Patent US3929347A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3929347A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tandem wheel suspension system for closely adjacent wheels
Assignee: Lear Siegler Inc
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Filing: 1974-08-26
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Granted: 1975-12-30
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Expires: 1994-08-26
Abstract
Abstract A suspension system for tandem mounted pairs of closely adjacent wheels which are positioned beneath each side of a vehicle such as trailer vehicles. The supsenion includes at least first and second leaf springs and at least first, second, and third Ushaped hanger brackets mounted in spaced relationship and inverted manner to the underside of the frame of the vehicle. A pair of rigid identical equalizer brackets are pivotably mounted in facing relationship at least to the second U-shaped hanger bracket. The first leaf spring is pivotably supported between the first hanger bracket and the equalizer bracket. The second leaf spring is pivotably mounted to the equalizer bracket at one end and pivotably mounted to the second hanger bracket at the other end. When more than two leaf springs are suspended in tandem, another pair of equalizer brackets are mounted on the third Ushaped hanger brackets and the second leaf spring is pivotably mounted at one end to the first pair of equalizer brackets and at the other end to the second pair of equalizer brackets. The equalizer brackets as well as the first, second and third Ushaped brackets are made from an identical blank of sheet metal. Special mounting means and rubber bushings are provided between at least one pivotable connection between at least one leaf spring and the equalizer bracket or mounting bracket.
Inventors
- 👤 Lloyd D Masser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 12:26
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G5/00; B60G5/04; B60G5/047; B60G11/00; B60G11/02; B60G11/10; B60G11/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
In a suspension system for a vehicle including tandem pairs of closely adjacent ground engaging wheel wherein at least first and second leaf springs are positioned between the wheels, means support said leaf springs in tandem beneath said vehicle and means support axles for said ground engaging wheels on said leaf springs, the improvement in said leaf spring support means comprising: first, second, and third U-shaped hanger brackets mounted in spaced relationship in inverted manner to the underside of the frame of said vehicle; a pair of rigid identical facing equalizer brackets pivotably mounted to said second U-shaped hanger bracket; means pivotably mounting said first leaf spring to said first Ushaped hanger bracket on one end and said equalizer bracket at another end; means for pivotably mounting said second leaf spring to said equalizer bracket at one end and to said third U-shaped bracket at the other end; and said first, second, and third U-shaped brackets and said equalizer brackets being formed by bending identical blanks of sheet metal, such that said brackets have an identical configuration in unbent sheet form.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
In a suspension system for a vehicle including tandem pairs of closely adjacent ground engaging wheel wherein at least first and second leaf springs are positioned between the wheels, means support said leaf springs in tandem beneath said vehicle and means support axles for said ground engaging wheels on said leaf springs, the improvement in said leaf spring support means comprising: first, second, and third U-shaped hanger brackets mounted in spaced relationship in inverted manner to the underside of the frame of said vehicle; a pair of rigid identical facing equalizer brackets pivotably mounted to said second U-shaped hanger bracket; means pivotably mounting said first leaf spring to said first Ushaped hanger bracket on one end and said equalizer bracket at another end; means for pivotably mounting said second leaf spring to said equalizer bracket at one end and to said third U-shaped bracket at the other end; and said first, second, and third U-shaped brackets and said equalizer brackets being formed by bending identical blanks of sheet metal, such that said brackets have an identical configuration in unbent sheet form.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A suspension system according t claim 1 wherein said blank is a flat elongated blank with holes at opposite ends thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A suspension system according to claim 1 wherein said equalizer brackets have an upward edge bent inwardly and an lower edge bend outwardly to rigidify said brackets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
123 words
A suspension system according to claim 3 wherein said pivotable mounting between said equalizer brackets and said first leaf spring includes a partial circular socket formed in one end of said one leaf spring, a cap including a partial circular socket in complementary relationship with said one leaf spring, means securing said cap to said end of said leaf spring, a pin secured to and extending between said equalizer brackets, and a compressible bushing surrounding said pin between said connector brackets and radially compressed thereon by said one end of said leaf spring and said cap, whereby said suspension is yieldably supported on said equalizer brackets to permit slight canting of said first leaf springs with respect to said first and second brackets.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A suspension system according to claim 4 wherein the said securing means for said cap and leaf spring are removable so as to permit replacement of said compressible bushing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A suspension system according to claim 4 wherein said cap extends a distance along the top surface of said leaf spring and provides additional support for said leaf spring therealong, and means binding at least two of the leaves of said leaf spring to said extended portion of said cap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
141 words
A suspension system according to claim 4 wherein said pivotable mounting means between said second leaf spring and said third U-shaped hanger bracket includes a partial circular socket formed in one end of said second leaf spring, a cap including a partial circular socket in complementary relationship with said second leaf spring, and means securing said cap to said end of said second leaf spring, a pin secured to and extending between the legs of said third U-shaped hanger bracket and a compressible bushing surrounding said pin between said legs of said third U-shaped hanger bracket and radially compressed thereon by the sockets of said end of said second leaf spring and said cap, whereby said suspension is yieldably supported on said equalizer brackets to permit slight canTing of said second leaf springs with respect to said second and third brackets.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
132 words
A suspension system according to claim 1 wherein said pivotable mounting between said second leaf spring and said third U-shaped hanger bracket includes a partial circular socket formed in one end of said second leaf spring, a cap including a partial circular socket in complementary relationship with said one leaf spring, means securing said cap to one end of said leaf spring, a pin secured to and extended between the legs of said third U-shaped hanger bracket, and a compressible bushing surrounding said pin between the legs of said third U-shaped hanger bracket and radially compressed thereon by said sockets of said second leaf-spring and said cap whereby said suspension is yieldably supported on said equalizer brackets to permit slight canting of said second leaf spring with respect to said equalizer brackets.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
252 words
In a suspension system for a vehicle including tandem pairs of closely adjacent ground engaging wheels wherein first and second leaf springs are operably supported between the wheels in tandem beneath said vehicle, and the wheel axles are supported on said leaf springs, the improvement in said leaf spring support means comprising: first, second, and third U-shaped hanger brackets mounted in a spaced relationship in an inverted manner to the underside of the frame of the vehicle; a pair of equalizer brackets pivotably mounted to the second U-shaped hanger bracket; means pivotably mounting said first leaf spring between said first U-shaped hanger bracket at one end and said equalizer bracket on another end; means pivotably mounting said second leaf spring to said equalizer bracket at one end and to said third U-shaped bracket at the other end; and one of said pivotable mountings of said first leaf spring including a partial circular socket formed in one end of said first leaf spring, a cap including a partial circular socket in complementary relationship with said first leaf spring, means securing said cap to said end of said first leaf spring, a pin structurally mounted with respect to said first leaf spring, and a compressible bushing surrounding said pin between said equalizer brackets and radially compressed thereon by the sockets of said leaf spring and cap, whereby said suspension is yieldably supported on said pin to permit slight canting of one of said leaf springs with respect to said first and second equalizer brackets.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
252 words
In a suspension system for a vehicle including tandem pairs of closely adjacent ground engaging wheels wherein first and second leaf springs are operably supported between the wheels in tandem beneath said vehicle, and the wheel axles are supported on said leaf springs, the improvement in said leaf spring support means comprising: first, second, and third U-shaped hanger brackets mounted in a spaced relationship in an inverted manner to the underside of the frame of the vehicle; a pair of equalizer brackets pivotably mounted to the second U-shaped hanger bracket; means pivotably mounting said first leaf spring between said first U-shaped hanger bracket at one end and said equalizer bracket on another end; means pivotably mounting said second leaf spring to said equalizer bracket at one end and to said third U-shaped bracket at the other end; and one of said pivotable mountings of said first leaf spring including a partial circular socket formed in one end of said first leaf spring, a cap including a partial circular socket in complementary relationship with said first leaf spring, means securing said cap to said end of said first leaf spring, a pin structurally mounted with respect to said first leaf spring, and a compressible bushing surrounding said pin between said equalizer brackets and radially compressed thereon by the sockets of said leaf spring and cap, whereby said suspension is yieldably supported on said pin to permit slight canting of one of said leaf springs with respect to said first and second equalizer brackets.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
A suspension system according to claim 9 wherein said cap extends a distance along the surface of said leaf spring and provides additional support for said leaf spring, and means binding at least two leaves of said leaf spring together at an end portion of said cap.
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) | 1978-12-29 | 1979-06-30 | 1979-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-29 | 1983-06-30 | 1983-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-29 | 1987-06-30 | 1987-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |