Patent US4010941A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4010941A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable rate vehicle suspension
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-10-30
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Granted: 1977-03-08
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Expires: 1995-10-30
Abstract
Abstract A variable rate vehicle suspension comprising a torsion bar having one end anchored to a road arm and the other end anchored to the vehicle sprung mass. Additional anchorage elements are located at spaced points along the torsion bar length. Power actuators selectively move the additional anchorage elements into operative connections with the torsion bar in accordance with the expected load to be carried by the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur C. Kirkland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:59
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G11/00; B60G11/18; B60G11/20; B60G17/00; B60G17/02; B60G17/027; B60G17/0277
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
In a road vehicle having a sprung mass, road wheel means deflectable toward and away from the sprung mass in accordance with terrain irregularities, resilient torsion bar means for suspending the sprung mass from the road wheel means, first means anchoring one end of each torsion bar to the road wheel means, and second means anchoring the other end of each torsion bar to the sprung mass; said first and second anchoring means exerting a wind-up effect on the bar as the road wheel moves from its minimum load condition upwardly toward the sprung mass, and a relaxation effect on the bar as the road wheel moves downwardly away from the sprung mass toward the minimum load condition, whereby the suspension system has a positive spring rate related to the torsional deflection characteristic of the bar: the improvement comprising at least one auxiliary anchoring means stationed between the two previously mentioned anchoring means to anchor an intermediate section of the bar against rotational deflection when the vehicle is in the maximum load condition; each auxiliary anchoring means comprising a thrust absoprtion element operatively engageble with the intermediate section of the bar, and power means for retracting the thrustabsorption element to a position completely disengaged from the bar.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
In a road vehicle having a sprung mass, road wheel means deflectable toward and away from the sprung mass in accordance with terrain irregularities, resilient torsion bar means for suspending the sprung mass from the road wheel means, first means anchoring one end of each torsion bar to the road wheel means, and second means anchoring the other end of each torsion bar to the sprung mass; said first and second anchoring means exerting a wind-up effect on the bar as the road wheel moves from its minimum load condition upwardly toward the sprung mass, and a relaxation effect on the bar as the road wheel moves downwardly away from the sprung mass toward the minimum load condition, whereby the suspension system has a positive spring rate related to the torsional deflection characteristic of the bar: the improvement comprising at least one auxiliary anchoring means stationed between the two previously mentioned anchoring means to anchor an intermediate section of the bar against rotational deflection when the vehicle is in the maximum load condition; each auxiliary anchoring means comprising a thrust absoprtion element operatively engageble with the intermediate section of the bar, and power means for retracting the thrustabsorption element to a position completely disengaged from the bar.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
In the vehicle of claim 1: said thrust-absorption element being retractible in a direction normal to the torsion bar rotational axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
In the vehicle of claim 2: said power means comprising a fluid cylinder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
In the vehicle of claim 1: said thrust absorption element comprising an abutment element, the intermediate section of the torsion bar having a force arm affixed thereto, said abutment element and force arm being located in a common place extending transverse to the torsion bar rotational axis; the aforementioned power means being connected to the abutment element for moving same between a first operating position intersecting the movement path of the force arm and a second retracted position outside the movement path of the force arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
In the vehicle of claim 4: said power means comprising a fluid cylinder affixed to the vehicle sprung mass and a piston affixed to the abutment element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
In the vehicle of claim 5: said fluid cylinder being located so that its piston has a movement direction generally normal to the movement direction of the force arm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
In the vehicle of claim 1: and further comprising control means responsive to road wheel deflection for preventing the power means from being energized except when the torsion bar is in a relatively relaxed condition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
155 words
In the vehicle of claim 1: said thrust absorption element comprising an abutment element; the intermediate section of the torsion bar having a force arm affixed thereto, said abutment element and force arm being located in a common place extending transverse to the torsion bar rotational axis; the aforementioned power means comprising a fluid cylinder affixed to the vehicle sprung mass, and a piston affixed to the abutment element; said fluid cylinder being located so that its piston moves the abutment element across the movement path of the force arm, whereby the abutment element is alternately located in a first operating position intersecting the force arm's movement path and a second inactive position outside the force arm movement path; and control means responsive to road wheel deflection for pressurizing the fluid cylinder so that the abutment element is retained in its inactive position except when the road wheel means is at the minimum load condition.
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) | 1980-03-07 | 1980-09-06 | 1981-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-07 | 1984-09-06 | 1985-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-07 | 1988-09-06 | 1989-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |