Tapered convolute leaf spring for truck suspensions
AssigneeThe Boler Company
InventorWilliam Wilson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A leaf spring for use in a suspension system is disclosed which includes an eye for attachment with the frame member on one side of a vehicle chassis. A front cantilever portion of the leaf spring extends from the eye to a predetermined point of the leaf spring. A rear cantilever portion extends from the predetermined point to its own endpoint which is positioned in close proximity to the end of the leaf spring. The front cantilever portion of the leaf spring has a relatively high spring rate and the rear cantilever portion has a relatively low spring rate to provide comfortable riding conditions for the vehicle and roll stability for the suspension system while eliminating the practical necessity of implementing auxiliary roll stabilizers within the suspension system.
Claims17
A leaf spring for use in a suspension system which supports a frame member on one side of a vehicle chassis above an adjacent end of a vehicle axle, said leaf spring comprising:
- an eye located at a first end of said leaf spring;
- a first cantilever portion extending in a generally continuous direction from said eye to a predetermined point on said leaf spring so that no corrugations are formed within said first cantilever portion;
- a second cantilever portion extending in a generally continuous direction from said predetermined point to an endpoint of said second cantilever portion positioned in at least close proximity to a second end of said leaf spring so that no corrugations are formed within said second cantilever portion;
- a reverse arch portion positioned within said second cantilever portion;
- said first cantilever portion having a relatively high spring rate;
- said second cantilever portion having a relatively low spring rate;
- said predetermined point being closer to said first end of said leaf spring than to said second end of said leaf spring;
- and
- said first cantilever portion being thicker than said second cantilever portion.
A suspension system for supporting a frame member on one side of a vehicle chassis above an adjacent end of a vehicle axle, said suspension system comprising:
- (a) a first frame bracket mounted to said frame member;
- (b) a second frame bracket mounted to said frame member;
- and
- (c) a fore-and-aft extending leaf spring comprising:
- (1) an eye located at a first end of said leaf spring, said leaf spring being operatively connected to said first frame bracket at said eye;
- (2) a first cantilever portion extending in a generally continuous direction from said eye to a predetermined point on said leaf spring so that no corrugations are formed within said first cantilever portion;
- (3) a second cantilever portion extending in a generally continuous direction from said predetermined point to an endpoint of said second cantilever portion positioned within an end portion of said leaf spring and in at least close proximity to a second end of said leaf spring so that no corrugations are formed within said second cantilever portion, said leaf spring being operatively connected to said second frame bracket at said end portion of said leaf spring;
- (4) a reverse arch portion positioned within said second cantilever portion;
- (5) said first cantilever portion having a relatively high spring rate;
- (6) said second cantilever portion having a relatively low spring rate;
- (7) said predetermined point being closer to said first end of said leaf spring than to said second end of said leaf spring;
- and
- (8) said first cantilever portion being thicker than said second cantilever portion.
A suspension system for supporting a frame member on one side of a vehicle chassis above an adjacent end of a vehicle axle, said suspension system comprising:
- (a) a first frame bracket mounted to said frame member;
- (b) a second frame bracket mounted to said frame member;
- and
- (c) a fore-and-aft extending leaf spring comprising:
- (1) an eye located at a first end of said leaf spring, said leaf spring being operatively connected to said first frame bracket at said eye;
- (2) a first cantilever portion extending from said eye to a predetermined point on said leaf spring;
- (3) a second cantilever portion extending from said predetermined point to an endpoint of said second cantilever portion positioned within an end portion of said leaf spring and in at least close proximity to a second end of said leaf spring, said leaf spring being operatively connected to said second frame bracket at said end portion of said leaf spring;
- (4) a reverse arch portion positioned within said second cantilever portion;
- (5) said first cantilever portion having a relatively high spring rate;
- (6) said second cantilever portion having a relatively low spring rate;
- (d) a leaf spring attachment member mounted to said leaf spring and operatively connected with said second frame bracket;
- (e) a rebound bolt extending transversely through said second frame bracket;
- and
- (f) a wear plate associated with said leaf spring attachment member which is operatively connected to said second frame bracket.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.