Patent · US Expired

Trailer suspension apparatus

US4934733A · kind A · utility

74Cited by
34References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 22, 1989
Grant dateJun 19, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 22, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60G2600/20
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A wheel suspension system is disclosed which includes a wheel support member pivotally mounted to a vehicle frame, a wheel rotatably mounted to the support member on a stub axle, and an airbag positioned between the wheel support member and the vehicle frame to bias the support member into an intermediate position between a lowermost position and an uppermost position, the rotational axis of the wheel being positioned at or above the cargo floor of the vehicle at least when the wheel support member is in the uppermost position. The suspension system aligns the pivot point wheel mount, and airbag to provide a compact lateral profile, thus providing maximum distance between the wheels and permitting the cargo floor to be supported between the wheels, and in some instances below the rotational axis of the wheels. The wheel support members are typically mounted in one, two or three pairs on opposite sides of the vehicle, either as the exclusive wheels on a trailer, or as the rear wheels of a front wheel drive van or similar vehicle.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.