Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
457 words
An auxiliary axle suspension system certifiable for carrying loads greater than about 18,000 lbs./axle and for mounting on a wheeled vehicle having two outer, longitudinally extending inordinately low frame members, the system comprising, a. an upwardly biased leaf spring for locating substantially directly under each outer frame member and extending in the longitudinal direction thereof, each leaf spring being connected to hanger members which when installed, extend substantially vertically from beneath each outer frame Member, b. a load arm mechanism for each leaf spring comprising a leaf spring retaining means defined by a substantially rectangular three sided longitudinally extending box wherein said horizontal bottom portion comprises the lower side of said box and a pair of vertical walls comprises the two sides of said box, and there is provided at substantially the end portions of each of said vertical walls, upwardly extending arm means which terminate in platform means having located thereon expandable pneumatic chamber means, c. said load arm mechanism further comprising self-supportive Ubolt retaining means located on and extending outwardly from each of said vertical walls of said leaf spring retaining means and between the arm means of a given vertical wall, said U-bolt retaining means being comprised of two horizontally disposed chambers connected by a single integral flange, said flange defining at least an upper horizontal top for each of said chambers, and each top have located therein an orifice through which the legs of a U-bolt can extend, said U-bolt retaining means being located on the upper portion of said vertical walls such that the lower surfaces of said chambers do not substantially extend into the lower portion of said vertical walls, d. at least two U-bolt means for each load arm mechanism for connecting an auxiliary axle to said load arm mechanism, said U-bolts having legs of sufficient length to extend through said orifices of said chambers but not below said horizontal bottom portion, e. each leaf spring being retained at about its center portion by said spring retaining means of said load arm mechanism in a normally upwardly biased position such that wheels attached to the axle are normally held above the road surface when the system is installed, two vertically flexible pneumatic chambers located between each leaf spring and its respective frame member, one pneumatic chamber being supported on each of said platforms, one located forward and one aft of said U-bolt retaining means, said load arm mechanism, when installed, locating said chambers in a spread configuration and said springs substantially directly under the frame member, such that when pneumatic pressure is applied to the chambers they elongate, forcing the axle downwardly against the upward bias of the spring to engage the wheels of the vehicle with the road surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
457 words
An auxiliary axle suspension system certifiable for carrying loads greater than about 18,000 lbs./axle and for mounting on a wheeled vehicle having two outer, longitudinally extending inordinately low frame members, the system comprising, a. an upwardly biased leaf spring for locating substantially directly under each outer frame member and extending in the longitudinal direction thereof, each leaf spring being connected to hanger members which when installed, extend substantially vertically from beneath each outer frame Member, b. a load arm mechanism for each leaf spring comprising a leaf spring retaining means defined by a substantially rectangular three sided longitudinally extending box wherein said horizontal bottom portion comprises the lower side of said box and a pair of vertical walls comprises the two sides of said box, and there is provided at substantially the end portions of each of said vertical walls, upwardly extending arm means which terminate in platform means having located thereon expandable pneumatic chamber means, c. said load arm mechanism further comprising self-supportive Ubolt retaining means located on and extending outwardly from each of said vertical walls of said leaf spring retaining means and between the arm means of a given vertical wall, said U-bolt retaining means being comprised of two horizontally disposed chambers connected by a single integral flange, said flange defining at least an upper horizontal top for each of said chambers, and each top have located therein an orifice through which the legs of a U-bolt can extend, said U-bolt retaining means being located on the upper portion of said vertical walls such that the lower surfaces of said chambers do not substantially extend into the lower portion of said vertical walls, d. at least two U-bolt means for each load arm mechanism for connecting an auxiliary axle to said load arm mechanism, said U-bolts having legs of sufficient length to extend through said orifices of said chambers but not below said horizontal bottom portion, e. each leaf spring being retained at about its center portion by said spring retaining means of said load arm mechanism in a normally upwardly biased position such that wheels attached to the axle are normally held above the road surface when the system is installed, two vertically flexible pneumatic chambers located between each leaf spring and its respective frame member, one pneumatic chamber being supported on each of said platforms, one located forward and one aft of said U-bolt retaining means, said load arm mechanism, when installed, locating said chambers in a spread configuration and said springs substantially directly under the frame member, such that when pneumatic pressure is applied to the chambers they elongate, forcing the axle downwardly against the upward bias of the spring to engage the wheels of the vehicle with the road surface.