Heavy vehicle suspension assembly with free floating springs and axle stabilizing torque rod

Abstract

A first embodiment of a leaf spring suspension assembly for a tractor trailer or the like having single or multiple axles includes a first and second hanger with a camelback spring slidingly secured to an axle bracket assembly with a single torque rod extending between the forward hanger and the axle bracket assembly to stabilize same and prevent axle wind up or wheel hopping. In a multiple axle vehicle, a pivoting type equalizer is mounted between leaf springs and provides the bearing support for an end of each spring. In a second embodiment, an equalizer is supported from the chassis member by an elastomeric spring member with a shock absorber dampening the oscillation thereof. The equalizer is stabilized in the fore and aft direction by a mounting bracket and web assembly within which the mounting bracket extends, and a telescoping tube assembly vertically aligned and surrounding the shock absorber to permit vertical movement but restrict fore and aft movement of same. A third embodiment has a free floating shackle assembly which rotatably mounts an end of each leaf spring to permit pivoting movement of the leaf spring with respect to the shackle assembly. The same torque rod and axle bracket assembly stabilizes the axle and permits relative sliding movement between each leaf spring and its respective axle to enhance the pivoting movement in the shackle assembly.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.