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US 12,135,069 B2Granted
Bellows suspension unit
AssigneeRB Distribution, Inc.
InventorsTam Van Nguyen, Matthew Robert May, Sean Cattie, Bryan McMasters, David Cimbolo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The auxiliary suspension device is relatively neutral at rest and responds in coordination with the existing suspension system upon application of a load. The redundant suspension device has an inflatable bellow that is mounted between a vehicle's frame and an existing vehicle suspension element.
Claims22
An adjustable suspension device comprising:
- a first plate that has an upper surface and a lower surface with a downwardly dependent circular wall that defines an axial recess;
- a second plate that is spaced a predetermined distance from the first plate, the second plate has a lower surface and an upper surface with a projection that extends toward and is aligned with the recess of the first plate;
- a compression spring has a first end received within the axial recess of the first plate and a second end received over the projection of the second plate;
- an inflatable bellows that extends between the first plate and the second plate and encases the compression spring in an interior chamber;
- an aperture in the first plate extends through the first plate and into the downwardly dependent circular wall;
- and,
- a port connected to the first plate permits ingress and/or egress of a fluid through the first plate and the downwardly dependent circular wall into the inflatable bellows.
4 more elements
An adjustable suspension device comprising:
- a first plate that includes a downwardly dependent circular wall that defines an axial recess beneath the first plate;
- a second plate that is spaced a predetermined distance from the first plate and includes an axial projection that extends from the second plate toward the axial recess and is aligned with the axial recess;
- a compressible element that fits within the axial recess and around the axial projection;
- an inflatable bellows that extends between the first plate and the second plate and encases the compressible element in an interior chamber;
- an aperture in the first plate extends through the first plate into the downwardly dependent circular wall;
- and,
- a port connected to the first plate permits ingress and/or egress of a fluid through the first plate and the downwardly dependent circular wall into the inflatable bellows.
4 more elements
A kit for providing a vehicle with a redundant suspension device, the kit comprising:
- an inflatable bellows having:
- a first plate with a downwardly dependent circular wall that defines an axial recess beneath the first plate;
- a second plate that is spaced a predetermined distance from the first plate and includes a projection that extends from the second plate toward the axial recess and is aligned with the axial recess;
- a load bearing element that fits within the recess and around the projection;
- an inflatable bellows that extends between the first plate and the second plate and encases the load bearing element in an interior chamber;
- an aperture in the first plate extends through the first plate and into the downwardly dependent circular wall;
- and,
- a port connected to the first plate permits ingress and/or egress of a fluid through the first plate and the downwardly dependent circular wall into the inflatable bellows;
- a first mount configured for attachment to a vehicle frame member and one of the first plate or the second plate of the inflatable bellows;
- and,
- a second mount configured for attachment to a vehicle suspension member and another of the first plate or the second plate.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.