US 2006/0049600 A1 · Axle clamp assembly top pad and suspensions incorporating same

Abstract

A non-torque reactive air suspension exhibiting excellent roll stability characteristics is shown to include frame hangers mounted to frame rails extending longitudinally on opposite sides of a vehicle. Longitudinally extending beams are connected to the frame hangers at one end and extend parallel to the frame rails. At their other ends, the beams are joined by a crossbrace extending laterally across the vehicle centerline. In a central portion thereof, the beams have an axle pivot bore to which an axle clamp assembly is connected, the axle clamp assembly clamping a drive axle housing for the vehicle. The axle pivot bore is generally aligned with the drive axle. A control rod assembly is connected to suspension or frame components. Together with the beams, the control rod assembly forms a parallelogram configuration wherein the beams form the lower linkages of that configuration and the control rods included within the control rod assembly form the upper linkages of that configuration.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An axle clamp assembly top pad for connecting a vehicle suspension component to an axle, said top pad comprising:

a base member having a top surface and a bottom surface adapted to accept an axle;
a first ear extending vertically from the top surface of said base member and having a bore;
and
a second ear spaced apart from said first ear extending vertically from the top surface of said base member and also having a bore;
said second ear having a flattened top surface;
and
said bores of said first and second ears being aligned.

4 more elements

A suspension assembly for preventing excessive vertical movement of a vehicle axle relative to a vehicle frame which is vertically spaced apart from said axle, said suspension assembly comprising:

an axle clamp assembly top pad including a base member having an outer groove at an outer end thereof and an inner groove at an inner groove thereof, said base member having a bottom surface adapted to seat on said axle;
a vertically extending inboard ear having a bore and a flattened top surface;
and a vertically extending outboard ear spaced apart from said inboard ear and having a bore;
said inboard and outboard ears positioned between said inner and outer grooves and defining a channel therebetween configured to accept a vehicle suspension component, said inboard ear positioned adjacent to said inner groove and said outboard ear positioned adjacent to said outer groove, said inboard and outboard ear bores aligned to accept a fastener inserted through said inboard and outboard ear bores and through the vehicle suspension component to fasten the vehicle suspension component to said top pad;
and
an axle stop including a frame mounting plate and a bottom striking plate projecting from said frame mounting plate designed to be positioned such that its bottom striking surface is aligned with the flattened top surface of said top pad inboard ear.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Axle clamp assembly top pad and suspensions incorporating same

Life of this patent

Axle clamp assembly top pad and suspensions incorporating same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18