Vehicle leveling unit with integral control valve

Claim 2

In an auxiliary load support and vehicle leveler device of the type including a variable volume chamber having an inlet adapted to be connected to a fluid source and an outlet for the passage of fluid from the variable volume chamber to reduce the load supporting capacity of the device the improvement comprising: a cylindrical member forming part of the variable volume chamber having an opening therethrough, a resilient valve seat element removably supported by said cylindrical member through the opening therein for replacement from outside said cylindrical member, said valve seat element having a nose portion located inside the chamber and an outlet opening on the exterior of said cylindrical member, a passageway communicating said outlet opening with the variable volume chamber, a spring valving member within said chamber supported adjacent the nose portion of said resilient valve seat element having a first portion where it engages said valve seat element for closing the passageway therethrough and a second position where it is spaced from the valve seat for allowing flow through said passageway, said nose portion having a flexible response as said valving member seats thereagainst to produce compression of said nose portion between said valving member and said cylindrical member, an actuator arm movable in response to the fluid volume of the variable volume chamber for positioning the valving member in its opened relationship with respect to said valve seat element when the volume of the device is increased above a predetermined value as the vehicle is unloaded and to position said valving member closed when the volume of the chamber is reduced below the predetermined value as the vehicle is loaded, said valving element being located between said nose portion and said actuator arm and having a portion thereon biasing said actuator arm away from said nose portion, said nose portion and said valving element yielding when said actuator arm closes said valving element to allow accommodation of overtravel movement of said actuator arm toward said cylindricAl member.

Claim 3

A combination vehicle leveler device and control valve comprising means adapted to be connected to the sprung mass of a vehicle including an outer cylindrical member, means adapted to be connected to the unsprung mass of a vehicle including an inner cylindrical member having an abutment thereon, a movable seal element supported between said inner and outer cylindrical members for allowing relative movement therebetween and defining therewith a variable volume chamber, means adapted to be connected to a source of fluid pressure for changing the amount of fluid within said variable volume chamber to control the load supporting capacity of the device, a resilient valve seat element supported by said outer cylindrical member for replacement from exteriorly of said member, said seat element including a passageway therethrough for flow of fluid from within said variable volume chamber outwardly thereof, a support bracket inside said outer cylindrical member, a spring valving element supported on said bracket in overlying relationship to said valve seat element having a first position in spaced relationship to said seat element for allowing free exhaust therethrough of excess fluid from the variable volume chamber and a second position in engagement with said seat element to trap fluid in said chamber, a valve actuator in engagement with said spring valving element having one end thereon supported on said bracket and an opposite end thereon biased by said valving element toward said inner cylindrical member, said opposite end of said actuator arm being pivoted about said one end upon engagement of said opposite end with said abutment to move said valving element to close the passageway through said seat element for blocking exhaust of excess fluid flow to said variable volume chamber whereby flow of fluid into the device increases the pressure within said chamber to increase the load supporting characteristics of the device.

Claim 4

A combination vehicle leveler device and control valve comprising means adapted to be connected to the sprung mass of a vehicle including an outer cylindrical member, means adapted to be connected to the unsprung mass of a vehicle including an inner cylindrical member having an abutment thereon, a movable seal element supported between said inner and outer cylindrical members for allowing relative movement therebetween and defining therewith a variable volume chamber, means adapted to be connected to a source of fluid pressure for changing the amount of fluid within said variable volume chamber to control the load supporting capacity of the device, a resilient valve seat element supported by said outer cylindrical member for replacement from exteriorly of said member, said seat element including a passageway therethrough for flow of fluid from within said variable volume chamber outwardly thereof, a support bracket inside said outer cylindrical member, a spring valving element supported on said bracket in overlying relationship to said valve seat element having a first position in spaced relationship to said seat element for allowing free exhaust therethrough of excess fluid from the variable volume chamber and a second position in engagement with said seat element to trap fluid in said chamber, a valve actuator in engagement with said spring valving element having one end thereon supported on said bracket and an opposite end thereon biased by said valving element toward said inner cylindrical member, said opposite end of said actuator arm being pivoted about said one end upon engagement of said opposite end with said abutment to move said valving element to close the passageway through said seat element for blocking exhaust of excess fluid flow to said variable volume chamber whereby flow of fluid into the device increases the pressure within said chamber to increase the load supporting characteristics of the device.

Claim 5

A combination shock absorber and air spring device having an integral exhaust valve control for leveling a vehicle comprising; the combination of an outer rigid cylindrical member, a shock absorber having an outer cylindrical member closed at the top and bottom thereof by end closures thereon, seal means allowing relative telescoping movement between said outer rigid cylindrical member and said shock absorber cylindrical member, a piston rod directed through one of said end closures and having the end thereof connected to said rigid cylindrical member for causing movement of said piston rod into and out of said shock absorber cylindrical member upon relative telescoping movement thereof with said outer cylindrical member, seal means connected between said cylindrical members for defining a variable volume pressurizable chamber within said outer rigid cylindrical member and for allowing relative telescoping movement between said cylindrical members, a resilient valve seat element directed through said outer cylindrical member being removably located with respect thereto for replacement from outside said outer member, said resilient valve seat element including an outlet opening therein on the outer surface of said outer cylindrical member and a passageway communicating said outlet with the interior of the cylindrical member for controlling exhaust flow of fluid from the variable volume chamber, a movable spring supported in spaced relationship with respect to said resilient element, an actuator arm having first and second ends thereon, means for connecting one of said actuator arm ends pivotally to said outer cylindrical wall, said spring engaging said actuator arm for biasing it into the interior of said variable volume chamber, said means for connecting said actuator arm positioning it to locate the other end of said actuator arm at a first control position on the end closure of said shock absorber when the vehicle is unloaded, said spring being located in spaced relationship to the seal element when the arm is in its first control position to Allow exhaust of fluid from the variable volume chamber, said actuator arm having a second control position following a short compression of the shock absorber to deflect said spring against said resilient seat element for preventing exhaust flow of fluid from said variable volume chamber therethrough, said actuator arm having an overtravel position wherein it is located between the side of the shock absorber to deform said spring outwardly of said arm to cause said spring to distort said valve seat element between said spring and said outer cylinder member to prevent exhaust flow and to permit concurrent, non-interference retraction of said arm between said outer cylindrical member and said shock absorber cylindrical member.

Claim 6

A combination shock absorber and air spring device having an integral exhaust valve control for leveling a vehicle comprising; the combination of an outer rigid cylindrical member, a shock absorber having an outer cylindrical member closed at the top and bottom thereof by end closures thereon, seal means allowing relative telescoping movement between said outer rigid cylindrical member and said shock absorber cylindrical member, a piston rod directed through one of said end closures and having the end thereof connected to said rigid cylindrical member for causing movement of said piston rod into and out of said shock absorber cylindrical member upon relative telescoping movement thereof with said outer cylindrical member, seal means connected between said cylindrical members for defining a variable volume pressurizable chamber within said outer rigid cylindrical member and for allowing relative telescoping movement between said cylindrical members, a resilient valve seat element directed through said outer cylindrical member being removably located with respect thereto for replacement from outside said outer member, said resilient valve seat element including an outlet opening therein on the outer surface of said outer cylindrical member and a passageway communicating said outlet with the interior of the cylindrical member for controlling exhaust flow of fluid from the variable volume chamber, a movable spring supported in spaced relationship with respect to said resilient element, an actuator arm having first and second ends thereon, means for connecting one of said actuator arm ends pivotally to said outer cylindrical wall, said spring engaging said actuator arm for biasing it into the interior of said variable volume chamber, said means for connecting said actuator arm positioning it to locate the other end of said actuator arm at a first control position on the end closure of said shock absorber when the vehicle is unloaded, said spring being located in spaced relationship to the seal element when the arm is in its first control position to Allow exhaust of fluid from the variable volume chamber, said actuator arm having a second control position following a short compression of the shock absorber to deflect said spring against said resilient seat element for preventing exhaust flow of fluid from said variable volume chamber therethrough, said actuator arm having an overtravel position wherein it is located between the side of the shock absorber to deform said spring outwardly of said arm to cause said spring to distort said valve seat element between said spring and said outer cylinder member to prevent exhaust flow and to permit concurrent, non-interference retraction of said arm between said outer cylindrical member and said shock absorber cylindrical member.

Claim 7

An integral valve assembly for association with an auxiliary load supporting device of the type including a pair of spaced support members adapted to be connected to the sprung and unsprung mass of a vehicle, a movable abutment and a variable volume chamber therebetween connect to a source of pressure for varying the height relationship between the first and second support members thereon comprising; a rigid hollow cylindrical member forming part of the variable volume chamber, a resilient valve seat element supported by said cylindrical member having an outlet opening on the outside of said member and including an inlet opening located within the variable volume chamber, an elongated spring valving element having a free end, support means for fixedly securing one end of said spring against movement, means for guidingly supporting the free end for limited movement with respect to said seat element, an actuator arm having an opening in one end thereof pivotally connected to the free end of said valving element for rolling movement with respect thereto, said valving element engaging said arm to bias it interiorly of the variable volume chamber for engagement with the movable abutment, said spring valving element assuming a straight line configuration between its fixed end and the guided free end thereof to be spaced from said seat when the vehicle is above a predetermined desired height relationship to allow free flow of fluid from said variable volume chamber through said passageway and the outlet, said valving element being engaged by said actuator arm when the chamber volume is reduced below a predetermined value to cause the spring valving element to be bowed between the fixed end and the free end thereof with a mid-segment of said spring valving element engaging said seat element to prevent exhaust of fluid from the variable volume chamber thereby to increase the load carrying capacity of the device when fluid from the source of pressure is directed interiorly of the variable volume chamber.

Claim 8

An integral valve assembly for association with an auxiliary load supporting device of the type including a pair of spaced support members adapted to be connected to the sprung and unsprung mass of a vehicle, a movable abutment and a variable volume chamber therebetween connect to a source of pressure for varying the height relationship between the first and second support members thereon comprising; a rigid hollow cylindrical member forming part of the variable volume chamber, a resilient valve seat element supported by said cylindrical member having an outlet opening on the outside of said member and including an inlet opening located within the variable volume chamber, an elongated spring valving element having a free end, support means for fixedly securing one end of said spring against movement, means for guidingly supporting the free end for limited movement with respect to said seat element, an actuator arm having an opening in one end thereof pivotally connected to the free end of said valving element for rolling movement with respect thereto, said valving element engaging said arm to bias it interiorly of the variable volume chamber for engagement with the movable abutment, said spring valving element assuming a straight line configuration between its fixed end and the guided free end thereof to be spaced from said seat when the vehicle is above a predetermined desired height relationship to allow free flow of fluid from said variable volume chamber through said passageway and the outlet, said valving element being engaged by said actuator arm when the chamber volume is reduced below a predetermined value to cause the spring valving element to be bowed between the fixed end and the free end thereof with a mid-segment of said spring valving element engaging said seat element to prevent exhaust of fluid from the variable volume chamber thereby to increase the load carrying capacity of the device when fluid from the source of pressure is directed interiorly of the variable volume chamber.

Claim 9

In a combination shock absorber and air spring unit of the type including a variable volume air chamber formed by a rigid cylindrical member, the outer cylinder of the shock absorber and a resilient seal connected to one of the cylindrical members for forming a variable volume chamber therebetween having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet thereto the improvement comprising; means forming a depression in the outer wall of said rigid cylindrical member, a resilient valve seat element removably secured through said rigid cylindrical member within the depression therein for replacement from outside said member and for protection against accidental displacement from the member, said valve seat element including a transverse outlet on one side of said wall and passageway means communicating said outlet with the interior of said variable volume chamber, an annular flange on said resilient element engaging said rigid cylindrical member at the outer surface thereof around said depression to form a dust guard for said valve seat outlet, and an orifice opening between said outlet opening and said passageway for controlling the rate of exhaust of fluid from said variable volume chamber through said passageway.

