Heavy-duty, semi-independent suspension system for a wheeled vehicle

A semi-independent suspension system for suspending a vehicle frame above a pair of wheels, the system comprising:

• an elongated beam having a first end and a second end and defining a transverse axis of the vehicle, each said end including a mounting platform and a lower ball joint seat;
• a first wheel carrier coupled to said first end of said beam at said lower ball joint seat via a ball joint;
• a second wheel carrier coupled to said second end of said beam at said lower ball joint seat via a ball joint;
• a first bifurcated upper control arm having two ends pivotally coupled to the frame and an apex portion pivotally coupled to said first wheel carrier via a ball joint;
• a second bifurcated upper control arm having two ends pivotally coupled to the frame and an apex portion pivotally coupled to said second wheel carrier via a ball joint;
• first spring means, coupled between said mounting platform at said first end of said beam and the frame, for supporting the frame of the vehicle on said beam;
• second spring means, coupled between said mounting platform at said second end of said beam and the frame, for supporting the frame of the vehicle on said beam;
• first mounting means for coupling said first spring means to said first end of said beam;
• and
• second mounting means for coupling said second spring means to said second end of said beam,
• wherein each said mounting means includes a central passage to allow a half shaft to pass through said mounting means for driving a wheel associated with said respective wheel carrier.

A semi-independent suspension system for suspending a vehicle frame above a pair of wheels, the system comprising:

• an elongated beam having first and second ends, each end having a mounting platform and a lower ball joint mounting seat;
• a first wheel carrier having a lower portion coupled to said first end of said beam at said lower ball joint mounting seat;
• a first bifurcated, upper control arm having first and second ends pivotally coupled to the frame and an apex portion pivotally coupled to an upper portion of said first wheel carrier;
• a second wheel carrier having a lower portion coupled to said second end of said beam at said lower ball joint mounting seat;
• a second bifurcated, upper control arm having first and second ends pivotally coupled to the frame and an apex portion pivotally coupled to an upper portion of said second wheel carrier;
• a first elongated leaf spring having first and second ends pivotally coupled to the frame and a central portion coupled to said beam at said first end;
• a second elongated leaf spring having first and second ends pivotally coupled to the frame and a central portion coupled to said beam at said second end;
• first mounting means for coupling said first leaf spring to said first end of said beam;
• and
• second mounting means for coupling said second leaf spring to said second end of said beam,
• wherein each said mounting means includes a central passage to allow a half shaft to pass through said mounting means for driving a wheel associated with said respective wheel carrier.