Abstract An articulated off-road vehicle is shown, having a front body portion and a rear body portion, connected for pivotal movements relative to each other about a substantially vertical axis, and for twisting movements relative to each other about a longitudinally extending, substantially horizontal axis. A drive shaft powered by an engine extends through the connections between the body portions, and is provided with a universal joint to accommodate the pivotal movement. An axle is mounted on each body portion and a differential for each axle is driven by the drive shaft. A wheel assembly, mounted on each end of each axle, has first and second wheel support arms each journaled at an upper end thereof on the axle, with the first arm extending forwardly and downwardly therefrom, and the second arm extending rearwardly and downwardly therefrom. A wheel is rotatably mounted on the lower end of each arm and a drive chain extends from the axle to each wheel for driving the wheel. A spring is connected between the arms intermediate the ends thereof to exert a force tending to draw the arms and attached wheels together.
In a vehicle having a driven axle, the improvement comprising a wheel assembly mounted on each end of said axle, each assembly comprising: a. first and second wheel support arms rotatably mounted with respect to said axle for rotation about a common transverse axis, said first arm extending forwardly and downwardly therefrom, said second arm extending rearwardly and downwardly therefrom; b. a wheel rotatably mounted on each of said arms; c. means extending from said axle to each said wheel for driving said wheel; d. spring means connected between said arms intermediate said axle and wheel of each and extending below said axle to exert a force tending to yieldingly pull said arms and attached wheels together below said axle; and e. resilient means positioned between each said arm and said vehicle to limit movement of said arms.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
In a vehicle having a driven axle, the improvement comprising a wheel assembly mounted on each end of said axle, each assembly comprising: a. first and second wheel support arms rotatably mounted with respect to said axle for rotation about a common transverse axis, said first arm extending forwardly and downwardly therefrom, said second arm extending rearwardly and downwardly therefrom; b. a wheel rotatably mounted on each of said arms; c. means extending from said axle to each said wheel for driving said wheel; d. spring means connected between said arms intermediate said axle and wheel of each and extending below said axle to exert a force tending to yieldingly pull said arms and attached wheels together below said axle; and e. resilient means positioned between each said arm and said vehicle to limit movement of said arms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
120 words
A suspension and drive unit for a vehicle having a drive axle and means for driving said axle, comprising: a. first and second support arms rotatably mounted at an upper end of each on said axle for rotation about a common transverse axis, said first arm extending forwardly and downwardly therefrom, said second arm extending rearwardly and downwardly therefrom; b. a wheel rotatably mounted on each arm; c. means extending from said axle to each said wheel for driving said wheel; d. a spring connected between said arms for limiting and damping the movement of each of said arms; and e. spring means connected between each said arm and said vehicle to aid in limiting and damping said arm movements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
120 words
A suspension and drive unit for a vehicle having a drive axle and means for driving said axle, comprising: a. first and second support arms rotatably mounted at an upper end of each on said axle for rotation about a common transverse axis, said first arm extending forwardly and downwardly therefrom, said second arm extending rearwardly and downwardly therefrom; b. a wheel rotatably mounted on each arm; c. means extending from said axle to each said wheel for driving said wheel; d. a spring connected between said arms for limiting and damping the movement of each of said arms; and e. spring means connected between each said arm and said vehicle to aid in limiting and damping said arm movements.