Axle suspension systems

In an axle bearing suspension system of the leading or trailing beam type for a wheeled vehicle wherein external forces imposed on the vehicle to which said suspension system is attached, result in torsional forces being imposed on said axle such that a portion of said axle is placed in compression and a portion of said axle is placed in tension thereby tending to alter the cross-sectional configuration of said axle, said suspension system including a pair of elongated beams, one of said beams being located adjacent each side of said vehicle and each spaced from the other, each said beam including a pair of side walls extending in substantially the vertical direction with respect to said vehicle, said axle extending across substantially the entire width of the vehicle and having at least one wheel located on each end thereof, a pneumatic bellows located on each said beam, a hanger bracket located on one end of each said beam for connecting said beam to a frame member of said vehicle, means for rigidly connecting said axle to each said beam, and a pivot connection for resiliently connecting said beam to said hanger bracket, the improvement comprising:

• said means for rigidly connecting said axle to said beam comprising an orifice in each said side wall of each said beam through which said axle extends and which substantially surrounds said axle and is rigidly attached thereto, and further comprising sleeve means rigidly attached to and substantially surrounding said axle and wherein said orifice in said beam substantially surrounds said sleeve means and is rigidly attached thereto, said axle extending completely through and beyond each of said orifices and said sleeve means, whereby said axle cross-sectional configuration is prevented from assuming a cross-sectional configuration substantially different from an unaltered configuration when said torsional forces are imposed upon said axle.