US3794344A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle air suspension assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-07-10
•
Granted: 1974-02-26
•
Expires: 1992-07-10
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle air suspension assembly comprising a first beam, a first air spring mounted between the forward end of the first beam and the vehicle chassis, and a second air spring mounted between the rearward end of the first beam and the vehicle chassis. The assembly also includes a second beam, means for pivotally supporting the forward end of the second beam from the vehicle chassis near the first air spring, and means for pivotally supporting the rearward end of the second beam near the rearward end of the first beam. The vehicle axle is mounted to the first beam, whereby the first beam, and hence the vehicle axle, totally support the vehicle chassis on the air springs, the second beam acting to push and pull the vehicle axle and stabilize the assembly. Inherent in the assembly design are means for retracting the vehicle axle and means for allowing for oscillation of the axle as caused by one end of the axle moving up or down relative to the other under various load and road conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 J Raidel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 17:06
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D61/00; B62D61/12; B62D61/125; B60; B60G; B60G11/00; B60G11/26; B60G11/27; B60G17/00; B60G17/005; B60G2206/00; B60G2206/01; B60G2206/60; B60G2206/601
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A vehicle suspension assembly comprising a first beam, first spring means between the forward end of the first beam and the vehicle chassis, the first spring means being mounted at an inclined angle such that extension thereof tends to move the forward end of the first beam in a downward and rearward direction, second spring means between the rearward end of the first beam and the vehicle chassis, a second beam, means associated with the chassis for pivotally supporting the forward end of the second beam from the vehicle chassis, means associated with the first beam for pivotally supporting the rearward end of the second beam from the first beam, and means for mounting the vehicle axle to the first beam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A vehicle suspension assembly comprising a first beam, first spring means between the forward end of the first beam and the vehicle chassis, the first spring means being mounted at an inclined angle such that extension thereof tends to move the forward end of the first beam in a downward and rearward direction, second spring means between the rearward end of the first beam and the vehicle chassis, a second beam, means associated with the chassis for pivotally supporting the forward end of the second beam from the vehicle chassis, means associated with the first beam for pivotally supporting the rearward end of the second beam from the first beam, and means for mounting the vehicle axle to the first beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The suspension assembly of claim 1 wherein the rearward end of the second beam is pivotally supported near the rearward end of the first beam, and the vehicle axle is mounted forward of this pivotally supporting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The suspension assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second spring means are air springs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The suspension assembly of claim 3 including a hanger assembly depending from the vehicle chassis, and means for pivotally mounting the forward end of the second beam to the hanger assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The suspension assembly of claim 1 wherein the pivotally supporting means include bushing assemblies having resilient bushing means therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The suspension assembly of claim 1 including oscillation dampening means mounted between the first beam and the vehicle chassis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The vehicle suspension assembly of claim 1 including a stop means associated with axle movement and which bears downwardly on the second beam to prevent rotation of the axle when the brakes are applied.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The vehicle suspension assembly of claim 1 wherein the pivotally supporting means includes resilient bushing means at least one of which permitting oscillation of the vehicle axle relative to the chassis as occurs where one end of the axle moves up or down relative to its other end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vehicle suspension assembly of claim 8 wherein only one of the resilieNt bushing means permits said oscillation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vehicle suspension assembly of claim 9 wherein the one bushing means is permitted limited rotation about the longitudinal axis of the second beam to accommodate for axle oscillation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The vehicle suspension assembly of claim 10 wherein the one bushing is at the rearward end of the second beam.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The vehicle suspension assembly of claim 5 including means associated with at least one of the resilient bushing means for aligning the axle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
119 words
A vehicle suspension assembly for supporting a vehicle chassis on a vehicle axle comprising an axle mounting bracket to which the vehicle axle is secured, spring means for resiliently supporting the chassis on the axle, a torque beam, means associated with the chassis for pivotally supporting the forward end of the torque beam from the vehicle chassis, means associated with the axle mounting bracket for pivotally supporting the rearward end of the torque beam from the axle mounting bracket, and bearing means mounted to the axle bracket forward of the rearward pivotally supporting means and above the torque beam for bearing downwardly on the torque beam to prevent rotation of the vehicle axle when the vehicle brakes are applied.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
119 words
A vehicle suspension assembly for supporting a vehicle chassis on a vehicle axle comprising an axle mounting bracket to which the vehicle axle is secured, spring means for resiliently supporting the chassis on the axle, a torque beam, means associated with the chassis for pivotally supporting the forward end of the torque beam from the vehicle chassis, means associated with the axle mounting bracket for pivotally supporting the rearward end of the torque beam from the axle mounting bracket, and bearing means mounted to the axle bracket forward of the rearward pivotally supporting means and above the torque beam for bearing downwardly on the torque beam to prevent rotation of the vehicle axle when the vehicle brakes are applied.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The suspension assembly of claim 13 wherein the axle is mounted over the torque beam.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
188 words
A retractable vehicle suspension assembly for mounting a vehicle chassis to a vehicle axle comprising a first beam, a first air spring means supported between the forward end of the first beam and the vehicle chassis, the first air spring means being supported such that pressurization thereof produces downward and rearward movement of the forward end of the first beam, second air spring means supported between the rearward end of the first beam and the vehicle chassis, a second beam, means associated with the chassis for pivotally supporting the forward end of the second beam from the vehicle chassis, means associated with the first beam for pivotally supporting the rearward end of the second beam from the first beam, and means for mounting the vehicle axle to the first beam, the second beam being supported between the chassis and first beam and the axle mounting position on the first beam being such that pressurization of the first air spring means and depressurization of the second air spring means creates a moment about the pivotally supporting means at the forward end of the second beam that raises the axle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
188 words
A retractable vehicle suspension assembly for mounting a vehicle chassis to a vehicle axle comprising a first beam, a first air spring means supported between the forward end of the first beam and the vehicle chassis, the first air spring means being supported such that pressurization thereof produces downward and rearward movement of the forward end of the first beam, second air spring means supported between the rearward end of the first beam and the vehicle chassis, a second beam, means associated with the chassis for pivotally supporting the forward end of the second beam from the vehicle chassis, means associated with the first beam for pivotally supporting the rearward end of the second beam from the first beam, and means for mounting the vehicle axle to the first beam, the second beam being supported between the chassis and first beam and the axle mounting position on the first beam being such that pressurization of the first air spring means and depressurization of the second air spring means creates a moment about the pivotally supporting means at the forward end of the second beam that raises the axle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The retractable suspension assembly of claim 15 wherein the second beam extends downwardly and rearwardly from the chassis to the first beam, and the axle is mounted toward the rear of the first beam.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
110 words
A vehicle suspension assembly comprising a first beam, first spring means between the forward end of the first beam and the vehicle chassis, second spring means between the rearward end of the first beam and the vehicle chassis, a second beam, means associated with the chassis for pivotally supporting the forward end of the second beam from the vehicle chassis, means associated with the first beam for pivotally supporting the rearward end of the second beam from the first beam near the rearward end of the first beam, and means for mounting the vehicle axle to the first beam forward of the rearward pivotal supporting means of the second beam.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
110 words
A vehicle suspension assembly comprising a first beam, first spring means between the forward end of the first beam and the vehicle chassis, second spring means between the rearward end of the first beam and the vehicle chassis, a second beam, means associated with the chassis for pivotally supporting the forward end of the second beam from the vehicle chassis, means associated with the first beam for pivotally supporting the rearward end of the second beam from the first beam near the rearward end of the first beam, and means for mounting the vehicle axle to the first beam forward of the rearward pivotal supporting means of the second beam.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
115 words
A vehicle suspension assembly comprising a first beam, first spring means between the forward end of the first beam and the vehicle chassis, second spring means between the rearward end of the first beam and the vehicle chassis, a second beam, means associated with the chassis for pivotally supporting the forward end of the second beam from the vehicle chassis, means associated with the first beam for pivotally supporting the rearward end of the second beam from the first beam, means for mounting the vehicle axle to the first beam, and means associated with axle movement and which bears downwardly on the second beam to prevent rotation of the axle when the brakes are applied.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
115 words
A vehicle suspension assembly comprising a first beam, first spring means between the forward end of the first beam and the vehicle chassis, second spring means between the rearward end of the first beam and the vehicle chassis, a second beam, means associated with the chassis for pivotally supporting the forward end of the second beam from the vehicle chassis, means associated with the first beam for pivotally supporting the rearward end of the second beam from the first beam, means for mounting the vehicle axle to the first beam, and means associated with axle movement and which bears downwardly on the second beam to prevent rotation of the axle when the brakes are applied.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
134 words
A vehicle susPension assembly comprising a first beam, first spring means between the forward end of the first beam and the vehicle chassis, second spring means between the rearward end of the first beam and the vehicle chassis, a second beam, a first resilient bushing means associated with the chassis for pivotally supporting the forward end of the second beam from the vehicle chassis, a second resilient bushing means associated with the first beam for pivotally supporting the rearward end of the second beam from the first beam, at least one of the resilient bushing means permitting oscillation of the vehicle axle relative to the chassis as occurs where one end of the axle moves up or down relative to its other end, and means for mounting the vehicle axle to the first beam.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
134 words
A vehicle susPension assembly comprising a first beam, first spring means between the forward end of the first beam and the vehicle chassis, second spring means between the rearward end of the first beam and the vehicle chassis, a second beam, a first resilient bushing means associated with the chassis for pivotally supporting the forward end of the second beam from the vehicle chassis, a second resilient bushing means associated with the first beam for pivotally supporting the rearward end of the second beam from the first beam, at least one of the resilient bushing means permitting oscillation of the vehicle axle relative to the chassis as occurs where one end of the axle moves up or down relative to its other end, and means for mounting the vehicle axle to the first beam.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
39 words
The retractable vehicle suspension assembly of claim 16 wherein the rearward end of the second beam is pivotally supported near the rearward end of the first beam, and the vehicle axle is mounted forward of this pivotally supporting means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2903256A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-25 | 1977-08-27 | 1978-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-25 | 1981-08-27 | 1982-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-25 | 1985-08-27 | 1986-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |