US3801086A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle air spring suspension assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-08-23
•
Granted: 1974-04-02
•
Expires: 1992-08-23
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle air suspension assembly comprising a first beam, means for pivotally mounting the forward end of the first beam to the vehicle chassis, a second beam, means for resiliently connecting the rearward end of the first beam to the rearward end of the second beam, spring means mounted between the rearward end of the second beam and the vehicle chassis, and means for resiliently connecting the forward end of the second beam to the first beam between its ends, whereby the axle load is distributed between the pivotally mounting means, the resiliently connecting means, and the spring means to provide a novel suspension assembly with exceptional comfort and stability. Inherent in the assembly design is 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 conditions. Also included are axle mounting means accommodating vehicle axles of various heights and pitches.
Inventors
- 👤 J Raidel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 13:17
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G11/00; B60G11/26; B60G11/27; B60G9/00; B60G9/003; B60G2204/00; B60G2204/10; B60G2204/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A vehicle suspension assembly comprising a first beam, means for pivotally mounting the forward end of the first beam to the vehicle chassis, a second beam, means for connecting the rearward end of the first beam to the second beam, spring means between the rearward end of the second beam and the vehicle chassis, means connecting the forwarD end of the second beam to the first beam between its ends, and means for mounting the vehicle axle to the second beam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A vehicle suspension assembly comprising a first beam, means for pivotally mounting the forward end of the first beam to the vehicle chassis, a second beam, means for connecting the rearward end of the first beam to the second beam, spring means between the rearward end of the second beam and the vehicle chassis, means connecting the forwarD end of the second beam to the first beam between its ends, and means for mounting the vehicle axle to the second beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The suspension assembly of claim 1 wherein the spring means is an air spring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The suspension assembly of claim 1 wherein the rearward end of the first beam is resiliently connected to the second beam, and the forward end of the second beam is resiliently connected to the first beam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The suspension assembly of claim 3 wherein the rearward end of the first beam is connected near the rearward end of the second beam, and the vehicle axle is mounted between the connecting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The suspension assembly of claim 1 including a hanger assembly depending from the vehicle chassis, and means for pivotally mounting the forward end of the first beam to the hanger assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The suspension assembly of claim 1 wherein the pivotally mounting means includes a bushing assembly having resilient bushing means therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The suspension assembly of claim 1 including oscillation dampening means connected between the second beam and the vehicle chassis.
Claim 9
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 first beam to prevent rotation of the axle when the brakes are applied.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The vehicle suspension assembly of claim 3 including 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.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The vehicle suspension assembly of claim 9 wherein only the resilient connecting means for mounting the rearward end of the first beam to the second beam and the resilient connecting means for connecting the forward end of the second beam to the first beam permit said oscillation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vehicle suspension assembly of claim 10 wherein the resilient connecting means are permitted limited rotation about the longitudinal axis of the first beam to accommodate for axle oscillation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The vehicle suspension assembly of claim 1 wherein the axle is mounted over the first beam.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The vehicle suspension assembly of claim 1 wherein the axle is mounted below the first beam.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
97 words
A vehicle suspension assembly comprising a first beam, a first bushing means for pivotally mounting the forward end of the first beam to the vehicle chassis, a second beam, a second bushing means for resiliently connecting the rearward end of the first beam near the rearward end of the second beam, spring means between the rearward end of the second beam and the vehicle chassis, a third bushing means for resiliently connecting the forward end of the second beam to the first beam between its ends, and means for mounting the vehicle axle to the second beam.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
97 words
A vehicle suspension assembly comprising a first beam, a first bushing means for pivotally mounting the forward end of the first beam to the vehicle chassis, a second beam, a second bushing means for resiliently connecting the rearward end of the first beam near the rearward end of the second beam, spring means between the rearward end of the second beam and the vehicle chassis, a third bushing means for resiliently connecting the forward end of the second beam to the first beam between its ends, and means for mounting the vehicle axle to the second beam.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The vehicle suspension assembly of claim 14 wherein the axle is mounted between the connections of the first beam to the second beam.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
The vehicle suspension assembly of claim 14 wherein the means for resiliently connecting the forward end of the second beam to the first beam comprises a bushing means having a resilient sleeve associated therewith, a rigid sleeve member surrounding the resilient sleeve, and a truss means connecting the rigid sleeve to the first beam.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The suspension assembly of claim 16 wherein the truss means is sufficiently wide to act as a reinforcing means against flexing of the first beam under load.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vehicle suspension assembly of claim 14 wherein the first beam extends over the top of the forward resilient connecting means between the first and second beams.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
135 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, a bolster beam, means for pivotally mounting the axle bracket to the bolster beam, spring means for resiliently supporting the vehicle chassis on the bolster beam, a torque beam, means associated with the chassis for pivotally supporting one end of the torque beam from the vehicLe chassis, means associated with the bolster beam for supporting the other end of the torque beam from the bolster beam, and means for securing the axle bracket to the torque beam at a selected pivotal position, whereby the axle bracket can be pivoted relative to the bolster beam to adjust to the pitch of the vehicle axle, and then secured in that selected position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
135 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, a bolster beam, means for pivotally mounting the axle bracket to the bolster beam, spring means for resiliently supporting the vehicle chassis on the bolster beam, a torque beam, means associated with the chassis for pivotally supporting one end of the torque beam from the vehicLe chassis, means associated with the bolster beam for supporting the other end of the torque beam from the bolster beam, and means for securing the axle bracket to the torque beam at a selected pivotal position, whereby the axle bracket can be pivoted relative to the bolster beam to adjust to the pitch of the vehicle axle, and then secured in that selected position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
THe vehicle suspension assembly of claim 19 wherein the securing means further comprises lock plates securely mounted to the axle bracket and bolster beam to hold the axle bracket in fixed position relative to the bolster beam.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
The vehicle suspension assembly of claim 19 wherein the axle bracket further comprises a pair of vertical legs which straddle the bolster beam, and the pivotally mounting means further comprises axially aligned anchor bolts extending through the legs and bolster beam.
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) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-10-01 | 1978-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-01 | 1981-10-01 | 1982-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-01 | 1985-10-01 | 1986-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |