Mounting assembly
AssigneeOshkosh Truck Corporation
InventorsRoy Venton-Walters, Jesse Knoble
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mounting apparatus for use within a suspension system having a frame member, a control arm, and an elongated suspension member extending between the frame member and the control arm is disclosed. The mounting apparatus includes a cup, a seal, a resilient element, and a fastener. The cup includes an end that is at least partially closed, a side wall, and an open end. The seal is disposed within the cup and is configured to be coupled to the elongated suspension member. The resilient element is at least partially disposed within the cup and is substantially encapsulated by the cup and the seal. The fastener is configured to couple the cup, the seal, and the resilient element between the elongated suspension member and one of the frame member and the control arm.
Claims55
A mounting apparatus for use within a suspension system having a frame member, a control arm, and an elongated suspension member extending between the frame member and the control arm, the mounting apparatus comprising:
- a cup including an end that is at least partially closed, a side wall extending from the at least partially closed end, and an open end;
- a seal disposed within the cup and configured to be coupled to the elongated suspension member;
- a first resilient element at least partially disposed within the cup and substantially encapsulated by the cup and the seal;
- and
- a fastener configured to couple the cup, the seal, and the first resilient element between the elongated suspension member and one of the frame member and the control arm;
- wherein the first resilient element is configured to resist movement of the seal toward the at least partially closed end of the cup when a force is applied to the seal by the elongated suspension member and wherein the seal maintains the first resilient element within the open end of the cup when a force is applied to the seal.
A suspension assembly for coupling between a frame and a control arm of a suspension system, the suspension assembly comprising:
- an elongated suspension member having a first end and a second end;
- a mounting apparatus coupled to the first end of the elongated suspension member and configured to be coupled to a portion of the frame, the mounting apparatus including;
- a cup configured to be located between the frame and the first end of the elongated suspension member, the cup having an end that is at least partially closed, a side wall extending from the at least partially closed end, and an open end;
- a first resilient pad at least partially disposed within the cup;
- a seal disposed within the cup so as to encapsulate the portion of the first resilient pad within the cup;
- a second resilient pad configured to be disposed proximate the frame;
- and
- a fastener configured to couple to the elongated suspension member and the mounting apparatus to the frame;
- wherein the first resilient pad is configured to be compressed when a first force is applied to the mounting apparatus by the elongated suspension member and the second resilient pad is configured to be compressed when a second force is applied by the elongated suspension member.
A vehicle suspension system comprising:
- a frame;
- a control arm pivotally coupled to the frame;
- an elongated suspension member extending between the control arm and the frame;
- a mounting apparatus coupled to the elongated suspension member and the frame, the mounting apparatus including:
- a cup configured to be located between the frame and the elongated suspension member, the cup having an end that is at least partially closed, a side wall extending from the at least partially closed end, and an open end facing the elongated suspension member;
- a first resilient element at least partially disposed within the cup;
- a seal coupled to the elongated suspension member and disposed within the cup so as to encapsulate the first resilient element;
- a second resilient element disposed proximate the frame;
- and
- a fastener coupling the elongated suspension member and the mounting apparatus to the frame;
- wherein the first resilient element is compressed when a first force is applied to the mounting apparatus by the elongated suspension member and the second resilient element is compressed when a second force is applied by the elongated suspension member.
A method of coupling an elongated suspension member of a vehicle suspension system to a frame member of the vehicle comprising the steps of:
- placing the suspension member proximate the frame member so that a first portion of the suspension member is located on a first side of the frame member and a second portion of the suspension member is located on a second side of the frame member;
- providing a first resilient pad between the first portion of the suspension member and the first side of the frame member to resist movement of the suspension member in a first direction;
- providing a second pad between the second portion of the suspension member and the second side of the frame member to resist movement of the suspension member in a second direction;
- encapsulating the first pad within a chamber;
- and
- sealing the chamber;
- wherein the encapsulation of the first resilient pad within the sealed chamber limits the extent to which the suspension member can move toward the first side of the frame member in the first direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.