# US 8,783,704 B2 · Suspension system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,783,704 B2 - Document ID: US8783704B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/613,571 - Filed: 2012-09-13 - Published: 2014-03-13 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2012-09-13 - Applicants: Dennis P. Richards - Inventors: Dennis P. Richards - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783704B2 ## CPC - B62K 25/08: for front wheel - B62K 25/04: for mounting axles resiliently on cycle frame or fork (for sidecars, forecars or the like B62K27/06) - B62K 25/16: for front wheel - B62K 25/24: for front wheel - B60G 2300/12: Cycles; Motorcycles - B60G 2300/122: Trikes - B62K: CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDECARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE - B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00}) ## Abstract The invention broadly includes a suspension system for a vehicle that includes a vehicle frame, at least one pair of shock absorbers attached to the frame and having piston stems extending from the shock absorbers and attached to extension arms pivotally attached to the frame. The extension arms are attached to the tire axles optionally attached to support arms. The support arms are also attached to the pivot connection. The pivot connection is between the axle and the shock absorber. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A shock absorbing suspension system for a vehicle comprising: a vehicle frame having a front end, a rear end, and opposing sides; at least one pair of gas shock absorbers, each one of said pair of gas shock absorbers having a piston and a piston stem extending from said piston and through said gas shock absorber wherein each of said pair of gas shock absorbers is functionally attached to said frame; at least one axle, wherein at least one tire is rotatably attached to each of said at least one axle; at least two extension arms, each one of said at least two extension arms pivotally attached to said frame forming a pivotal connection and having a first end and a second end, wherein said each of said extension arm first ends is attached to said piston stem of one of said at least one pair of gas shock absorbers, said second extension arm end is attached to one of said at least one axle, wherein said pivotal connection is between said first extension arm end and said second extension arm end; a steering column attached to said frame; a pair of upper forks, each upper fork of said pair of upper forks having a first end and a second end wherein each of said upper fork first ends is attached to said steering column and each of said upper fork second ends is attached to said pivotal connection; wherein one gas shock absorber of one pair of said at least one pair of gas shock absorbers is attached to one of said pair of upper forks; and, wherein said pair of upper forks and said steering column form a functional attachment of each said one gas shock absorber of said one pair of said at least one pair of gas shock absorbers to said frame. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The shock absorbing suspension system as recited in claim 1 further comprising at least one pair of support arms, each support arm having a first end and a second end, wherein said first support arm end is pivotally attached to said pivotal connection and attached to said extension arm. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The shock absorbing suspension system as recited in claim 2 wherein said attachment of each of said extension arm first ends to one of said pair of piston stems is replaced by an attachment of each of said support arm first ends to one of said pair of piston stems. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The shock absorbing suspension system for a vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein said suspension system includes at least two pairs of said gas shock absorbers and at least two pairs of said extension arms. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The shock absorbing system as recited in claim 1 wherein each of at least one said pair of gas shock absorbers is an air shock absorber. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The shock absorbing system as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said pair of gas shock absorbers is a nitrogen shock absorber. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The shock absorbing system as recited in claim 1 wherein a gas pressure increases below said pistons when at least one of said at least two extension arms is pivoted upward. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The shock absorbing system as recited in claim 1 wherein a gas pressure increases above said pistons when at least one of said at least two extension arms is pivoted downward. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The shock absorbing system as recited in claim 1 wherein said shock absorbing suspension system is proximate to said front end of said frame. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The shock absorbing system as recited in claim 1 wherein said shock absorbing suspension system is proximate to said rear end of said frame. ### Claim 11 A motorcycle comprising a shock absorbing system, said shock absorbing system comprising: a frame for a motorcycle having a front end, a rear end, and opposing sides; at least one pair of gas shock absorbers, each one of said at least one pair of gas shock absorbers attached to said frame and having a piston and piston stem extending from said piston through said shock absorber; a pair of axles; at least two pair of extension arms each of said extension arms pivotally attached to said frame forming a pivotal connection and having a first end and a second end, wherein each of said extension arm first ends is attached to said piston stem of one of said gas shock absorbers, each of said extension second arm ends is attached to one of said pair of axles, and said pivotal connection of each of said extension arms is between said extension arm first end and said extension arm second end; and, a pair of gas lines connecting said pair of gas shock absorbers, wherein a first gas line of said pair of gas lines connects one pair of said at least one pair of gas shock absorbers above said piston and a second gas line of said pair of gas lines connects said one pair of said at least one pair of gas shock absorbers below said piston. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The motorcycle as recited in claim 11 further comprising: a steering column attached to said frame proximate to said front end; a pair of upper forks, each of said pair of upper forks having a first end and a second end wherein each of said upper fork first ends is attached to said steering column and each of said upper fork second ends is attached to said pivotal connection; and, at least one pair of support arms, each support arm having a first end and a second end, wherein said support arm first end of each of said pair of support arms is pivotally attached to one of said pair of pivotal connections and said support arm second end of each of said pair of support arms is attached to one of said extension arms; and, wherein said attachment of each of said extension arm first ends to one of said pair of piston stems is replaced by an attachment of each of said support arm first ends to one of said pair of piston stems. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The motorcycle as recited in claim 11 wherein each of said pair of gas shock absorbers is an air shock absorber. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The motorcycle as recited in claim 11 wherein each of said pair of gas shock absorbers is a nitrogen shock absorber. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The motorcycle as recited in claim 11 wherein a gas pressure increases in said first gas line when at least one extension arm of said at least two pairs of extension arms is pivoted downward. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The motorcycle as recited in claim 11 wherein a gas pressure increases in said second gas line when at least one extension arm of said at least two pairs of extension arms is pivoted upward. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The motorcycle as recited in claim 11 wherein said shock absorbing system is located proximate said front end of said frame. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The motorcycle as recited in claim 11 wherein said shock absorbing system is located proximate said rear end of said frame.