Elevating, reversible self-steering suspension system

An elevating, reversible, self-steering axle suspension assembly for a vehicle having a chassis and an axle, the assembly comprising:

• a hanger means adapted to be connected to a vehicle chassis;
• an axle seat means adapted to support a vehicle axle;
• a first linkage member pivotally connected to the hanger means and adapted to be pivotally connected to a vehicle chassis;
• a second linkage member pivotally connected to the hanger means and the axle seat means;
• and
• a third linkage member pivotally connected to the first linkage member and the axle seat means.

An elevating, reversible, self-steering axle assembly for a vehicle having a chassis and an axle, the assembly comprising:

• a hanger means adapted to be connected to a vehicle chassis;
• an axle seat means adapted to support a vehicle axle;
• a pivot lever means pivotally connected to the hanger means;
• a first torque rod means connected between the axle seat means and the hanger means;
• a first pivoting means connected to the first torque rod means and the hanger means to selectively pivot the first torque rod means in first and second directions relative to the hanger means and to responsively raise and lower the axle seat means, respectively;
• a second torque rod means connected between the axle seat means and the pivot lever means;
• and
• a second pivoting means connected to the pivot lever means and adapted to be connected to a vehicle chassis to selectively pivot the pivot lever means in first and second directions relative to the hanger means and to responsively adjust a pitch of a vehicle axle supported by the axle seat means between a rearward caster and a forward caster, respectively.

An elevating, reversible, self-steering vehicle axle suspension assembly for a vehicle having a chassis and at least one axle, the assembly comprising:

• a hanger means adapted to be attached to a vehicle chassis;
• an axle seat means adapted to support a vehicle axle;
• a first torque rod having first and second pivot connections, the first pivot connection connecting the first torque rod to the axle seat means and the second pivot connection connecting the first torque rod to the hanger means;
• a second torque rod having third and fourth pivot connections, the third pivot connection connecting the second torque rod to the axle seat means;
• and
• a pivot lever having fifth, sixth and seventh pivot connections, the fifth pivot connection connecting the pivot lever to the hanger means, the sixth pivot connection connecting the pivot lever to the second torque rod, and the seventh pivot connection being adapted to be connected to a vehicle chassis.