Suspension system with U-joint mounted load carrying torque arm
US4494771A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 17, 1983 |
| Grant date | Jan 22, 1985 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 17, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60G11/22
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A first embodiment of a suspension supports a vehicle from a drive axle and includes a forward hanger and a rearward hanger depending downwardly from the chassis, an axle seat assembly attaching the suspension to the axle, a first torque arm pivotally connected between the axle seat asssembly and the forward hanger, a second torque arm pivotally connected between the axle seat assembly and the rear hanger, a central elastomer spring mounted between opposing surfaces of the torque arms, and an upper radius rod pivotally connected and extending between the forward hanger and axle seat assembly to form a parallelogram with the first torque arm to control and stabilize the axle. A second embodiment of the same suspension mounts a vehicle chassis to a steer axle with the radius rod being offset inwardly and the axle seat being mounted to the top of the steer axle to accommodate space limitations. In a variation of the second embodiment, a U-joint comprising a pair of transversely oriented bushings mount either end of each torque arm to minimize torsional forces in each torque arm as one end of the axle oscillates differently than the other with respect to the chassis, and a beam guide l…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.