Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
A vehicle axle suspension system operatively providing a progressively increasing spring rate, comprising, in combination: a vehicle frame structure, a support bracket depending from and secured to said vehicle frame structure, a support trunnion assembly secured to said support bracket, a load-bearing vehicle axle disposed below said frame structure, a suspension beam member cooperatively interconnecting said trunnion assembly and said vehicle axle at first and second points thereof, respectively, said suspension beam member extending rearwardly beyond said second point to a portion thereof comprising a lower air spring seat, a cooperating upper air spring seat secured to said vehicle frame, a lower spring seat integral with and disposed upon said beam member intermediate said trunnion assembly and said vehicle axle, a cooperating upper spring seat secured to and supporting said vehicle frame, a compressively resilient load-deflectible spring member disposed in contact with and interconnecting said lower and said cooperating upper spring seats, said spring member being operatively compressed between said spring seats under load, said vehicle axle being disposed vertically between said second end portion and a torque rod hingedly interconnected to both said support bracket and said vehicle axle, and an air spring assembly disposed in contact with and interconnecting lower and cooperating upper air spring seats, said air spring assembly being operatively compressed between said air spring seats under load.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
A vehicle axle suspension system operatively providing a progressively increasing spring rate, comprising, in combination: a vehicle frame structure, a support bracket depending from and secured to said vehicle frame structure, a support trunnion assembly secured to said support bracket, a load-bearing vehicle axle disposed below said frame structure, a suspension beam member cooperatively interconnecting said trunnion assembly and said vehicle axle at first and second points thereof, respectively, said suspension beam member extending rearwardly beyond said second point to a portion thereof comprising a lower air spring seat, a cooperating upper air spring seat secured to said vehicle frame, a lower spring seat integral with and disposed upon said beam member intermediate said trunnion assembly and said vehicle axle, a cooperating upper spring seat secured to and supporting said vehicle frame, a compressively resilient load-deflectible spring member disposed in contact with and interconnecting said lower and said cooperating upper spring seats, said spring member being operatively compressed between said spring seats under load, said vehicle axle being disposed vertically between said second end portion and a torque rod hingedly interconnected to both said support bracket and said vehicle axle, and an air spring assembly disposed in contact with and interconnecting lower and cooperating upper air spring seats, said air spring assembly being operatively compressed between said air spring seats under load.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A vehicle axle suspension system according to claim 1, wherein said spring member comprises a substantially cylindrical elastomer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A vehicle suspension system according to claim 1, wherein said torque rod is adapted to preserve the vertical alignment of said vehicle axle during operational deflection of said vehicle axle suspension system, said torque rod being disposed vertically below said vehicle axle and hinge centers of said suspension beam member during operation thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A vehicle axle suspension system according to claim 1, wherein said trunnion assembly includes a low friction liner disposed between inner and outer sleeve members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A vehicle axle suspension system according to claim 1, wherein said lower spring seat is disposed nearer said vehicle axle than said trunnion assembly.