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US 10,994,581 B2Granted
Spread active clamp group for vehicle leaf spring
AssigneeHendrickson USA, L.L.C.
InventorsMichael J. Keeler, Dmitriy Enrikovich Rubalskiy, Scott Allen Massa, Jeffrey R. Zawacki, Michael P. Bloink, Damon E. Dilworth, Matthew J. Van Meter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clamp group for a vehicle leaf spring suspension is disclosed. The clamp group secures a longitudinally disposed, leaf spring at separate and distinct locations, between which the leaf spring is undamped and spaced away from the top and bottom pads of the clamp group. Shear stress is reduced and the spring remains active throughout its length.
Claims24
A suspension system for a vehicle axle comprising:
- a leaf spring, the leaf spring extending in parallel with the longitudinal axis of a vehicle and having a first seat portion and a second seat portion which are separated from one another along the longitudinal axis of the leaf spring,
- a clamp assembly, the clamp assembly comprising a first clamp group associated with the first seat portion and a second clamp group associated with the second seat portion, each of the first and second clamp groups further comprising a fastener assembly, a top mounting pad and a bottom mounting pad, the top mounting pad and the bottom mounting pad opposing one another and positioned in vertical alignment with and on opposite sides of the leaf spring, a top elastomeric pad and a bottom elastomeric pad, the top and bottom elastomeric pads positioned, respectively, between the top mounting pad and the leaf spring and the bottom mounting pad and the leaf spring;
- wherein the bottom mounting pads or the top mounting pads of the first and second clamp groups are part of an axle seat bracket, the axle seat bracket configured to receive a laterally disposed vehicle axle;
- wherein the first and second clamp groups either have no rigid or fixed connection to one another above the leaf spring or have no rigid or fixed connection to one another below the leaf spring;
- wherein when the fastener assembly of each clamp group is tightened, the associated top mounting pad, top elastomeric pad, leaf spring, bottom elastomeric pad and bottom mounting pad are coupled together, and the section of the leaf spring between the first and second clamp groups remains unclamped and exhibits positive vertical displacement without contacting any rigid component of the clamp assembly.
2 more elements
A suspension system for a vehicle axle comprising:
- a leaf spring, the leaf spring extending in parallel with the longitudinal axis of a vehicle and having a first seat portion and a second seat portion which are separated from one another along the longitudinal axis of the leaf spring,
- a clamp assembly, the clamp assembly comprising a first clamp group associated with the first seat portion and a second clamp group associated with the second seat portion, each of the first and second clamp groups further comprising a fastener assembly, a top mounting pad and a bottom mounting pad, the top mounting pad and the bottom mounting pad opposing one another and positioned in vertical alignment with and on opposite sides of the leaf spring, a top elastomeric pad and a bottom elastomeric pad, the top and bottom elastomeric pads positioned, respectively, between the top mounting pad and the leaf spring and the bottom mounting pad and the leaf spring;
- wherein the bottom mounting pads or the top mounting pads of the first and second clamp groups are part of an axle seat bracket, the axle seat bracket configured to receive a laterally disposed vehicle axle;
- wherein when the fastener assembly of each clamp group is tightened, the associated top mounting pad, top elastomeric pad, leaf spring, bottom elastomeric pad and bottom mounting pad are coupled together, and the section of the leaf spring between the first and second clamp groups remains unclamped and exhibits positive vertical displacement without contacting any rigid component of the clamp assembly;
- and
- wherein the clamp assembly incorporates a mounting provision for a shock absorber or an air spring.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.