US3687478A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle suspension system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-03-12
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Granted: 1972-08-29
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Expires: 1991-03-12
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle suspension system having a progressively increasing resistance to deflection, more efficient than prior systems heretofore available is disclosed. The vehicle frame is supported by a pair of oppositely disposed rocker beams having horizontal and vertical components. A plurality of spherically shaped elastomers are supported on a pilot shaft between spherically cupped seats carried by the opposing sides of the rocker beam vertical components. Spacers having spherically cupped faces are positioned between the spherical elastomers on the pilot shaft. Elastomeric bumpers secured to ends of the pilot shaft prevent the rocker beam seats from rebounding outwardly away from the spherical elastomers. This vehicle suspension provides a low frequency deflection ride for the vehicle load over a range of load levels.
Inventors
- 👤 Elwood H Willetts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:12
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G5/00; B60G5/04; B60G11/00; B60G11/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
A suspension system for a vehicle having a frame upon which a load is supported comprising: a first supporting means attached to the vehicle frame, a pair of oppositely disposed rocker beam members each being pivotally connected to said first supporting means and having a vertical component, said rocker beam vertical components each having a cupped disc supported at the upper end of said component, said cupped disc being mounted for arcuate movement about the lower end of said component, a plurality of generally spherically shaped elastomeric members being positioned between said cupped discs, a cupped spacer positioned between adjAcent elastomeric members, a horizontally disposed shaft extending through said cupped discs, said elastomeric members and each said spacer, said shaft extending through the horizontal axes of said elastomeric members and each said spacer; said cupped discs and each said spacer having radii greater than the radius of said elastomeric members, the diametral area of said elastomeric members being progressively increased during compression of said elastomeric members between said cupped discs and each said spacer, the horizontal axes of said elastomeric members and said spacer remaining coincident with said horizontally disposed shaft during compression of said elastomeric members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
A suspension system for a vehicle having a frame upon which a load is supported comprising: a first supporting means attached to the vehicle frame, a pair of oppositely disposed rocker beam members each being pivotally connected to said first supporting means and having a vertical component, said rocker beam vertical components each having a cupped disc supported at the upper end of said component, said cupped disc being mounted for arcuate movement about the lower end of said component, a plurality of generally spherically shaped elastomeric members being positioned between said cupped discs, a cupped spacer positioned between adjAcent elastomeric members, a horizontally disposed shaft extending through said cupped discs, said elastomeric members and each said spacer, said shaft extending through the horizontal axes of said elastomeric members and each said spacer; said cupped discs and each said spacer having radii greater than the radius of said elastomeric members, the diametral area of said elastomeric members being progressively increased during compression of said elastomeric members between said cupped discs and each said spacer, the horizontal axes of said elastomeric members and said spacer remaining coincident with said horizontally disposed shaft during compression of said elastomeric members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
108 words
A suspension system for a vehicle having a frame upon which a load is supported comprising: a first supporting means attached to the vehicle frame, a pair of oppositely disposed rocker beam members each being pivotally connected to said first supporting means and having a vertical component, said rocker beam vertical components each having a cupped disc supported at the upper end of said component, a plurality of generally spherically shaped elastomeric members being positioned between said cupped discs, a cupped spacer positioned between adjacent elastomeric members, and an elastomeric bumper member on said rocker beam vertical component which directly engages the rear face of said cupped disc.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
108 words
A suspension system for a vehicle having a frame upon which a load is supported comprising: a first supporting means attached to the vehicle frame, a pair of oppositely disposed rocker beam members each being pivotally connected to said first supporting means and having a vertical component, said rocker beam vertical components each having a cupped disc supported at the upper end of said component, a plurality of generally spherically shaped elastomeric members being positioned between said cupped discs, a cupped spacer positioned between adjacent elastomeric members, and an elastomeric bumper member on said rocker beam vertical component which directly engages the rear face of said cupped disc.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
130 words
A vehicle suspension system for providing a progressively increasing spring rate for progressively increasing load levels on the vehicle frame, comprising: a first supporting means attached to the vehicle frame, a pair of oppositely disposed rocker beam members each being pivotally connected to said first supporting means and each having a vertical component, said vertical components each having a generally spherically shaped cupped disc supported at the upper end of said component, a pilot shaft extending through said cupped discs, a plurality of generally spherically shaped elastomeric members supported on said pilot shaft between said cupped discs and a generally spherically shaped cupped spacer between each of said elastomeric members, and an elastomeric bumper member supported by said shaft and positioned directly adjacent the rear face of said cupped disc.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
130 words
A vehicle suspension system for providing a progressively increasing spring rate for progressively increasing load levels on the vehicle frame, comprising: a first supporting means attached to the vehicle frame, a pair of oppositely disposed rocker beam members each being pivotally connected to said first supporting means and each having a vertical component, said vertical components each having a generally spherically shaped cupped disc supported at the upper end of said component, a pilot shaft extending through said cupped discs, a plurality of generally spherically shaped elastomeric members supported on said pilot shaft between said cupped discs and a generally spherically shaped cupped spacer between each of said elastomeric members, and an elastomeric bumper member supported by said shaft and positioned directly adjacent the rear face of said cupped disc.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
In a vehicle suspension system having a pair of oppositely disposed rocker beam members, the improvement comprising a cupped seat mounted on each of said rocker beam members, a plurality of generally spherically shaped elastomeric members positioned between said cupped seats, a cupped spacer positioned between adjacent elastomeric members, a pilot shaft extending between said cupped seats, said elastomeric members and said spacer being mounted on said shaft, and a bumper member mounted on said shaft and positioned outwardly of said seat.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
82 words
In a vehicle suspension system having a pair of oppositely disposed rocker beam members, the improvement comprising a cupped seat mounted on each of said rocker beam members, a plurality of generally spherically shaped elastomeric members positioned between said cupped seats, a cupped spacer positioned between adjacent elastomeric members, a pilot shaft extending between said cupped seats, said elastomeric members and said spacer being mounted on said shaft, and a bumper member mounted on said shaft and positioned outwardly of said seat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
209 words
A suspension system for a vehicle having a frame comprising: supporting means attached to said vehicle frame; a pair of oppositely disposed rocker beam members, each of said rocker beam members having a vertical component, the lower end of each said vertical component being pivotally mounted on said supporting means; a pair of cupped discs, each of said cupped discs being non-pivotally secured to the top end of each said vertical component; a pair of generally spherically shaped elastomeric members, said elastomeric members being positioned between said cupped discs; a spacer positioned between said elastomeric members, said spacer having two cupped surfaces; a horizontally disposed shaft extending through said cupped discs, said elastomeric members and said spacer, said shaft being coincident with the horizontal axes of said elastomeric members and said spacer; said elastomeric members being compressible between said discs and said spacer, the horizontal axes of said elastomeric members and said spacer remaining coincident with said horizontally disposed shaft during compression of said elastomeric members, the horizontal axis of each of sAid cupped discs forming an angle with said horizontally disposed shaft prior to compression of said elastomeric members, said angle between said cupped disc horizontal axis and horizontally disposed shaft decreasing during compression of said elastomeric members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
209 words
A suspension system for a vehicle having a frame comprising: supporting means attached to said vehicle frame; a pair of oppositely disposed rocker beam members, each of said rocker beam members having a vertical component, the lower end of each said vertical component being pivotally mounted on said supporting means; a pair of cupped discs, each of said cupped discs being non-pivotally secured to the top end of each said vertical component; a pair of generally spherically shaped elastomeric members, said elastomeric members being positioned between said cupped discs; a spacer positioned between said elastomeric members, said spacer having two cupped surfaces; a horizontally disposed shaft extending through said cupped discs, said elastomeric members and said spacer, said shaft being coincident with the horizontal axes of said elastomeric members and said spacer; said elastomeric members being compressible between said discs and said spacer, the horizontal axes of said elastomeric members and said spacer remaining coincident with said horizontally disposed shaft during compression of said elastomeric members, the horizontal axis of each of sAid cupped discs forming an angle with said horizontally disposed shaft prior to compression of said elastomeric members, said angle between said cupped disc horizontal axis and horizontally disposed shaft decreasing during compression of said elastomeric members.
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) | 1975-08-29 | 1976-02-28 | 1976-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-29 | 1980-02-28 | 1980-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-29 | 1984-02-28 | 1984-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |