Suspension structure for land vehicles

Claim 2

Suspension structure for a land vehicle which comprises, an axle adapted to carry ground-engaging wheels, mounting means mounted on said axle and being adapted to secure said axle in load-bearing relation to a vehicle, said axle including means providing a first surface which extends transversely of and nonconcentric to the axis of said axle, said mounting means including means providing a second surface in proximity to but spaced from said first surface, said axle and mounting means being relatively rockable, a body of elastomeric material in the space between said surfaces effective to resist said relative rocking, said first surface having side portions and a central portion closer to said second surface than said side portions, said material being stressed to a greater extent adjacent said central portion than adjacent said side portions in relative neutral position of said axle and mounting means, said second surface having a central portion which extends generally parallel to said central portion of said first surface, one of said central portions being relieved to provide space into which said material can flow upon said relative rocking movement.

Claim 3

The structure defined in claim 1 wherein said central portion of said first surface is so relieved.

Claim 4

The structure defined in claim 2 wherein said first surface is curved between said side portions and central portion, said central portion of said first surface having a flat portion which provides the relief therein.

Claim 5

The structure defined in claim 3 wherein said second surface is substantially flat.

Claim 6

Suspension structure for a land vehicle which comprises, an axle adapted to carry ground-engaging wheels, mounting means mounted on said axle and being adapted to secure said axle in load-bearing relation to a vehicle, said axle including means providing a first surface which extends transversely of and nonconcentric to the axis of said axle, said mounting means including means providing a second surface in proximity to but spaced from said first surface, said axle and mounting means being relatively rockable, resilient means in the space between said surfaces effective to resist said relative rocking, said first surface having side portions and a central portion closer to said second surface than said side portions, said resilient means being stressed to a greater extent adjacent said central portion than adjacent said side portions in relative neutral position of said axle and mounting means, said mounting means including means defining a receptacle having sides and having a bottom which forms said second surface, said axle including means defining a lateral projection having sides which fit with clearance between the receptacle sides and having an end defining said first surface, said sides having lengths which extend generally parallel to said axis, each projection side being apposed to one of said receptacle sides, apposed ones of said sides being interengageable responsive to relative rocking movement of said axle and mounting means about said axis under the influence of force exceeding the resistance of said resilient means.

Claim 7

Suspension structure for a land vehicle which comprises, an axle adapted to carry ground-engaging wheels, mounting means mounted on said axle and being adapted to secure said axle in load-bearing relation to a vehicle, said axle including means providing a first surface which extends transversely of and nonconcentric to the axis of said axle, said mounting means including means providing a second surface in proximity to but spaced from said first surface, said axle and mounting means being relatively rockable, resilient means in the space between said surfaces effective to resist said relative rocking, said first surface having side portions and a central portion closer to said second surface than said side portions, said resilient means being stressed to a greater extent adjacent said central portion than adjacent said side portions in relative neutral position of said axle and mounting means, said mounting means including means defining a receptacle having sides and having a bottom which forms said second surface, said axle including means defining a lateral projection having sides which fit with clearance between the receptacle sides and having an end defining said first surface, said sides having lengths which extend generally parallel to said axis, each projection side being apposed to one of said receptacle sides, apposed ones of said sides being interengageable responsive to relative rocking movement of said axle and mounting means about said axis under the influence of force exceeding the resistance of said resilient means.

Claim 8

The structure defined in claim 5 wherein said resilient means comprises a body of elastomeric material, said mounting means including a cap secured to said receptacle and surrounding a portion of said axle opposite to that of said projection, said cap and axle portion being spaced apart and containing therebetween a second body of stressed elastomeric material, said axle and projection being bodily movable against the stress of said second elastomeric body responsive to additional force after said apposed ones have so interengaged, the other apposed ones of said sides being interengageable under the influence of force exceeding the combined resistance of said elastomeric bodies.

Claim 9

The structure defined in claim 6 wherein the region of the first said interengagement is disposed relatively closely to said projection end and the region of the second said interengagement is disposed relatively distant from said projection end.

Claim 10

The structure defined in claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises a pair of control arms mounted adjacent opposite end portions of said axle and being adapted to be secured for vertical swinging movement to opposite sides of a vehicle frame, and spring means associated with said control arms adapted to be secured in load-bearing relation to the vehicle frame.

Claim 11

The structure defined in claim 8 wherein said spring means comprises a plurality of air springs.

Claim 12

In combination, a land vehicle and the structure defined in claim 1 secured thereto.