# US 8,770,604 B2 · Suspension trailing arm > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,770,604 B2 - Document ID: US8770604B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/538,816 - Filed: 2003-12-15 - Published: 2006-07-27 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2002-12-13 - Assignees: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC - Applicants: Garry Brereton; David Chan - Inventors: Garry Brereton; David Chan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770604B2 ## CPC - B60G 7/001: {Suspension arms, e.g. constructional features (B60G7/006 takes precedence)} - B60G 9/003: {the axle being rigidly connected to a trailing guiding device} - B60G 11/28: characterised by means specially adapted for attaching the spring to axle or sprung part of the vehicle - B60G 2200/31: with two trailing arms rigidly connected to the axle - B60G 2200/4622: Alignment adjustment - B60G 2202/152: Pneumatic spring - B60G 2204/126: Mounting of pneumatic springs - B60G 2204/128: Damper mount on vehicle body or chassis - B60G 2204/143: on the vehicle body or chassis - B60G 2204/148: on the unsprung part of the vehicle, e.g. wheel knuckle or rigid axle - B60G 2204/42: Joints with cam surfaces - B60G 2204/43: Fittings, brackets or knuckles - B60G 2204/4302: for fixing suspension arm on the vehicle body or chassis - B60G 2206/11: the arm being a radius or track or torque or steering rod or stabiliser end link - B60G 2206/30: Constructional features of rigid axles - B60G 2206/601: Hanger bracket - B60G 2206/8201: by welding - B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00}) ## Abstract A cast or forged suspension trailing arm for suspending a heavy vehicle chassis from a beam-type axle includes an integral axle locating feature. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A suspension trailing arm for suspending a heavy vehicle chassis from a beam-type axle, the suspension trailing arm comprising: a chassis mounting formation; a first cast or forged component including a first portion of an axle locating formation, and an arm portion being an integral casting or forging with the axle locating formation and extending between the first portion of the axle locating formation and the chassis mounting formation; and a second component comprising a second portion of the axle locating formation and a bracket for mounting a spring; wherein the first portion and the second portion of the axle locating formation mate together to fully encircle a portion of a beam-type axle; wherein a thickness of the cast or forged suspension trailing arm above the axle locating formation is less than 50 mm. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The suspension trailing arm according to claim 1 wherein the thickness is less than 30 mm. ### Claim 3 A suspension trailing arm for suspending a heavy vehicle chassis from a beam-type axle, the suspension trailing arm comprising: a chassis mounting formation; a first cast or forged component including a first portion of an axle locating formation, and an arm portion being an integral casting or forging with the axle locating formation and extending between the first portion of the axle locating formation and the chassis mounting formation; and a second component comprising a second portion of the axle locating formation and a bracket for mounting a spring; wherein the first portion and the second portion of the axle locating formation mate together to fully encircle a portion of a beam-type axle; wherein a section of the cast or forged suspension trailing arm between the chassis mounting formation and the axle locating formation has one of a substantially I-shaped profile and a substantially C-shaped profile and includes a first flange and a second flange spaced by a web; wherein a bending strength of the one of the substantially I-shaped profile and the substantially C-shaped profile is greater near the axle locating formation than near the chassis mounting formation. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The suspension trailing arm according to claim 3 wherein at least one of a flange thickness, a web thickness, a flange width and a web depth of the cast or forged suspension trailing arm is different near the axle locating information with respect to the chassis mounting formation to achieve a difference in the bending strength. ### Claim 5 A suspension trailing arm for suspending a heavy vehicle chassis from a beam-type axle, the suspension trailing arm comprising: a chassis mounting formation; a first cast or forged component including a first portion of an axle locating formation, and an arm portion being an integral casting or forging with the axle locating formation and extending between the first portion of the axle locating formation and the chassis mounting formation; and a second component comprising a second portion of the axle locating formation and a bracket for mounting a spring; wherein the first portion and the second portion of the axle locating formation mate together to fully encircle a portion of a beam-type axle; wherein the first portion of the axle locating formation includes a window aperture having a peripheral edge. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The suspension trailing arm according to claim 5 wherein the window aperture is located near the web and inboard of the web. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The suspension trailing arm according to claim 5 including a beam-type axle, wherein a weld extending around a portion of the peripheral edge of the window aperture connects the beam-type axle to the axle locating formation. ### Claim 8 A suspension trailing arm for suspending a heavy vehicle chassis from a beam-type axle, the suspension trailing arm comprising: a chassis mounting formation; a first cast or forged component including a first portion of an axle locating formation, and an arm portion being an integral casting or forging with the axle locating formation and extending between the first portion of the axle locating formation and the chassis mounting formation; and a second component comprising a second portion of the axle locating formation and a bracket for mounting a spring; wherein the first portion and the second portion of the axle locating formation mate together to fully encircle a portion of a beam-type axle; wherein the first portion of the axle locating formation is constituted by a cast or forged wall, the cast or forged wall being configured to extend further inboard than the chassis mounting formation. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The suspension trailing arm according to claim 8, wherein the arm portion curves inboard to provide a smooth transition into the cast or forged wall. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The suspension trailing arm according to claim 8, wherein a window is provided in the cast or forged wall, and the window extends further inboard than the chassis mounting formation.