Abstract A combined vehicle chassis and air suspension wherein elongated air bags having a substantially circular cross-section are physically located within and supported by inverted, U-shaped chassis members. Under no load conditions, the air bags contact the chassis members on only a portion of the circumference and as the load increases, the contact surface between the air bag and the chassis members increases, thereby increasing spring stiffness. The side portions of the inverted U-shaped chassis members are spaced from the sides of the air bags under no load conditions. Under heavy load and when the car turns around a curve, the side portions of the U-shaped members prevent sidesway of the vehicle. Air-bumpers are provided which are coupled to the air system of the suspension system. The air in the airbumpers acts as an additional reservoir for the air bags of the suspension system to effectively soften the ride of the vehicle and additionally, absorb vehicle impacts.
A combined vehicle chassis and air suspension system comprising: an inverted, generally U-shaped chassis member; an elongated resilient air bag located at least partially within said chassis member and supported by said chassis member, the upper portion of said air bag contacting only a portion of the curved part of said chassis member under no-load conditions, and the side portions of said chassis members being spaced from the sides of said air bags under no-load conditions; air supply means coupled to said air bag; means coupling a vehicle axle to be supported at the lower surface of said air bag; a resilient bumper air bag at at least one end of said vehicle; a shield member; means for retaining said bumper air bag between said shield and said end of said vehicle; and means for coupling said bumper air bag in air communication with said elongated suspension air bag.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A combined vehicle chassis and air suspension system comprising: an inverted, generally U-shaped chassis member; an elongated resilient air bag located at least partially within said chassis member and supported by said chassis member, the upper portion of said air bag contacting only a portion of the curved part of said chassis member under no-load conditions, and the side portions of said chassis members being spaced from the sides of said air bags under no-load conditions; air supply means coupled to said air bag; means coupling a vehicle axle to be supported at the lower surface of said air bag; a resilient bumper air bag at at least one end of said vehicle; a shield member; means for retaining said bumper air bag between said shield and said end of said vehicle; and means for coupling said bumper air bag in air communication with said elongated suspension air bag.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
A system according to claim 1 further comprising a second bumper located at the other end of said vehicle, said bumper comprising: a second aiR bag at the other end of said vehicle; a second shield member; means for retaining said second bumper air bag between said second shield and said other end of said vehicle; and means coupling said second bumper air bag in air communication with an elongated suspension air bag.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said shield member is pivotally coupled to the end of said vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 3 wherein said bumper air bag is connected to said shield member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 3 wherein said bumper air bag is connected to both said shield member and said vehicle end.