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US 6,293,570 B1Granted
Self-steering, caster-adjustable suspension system
AssigneeThe Boler Company
InventorsMichael J. Gottschalk, Kevin M. Jablonski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved steerable axle suspension system for vehicles, providing improved mechanisms whereby the caster angle of a wheeled axle may be adjusted to allow for steerability in either the forward or reverse direction of travel.
Claims19
In a steerable axle suspension system for a wheeled vehicle having a frame member, said suspension system including a wheel bearing axle having a generally vertical centerline and at least one ground engaging wheel at each end thereof,
- said suspension system being attachable to said frame member and when so attached defining a caster angle for said axle with respect to the travel surface of said vehicle,
- said suspension system further including a hanger bracket for connecting said suspension system to said frame member, an axle seat for retaining said axle in said system, a first and a second beam member extending between said axle seat and said hanger bracket, and
- a mechanism for adjusting the caster angle of said axle;
- wherein the improvement comprises as said mechanism for adjusting said caster angle of said axle:
- a pivot assembly pivotally attached to said hanger bracket;
- a first pivot attached to said pivot assembly and having an end of said first beam member attached thereto, the other end of said first beam member being pivotally attached to said axle seat;
- a second pivot attached to said pivot assembly and having an end of said second beam member attached thereto, the other end of said second beam member being pivotally attached to said axle seat;
- a third pivot attached to said pivot assembly and to said hanger bracket such that said pivot assembly is pivotable with respect to said hanger bracket about said third pivot;
- wherein said first, second and third pivots are so located one with respect to the other such that when said pivot assembly is pivoted about said third pivot with respect to said hanger bracket, said caster angle of said axle is changed;
- and
- wherein said mechanism for adjusting said caster angle of said axle further includes a mechanism for pivoting said pivot assembly about said third pivot comprising:
- an air bellows so located with respect to said centerline of said axle such that when said air bellows is expanded or contracted said pivot assembly is pivoted about said third pivot thereby to change said caster angle to a desired angle;
- and
- wherein said air bellows is of a sufficient capacity and is sufficiently offset from said centerline of said axle such that, when inflated, said air bellows maintains said angle of caster at said desired angle during vehicle travel.
11 more elements
A mechanism for adjusting the caster angle of the wheels of at least one axle in a steerable axle suspension system of a multi-axle wheeled vehicle, said mechanism including:
- a hanger bracket for connecting said suspension system to a vehicle frame member;
- an axle seat for retaining an axle in said suspension system, said axle having a generally vertical centerline;
- a first and second beam member each pivotally connected at one of their ends to said axle seat and at their opposite ends to a pivot assembly thereby to define a first and second pivot in said pivot assembly;
- a third pivot located between said hanger bracket and said pivot assembly and pivotally connecting said pivot assembly to said hanger bracket;
- said first, second, and third pivots being so located with respect to each other such that when said pivot assembly is pivoted about said third pivot with respect to said hanger bracket, the caster angle of any wheeled axle connected to said axle seat will change;
- and
- a mechanism for pivoting said pivot assembly about said third pivot with respect to said hanger bracket including:
- an air bellows so located at an offset with respect to said centerline of said axle, such that said air bellows is capable of pivoting said axle to a caster angle appropriate for a direction of travel of said wheeled vehicle, and is capable of thereafter maintaining the angle of caster.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.