Mechanical down-stop for axle/suspension systems
AssigneeHendrickson USA, L.L.C.
InventorsNicholas J. Giamati, Jacob D. Andreasen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mechanical down-stop for heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension systems which includes an angled bracket that is rigidly/stiffly attached to the vehicle frame at one end, and is attached to a flexible portion of the mechanical down-stop at its other end. The flexible portion is attached to a beam of the axle/suspension system. The angled bracket is formed of an elastically deformable material and includes a bend that enables the bracket to act as a spring. The angled bracket and the flexible portion limit downward movement and react the downward force of the beam.
Claims17
A down-stop for a heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system, said heavy-duty vehicle having a frame and said axle/suspension system having a beam pivotally attached to a hanger depending from said frame, said down-stop comprising:
- a first portion formed of an elastically deformable material including a first end and a second end, said first end of said first portion being rigidly attached to a selected one of the frame, said hanger, or said beam;
- and
- a flexible second portion including a first end and a second end, said first end of said second portion being directly attached to only said second end of the first portion, said second end of the second portion being attached to a selected one of said frame, the hanger, or the beam, said first portion and said second portion limiting downward movement and reacting downward force of said beam, the first portion elastically deforming to react the beam downward force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.