US4071259A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle wheel suspension system
Assignee: AC MATERIAL HANDLING Corp 777 MANOR PARK DRIVE COLUMBUS OHIO 43228 A CORP OHIO
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Filing: 1976-05-27
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Granted: 1978-01-31
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Expires: 1996-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A pair of unsprung axle structures are pivotally connected to the rigid frame of a vehicle on a pair of laterally spaced longitudinally extending axes. These laterally spaced axes are at the approximate height of the vehicle wheels mounted on the axle structures and are spaced laterally inward from the wheels. At a lower height a transverse link is pivotally connected at its opposite ends to lower portions of the axle structures to form a tie bar therebetween. This suspension arrangement establishes an effective pivot or roll center for the end of the vehicle supported by the axle structures, which is at a higher elevation than the center of gravity of the vehicle. During operation, the wheels may traverse uneven ground while providing vehicle support; that is, one axle structure may swing upwardly as the other axle structure swings downwardly. By permitting the wheels to traverse uneven ground and yet provide support for the frame, the suspension system permits the full tread of the wheels to be utilized as a support base for the vehicle thereby providing excellent vehicle stability.
Inventors
- 👤 David A. Ernest
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 06:33
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66F; B66F9/00; B66F9/06; B66F9/075; B66F9/07586; B60; B60G; B60G1/00; B60G21/00; B60G21/02; B60G21/04; B60G21/05; B60G9/00; B60G2200/00; B60G2200/30; B60G2200/32; B60G2200/34; B60G2204/00; B60G2204/10; B60G2204/14; B60G2204/148; B60G2204/149; B60G2300/00; B60G2300/02; B60G2300/022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A vehicle comprising: a rigid longitudinally extending frame, a first pair of laterally spaced ground engaging support wheels for said frame, mounting means rotatably connecting said first pair of wheels to one longitudinal end of said frame at laterally opposite sides thereof, said mounting means preventing relative vertical displacement between said first pair of wheels and said frame, a pair of axle structures disposed at laterally opposite sides of the other end of said frame and having upper portions pivotally connected directly to said frame on a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal axes, a second pair of laterally spaced ground engaging wheels rotatably mounted, respectively, on the laterally outer portions of said axle structures for rotation about horizontal axes, said second pair of wheels being held against vertical displacement relative to said axle structures, and a transversely extending link pivotally connected at its opposite ends to the laterally inner portions of said axle structures, respectively, on a pair of laterally spaced pivot centers disposed below said pair of longitudinal axes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
A vehicle comprising: a rigid longitudinally extending frame, a first pair of laterally spaced ground engaging support wheels for said frame, mounting means rotatably connecting said first pair of wheels to one longitudinal end of said frame at laterally opposite sides thereof, said mounting means preventing relative vertical displacement between said first pair of wheels and said frame, a pair of axle structures disposed at laterally opposite sides of the other end of said frame and having upper portions pivotally connected directly to said frame on a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal axes, a second pair of laterally spaced ground engaging wheels rotatably mounted, respectively, on the laterally outer portions of said axle structures for rotation about horizontal axes, said second pair of wheels being held against vertical displacement relative to said axle structures, and a transversely extending link pivotally connected at its opposite ends to the laterally inner portions of said axle structures, respectively, on a pair of laterally spaced pivot centers disposed below said pair of longitudinal axes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The vehicle of claim 1 wherein planes passing through said pair of longitudinal axes and the centers of contact of said second pair of wheels with the ground intersect above the center of gravity of said vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The vehicle of claim 2 wherein each of said axle structures include a main part connected to said link and main frame and a stub axle steerably connected to said main part on a substantially vertical axis including a wheel supporting spindle rotatably mounting one of said second pair of wheels and further comprising steering means connected to said stub axles for effecting steering movement of the latter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The vehicle of claim 3 wherein said steering means comprises a steering linkage including a steer arm extending longitudinally from each stub axle and a tie rod interconnecting said arms and a double acting hydraulic jack having its opposite ends connected, respectively, to said main part of one of said axle structures and to said steering linkage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said pivot centers are spaced at least as far apart as said pair of longitudinal axes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vehicle of claim 5 wherein said pivot centers and said pair of longitudinal axes have approximately the same lateral spacing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said longitudinal axes are disposed vertically above said pivot centers, respectively.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said pivot centers are lower than the axes of said second pair of wheels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said longitudinal axes are laterally inward of said second pair of wheels.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The vehicle of claim 9 wherein said longitudinal axes are at the proximate height of said second pair of wheels.
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) | 1981-01-30 | 1981-08-01 | 1982-01-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-30 | 1985-08-01 | 1986-01-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-30 | 1989-08-01 | 1990-01-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |