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US 5,472,226 AGranted
Walking beam bushing
OwnerDonald D. Bunkerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to an improved walking beam assembly for use in the rear suspension of a heavy-duty vehicle. The walking beam assembly is constructed in a manner wherein the bushing segments incorporated therein may be easily removed and replaced. Such ease of replacement is facilitated by the polyurethane construction of the bushing segments. When inserted into the vehicle suspension, the walking beam incorporating the bushing segments is prevented from moving laterally relative the vehicle frame.
Claims10
An improved vehicle suspension walking beam assembly, comprising:
- an elongate walking beam defining first and second opposed ends, a first aperture extending laterally through said walking beam adjacent said first end and a second aperture extending laterally through said walking beam adjacent said second end, said walking beam being extensible between a pair of hanger brackets, each of which comprises opposed side walls disposed in spaced, generally parallel relation;
- a first pair of bushing segments slidably insertable into opposed ends of said first aperture;
- and
- a second pair of bushing segments slidably insertable into opposed ends of said second aperture;
- wherein each of the bushing segments of said first and second pairs defines a distal end slidably insertable into one end of a respective one of said apertures and a proximal end having a laterally extending flange formed about the periphery thereof, the flanges of each of the bushing segments of the first and second pairs including an annular groove disposed therein which is sized and configured to receive a portion of said walking beam;
- the flanges of said bushing segments being abutted against said walking beam when the distal ends thereof are fully received into respective ones of said first and second apertures and disposed between the walking beam and the opposed side walls of respective ones of said hanger brackets in a manner preventing contact therebetween when the walking beam is extended between the hanger brackets.
3 more elements
An improved vehicle suspension walking beam assembly, comprising:
- an elongate walking beam including first and second apertures extending therethrough, said walking beam being extensible between a pair of hanger brackets, each of which comprises opposed side walls;
- a first pair of bushing segments insertable into opposite ends of the first aperture;
- and
- a second pair of bushing segments insertable into opposite ends of the second aperture;
- each of the bushing segments of the first and second pairs including a radially extending flange having an annular groove disposed therein which is sized and configured to receive a portion of the walking beam;
- the flanges of the bushing segments being abutted against the walking beam when the bushing segments are fully received into respective ones of the first and second apertures and disposed between the walking beam and the opposed side walls of respective ones of the hanger brackets in a manner preventing contact therebetween when the walking beam is extended between the hanger brackets.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.