US 4,881,747 A · Self steering suspension assembly

Abstract

A suspension system incorporating upper and lower torque rods pivotally connected between a hanger and an axle seat. The upper torque rod is preferably a hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly, the length of which is adjustable between extended and retracted conditions. In the extended condition, the upper torque rod pivots the axle to a forward pitch at which it is self-steering when the vehicle is driven forward. In the retracted condition, the upper torque rod pivots the axle to a negative pitch condition in which it is self-steering when the vehicle is operated in reverse. The hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly can be operated by the driver such as when the gears are shifted between forward and reverse. A lift spring is mounted between a plate on the hanger and a plate on the lower torque rod. The lift spring is positioned within a pocket defined on the hanger. The hanger is integral with a longitudinal plate and an upper spring mounting plate, and a shock absorber bracket is integral with the longitudinal plate.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A consolidated, self-steering suspension system for a vehicle having a transmission, a chassis with side rails, and an axle, the system comprising:

a hanger means;
an axle seat adapted to support a vehicle axle;
an upper torque rod pivotally connected to the hanger means and the axle seat;
a lower torque rod pivotally connected to the hanger means and the axle seat;
wherein one of the torque rods is a piston and cylinder assembly arranged to selectively vary the length of the said one torque rod with one of the piston and cylinder of the assembly pivotally connected directly to the hanger means and the other of the piston and cylinder of the assembly pivotally connected directly to the axle seat.

2 more elements

A consolidated suspension assembly for a vehicle having a chassis with side rails, a transmission, and an axle, the assembly comprising:

an elongated plate having forward and rearward areas and being adapted to be secured to a side rail of a vehicle chassis;
a hanger means formed integrally with and extending downward from the forward area of the elongated plate, the hanger means having a transverse end wall and longitudinal inboard and outboard side walls secured to opposite ends of the end wall;
a spring mounting bracket formed integrally with the rearward area of the elongated plate;
an axle seat means arranged to support a vehicle axle;
a first torque rod having first and second ends, the first end pivotally connected to the inboard side wall of the hanger means and the second end pivotally connected to the axle seat means;
a second torque rod outboard of the first torque rod and having first and second ends with the first end pivotally connected to the hanger means and the second end pivotally connected to the axle seat;
a spring means having first and second ends with the first end of the spring means being connected to the end wall of the hanger means;
and
extender plate means connected to the first end of the second torque rod and the second end of the spring means.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Self steering suspension assembly

Life of this patent

Self steering suspension assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20