US4274338A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transversely adjustable suspension system
Assignee: Kawasaki Motors Ltd
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Filing: 1979-04-02
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Granted: 1981-06-23
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Expires: 1999-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A guided vehicle having a body with rubber-tired steerable running wheels mounted on axles. A suspension system for the axles includes transversely extending upper and lower link arms which are parallel with each other and have equal arm lengths. Each of the links or link arms has one end connected with the wheel axle through a joint mechanism for a steering movement and a rotative movement about a longitudinal axis and its other end connected at two longitudinally spaced portions with the vehicle body for rotative movement about a second longitudinal axis. Air springs are disposed between one of the links and the vehicle body for normally maintaining the links substantially horizontally to thereby maintain the associated wheel always vertical.
Inventors
- 👤 Yukio Uozumi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:48
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/24; B62D1/26; B62D1/265; B60; B60G; B60G2200/00; B60G2200/10; B60G2200/14; B60G2200/144; B60G2202/00; B60G2202/10; B60G2202/15; B60G2202/152; B60G2202/1524; B60G2300/00; B60G2300/10; B60G2300/102
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
An automatically guided vehicle comprising a body and rubbertired steerable running wheels, each having an axle, a suspension system including transversely extending upper and lower link arms which are parallel with each other and have equal arm lengths, each of said links having one end connected with the wheel axle through universal joint means at least for steering movement about a vertical axis and a rotative movement about a longitudinal axis and the other end connected at two longitudinally spaced portions with the vehicle body for rotative movement about a second longitudinal axis, at least one of the link arms being connected with the vehicle body at said longitudinally spaced portions for independent transverse adjustments, air spring means disposed between one of the links and the vehicle body for normally maintaining said links substantially horizontally to thereby maintain the associated wheel always vertical.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
An automatically guided vehicle comprising a body and rubbertired steerable running wheels, each having an axle, a suspension system including transversely extending upper and lower link arms which are parallel with each other and have equal arm lengths, each of said links having one end connected with the wheel axle through universal joint means at least for steering movement about a vertical axis and a rotative movement about a longitudinal axis and the other end connected at two longitudinally spaced portions with the vehicle body for rotative movement about a second longitudinal axis, at least one of the link arms being connected with the vehicle body at said longitudinally spaced portions for independent transverse adjustments, air spring means disposed between one of the links and the vehicle body for normally maintaining said links substantially horizontally to thereby maintain the associated wheel always vertical.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
Suspension system in accordance with claim 1 in which said universal joint means is of a spherical type.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
Suspension system in accordance with claim 1 in which said universal joint means is of a cross-type.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
Suspension means in accordance with claim 1 in which said universal joint means includes a thrust surface of a material of high frictional coefficient.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
Suspension means in accordance with claim 1 in which the universal joint means includes friction means for producing a force opposing rotation of the universal joint means during a steering movement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
Suspension system in accordance with claim 1 in which said one of the link arms is connected with vehicle body through shim means so that one of the two longitudinally spaced portions of said other end of said one link arm is transversely adjustable with respect to the other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
Suspension system in accordance with claim 1 in which said one link arm is the upper one.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
Suspension system in accordance with claim 1 in which said air spring means is positioned inclined with respect to the vertical axis between the body and the link arm carrying the air spring means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2101024A
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US2226605A
Cited
US2552690A
Cited
US2835521A
Cited
US2903256A
Cited
US3872794A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-06-22 | 1984-12-22 | 1985-06-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-06-22 | 1988-12-22 | 1989-06-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-06-22 | 1992-12-22 | 1993-06-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |