US3921999A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle suspension construction and sub-assembly therefor
Assignee: Lear Siegler Inc
•
Filing: 1973-06-12
•
Granted: 1975-11-25
•
Expires: 1993-06-12
Abstract
Abstract A recreational vehicle suspension system and air spring assembly wherein the frame beam on the vehicle has a first leaf spring operably mounted thereto and a first axle is mounted on the leaf spring. An air spring assembly is mounted in tandem to the leaf spring on the frame beam and mounts a second axle. The air spring suspension assembly includes in one embodiment a mounting plate which is secured to the frame beam in overlapping relationship with the leaf spring. A trailing arm is pivotably mounted on an axis transverse to the mounting plate on a depending support at a forward portion of the mounting plate. An air spring is mounted between the trailing arm and the mounting plate to cushion the movement of the trailing arm toward the mounting plate and a shock absorber damps the movement of the trailing arm toward and away from the mounting plate. A side flange on the mounting plate extends along the inner side of the beam opposite the leaf spring and a bottom flange on the mounting plate extends along the bottom of the beam. The shock absorber is secured to the side flange. With the air suspension assembly according to the invention, a leaf spring assembly and an air spring assembly can be mounted in tandem with a minimum space in between the wheels due to the overlapping of the two assembly systems. In another embodiment, the system is mounted in overlapping relationship to a leaf spring with the air spring, shock absorber, and the depending support being mounted directly to the frame. This latter embodiment is used on motor homes where the frame is much stronger than on van type vehicles.
Inventors
- 👤 Lloyd D Masser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 15:28
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G5/00; B60G5/04; B60G5/047; B60G17/00; B60G17/02; B60G17/04; B60G17/052
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
In a recreational vehicle suspension system wherein the vehicle has a frame beam, a leaf spring is operably mounted to said frame beam, and a first axle is mounted to said leaf spring; the improvement which comprises: a mounting plate secured to said frame beam in overlapping relationship with said leaf spring; a rigid trailing arm; means rigidly secured to said mounting plate and depending from a forward portion thereof forwardly of a rear mounting of said leaf spring for pivotably mounting one end of said trailing arm a spaced distance below said mounting plate, said trailing arm being pivotably mounted to a lower portion of said mounting means; a second axle mounted on said trailing arm; an air spring mounted between said trailing arm and said mounting plate to cushion the movement of said trailing arm toward said mounting plate; and means connected at one end to said mounting plate and at the other end to said trailing arm to dampen the oscillation of said trailing arm with respect to said mounting plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
In a recreational vehicle suspension system wherein the vehicle has a frame beam, a leaf spring is operably mounted to said frame beam, and a first axle is mounted to said leaf spring; the improvement which comprises: a mounting plate secured to said frame beam in overlapping relationship with said leaf spring; a rigid trailing arm; means rigidly secured to said mounting plate and depending from a forward portion thereof forwardly of a rear mounting of said leaf spring for pivotably mounting one end of said trailing arm a spaced distance below said mounting plate, said trailing arm being pivotably mounted to a lower portion of said mounting means; a second axle mounted on said trailing arm; an air spring mounted between said trailing arm and said mounting plate to cushion the movement of said trailing arm toward said mounting plate; and means connected at one end to said mounting plate and at the other end to said trailing arm to dampen the oscillation of said trailing arm with respect to said mounting plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A recreational vehicle suspension system according to claim 1 wherein said mounting plate has a side flange which extends along a side of said beam and a bottom flange which extends beneath said beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A recreational vehicle suspension system according to claim 2 wherein said oscillation damping means is secured to said side flange, and said flange is positioned along the inner side of said beam, opposite said leaf spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A recreational vehicle suspension system according to claim 2 wherein said trailing arm mounting means includes a strengthening flange which extends along an opposite side of said beam from said side flange, whereby said air spring assembly is rigidly secured to said frame beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A recreational vehicle suspension system according to claim 1 wherein said air spring is mounted on an end portion of said trailing arm and said damping means is mounted on a central portion of said trailing arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A recreational vehicle suspension system according to claim 1 wherein said air spring is mounted on a central portion of said trailing arm and said damping means is mounted on a free end portion of said arm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
211 words
An air spring assembly for mounting onto the frame of a recreational vehicle, said assembly comprising: a mounting plate having a longitudinal axis and shaped for rigid mounting on a structural beam, said mounting plate having a side flange and a bottom flange; a depending bracket rigidly secured to one end of said mounting plate; a rigid trailing arm; means pivotably mounting said trailing arm on a lower end of said depending bracket for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mounting plate and a spaced distance therefrom, said trailing arm mounting means including an upwardly extending stiffening flange parallel to but spaced from said side flange of said mounting plate so that said mounting plate and said upwardly extending flange can straddle said structural beam; means for mounting an axle on said trailing arm; an air spring means between said trailing arm and said mounting plate for cushioning movement of said trailing arm toward said mounting plate; and damping means connected to said trailing arm and to said mounting plate to dampen the movement of said trailing arm away from said mounting Plate; whereby said mounting assembly can be quickly and easily mounted onto a structural beam without modification thereto and without weakening said structural beam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
211 words
An air spring assembly for mounting onto the frame of a recreational vehicle, said assembly comprising: a mounting plate having a longitudinal axis and shaped for rigid mounting on a structural beam, said mounting plate having a side flange and a bottom flange; a depending bracket rigidly secured to one end of said mounting plate; a rigid trailing arm; means pivotably mounting said trailing arm on a lower end of said depending bracket for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mounting plate and a spaced distance therefrom, said trailing arm mounting means including an upwardly extending stiffening flange parallel to but spaced from said side flange of said mounting plate so that said mounting plate and said upwardly extending flange can straddle said structural beam; means for mounting an axle on said trailing arm; an air spring means between said trailing arm and said mounting plate for cushioning movement of said trailing arm toward said mounting plate; and damping means connected to said trailing arm and to said mounting plate to dampen the movement of said trailing arm away from said mounting Plate; whereby said mounting assembly can be quickly and easily mounted onto a structural beam without modification thereto and without weakening said structural beam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
An air spring assembly according to claim 7 wherein said air spring is mounted on a free end portion of said trailing arm and said damping means is mounted on a central portion of said trailing arm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
An air spring assembly according to claim 7 wherein said air spring is mounted on a central portion of said trailing arm and said damping means is mounted on a free end portion of said arm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
171 words
In a recreational vehicle suspension system wherein the vehicle has a frame beam, a leaf spring is operably mounted to said frame beam through at least a rear mounting bracket, and a first axle is mounted to said leaf spring, the improvement which comprises: a rigid trailing arm; bracket means, rigidly mounted to said frame forwardly and independently of said rear mounting bracket of said leaf spring, for pivotably mounting one end of said trailing arm a spaced distance below said frame beam and below said rear mounting plate of said leaf spring so that said trailing arm is in overlapping relationship with said leaf spring; a second axle mounted on said trailing arm; an air spring mounted between said trailing arm and said mounting plate to cushion the movement of said trailing arm toward said mounting plate; and means connected at one end to said mounting plate and at the other end to said trailing arm to dampen the oscillation of said trailing arm with respect to said mounting plate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
171 words
In a recreational vehicle suspension system wherein the vehicle has a frame beam, a leaf spring is operably mounted to said frame beam through at least a rear mounting bracket, and a first axle is mounted to said leaf spring, the improvement which comprises: a rigid trailing arm; bracket means, rigidly mounted to said frame forwardly and independently of said rear mounting bracket of said leaf spring, for pivotably mounting one end of said trailing arm a spaced distance below said frame beam and below said rear mounting plate of said leaf spring so that said trailing arm is in overlapping relationship with said leaf spring; a second axle mounted on said trailing arm; an air spring mounted between said trailing arm and said mounting plate to cushion the movement of said trailing arm toward said mounting plate; and means connected at one end to said mounting plate and at the other end to said trailing arm to dampen the oscillation of said trailing arm with respect to said mounting plate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A recreational vehicle suspension system according to claim 10 wherein said pivotable mounting means includes a flange which extends upwardly along-side of said frame beam.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
A recreational vehicle suspension system according to claim 10 wherein said leaf spring is mounted to the outside of said frame beam, said trailing arm is suspended beneath said frame beam, and said oscillation dampening means is mounted to the outside of said frame beam.
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) | 1978-11-24 | 1979-05-26 | 1979-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-24 | 1983-05-26 | 1983-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-24 | 1987-05-26 | 1987-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |