US4099740A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spring-air tandem suspension
Assignee: H AND H EQUIPMENT Co
•
Filing: 1976-07-29
•
Granted: 1978-07-11
•
Expires: 1996-07-29
Abstract
Abstract The suspension, as mounted in duplicate to a truck or trailer frame midway between fore and rear axles of a rear axle pair, is located relatively closely adjacent the rear of said frame; and it utilizes but a single air bag or spring unit, horizontally interposed medially between the axles, yet well spaced forwardly and inwardly from their wheel tires, as a springing agency. This unit acts vertically between the frame and a horizontal rocker arm assembly of the suspension that is coupled front-to-rear with a pair of generally similar leaf spring sets. The suspension affords an equal loading of the leading and trailing rear axles by a total of only two such air springs, each coacting with a fully floating beam, this beam being slidably associated between said spring sets.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald J. McGee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:49
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G5/00; B60G5/04; B60G5/047; B60G11/00; B60G11/32; B60G11/34; B60G11/46; B60G11/465
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
An improvement in a heavy duty vehicle characterized by a pair of fore and aft-spaced wheel axles mounted on a vehicle frame and each equipped with a mechanical springing device; said improvement comprising a single mechanical floating beam disposed in front-to-rear alignment with and between said fore and aft springing devices, being operatively connected adjacent its opposite ends to said springing devices, and a single fluid-pressure cushion unit verticallly interposed between said beam and a part of said frame, said cushion unit being located substantially equidistant from said operative end connections of the beam to said fore and aft springing devices respectively and being in a substantially horizontally equally spaced relation to said connections.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
An improvement in a heavy duty vehicle characterized by a pair of fore and aft-spaced wheel axles mounted on a vehicle frame and each equipped with a mechanical springing device; said improvement comprising a single mechanical floating beam disposed in front-to-rear alignment with and between said fore and aft springing devices, being operatively connected adjacent its opposite ends to said springing devices, and a single fluid-pressure cushion unit verticallly interposed between said beam and a part of said frame, said cushion unit being located substantially equidistant from said operative end connections of the beam to said fore and aft springing devices respectively and being in a substantially horizontally equally spaced relation to said connections.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improvement of claim 1, in which said fore and aft springing devices are each leaf spring sets at least one of which has a mechanical pivot connection on said vehicle frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement of claim 2, and further comprising a shock absorber unit pivot-connected at opposite ends thereof to said frame and to a leaf spring set.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement of claim 3 in which the leaf spring set and floating beam have a freely slidable front-rear relationship adjacent said opposite end connections.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement of claim 2 in which the leaf spring set and floating beam have a freely slidable front-rear relatinship adjacent said opposite end connections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
The improvement according to claim 2 in which each of said fore and aft leaf spring sets has a mechanical pivot connection on said vehicle frame and said operative connections between said floating beam and said leaf spring sets comprise cross pins adjacent the respective opposite ends of said beam above the adjacent ends of said leaf spring sets serving to limit the vertical throw of the beam while permitting free end-wise slide thereof and forming front and rear pivots about which said beam rocks in action.
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) | 1981-07-10 | 1982-01-09 | 1982-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-10 | 1986-01-09 | 1986-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-10 | 1990-01-09 | 1990-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |