Independent paddle lift axle suspension system
AssigneeThe Boler Company
InventorMichael J. Gottschalk
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An auxiliary lift axle suspension of the parallelogram type is constructed for heavy duty operation by providing longitudinal control arms at the corners of a parallelogram configuration extending between the axle connecting member and the frame hanger bracket. A lift bellows is then located between two opposing rigidity providing, U-shaped members (called paddles or stabilizer members) located within the three dimensional parallelogram space, wherein the legs of one U-shaped member are connected to the axle connecting member and the legs of the opposing U-shaped member are connected to the hanger bracket, such that the lift bellows is located between the bases of the opposing paddles and expands bi-directionally to lift the wheels of the suspension from the road surface.
Claims18
A lift axle suspension system comprising:
- a) a first pair of laterally spaced and longitudinally extending control arms, each having a first end and a second end;
- b) a second pair of laterally spaced and longitudinally extending control arms vertically spaced from said first pair of control arms, thereby defining a space between said control arms;
- c) a frame bracket member;
- d) a pivot connecting each of the first ends of said control arms to the frame bracket members;
- e) an axle connecting member for connecting an axle to said suspension;
- f) a pivot located at the second end of each control arm pivotally connecting each control arm to the axle connecting member;
- g) an expandable and retractable lift bellows having a first end and a second end;
- h) a ride bellows;
- and
- i) a stabilizer member attached to at least one end of said lift bellows.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.