Axial suspension system that accommodate relative lateral movement

Claim 2

In a suspension system for a vehicle or the like, a support and supported member normally disposed in axially spaced relation and subject to loads urging them toward each other, a plurality of superimposed normalLy axially aligned precompressed resilient pad means disposed in compressive load carrying relation between said support and supported members, and continuous elongate rigid guide means operatively disposed through and cooperating with each of said superimposed resilient pad means for maintaining alignment therebetween along said guide means and being operatively interconnected normally in nonload transmitting relation with said support and supported members for normally permitting both free relative axial and lateral movement therebetween, said resilient pad means being alternately compressible and expandable upon relative axial movement between said support and supported members for absorbing substantially all of the relative axial movement therebetween and each of said resilient pad means cooperating with said guide means for resiliently permitting relative lateral movement between said support and supported members.

Claim 3

In a suspension system, as set forth in claim 1, including stop means carried by said guide means for limiting the relative axial movement between said support and supported members in at least one direction.

Claim 4

In a suspension system, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said stop means limit relative axial movement between said support and supported members in a direction apart from each other while permitting unlimited relative axial movement thereof in a direction toward each other.

Claim 5

In a suspension system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said guide means comprises a guide member extending centrally through each of said superimposed resilient pad means and having respective opposite end portions thereof slidably disposed through and beyond said support and supported members and being pivotal relative to each of said support and supported members.

Claim 6

In a suspension system, as set forth in claim 4, including stop means carried by each of said opposite end portions of said elongate guide member and cooperating with said guide member and support and supported members for limiting relative axial movement of said support and supported members in a direction apart from each other.

Claim 7

In a suspension system, as set forth in claim 5, including an elastomeric member carried by each of said opposite end portions of said elongate guide member inwardly of said stop means and cooperating with said stop means for engaging said support and supported members upon a predetermined relative axial movement thereof in a direction apart from each other to provide snubbing in the rebound direction.

Claim 8

In a suspension system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said plurality of superimposed resilient pad means effectively has a compressive load-deflection rate in the axial direction which increases with load.

Claim 9

In a suspension system, as set forth in claim 7, wherein each of said resilient pad means effectively has a compressive load-deflection rate which increases with load.

Claim 10

In a suspension system, as set forth in claim 8, wherein each of said resilient pad means comprises an elastomeric column having a circular cross-sectional area with opposite ends having a reduced diameter compared to the central portion thereof and having a relation between length and cross-sectional area which will prevent buckling under a compressive load applied between opposite ends thereof and including a bearing plate positioned between adjacent ends of each of said elastomeric columns, each of said bearing plates projecting radially outside the associated ends of the columns whereby upon the application of a compressive load to the ends of said columns they will bulge outwardly into load carrying contact with the adjacent plates to increase the load carrying area and load carrying ability of said columns.

Claim 11

In a suspension system, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the outer surface of each of said columns between opposite ends thereof is convex.

Claim 12

In a suspension system, as set forth in claim 1, including stacking means disposed between and interconnectIng adjacent resilient pad means, said stacking means cooperating with said guide means upon relative lateral movement between said support and supported members for uniformly deforming each of said resilient pad means to resiliently permit said relative lateral movement.

Claim 13

In a suspension system for a vehicle or the like, a support and supported member normally disposed in axially spaced relation and subject to loads urging them toward each other, a plurality of superimposed normally axially aligned precompressed elastomeric columns disposed in compressive load carrying relation between said support and supported members, annular stacking means disposed between and interconnecting adjacent elastomeric columns, and a continuous elongate rigid guide member disposed centrally through each of said elastomeric columns and stacking means and cooperating therewith for maintaining alignment therebetween along said guide means and having opposite end portions operatively associated with said support and supported members for normally free pivotal movement relative thereto and at least one of said end portions being slidably disposed through and beyond one of said support and supported members for permitting normally free relative axial movement between said support and supported members, said elastomeric columns being alternately compressible and and expandable upon relative axial movement between said support and supported members for absorbing substantially all of the relative axial movement therebetween and each of said stacking means cooperating with said guide member upon relative lateral movement between said support and supported members for uniformly deforming each of said elastomeric columns to resiliently permit said relative lateral movement.

Claim 14

In a suspension system for a vehicle or the like, a support and supported member normally disposed in axially spaced relation and subject to loads urging them toward each other, a plurality of superimposed normally axially aligned precompressed elastomeric columns disposed in compressive load carrying relation between said support and supported members, annular stacking means disposed between and interconnecting adjacent elastomeric columns, and a continuous elongate rigid guide member disposed centrally through each of said elastomeric columns and stacking means and cooperating therewith for maintaining alignment therebetween along said guide means and having opposite end portions operatively associated with said support and supported members for normally free pivotal movement relative thereto and at least one of said end portions being slidably disposed through and beyond one of said support and supported members for permitting normally free relative axial movement between said support and supported members, said elastomeric columns being alternately compressible and and expandable upon relative axial movement between said support and supported members for absorbing substantially all of the relative axial movement therebetween and each of said stacking means cooperating with said guide member upon relative lateral movement between said support and supported members for uniformly deforming each of said elastomeric columns to resiliently permit said relative lateral movement.

Claim 15

In a suspension system, as set forth in claim 12, wherein each of said opposite end portions of said elongate guide member are slidably disposed through and beyond one of said support and supported members, and including stop means carried by each of said opposite ends of said guide member and cooperating with said guide member and support and supported members for limiting relative axial movement between said support and supported members in a direction apart from each other.