US3915470A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drop axle suspension system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-11-23
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Granted: 1975-10-28
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Expires: 1993-11-23
Abstract
Abstract A drop axle suspension system includes a frame having outwardly facing side channel members received in the inwardly facing side channel members of the truck frame. A pivot shaft extends transversely between oppositely disposed links having lower ends engaging the free end of a leaf spring. A connecting link extends forwardly and is pivotally connected to a second pivotal link having a downwardly extending chain connected to a hanger engaging the axle associated with the springs. A hydraulic cylinder extends from the forward transverse frame member to the transversely extending shaft; and upon the cylinder being extended, the first and second pivotal links are pivoted upwardly, thereby allowing the axle to be raised by the second link. When the power cylinder is contracted, the lower end of the first link limits upward movement of the springs until the first link is pivoted past an over center position, and then upward pivotal movement is limited by a stop element engaging the first link, thereby relieving the fluid cylinder from any load-carrying forces. The hangers are loose, but limit downward travel of the axle beyond a predetermined point.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald R Jansen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:07
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D61/00; B62D61/12; B62D61/125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A drop axle suspension system comprising, a frame adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame, a linkage assembly on said frame having a link adapted to be pivoted between raised and lowered positions and in said lowered position being against one end of a leaf spring assembly and a hanger directly engaging an axle for moving said axle to a raised position, said link engaging a stop when pivoted to said lowered position and said spring means engaging said link to pivot it against said stop when an upward force is applied to said axle, a power means connected to said linkage assembly for pivoting said link into engagement with said one end of said leaf springs while moving said hanger to said lowered position and upon said link being pivoted to said lowered position upward movement of said one end of said spring is limited and said axle is free to move vertically, and when said linkage assembly is pivoted upwardly said link moves upwardly as said hanger moves upwardly for lifting an axle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
A drop axle suspension system comprising, a frame adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame, a linkage assembly on said frame having a link adapted to be pivoted between raised and lowered positions and in said lowered position being against one end of a leaf spring assembly and a hanger directly engaging an axle for moving said axle to a raised position, said link engaging a stop when pivoted to said lowered position and said spring means engaging said link to pivot it against said stop when an upward force is applied to said axle, a power means connected to said linkage assembly for pivoting said link into engagement with said one end of said leaf springs while moving said hanger to said lowered position and upon said link being pivoted to said lowered position upward movement of said one end of said spring is limited and said axle is free to move vertically, and when said linkage assembly is pivoted upwardly said link moves upwardly as said hanger moves upwardly for lifting an axle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said hanger is connected to said linkage assembly by a flexible element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said power means is a fluid cylinder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said linkage assembly includes a second link pivotally connected to said frame and said hanger is connected to said second link and a connecting link interconnects said first and second links such that they may operate together.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said link includes at its lower end a pair of spaced apart, downwardly extending guide elements adapted to straddle said spring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said linkage assembly includes a link at opposite sides for engagement with oppositely disposed springs on a vehicle and a hanger at opposite sides for engagement with opposite ends of an axle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said pivotal link moves through and over center position in moving between up and down positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
185 words
In combination, a vehicle having a frame and a pair of ground engaging wheels, and a drop axle suspension system comprising, a frame secured to said vehicle frame over oppositely disposed longitudinally extending leaf springs interconnected by an axle, a linkage assembly on said frame having a pivotal link engaging the top of one end of each of said leaf springs for limiting said one end against upward movement when said link is in a down position, said linkage assembly including a hanger at each end of said axle for directly engaging and raising said axle, said link engaging a stop when pivoted to said down position and said spring means engaging said link to pivot it against said stop when an upward force is applied to said axle, a power means connected to said linkage assembly for raising said links to allow said one end of each of said springs to move upwardly while said hangers are raising said axle; and for lowering said links against the upward force of said leaf springs while said hangers move downwardly, allowing said axle to be lowered.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
185 words
In combination, a vehicle having a frame and a pair of ground engaging wheels, and a drop axle suspension system comprising, a frame secured to said vehicle frame over oppositely disposed longitudinally extending leaf springs interconnected by an axle, a linkage assembly on said frame having a pivotal link engaging the top of one end of each of said leaf springs for limiting said one end against upward movement when said link is in a down position, said linkage assembly including a hanger at each end of said axle for directly engaging and raising said axle, said link engaging a stop when pivoted to said down position and said spring means engaging said link to pivot it against said stop when an upward force is applied to said axle, a power means connected to said linkage assembly for raising said links to allow said one end of each of said springs to move upwardly while said hangers are raising said axle; and for lowering said links against the upward force of said leaf springs while said hangers move downwardly, allowing said axle to be lowered.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
184 words
In combination, a vehicle having a frame and a pair of ground engaging wheels, and a drop axle suspension system comprising, a frame secured to said vehicle frame over oppositely disposed longitudinally extending leaf springs interconnected by an axle, a linkage assembly on said frame having a pivotal link engaging the top of one end of each of said leaf springs for limiting said one end against upward movement when said link is in a down position, said linkage assembly including a hanger at each end of said axle for directly engaging and raising said axle, each of said pivotal links being pivotally connected to a second pivotal link by a connecting link, and said hangers being connected to said second pivotal links by downwardly extending connecting links, a power means connected to said linkage assembly for raising said links to allow said one end of each of said springs to move upwardly while said hangers are raising said axle; and for lowering said links against the upward force of said leaf springs while said hangers move downwardly, allowing said axle to be lowered.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
184 words
In combination, a vehicle having a frame and a pair of ground engaging wheels, and a drop axle suspension system comprising, a frame secured to said vehicle frame over oppositely disposed longitudinally extending leaf springs interconnected by an axle, a linkage assembly on said frame having a pivotal link engaging the top of one end of each of said leaf springs for limiting said one end against upward movement when said link is in a down position, said linkage assembly including a hanger at each end of said axle for directly engaging and raising said axle, each of said pivotal links being pivotally connected to a second pivotal link by a connecting link, and said hangers being connected to said second pivotal links by downwardly extending connecting links, a power means connected to said linkage assembly for raising said links to allow said one end of each of said springs to move upwardly while said hangers are raising said axle; and for lowering said links against the upward force of said leaf springs while said hangers move downwardly, allowing said axle to be lowered.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
The structure of claim 9 wherein said power means is further defined as a fluid cylinder having one end connected to said linkage assembly and the other end connected to said frame, and a stop is provided to limit pivotal movement of said linkage assembly in response to the upward forces of said springs, thereby relieving the pressure on said fluid cylinder.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
197 words
In combination, a vehicle having a frame and a pair of ground engaging wheels, and a drop axle suspension system comprising, a frame secured to said vehicle frame over oppositely disposed longitudinally extending leaf springs interconnected by an axle, a linkage assembly on said frame having a pivotal link engaging the top of one end of each of said leaf springs for limiting said one end against upward movement when said link is in a down position, said linkage assembly including a hanger at each end of said axle for directly engaging and raising said axle, a power means connected to said linkage assembly for raising said links to allow said one end of each of said springs to move upwardly while said hangers are raising said axle; and for lowering said links against the upward force of said leaf springs while said hangers move downwardly, allowing said axle to be lowered, and said vehicle frame including longitudinally extending spaced apart inwardly facing channel shaped frame members and said frame includes complementary shaped outwardly facing channEl members nested in said vehicle frame side frame members and bolt means connecting said vehicle frame members to said frame members.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
197 words
In combination, a vehicle having a frame and a pair of ground engaging wheels, and a drop axle suspension system comprising, a frame secured to said vehicle frame over oppositely disposed longitudinally extending leaf springs interconnected by an axle, a linkage assembly on said frame having a pivotal link engaging the top of one end of each of said leaf springs for limiting said one end against upward movement when said link is in a down position, said linkage assembly including a hanger at each end of said axle for directly engaging and raising said axle, a power means connected to said linkage assembly for raising said links to allow said one end of each of said springs to move upwardly while said hangers are raising said axle; and for lowering said links against the upward force of said leaf springs while said hangers move downwardly, allowing said axle to be lowered, and said vehicle frame including longitudinally extending spaced apart inwardly facing channel shaped frame members and said frame includes complementary shaped outwardly facing channEl members nested in said vehicle frame side frame members and bolt means connecting said vehicle frame members to said frame members.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-27 | 1979-04-28 | 1979-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-27 | 1983-04-28 | 1983-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-27 | 1987-04-28 | 1987-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |