adjusting means operating to vary the position of said valve body relative to said sprung mass.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A vehicle suspension system as set forth in claim 2, and further comprising a damper yieldably opposing movement of said valve body relative to said sprung mass and a lost motion device included in said adjusting means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-26 | 1975-01-25 | 1975-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-26 | 1979-01-25 | 1979-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-26 | 1983-01-25 | 1983-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |