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US 8,740,232 B2Granted
Offset inclined suspension
OwnerDaniel Kunauinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An independent suspension for a steerable wheel has a support member that is inclined so that the movement of the wheel as it travels over an obstacle includes a rearward vector. The steering spindle is positioned in such a way that it is not perpendicular to the support member, but is angled to provide the desired caster angle, which may vary between embodiments.
Claims25
An offset inclined suspension apparatus comprising:
- a support member hingedly coupled to a vehicle about a hinge axis that is tilted downward from forward at a hinge angle of at least 10 degrees;
- and
- a steering spindle comprising a stub axle to mount a wheel, the steering spindle pivotally coupled to the support member about a steering axis that is tilted from vertical at a caster angle no larger than 4 degrees less than the hinge angle.
A method of suspending a vehicle, the method comprising:
- providing a support member hingedly coupled to a vehicle about a hinge axis that is tilted downward from forward at a hinge angle of at least 10 degrees;
- providing a steering spindle comprising a stub axle to mount a wheel, the steering spindle pivotally coupled to the support member about a steering axis that is tilted from vertical at a caster angle no larger than 4 degrees less than the hinge angle, and rotationally coupled to a wheel;
- moving the vehicle in a forward direction over an obstacle;
- and
- rotating the support member about the hinge axis to move the wheel in both vertically and horizontally in response to the wheel rolling over the obstacle.
2 more elements
A wheeled vehicle comprising:
- a chassis;
- an offset inclined suspension comprising:
- a support member hingedly coupled to the chassis about a hinge axis that is tilted downward from forward at a hinge angle of at least 10 degrees;
- and
- a steering spindle comprising a stub axle, the steering spindle pivotally coupled to the support member about a steering axis that is tilted from vertical at a caster angle no larger than 4 degrees less than the hinge angle;
- a first wheel rotationally coupled to the stub axle;
- a steering mechanism coupled to the steering spindle and configured to pivot the steering spindle about the steering axis;
- and
- at least a second wheel coupled to the chassis.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.