Combined air spring and leaf spring suspension

Claim 2

Land vehicle suspension structure which comprises, an axle with wheels mounted thereon, a pair of leaf springs secured to said axle adjacent said wheels, each spring having end portions adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame forwardly and rearwardly of said axle, means forming a beam which extends generally parallel to said axle, anchor means anchoring said beam in load transmitting relation to each of said leaf springs at a location longitudinally intermediate said axle and one of said end portions, air spring means mounted on said beam and being adapted to transmit vertical load between said beam and a vehicle frame, lever means adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame and being connected to follow vertical movement of portions of said axle relative to such vehicle frame, said axle portions being axially oppositely displaced from the axial center of said axle, and torsion means operable to resist at least certain swinging movements of said lever means incidental to vertical movement of said axle portions.

Claim 3

The structure defined in claim 1 wherein said anchor means comprises a hanger adjacent each end of said beam engaged with a said leaf spring through which load is transmitted between said beam and leaf spring.

Claim 4

The structure defined in claim 2 wherein each hanger extends over the top of a said leaf spring.

Claim 5

The structure defined in claim 3 wherein each hanger has side portions which embrace opposite sides of a said leaf spring and an interconnecting portion which so extends over said top of said leaf spring.

Claim 6

The structure defined in claim 1 wherein said anchor means comprises a hanger adjacent each end of said beam having sides which embrace opposite sides of a said leaf spring and a top which interconnects said sides and extends in spaced relation over a top portion of a said leaf spring, SAID top portion being angled to the horizontal in a direction longitudinal to said leaf spring and said hanger top extending generally horizontally so that the two define a tapered space, a cushion of elastomeric material tapered complementally to and disposed within said space, means including said hanger sides retaining said cushion in said space, a pin extending between said hanger sides beneath said leaf spring, a member having a bight through which said pin extends and which engages the bottom of said leaf spring so that said pin and bight contain said leaf spring within said hanger, said member having a portion which extends away from said bight and which has a fixed position relative to said axle, said member serving as a tie and a strut which secures said hanger at a predetermined location longitudinal of said leaf spring.

Claim 7

In combination, a vehicle and a suspension structure as defined in claim 1 mounted thereon.

Claim 8

The structure defined in claim 1 wherein each of said leaf springs comprises a plurality of spring leaves in stacked relation, said leaves having first portions which extend between said axle and the other of said end portions, contiguous ones of said first portions terminating at progressively varying distances from said axle, said leaves having second portions which extend between said axle and said one end portion, a plurality of said second portions terminating between said location and said one portion and at substantially the same distance from said axle.

Claim 9

The structure defined in claim 7 wherein said second portion of that leaf only which defines said one end portion extends substantially beyond said location.

Claim 10

The structure defined in claim 2 wherein said anchor means also comprises for each hanger a member secured thereto and having a fixed position relative to said axle, said member serving as a tie and strut which maintains said hanger at a predetermined longitudinal position relative to said leaf spring.

Claim 11

The structure defined in claim 2 wherein each leaf spring has a top portion angled to the horizontal in a direction longitudinal of said leaf spring, each hanger having an upper portion extending over and spaced from said top portion, said top and upper portions defining a tapered space therebetween, a complementally tapered cushion of elastomeric material being fitted within said space, and retaining means effective to retain said cushion within said space.

Claim 12

The structure defined in claim 10 wherein said upper portion has an end which faces the nearest said end portion of said leaf spring, said retaining means including an element secured to said cushion and engaged with said end.

Claim 13

The structure defined in claim 11 wherein said element comprises a metal clip fastened to said elastomeric material, said clip having a portion which projects from the narrower end of said tapered cushion and engages said end.

Claim 14

The structure defined in claim 12 wherein said clip portion is generally U-shaped.

Claim 15

The structure defined in claim 11 wherein said retaining means also includes portions of said hanger which adjoin said upper portion and embrace opposite sides of said cushion and leaf spring.

Claim 16

In combination, a vehicle and a suspension structure as defined in claim 9 mounted thereon.

Claim 17

In combination, a vehicle and a suspension structure as defined in claim 7 mounted thereon.

Claim 18

Land vehicle suspension structure which comprises, an axle with wheels mounted thereon, a pair of leaf springs secured to said axle adjacent said wheels, each spring having end portions adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame forwardly and rearwardly of said axle, means forming a beam which extends generally parallel to said axle, anchor means anchoring said beam to each of said leaf springs at a location longitudinally intermediate said axle and one of said end portions, said anchor means comprising a hanger adjaCent each end of said beam engaged with a said leaf spring through which load is transmitted between said beam and leaf spring, each hanger having side portions which embrace opposite sides of a said leaf spring and an interconnecting portion which extends over the top of a said leaf spring, each hanger including containing means associated with said side portions which engage the bottom of a said leaf spring and contain said leaf spring within said hanger, air spring means mounted on said beam and being adapted to transmit vertical load between said beam and a vehicle frame, lever means adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame and being connected to follow vertical movement of portions of said axle relative to such vehicle frame, said axle portions being axially oppositely displaced from the axial center of said axle, and torsion means operable to resist at least certain swinging movements of said lever means incidental to vertical movement of said axle portions.

Claim 19

Land vehicle suspension structure which comprises, an axle with wheels mounted thereon, a pair of leaf springs secured to said axle adjacent said wheels, each spring having end portions adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame forwardly and rearwardly of said axle, means forming a beam which extends generally parallel to said axle, anchor means anchoring said beam to each of said leaf springs at a location longitudinally intermediate said axle and one of said end portions, said anchor means comprising a hanger adjaCent each end of said beam engaged with a said leaf spring through which load is transmitted between said beam and leaf spring, each hanger having side portions which embrace opposite sides of a said leaf spring and an interconnecting portion which extends over the top of a said leaf spring, each hanger including containing means associated with said side portions which engage the bottom of a said leaf spring and contain said leaf spring within said hanger, air spring means mounted on said beam and being adapted to transmit vertical load between said beam and a vehicle frame, lever means adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame and being connected to follow vertical movement of portions of said axle relative to such vehicle frame, said axle portions being axially oppositely displaced from the axial center of said axle, and torsion means operable to resist at least certain swinging movements of said lever means incidental to vertical movement of said axle portions.

Claim 20

The structure defined in claim 17 wherein said containing means comprises a pin which extends between said side portions.

Claim 21

The structure defined in claim 17 wherein said side portions have aligned openings and said pin comprises a bolt which extends therethrough.

Claim 22

Land vehicle suspension structure which comprises, an axle with wheels mounted thereon, a pair of leaf springs secured to said axle adjacent said wheels, each spring having end portions adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame forwardly and rearwardly of said axle, means forming a beam which extends generally parallel to said axle, anchor means anchoring said beam to each of said leaf springs at a location longitudinally intermediate said axle and one of said end portions, said anchor means comprising a hanger adjacent each end of said beam engaged with a said leaf spring through which load is transmitted between said beam and leaf spring, said anchor means also comprising for each hanger a member secured thereto and having a fixed position relative to said axle, said member serving as a tie and strut which maintains said hanger at a predetermined longitudinal position relative to said leaf spring, each hanger having side portions which engage opposite sides of a said leaf spring and an interconnecting portion which extends over the top of said leaf spring, a pin extending between said side portions beneath said leaf spring, said member having a bight portion adjacent one end through which said pin extends to so secure said hanger and member together, air spring means mounted on said beam and being adapted to transmit vertical load between said beam and a vehicle frame, lever means adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame and being connected to follow vertical movement of portions of said axle relative to such vehicle frame, said axle portions being axially oppositely displaced from the axial center of said axle, and torsion means operable to resist at least certain swinging movement of said lever means incidental to vertical movement of said axle portions.

Claim 23

Land vehicle suspension structure which comprises, an axle with wheels mounted thereon, a pair of leaf springs secured to said axle adjacent said wheels, each spring having end portions adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame forwardly and rearwardly of said axle, means forming a beam which extends generally parallel to said axle, anchor means anchoring said beam to each of said leaf springs at a location longitudinally intermediate said axle and one of said end portions, said anchor means comprising a hanger adjacent each end of said beam engaged with a said leaf spring through which load is transmitted between said beam and leaf spring, said anchor means also comprising for each hanger a member secured thereto and having a fixed position relative to said axle, said member serving as a tie and strut which maintains said hanger at a predetermined longitudinal position relative to said leaf spring, each hanger having side portions which engage opposite sides of a said leaf spring and an interconnecting portion which extends over the top of said leaf spring, a pin extending between said side portions beneath said leaf spring, said member having a bight portion adjacent one end through which said pin extends to so secure said hanger and member together, air spring means mounted on said beam and being adapted to transmit vertical load between said beam and a vehicle frame, lever means adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame and being connected to follow vertical movement of portions of said axle relative to such vehicle frame, said axle portions being axially oppositely displaced from the axial center of said axle, and torsion means operable to resist at least certain swinging movement of said lever means incidental to vertical movement of said axle portions.

Claim 24

The structure defined in claim 20 wherein said bight is engaged against the bottom of said leaf spring.

Claim 25

The structure defined in claim 21 wherein said bight extends substantially throughout the distance between said side portions..

Claim 26

The structure defined in claim 20 wherein the other end of said member is affixed between said axle and the bottom of said spring.

Claim 27

The structure defined in claim 23 wherein said member has the form of a generally flat strap formed adjacent said one end to provide said bight.

Claim 28

Land vehicle suspension structure which comprises, an axle with wheels mounted thereon, a pair of leaf springs secured to said axle adjacent said wheels, each spring having end portions adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame forwardly and rearwardly of said axle, means forming a beam which extends generally pArallel to said axle, anchor means anchoring said beam to each of said leaf springs at a location longitudinally intermediate said axle and one of said end portions, air spring means mounted on said beam and being adapted to transmit vertical load between said beam and a vehicle frame, lever means adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame and being connected to follow vertical movement of portions of said axle relative to such vehicle frame, said axle portions being axially oppositely displaced from the axial center of said axle, and torsion means operable to resist at least certain swinging movements of said lever means incidental to vertical movement of said axle portions, said lever means lying on a slope between the vehicle frame and axle when said structure is mounted on a vehicle, said lever means being jointed to facilitate variation of its length upon variation of said slope incidental to vertical movement of said axle portions relative to the vehicle frame, said lever means comprising a so jointed lever for each of said axle portions, the joint of each lever comprising a pivotal joint between its end and a pivotal connection of one of its ends to connecting means carried by said axle, the axis of said pivotal joint and connection being generally parallel to the axis of said axle.

Claim 29

Land vehicle suspension structure which comprises, an axle with wheels mounted thereon, a pair of leaf springs secured to said axle adjacent said wheels, each spring having end portions adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame forwardly and rearwardly of said axle, means forming a beam which extends generally pArallel to said axle, anchor means anchoring said beam to each of said leaf springs at a location longitudinally intermediate said axle and one of said end portions, air spring means mounted on said beam and being adapted to transmit vertical load between said beam and a vehicle frame, lever means adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame and being connected to follow vertical movement of portions of said axle relative to such vehicle frame, said axle portions being axially oppositely displaced from the axial center of said axle, and torsion means operable to resist at least certain swinging movements of said lever means incidental to vertical movement of said axle portions, said lever means lying on a slope between the vehicle frame and axle when said structure is mounted on a vehicle, said lever means being jointed to facilitate variation of its length upon variation of said slope incidental to vertical movement of said axle portions relative to the vehicle frame, said lever means comprising a so jointed lever for each of said axle portions, the joint of each lever comprising a pivotal joint between its end and a pivotal connection of one of its ends to connecting means carried by said axle, the axis of said pivotal joint and connection being generally parallel to the axis of said axle.

Claim 30

The structure defined in claim 25 wherein said connecting means comprises an element anchored between said leaf spring and axle, said element having an extension which forms a member of said pivotal connection.

Claim 31

The structure defined in claim 26 wherein said element has the form of a flat plate and said member has the form of an eye.

Claim 32

The structure defined in clalim 25 wherein said pivotal joint is relatively close to said one end of said lever and is relatively remote to the other end of said lever.

Claim 33

The structure defined in clalim 25 wherein said pivotal joint is relatively close to said one end of said lever and is relatively remote to the other end of said lever.

Claim 34

The structure defined in claim 25 wherein said anchor means comprises a hanger adjacent each end of said beam engaged with a said leaf spring through which load is transmitted between said beam and leaf spring, and means forming both a strut and a tie between said hanger and axle effective to maintain said hanger at a predetermined longitudinal position relative to said leaf spring.

Claim 35

The structure defined in claim 29 wherein each of said leaf springs comprises a plurality of leaves in stacked relation, said leaves having first portions which extend between said axle and the other of said end portions, contiguous ones of said first portions terminating at progressively varying distances from said axle, said leaves having second portions which extend between said axle and said one end portion, a plurality of said second portions terminating between said location and said one end and at substantially the same distance from said axle.

Claim 36

In combination, a vehicle and a suspension structure as defined in claim 29 mounted thereon.