Patent US3738680A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3738680A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Pneumatic suspension system for vehicles
Assignee: Knorr Bremse GmbH
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Filing: 1971-04-07
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Granted: 1973-06-12
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Expires: 1991-04-07
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle is supported by two pneumatic bellows at each end thereof to form a four-point suspension in which each of the bellows is individually controlled by its own control valve. Switching valves are connected to two of the bellows and their respective control valves so that these two bellows may be operated together jointly whereby the entire vehicle is then supported by a three-point suspension. The switching means may be actuated in response to the speed of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 H Kirchlechner
- 👤 H Pollinger
- 👤 A Pohla
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:53
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61F; B61F5/00; B61F5/02; B61F5/04; B61F5/10; B60; B60G; B60G17/00; B60G17/02; B60G17/033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
In a pneumatic suspension system for vehicles, the combination of a plurality of pneumatic bellows supporting a vehicle in a four-point suspension, a plurality of pneumatic control valves connected to the respective bellows and to a source of air under pressure, and means for switching said pneumatic bellows into a three-point suspension wherein two pneumatic bellows supporting one of the vehicle are actuated jointly and two bellows at the other end of the vehicle are actuated independently of each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
In a pneumatic suspension system for vehicles, the combination of a plurality of pneumatic bellows supporting a vehicle in a four-point suspension, a plurality of pneumatic control valves connected to the respective bellows and to a source of air under pressure, and means for switching said pneumatic bellows into a three-point suspension wherein two pneumatic bellows supporting one of the vehicle are actuated jointly and two bellows at the other end of the vehicle are actuated independently of each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
In a pneumatic suspension system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said switching means interconnects said control valves to control the bellows at two points simultaneously so that the plurality of bellows support the vehicles in a three-point suspension.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
In a pneumatic suspension system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said switching means is responsive to the speed of the vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
In a pneumatic suspension system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the vehicle has a pneumatic door closing device which can be actuated only when the speed of the vehicle is below a predetermined minimum speed, and means interconnecting said door closing device and said switching means for actuating said switching means when said door closing device is actuable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
In a pneumatic suspension system as claimed in claim 4 and comprising a solenoid valve actuated in response to the door closing device to operate said switching means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a pneumatic suspension system as claimed in claim 1 wherein two bellows are positioned at each end of the vehicle to define a four-point suspension, a control line having a control valve therein connected to the source of air under pressure, said switching means being connected between each of the two bellows at one end and its respective control valve and to said control line, said switching means having a first position connecting said two bellows individually to their respective control valve and a second position connecting said tWo bellows to said control line valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
In a pneumatic suspension system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said switching means comprises two switching valves with each switching valve being connected between one of said two bellows and its respective control valve, said control line valve comprising a mean levelling valve, in said second switching position said switching means connecting jointly said two bellows to said means levelling valve so that said two bellows are actuated together to define a single suspension point.
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) | 1976-06-11 | 1976-12-11 | 1977-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-11 | 1980-12-11 | 1981-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-11 | 1984-12-11 | 1985-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |