Air suspension with tapered air bag

Claim 2

A vehicle suspension system comprising: a plate-like chassis member; a plate-like suspension member; said member forming an acute angle therebetween when the vehicle is subjected to normal loads; an air bag having a tapered cross-section in the direction of the length of the vehicle located between said chassis member and said suspension member such that the freely flexible area of the walls of said air bag between said chassis and said suspension member is larger at one end of said air bag than at the other in the direction of the length of the vehicle; means coupling a vehicle axle to said suspension member such that the substantial portion of the vehicle load is applied at the widest cross-sectional portions of said air bag.

Claim 3

A vehicle suspension system comprising: a plate-like chassis member; a plate-like suspension member; said member forming an acute angle therebetween when the vehicle is subjected to normal loads; an air bag having a tapered cross-section in the direction of the length of the vehicle located between said chassis member and said suspension member such that the freely flexible area of the walls of said air bag between said chassis and said suspension member is larger at one end of said air bag than at the other in the direction of the length of the vehicle; means coupling a vehicle axle to said suspension member such that the substantial portion of the vehicle load is applied at the widest cross-sectional portions of said air bag.

Claim 4

A vehicle suspension system comprising: a plate-like chassis member; a plate-like suspension member; said member forming an acute angle therebetween when the vehicle is subjected to normal loads; an air bag having a tapered cross-section in the direction of the length of the vehicle located between said chassis member and said suspension member such that the freely flexible area of the walls of said air bag between said chassis and said suspension member is larger at one end of said air bag than at the other in the direction of the length of the vehicle; means coupling a vehicle axle to said suspension member such that the substantial portion of the vehicle load is applied at the widest cross-sectional portions of said air bag.

Claim 5

A suspension system according to claim 1 comprising means for flexibly coupling together said chassis member and said suspension member.

Claim 6

A suspension system according to claim 2 wherein said flexible coupling means couples together said chassis member and said suspension member at at least the, narrowest cross-section end of said air bag.

Claim 7

A suspension system according to claim 3 wherein said flexible coupling means further couples together said chassis member and said suspension member at the sides of said air bag.

Claim 8

A suspension system according to claim 2 wherein said flexible coupling means comprises at least one flexible cable secured to said members and contacting the outer periphery of said air bag.

Claim 9

A suspension system according to claim 5 wherein said flexible coupling means includes a shield interposed between said cables and said air bag.

Claim 10

A suspension system according to claim 4 wherein said flexible coupling means comprises a plurality of flexible cable secured to said members and contacting the outer periphery of said air bag.

Claim 11

A suspension system according to claim 7 wherein said flexible coupling means includes a shield interposed between said cables and said air bag.

Claim 12

A suspension system according to claim 1 wherein said axle is spaced from said air bag in the direction of the length of said vehicle.

Claim 13

A suspension system according to claim 1 wherein said air bag is secured to said chassis member.

Claim 14

A suspension system according to claim 10 wherein said air bag is secured to said suspension member.

Claim 15

A suspension system according to claim 1 wherein said axle coupling means includes a lever arm coupled beTween said axle and said suspension member.

Claim 16

A suspension system according to claim 12 wherein said axle is spaced from said air bag in the direction of the length of said vehicle.

Claim 17

A suspension system according to claim 12 wherein said lever arm is fixedly connected to said axle.

Claim 18

A suspension system according to claim 14 wherein said axle coupling means includes a bearing member coupled to said vehicle in which said axle is rotatably mounted.

Claim 19

A suspension system according to claim 15 wherein said bearing means includes a tubular member fixed to the vehicle chassis, said axle being rotatably retained therein.

Claim 20

A suspension system according to claim 12 wherein said chassis member is a lower chassis plate on which is mounted said air bag, and said suspension member is a plate bearing against the upper surface of said air bag and coupled to said lever arm.

Claim 21

A suspension system according to claim 17 wherein said axle is located adjacent the narrow cross-sectional portion of said air bag and wherein said axle includes a lever extending therefrom, the vehicle wheel being coupled to said lever portion.

Claim 22

A vehicle suspension system comprising: a plate-like chassis member; a plate-like suspension member; an air bag having a tapered cross-section in the direction of the length of the vehicle located between said chassis member and said suspension member; means coupling a vehicle axle to said suspension member such that the substantial portion of the vehicle load is applied at the widest cross-sectional portions of said air bag; said axle coupling means comprising a lever arm coupled between said axle and said suspension member; said chassis member comprising a lower chassis plate on which is mounted said air bag, and said suspension member being a plate bearing against the upper surface of said air bag and coupled to said lever arm; said axle being located adjacent the narrow cross sectional portion of said air bag and said axle comprising a lever extending therefrom, the vehicle wheel being coupled to said lever portion; said lever portion of said axle being distinct from the main portion of said axle and comprising means adjustable coupling said main and lever portion of said axle together in different relative positions, thereby adjusting vehicle height.

Claim 23

A vehicle suspension system comprising: a plate-like chassis member; a plate-like suspension member; an air bag having a tapered cross-section in the direction of the length of the vehicle located between said chassis member and said suspension member; means coupling a vehicle axle to said suspension member such that the substantial portion of the vehicle load is applied at the widest cross-sectional portions of said air bag; said axle coupling means comprising a lever arm coupled between said axle and said suspension member; said chassis member comprising a lower chassis plate on which is mounted said air bag, and said suspension member being a plate bearing against the upper surface of said air bag and coupled to said lever arm; said axle being located adjacent the narrow cross sectional portion of said air bag and said axle comprising a lever extending therefrom, the vehicle wheel being coupled to said lever portion; said lever portion of said axle being distinct from the main portion of said axle and comprising means adjustable coupling said main and lever portion of said axle together in different relative positions, thereby adjusting vehicle height.

Claim 24

A vehicle suspension system comprising: a plate-like chassis member; a plate-like suspension member; an air bag having a tapered cross-section in the direction of the length of the vehicle located between said chassis member and said suspension member such that the freely flexible area of the walls of said air bag between said chassis member and said suspension member is different at the front and at the rear of said air bag in the direction of the length of the vehicle; means rigidly attaching said air bag to said plate-like chassis member inwardly of the periphery of said air bag; means rigidly attaching said air bag to said plate-like suspension member inwardly of the periphery of said air bag; a lever arm coupling said vehicle axle to said suspension member with the vehicle axle mounted beyond the widest cross-sectional portions of said air bag; freely flexible high tensile strength coupling means connecting the opposite end of said lever arm to said vehicle chassis whereby when loaded said coupling means become the sole force transmitting means between said lever arm and vehicle other than said air bag.

Claim 25

A vehicle suspension system comprising: a plate-like chassis member; a plate-like suspension member; an air bag having a tapered cross-section in the direction of the length of the vehicle located between said chassis member and said suspension member such that the freely flexible area of the walls of said air bag between said chassis member and said suspension member is different at the front and at the rear of said air bag in the direction of the length of the vehicle; means rigidly attaching said air bag to said plate-like chassis member inwardly of the periphery of said air bag; means rigidly attaching said air bag to said plate-like suspension member inwardly of the periphery of said air bag; a lever arm coupling said vehicle axle to said suspension member with the vehicle axle mounted beyond the widest cross-sectional portions of said air bag; freely flexible high tensile strength coupling means connecting the opposite end of said lever arm to said vehicle chassis whereby when loaded said coupling means become the sole force transmitting means between said lever arm and vehicle other than said air bag.