# US 2014/0197612 A1 · Mechanical stop for axle/suspension systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0197612 A1 - Document ID: US20140197612A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/158,062 - Filed: 2014-01-17 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-17 - Assignees: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C. - Applicants: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C. - Inventors: Jacob Andreasen; R. Scott Fulton; John E. Ramsey; Ryan J. Lippincott - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197612A1 ## CPC - B60G 99/002: {Suspension details of the suspension of the vehicle body on the vehicle chassis} - B60G 9/003: {the axle being rigidly connected to a trailing guiding device} - B60G 11/27: wherein the fluid is a gas - B60G 13/10: pneumatic - F16F 1/3849: {Mounting brackets therefor, e.g. stamped steel brackets; Restraining links} - B60G 2204/4504: using cable or band to prevent extension - B60G 2300/026: Heavy duty trucks - F16F 2230/007: with, or used as an end stop or buffer; Limiting excessive axial separation - B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00}) - F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION ## Abstract An axle/suspension system for heavy-duty vehicles having a frame and at least one suspension assembly operatively connected to the frame, the axle/suspension system including a mechanical stop having a plurality of links and a first end and a second end, the second end rigidly attached to the suspension assembly and the first end rigidly attached to the vehicle frame, wherein the first end and the second end control a distance between the first end and the second end, and control the plurality of links to attain a movement tolerance range of said mechanical stop from about 0.0 inches to about 2.0 inches. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An axle/suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle having a frame and at least one suspension assembly operatively connected to said frame, said axle/suspension system including: a mechanical stop having a plurality of links and a first end and a second end, said second end rigidly attached to said suspension assembly and said first end rigidly attached to the vehicle frame, wherein the first end and the second end control a distance between said first end and said second end, and control said plurality of links to attain a movement tolerance range of said mechanical stop from about 0.0 inches to about 2.0 inches. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The axle/suspension system for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 1, said first end and said second end control said plurality of links to attain a movement tolerance range of from about 0.0 inches to about 1.25 inches. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The axle/suspension system for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 1 said first end and said second end control said plurality of links to attain a movement tolerance range of from about 0.0 inches to about 0.5 inches. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The axle/suspension system for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 1, said first end and said second end control said plurality of links to attain a movement tolerance range of from about 0.0 inches to about 0.15 inches. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The axle/suspension system for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 1 further including a sleeve surrounding said mechanical stop. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The axle/suspension system for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 5, said sleeve composed of rubber. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The axle/suspension system for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 5, said sleeve composed of a composite. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The axle/suspension system for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 5, said sleeve composed of a form-fitting coating. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The axle/suspension system for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 1, wherein said first end and said second end comprises a connector with a bushing ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The axle/suspension system for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 1, wherein said first end of said mechanical stop is attached to a component of the vehicle frame, said component selected from the group consisting of a hanger, a main member, or a cross member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The axle/suspension system for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 10 that further includes said second end of said mechanical stop rigidly attached to a beam of said suspension assembly, adjacent an axle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The axle/suspension system for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 11 wherein said connector is generally U-shaped. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The axle/suspension system for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 12, said connector further includes a pair of elongated portions and a semi-circular portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The axle/suspension system for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 13, wherein a chain connects said first end and said second end. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The axle/suspension system for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 14 wherein an end link of said chain is disposed into a space between said pair of elongated portions. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The axle/suspension system for heavy-duty vehicles of claim 15, wherein said connector further includes an elastomeric bushing and an inner sleeve. ### Claim 17 An axle/suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle having a frame and at least one suspension assembly operatively connected to said frame, said axle/suspension system including: a mechanical stop having a first end and a second end, said second end rigidly attached to said suspension assembly and said first end rigidly attached to the vehicle frame, wherein at least one of said first end and said second end comprises a connector, said system being free of shock absorbers.