Claim 10

In a combination shock absorber and air spring unit of the type including a variable volume air chamber formed by a rigid cylindrical member, the outer cylinder of the shock absorber and a resilient seal connected to one of the cylindrical members for forming a variable volume chamber therebetween having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet thereto the improvement comprising; means forming a depression in the outer wall of said rigid cylindrical member, a resilient valve seat element removably secured through said rigid cylindrical member within the depression therein for replacement from outside said member and for protection against accidental displacement from the member, said valve seat element including a transverse outlet on one side of said wall and passageway means communicating said outlet with the interior of said variable volume chamber, an annular flange on said resilient element engaging said rigid cylindrical member at the outer surface thereof around said depression to form a dust guard for said valve seat outlet, and an orifice opening between said outlet opening and said passageway for controlling the rate of exhaust of fluid from said variable volume chamber through said passageway.

Claim 11

A multi-function unitary resilient valve fitting comprisIng a hub having a transverse outlet opening therein, an extension from said hub having an axial passageway communicating perpendicularly with said outlet opening and an orifice opening in said fitting between said outlet opening and said passageway for controlling the rate of exhaust of fluid through said passageway, said orifice opening located on one side of said axial passageway and colinear of said transverse outlet, said orifice opening being of a smaller dimension than both said passageway and the outlet opening and including flexible walls permitting discharge of particles from said passageway into said outlet opening.

Claim 12

A multi-function unitary resilient valve fitting comprisIng a hub having a transverse outlet opening therein, an extension from said hub having an axial passageway communicating perpendicularly with said outlet opening and an orifice opening in said fitting between said outlet opening and said passageway for controlling the rate of exhaust of fluid through said passageway, said orifice opening located on one side of said axial passageway and colinear of said transverse outlet, said orifice opening being of a smaller dimension than both said passageway and the outlet opening and including flexible walls permitting discharge of particles from said passageway into said outlet opening.

Claim 13

A multi-function unitary resilient valve fitting comprising a hub having a transverse outlet opening therein, an extension from said hub having an axial passageway communicating perpendicularly with said outlet opening and an orifice opening in said fitting between said outlet opening and said passageway for controlling the rate of exhaust of fluid through said passageway, said orifice opening located on one side of said passageway and colinear of said transverse outlet, said orifice opening being of a smaller dimension than the outlet opening and including flexible walls permitting discharge of particles from said passageway into said outlet opening, a conically shaped nose portion on said extension defining a flexible valve seat adapted to yieldably receive a valving member as it moves transversely of said nose portion into sealed seated engagement with said nose portion.

Claim 14

A multi-function unitary resilient valve fitting comprising a hub having a transverse outlet opening therein, an extension from said hub having an axial passageway communicating perpendicularly with said outlet opening and an orifice opening in said fitting between said outlet opening and said passageway for controlling the rate of exhaust of fluid through said passageway, said orifice opening located on one side of said passageway and colinear of said transverse outlet, said orifice opening being of a smaller dimension than the outlet opening and including flexible walls permitting discharge of particles from said passageway into said outlet opening, a conically shaped nose portion on said extension defining a flexible valve seat adapted to yieldably receive a valving member as it moves transversely of said nose portion into sealed seated engagement with said nose portion.

Claim 15

In a combination shock absorber and air spring unit of the type including a variable volume air chamber formed by a rigid cylindrical member, the outer cylinder of the shock absorber and a resilient seal connected to one of the cylindrical members for forming a variable volume chamber therebetween having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet thereto the improvement comprising; means forming a depression in the outer wall of said rigid cylindrical member, a resilient valve seat element fixedly secured through said rigid cylindrical member at the depression therein for replacement from outside said member and for protection against accidental displacement from the member, said valve seat element including an outlet on one side of said wall and passageway means communicating said outlet with the interior of said variable volume chamber, an annular flange on said resilient member engaging said rigid cylindrical member at the outer surface thereof around said pressure to form a dust guard for said valve seat outlet, an orifice between said outlet opening and said passageway for controlling the rate of exhaust of fluid from said variable volume chamber through said passageway, said orifice being of a smaller dimension than the outlet opening and including flexible walls permitting discharge of particles from said passageway into said outlet opening, a bracket fixedly secured to the inside surface of said rigid cylindrical member, an elongated movable spring element supported by said bracket, means on said bracket for fixedly securing one end of said spring element, a guide slot on said bracket receiving the opposite end of said spring element, said spring element being maintained normally biased against one side of said slot wherein said spring is located in spaced relationship to allow exhaust of fluid from the variable volume chamber through said valve seat element, an actuator arm having a first curved end thereon supported for rolling movement on said bracket at the slot therein, said curved end having an opening therein through which said spring is directed, said actuator arm having a second curved end directed inwardly of the variable volume chamber and located above the top end of the shock absorber cylinder when the vehicle is unloaded and located against the side of the cylinder when the vehicle is loaded, said actuator arm when located above the top end of the shock absorber cylinder having the first end thereof positioned on said bracket to cause the spring to assume its first Position, said second curved end when engaging the side of said shock absorber cylinder positioning said first end to locate said spring against the opposite side of said slot and causing the arm between said first and second curved ends thereof to deflect said spring to sealingly engage said resilient seat element for blocking flow of exhaust fluid through the passageway therein when the vehicle is so loaded whereby fluid flow through the inlet of the unit is trapped in the variable volume cavity to increase the load carrying capacity of the unit for returning the vehicle to a desired level position.

Claim 16

In a combination shock absorber and air spring unit of the type including a variable volume air chamber formed by a rigid cylindrical member, the outer cylinder of the shock absorber and a resilient seal connected to one of the cylindrical members for forming a variable volume chamber therebetween having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet thereto the improvement comprising; means forming a depression in the outer wall of said rigid cylindrical member, a resilient valve seat element fixedly secured through said rigid cylindrical member at the depression therein for replacement from outside said member and for protection against accidental displacement from the member, said valve seat element including an outlet on one side of said wall and passageway means communicating said outlet with the interior of said variable volume chamber, an annular flange on said resilient member engaging said rigid cylindrical member at the outer surface thereof around said pressure to form a dust guard for said valve seat outlet, an orifice between said outlet opening and said passageway for controlling the rate of exhaust of fluid from said variable volume chamber through said passageway, said orifice being of a smaller dimension than the outlet opening and including flexible walls permitting discharge of particles from said passageway into said outlet opening, a bracket fixedly secured to the inside surface of said rigid cylindrical member, an elongated movable spring element supported by said bracket, means on said bracket for fixedly securing one end of said spring element, a guide slot on said bracket receiving the opposite end of said spring element, said spring element being maintained normally biased against one side of said slot wherein said spring is located in spaced relationship to allow exhaust of fluid from the variable volume chamber through said valve seat element, an actuator arm having a first curved end thereon supported for rolling movement on said bracket at the slot therein, said curved end having an opening therein through which said spring is directed, said actuator arm having a second curved end directed inwardly of the variable volume chamber and located above the top end of the shock absorber cylinder when the vehicle is unloaded and located against the side of the cylinder when the vehicle is loaded, said actuator arm when located above the top end of the shock absorber cylinder having the first end thereof positioned on said bracket to cause the spring to assume its first Position, said second curved end when engaging the side of said shock absorber cylinder positioning said first end to locate said spring against the opposite side of said slot and causing the arm between said first and second curved ends thereof to deflect said spring to sealingly engage said resilient seat element for blocking flow of exhaust fluid through the passageway therein when the vehicle is so loaded whereby fluid flow through the inlet of the unit is trapped in the variable volume cavity to increase the load carrying capacity of the unit for returning the vehicle to a desired level position.