Suspension for pivotally mounting a rigid axle assembly
US4447072A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 14, 1981 |
| Grant date | May 8, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 14, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60G9/00
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A suspension for a rigid front axle assembly (28) of an articulated mining truck (10) includes a bolster plate (30) upon which the axle assembly is fixedly cradled, a spherical or swivel bearing assembly (36) connecting the front end of the bolster plate to the chassis of the vehicle, and a hollow unitary elastomeric block (70) that is mounted to resiliently couple the rear end of the bolster plate to the chassis. The elastomeric block is preferably elongate and longitudinally oriented, and the block has a cavity that extends longitudinally through its center that is aligned with a longitudinal axis (A-A) through the spherical bearing. The elongate walls thus provided at the sides of the elastomeric block are sufficiently flexible to bulge outwardly when the axle assembly oscillates about the longitudinal axis A-A. The elastomeric block further permits the axle assembly to swing a limited amount about an axis (D-D) extending transversely of the bearing to thereby act as a spring for cushioning shock loading on the front axle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.