US3806151A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spring suspension system for vehicle
Assignee: Cambria Spring Co
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Filing: 1972-08-28
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Granted: 1974-04-23
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Expires: 1992-08-28
Abstract
Abstract The suspension system is of the independent wheel support type incorporating what is known as the twin I-beam construction which is normally applied to front wheels but may be readily applied to rear wheels. An elongate fore and aft frame carries a cross member to which the suspension members are attached. A first axle member is pivoted to an end of the cross member and extends across and beyond the frame to carry a wheel at its free end. A second axle member is pivoted to the other end of the cross member and extends across in the opposite direction close to and generally parallel to the first one. Primary spring means bear down on the axle members near their free ends to take the normal load. An upwardly convex arched leaf spring is provided to take overloads and is located generally parallel to the axle members above them and beneath the cross member. The mid-point of the spring contacts and bears up against the cross member, and each end contacts and bears down against one of the axle members adjacent to their connections to the primary spring means. The auxiliary spring does not interfere with the normal action of the primary spring means.
Inventors
- 👤 J Prasniewski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:33
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G3/00; B60G3/02; B60G3/04; B60G3/06; B60G3/08; B60G11/00; B60G11/32; B60G11/48; B60G11/50; B60G2200/00; B60G2200/10; B60G2200/14; B60G2200/143
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
300 words
A suspension system for the road wheels of an automotive vehicle having an elongate frame, comprising: an elongate rigid cross member extending transversely of the vehicle and attached to the vehicle frame; first and second support brackets extending downward from the cross member at locations adjacent to the transversely opposite ends thereof; a first load supporting axle member pivotally connected at its first end to the first bracket for swinging about a horizontal axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle frame and extending across the major portion of the width of the vehicle and having means at its second, free, end to support a road wheel for rotation; a second load supporting axle member pivotally connected at its first end to the second Bracket for swinging about a horizontal axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle frame and extending across the major portion of the width of the vehicle and having means at its second, free, end to support a road wheel for rotation; the major portions of the lengths of the two axle members being longitudinally coextensive and lying in closely spaced generally parallel relation to each other beneath the cross member; primary spring means attached to the vehicle and bearing down on each axle member adjacent to its free end to support the normal design load of the vehicle; and an auxiliary overload leaf spring arranged transversely of the vehicle frame beneath the cross member and above the axle members; the ends of the auxiliary spring bearing down, one on the free end of one of the axle members and the other on the free end of the other axle member, and the mid-portion of the spring bearing up against the cross member to increase the total load capacity of the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
300 words
A suspension system for the road wheels of an automotive vehicle having an elongate frame, comprising: an elongate rigid cross member extending transversely of the vehicle and attached to the vehicle frame; first and second support brackets extending downward from the cross member at locations adjacent to the transversely opposite ends thereof; a first load supporting axle member pivotally connected at its first end to the first bracket for swinging about a horizontal axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle frame and extending across the major portion of the width of the vehicle and having means at its second, free, end to support a road wheel for rotation; a second load supporting axle member pivotally connected at its first end to the second Bracket for swinging about a horizontal axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle frame and extending across the major portion of the width of the vehicle and having means at its second, free, end to support a road wheel for rotation; the major portions of the lengths of the two axle members being longitudinally coextensive and lying in closely spaced generally parallel relation to each other beneath the cross member; primary spring means attached to the vehicle and bearing down on each axle member adjacent to its free end to support the normal design load of the vehicle; and an auxiliary overload leaf spring arranged transversely of the vehicle frame beneath the cross member and above the axle members; the ends of the auxiliary spring bearing down, one on the free end of one of the axle members and the other on the free end of the other axle member, and the mid-portion of the spring bearing up against the cross member to increase the total load capacity of the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A suspension system as claimed in claim 1; wherein the cross member includes an upper web and spaced depending side flanges extending transversely of the vehicle frame; the axle members being arranged between the flanges; and the auxiliary spring being arranged between the flanges with its mid-portion contacting the web.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A suspension system as claimed in claim 1; wherein the ends of the auxiliary spring contact the upper surfaces of the axle members inward of and adjacent to the connections of the primary spring means to the axle members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A suspension system as claimed in claim 1; wherein the auxiliary spring is in the form of an upwardly convex arch and an elastomeric pad is fixedly secured to its upper side at its mid-point to contact the cross member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A suspension system as claimed in claim 1; wherein the coextensive portions of the axle members extend at a slight angle to the longitudinal axis of the transverse cross member; and the fore and aft spacing between the coextensive portions is substantially less than the width of the auxiliary spring.
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) | 1977-04-22 | 1977-10-22 | 1978-04-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-22 | 1981-10-22 | 1982-04-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-22 | 1985-10-22 | 1986-04-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |