Patent US6045497A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3904220A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compact high strength auxiliary lift axle suspension system
Assignee: WILKOF EDWARD W
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Filing: 1974-06-03
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Granted: 1975-09-09
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Expires: 1994-06-03
Abstract
Abstract Provided is a compact, high strength auxiliary lift axle suspension system comprised of a relatively short frame rail means, an upwardly biased leaf spring which normally holds the wheels out of engagement with the road surface, a pair of air bags, one located fore and one aft, respectively, of the axle retained by an intermediate portion of the upwardly biased leaf spring, which airbags when inflated will drive the wheels into engagement with the road surface against the upward bias of the leaf spring, and angle bracket means for connecting the top plates of the air bags, at a finite angle to the horizontal, to, on one instance, the spring hanger brackets extending downwardly from the frame rail means and, in another instance, via web means to the frame rail of the suspension. By canting the air bags at an angle to the horizontal, space is saved for a more compact unit. By employing in combination therewith, the described angle bracket which deepens the beam, high strength with space saving smaller widths in the hanger brackets is achieved. By adjusting the relative angles between the top and bottom plates of the air bags, shear on the air bags during use is minimized, while obtaining high strength and at the same time, saving space.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond L Fier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:32
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G11/00; B60G11/32; B60G11/34; B60G11/46; B60G11/465; B62; B62D; B62D61/00; B62D61/12; B62D61/125; B60G2202/00; B60G2202/10; B60G2202/15; B60G2202/152; B60G2202/1524
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
In an auxiliary axle suspension system for a wheeled vehicle having axle and wheel means which provide a primary means of vehicle support and at least one longitudinally extending frame member, the auxiliary axle suspension system comprising a relatively short frame rail for connecting the system to the vehicle frame member, at least one leaf spring, a pair of vertically flexible pneumatic chambers, downwardly extending spring hanger brackets connected at substantially the ends of the frame rail for retaining the leaf spring at its ends, means for connecting the leaf spring at a point intermediate its ends to an auxiliary axle and means locating the pneumatic chambers within the system such that one is fore and one is aft of said connecting means, said leaf spring being located substantially directly under said longitudinally extending frame member of said vehicle when the system is connected via said frame rail to the frame member of the vehicle, and said pneumatic chambers being canted at a finite angle in a longitudinally space saving configuration, whereby the overall length of said system is reduced.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
In an auxiliary axle suspension system for a wheeled vehicle having axle and wheel means which provide a primary means of vehicle support and at least one longitudinally extending frame member, the auxiliary axle suspension system comprising a relatively short frame rail for connecting the system to the vehicle frame member, at least one leaf spring, a pair of vertically flexible pneumatic chambers, downwardly extending spring hanger brackets connected at substantially the ends of the frame rail for retaining the leaf spring at its ends, means for connecting the leaf spring at a point intermediate its ends to an auxiliary axle and means locating the pneumatic chambers within the system such that one is fore and one is aft of said connecting means, said leaf spring being located substantially directly under said longitudinally extending frame member of said vehicle when the system is connected via said frame rail to the frame member of the vehicle, and said pneumatic chambers being canted at a finite angle in a longitudinally space saving configuration, whereby the overall length of said system is reduced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said pneumatic chambers are airbag means which are canted by tilting at least the upper surface of said airbag means, and the included angle between the upper and lower surfaces of the airbag means is such as to reduce sheer stress on the airbags during use.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the included angle is such as to reduce the offset between the bisect of the included angle and the point of intersect between the perpendicular center line of the upper and lower surfaces of the airbags respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
106 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said pneumatic chambers are airbag means and wherein said airbags are canted by an angled flange which is connected at one leg of the angled flange to the upper surface of the airbags and to an opposing hanger bracket by another leg of said angled flange, such that said angle of said angled flange is formed at a substantial distance from the frame rail and adjacent to said opposing hanger bracket, the system further including a web means connecting said one leg of the angled flange to said frame rail, the combination thereby forming a strengthening beam of the system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said pneumatic chambers are located in a spread configuration, and said system fuurther includes a radius rod means extending in the longitudinal direction of said frame rail, said rod means being located substantially directly under the longitudinally extending frame member when the system is connected via said frame rail to the frame member of the vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
124 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said auxiliary system is a lift system, wherein said leaf spring is an upwardly biased leaf spring which normally raises the axle to a non-wheel, road engaging position and said airbags located fore and aft of said connecting means are further located in said system such that when pneumatic pressure is applied to the airbags they expand a sufficient distance to force the axle downwardly against the upward bias of said leaf spring and thus lower the axle to a wheel-road engaging position and such that upon release of said pneumatic pressure from the chambers, the upward bias of said leaf spring collapses said chambers a sufficient distance to return the axle to a non-wheel, road engaging position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said frame rail is less than about 40 inches in length, and the overall length of said system is less than about 50 inches.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A wheeled vehicle having a primary axle as a primary means of support and having mounted thereon the system of claim 7, and wherein the axle spacing between the primary and lift axle is about 50 - 51 inches or less.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
78 words
A wheeled vehicle having a primary axle as a primary means of support and having mounted thereon the system of claim 4, wherein said frame rail is less than about 40 inches in length, the overall length of said system is less than about 50 inches, and the axle spacing between the primary and lift axle is about 50 -51 inches or less and wherein said lift system is certifiable at about 18,000 lbs. per axle or more.
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) | 1978-09-08 | 1979-03-10 | 1979-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-08 | 1983-03-10 | 1983-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-08 | 1987-03-10 | 1987-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |