US3773348A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle suspension assembly
Assignee: Peerless Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1972-05-08
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Granted: 1973-11-20
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Expires: 1992-05-08
Abstract
Abstract Large vehicles such as off-highway dump trucks provide extraordinary suspension problems due to the immense weight of the vehicles. A suspension assembly particularly useful for such vehicles includes a dual wheel set supported by an axle housing therebetween. Trunnions extend forwardly and rearwardly from the ends of the housing. The forwardly extending trunnion is received within a spherical, laminated, elastomeric, bearing element which is affixed to the vehicle frame. The rearwardly extending trunnion is similarly received within a spherical, laminated, elastomeric bearing element which is affixed to the piston member of a rigidly mounted, shock absorbing suspension strut. The bearing members permit axial, radial and vertical movement of the trunnions relative to the frame of the vehicle. An arm extends vertically from the housing and is received within a recess in the frame to restrict radial movement of the suspension assembly beyond desired limits by engagement of the arm against spaced, parallel walls which partially define the recess. Axial, lateral and vertical forces are transmitted to the frame through the forwardly positioned bearing member and the shock absorbing suspension strut.
Inventors
- 👤 L Davis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:45
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G9/00; B60G9/02; B60B; B60B11/00; B60G7/00; B60G7/005; B60G2200/00; B60G2200/10; B60G2200/30; B60G2200/32; B60G2200/322; B60G2300/00; B60G2300/36; B60G2300/37
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A suspension assembly for a vehicle having a frame and a ground engaging movable member which permit advancement of the vehicle relative to the ground, which assembly comprises: a housing which supports the ground engaging member and has first and second trunnions extending therefrom, one of said trunnions extending forwardly and the other of said trunnions extending rearwardly from said housing; a first bearing mounted on said first trunnion and attached to the vehicle frame; a shock absorbing, suspension strut having a first member rigidly attached to said vehicle frame and a second member movable with respect to said first member; and a second bearing mounted on said second trunnion and attached to the second member of the suspension strut, one of said bearings permitting at least radial and vertical movement of the trunnion to which it is mounted relative to the frame and the other of said bearings permitting radial, vertical and axial movement of the trunnion to which it is mounted relative to the frame.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A suspension assembly for a vehicle having a frame and a ground engaging movable member which permit advancement of the vehicle relative to the ground, which assembly comprises: a housing which supports the ground engaging member and has first and second trunnions extending therefrom, one of said trunnions extending forwardly and the other of said trunnions extending rearwardly from said housing; a first bearing mounted on said first trunnion and attached to the vehicle frame; a shock absorbing, suspension strut having a first member rigidly attached to said vehicle frame and a second member movable with respect to said first member; and a second bearing mounted on said second trunnion and attached to the second member of the suspension strut, one of said bearings permitting at least radial and vertical movement of the trunnion to which it is mounted relative to the frame and the other of said bearings permitting radial, vertical and axial movement of the trunnion to which it is mounted relative to the frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The assembly of claim 1, wherein both of said bearing members permit radial, vertical and axial movement of the trunnion to which it is mounted relative to the frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The assembly of claim 2, wherein the bearing members include a distortable material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The assembly of claim 3, wherein said bearing members include spherical laminated outer elements and a tubular inner race.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
99 words
A suspension assembly for a vehicle having a supporting frame comprising: an axle carrying member for supporting wheels on said vehicle and having first and second trunnions extending therefrom in a substantially aligned position; a first bearing comprising a distortable material mounted to the first trunnion and attached to the supporting frame; a supenstion strut having a first member rigidly attached to the supporting frame and a second member movable with respect to the first member; and a second bearing comprising a distortable material mounted to the second trunnion and attached to the second member of said suspension strut.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
99 words
A suspension assembly for a vehicle having a supporting frame comprising: an axle carrying member for supporting wheels on said vehicle and having first and second trunnions extending therefrom in a substantially aligned position; a first bearing comprising a distortable material mounted to the first trunnion and attached to the supporting frame; a supenstion strut having a first member rigidly attached to the supporting frame and a second member movable with respect to the first member; and a second bearing comprising a distortable material mounted to the second trunnion and attached to the second member of said suspension strut.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A suspension assembly for a vehicle having a supporting frame as set forth in claim 5, wherein said first and second bearings include laminated elastomeric elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A suspension assembly for a vehicle having a supporting frame as set forth in claim 6, wherein said elements have a tubular-type spherical configuration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A suspension assembly for a vehicle having a supporting frame as set forth in claim 5, wherein said suspension strut includes a cylindrical member containing a dampening element and a piston member movable with respect to said cylindrical member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
A suspension assembly for a vehicle having a supporting frame as set forth in claim 5, wherein said suspension strut includes a cylindrical first member rigidly attached to the supporting frame and filled with a dampening fluid and a piston second member movable with respect to said cylindrical member and attached to the second bearing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
A suspension assembly for a vehicle having a supporting frame as set forth in claim 9, wherein said cylindrical first number is rigidly mounted to the supporting frame at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis extending through the first trunnion of said axle carrying member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
110 words
A suspension assembly for a vehicle having a supporting frame comprising: an axle carrying member for supporting wheels of said vehicle and having first and second trunnions extending therefrom in a substantially aligned position; a first tubular-type spherical bearing of laminated elastomeric elements mounted to the first trunnion and attached to the supporting frame; a suspension strut having a cylindrical member rigidly attached to the supporting frame and filled with a dampening fluid and a piston second member movable with respect to the cylindrical member; and a second tubular-type spherical bearing of laminated elastomeric elements mounted to the second trunnion and attached to the piston member of the suspension strut.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
110 words
A suspension assembly for a vehicle having a supporting frame comprising: an axle carrying member for supporting wheels of said vehicle and having first and second trunnions extending therefrom in a substantially aligned position; a first tubular-type spherical bearing of laminated elastomeric elements mounted to the first trunnion and attached to the supporting frame; a suspension strut having a cylindrical member rigidly attached to the supporting frame and filled with a dampening fluid and a piston second member movable with respect to the cylindrical member; and a second tubular-type spherical bearing of laminated elastomeric elements mounted to the second trunnion and attached to the piston member of the suspension strut.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
A suspension assembly for a vehicle having a supporting frame as set forth in claim 11, wherein said cylindrical first member is rigidly mounted to the supporting frame at an angle wIth respect to a longitudinal axis extending through the first trunnion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
123 words
A suspension assembly for a vehicle having a supporting frame comprising: an axle carrying member for supporting wheels of said vehicle and having first and second trunnions extending therefrom in a substantially aligned position; a first bearing comprising a distortable material mounted to the first trunnion and attached to the supporting frame; a suspension strut having a first member rigidly attached to said supporting frame and a second member movable with respect to the first member; a second bearing comprising a distortable material mounted to the second trunnion and attached to the second member of said coupler means; and restraining means between said axle carrying member and the supporting frame to restrict the radial movement of the former with respect to the latter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
123 words
A suspension assembly for a vehicle having a supporting frame comprising: an axle carrying member for supporting wheels of said vehicle and having first and second trunnions extending therefrom in a substantially aligned position; a first bearing comprising a distortable material mounted to the first trunnion and attached to the supporting frame; a suspension strut having a first member rigidly attached to said supporting frame and a second member movable with respect to the first member; a second bearing comprising a distortable material mounted to the second trunnion and attached to the second member of said coupler means; and restraining means between said axle carrying member and the supporting frame to restrict the radial movement of the former with respect to the latter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A suspension assembly for a vehicle having a supporting frame as set forth in claim 13, wherein said first and second bearings include laminated elastomeric elements of a tubular-type spherical configuration.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
55 words
A suspension assembly for a vehicle having a supporting frame as set forth in claim 14, wherein said suspension strut includes a cylindrical first member rigidly attached to the supporting frame and filled with a dampening fluid and a piston second member movable with respect to the cylindrical member and attached to said second bearing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
A suspension assembly for a vehicle having a supporting frame as set forth in claim 15 wherein the cylindrical first member is rigidly mounted to the supporting frame at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis extending through the first trunnion.
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) | 1976-11-19 | 1977-05-21 | 1977-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-19 | 1981-05-21 | 1981-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-19 | 1985-05-21 | 1985-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |