US3817550A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle suspension system and bearing construction therefor
Assignee: Lear Siegler Inc
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Filing: 1972-11-15
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Granted: 1974-06-18
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Expires: 1992-11-15
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle suspension construction in which axles of vehicles are supported by a suspension system coupled to the vehicle through at least one structural cylindrical support such as a shaft. The suspension system has a collar which surrounds the cylindrical support and is separated therefrom by a novel bearing construction including a yielding cylindrical member such as a rubber bushing compressed radially inwardly by the collar and a substantially cylindrical lubricating liner between the yieldable member and the cylindrical support to permit rocking of the suspension system or portions thereof about the cylindrical support. In one embodiment, the collar is in two parts and is tightened against the compressible member. In another embodiment, the collar is an annular cylinder as, for example, on the end of a rockable arm, and the yieldable member is compressed by being press-fit into the annular cylinder. A sleeve on a shaft forms the cylindrical support and the liner is positioned between the yieldable member and the sleeve in this second embodiment. The lubricating liner which can be made of a self-lubricating material such as Teflon, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc., is split and has an inner diameter or inner circumference slightly less than the outer diameter of the cylindrical support to leave a space for expansion of the liner due to wear in the use of the suspension system. The liner is protected from dirt, moisture, etc., by the yieldable member which extends over the ends of the liner and in contact with the cylindrical support.
Inventors
- 👤 E Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:09
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C27/00; F16C27/06; F16C27/063; B; B60; B60G; B60G5/00; B60G5/02; B60G5/03; B60G5/04; B60G5/047; F16C2326/00; F16C2326/01; F16C2326/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
In a vehicle having a load bearing or force restraining cylindrical support, such as an axle, trunnion or the like, means secure said support to said vehicle, and suspension means couple said support to wheel axles of said vehicles such that at least portions of said suspension means are rockable about said support, said suspension means portions including a collar surrounding at least a portion of said support, said suspension means also including a bearing structure between said collar and said support, the improvement in said bearing structure comprising: a yieldable member surrounding a portion of said support and within said collar, said collar being at least substantially coextensive with said yieldable member and compressing said yieldable member radially inwardly toward said support; and a substantially cylindrical liner within said yieldable member extending at least substantially completely around said support and in contact therewith, said liner having lubricating properties and providing a lubricating surface for movement of said bearing about said support said liner being substantially shorter in length than said yieldable member, with portions of said yieldable member extending axially of said liner on each end thereof and compressed into engagement with said cylindrical support to form a pressure seal for said bearing against dirt, moisture, and the like.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
In a vehicle having a load bearing or force restraining cylindrical support, such as an axle, trunnion or the like, means secure said support to said vehicle, and suspension means couple said support to wheel axles of said vehicles such that at least portions of said suspension means are rockable about said support, said suspension means portions including a collar surrounding at least a portion of said support, said suspension means also including a bearing structure between said collar and said support, the improvement in said bearing structure comprising: a yieldable member surrounding a portion of said support and within said collar, said collar being at least substantially coextensive with said yieldable member and compressing said yieldable member radially inwardly toward said support; and a substantially cylindrical liner within said yieldable member extending at least substantially completely around said support and in contact therewith, said liner having lubricating properties and providing a lubricating surface for movement of said bearing about said support said liner being substantially shorter in length than said yieldable member, with portions of said yieldable member extending axially of said liner on each end thereof and compressed into engagement with said cylindrical support to form a pressure seal for said bearing against dirt, moisture, and the like.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said liner is longitudinally split and has an inner diameter slightly less than the outer diameter of said support whereby a small slot is formed at the split edge of said liner to permit adjustment of said liner about said support and to maintain substantially complete contact between said liner and said support as said liner wears.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said liner is made from a self-lubricating organic material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said liner is made from an inorganic nonmetallic lubricated fiberous material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said support includes an annular sleeve and said lubricating liner surrounds at least a portion of said sleeve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said suspension means portions includes a radius rod having said collar at one end thereof, and means rotatably coupling another end of said radius rod to one of said vehicle axles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said suspension means includes resilient means between said collar and said vehicle axles for cushioning movement of said vehicle axles with respect to said support, and said collar includes first and second members which are secured together around said yieldable member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said liner is made from a self-lubricating organic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said liner is made from a nonmetallic, inorganic, self-lubricating fiberous material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said support includes an annular sleeve and said lubricating liner surrounds at least a portion of said sleeve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
184 words
In a vehicle suspension system for coupling wheel supporting axles to the vehicle frame, said suspension system includes a load bearing or force restraining cylindrical support, a rockable member coupled to said support through a collar which surrounds at least a portion of said support, and a bearing structure between said support and said collar, the improvement in said bearing structure comprising: a yieldable member surrounding a portion of said support and positioned within said collar, said collar being at least substantially coextensive with said yieldable member and compressing and yieldable member radially inwardly toward said support; and a substantially cylindrical liner within said yieldable member extending at lEast substantially completely around said support and in contact therewith, said liner having lubricating properties and providing a lubricating surface for movement of said bearing about said support, said liner being substantially shorter in length than said yieldable member, with portions of said yieldable member extending axially of said liner on each end thereof, and compressed into engagement with said cylindrical support to form a pressure seal for said bearing against dirt, moisture, and the like.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
184 words
In a vehicle suspension system for coupling wheel supporting axles to the vehicle frame, said suspension system includes a load bearing or force restraining cylindrical support, a rockable member coupled to said support through a collar which surrounds at least a portion of said support, and a bearing structure between said support and said collar, the improvement in said bearing structure comprising: a yieldable member surrounding a portion of said support and positioned within said collar, said collar being at least substantially coextensive with said yieldable member and compressing and yieldable member radially inwardly toward said support; and a substantially cylindrical liner within said yieldable member extending at lEast substantially completely around said support and in contact therewith, said liner having lubricating properties and providing a lubricating surface for movement of said bearing about said support, said liner being substantially shorter in length than said yieldable member, with portions of said yieldable member extending axially of said liner on each end thereof, and compressed into engagement with said cylindrical support to form a pressure seal for said bearing against dirt, moisture, and the like.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
The vehicle suspension system of claim 11 wherein said liner is longitudinally split and has an inner diameter slightly less then the outer diameter of said support whereby a small slot is formed at the split edge of said liner to permit adjustment of said liner about said support and to maintain substantially complete contact between said liner and said support as said liner wears.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The vehicle suspension system of claim 11 wherein said liner is formed of a solid organic polymer of polytetrafluorothylene, polythylene, or polypropylene.
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) | 1977-06-17 | 1977-12-17 | 1978-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-17 | 1981-12-17 | 1982-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-17 | 1985-12-17 | 1986-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |