Abstract: A vehicle suspension system for wheeled vehicles includes a split-beam trailing arm which is secured to the vehicle frame pivotably at one end for vertical swinging movement relative thereto. The other end of the trailing arm supports an air spring assembly. The split-beam trailing arm comprises a first member and second member which have respective connecting surfaces for assembling the first and second members together in a variety of orientations to accommodate varying spacing needs between the axle or trailing arm and the vehicle frame. The load centers on the trailing arm at the pivoted connected with the frame, the connection with the axle and the connection with the air spring assembly are generally aligned and extend from a point offset from the frame to the frame thereby reducing the torsional moment on the trailing arm. The first and second members are also symmetrical about a transverse plane.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension adjustment mechanism comprises pairs of plates having mutually complementary annular ribs and grooves for mutual interengagement to facilitate rotation of the pairs of plates with respect to each other. One of the pair has an enlarged semicircular aperture and the other of the pair has a smaller circular aperture of the same diameter as the trailing arm pivot bolt. The alignment position of the trailing arm relative to the vehicle frame is adjusted by rotating one of the plates relative to another of the plates.

Abstract: A lock mechanism for an axle lift suspension comprises a support bracket mounted to the frame of a vehicle and a latch plate pivotably mounted to the support bracket. The latch plate has a hook portion and a cam portion and is manually rotatable against a spring bias. A pin is provided on a suspension arm, and when the arm is in a lifted position relative to the frame, the pin will be in nested engagement with the hook portion of the latch plate.

Abstract: An axle bracket for mounting a vehicle suspension system to an axle for ground-engaging wheels. The axle bracket incorporates a wrapper plate complementary to the surface of the axle. The sides of the wrapper plate extend to approximately the midpoint of the axle and is welded thereto. The wrapper plate may incorporate one or more fingers on the ends thereof. In addition to fingers, one or more notches may be incorporated on the end of the wrapper plate. The wrapper plate is welded to the axle such that the weld is tapered toward the end of the finger and may wrap around the end of the finger. The finger and notch configuration and tapered weld create an axle bracket able to withstand the torsional and shear forces as well as driving or breaking torque incidental to the operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A brake actuating mechanism comprises a housing formed of facing shells with an elastomeric diaphragm suspended between them. A centrally disposed opening in the housing permits an actuating rod disposed within the housing to reciprocate through the opening. The diaphragm also has a centrally disposed opening. A pressure plate having a tubular section engages one side of the diaphragm. A spring is disposed between the pressure plate and the housing. The actuating rod extends through the opening in the diaphragm and is press-fit into the tubular section thereby simultaneously compressing the edge of the opening against the tubular section to form an airtight seal.

Abstract: An improved connection is provided for mounting a trailing arm air suspension to the subframe of a slider suspension. A beam is welded to the bottom of a pair of frame rails, and a hanger bracket is welded to the bottom of the beam. One or more gussets is mounted to the beam to strengthen the connections between the hanger bracket and the beam and the beam and the frame rail. The connection also includes a support bracket for the air spring. The support bracket includes upper and lower flanges, with the lower flange mounting an upper end of the air spring and being mounted to the bottom of the frame rail. The upper flange extends acutely upwardly from the lower flange and is connected to an upper portion of the frame rail.

Abstract: A air spring suspension system includes ground-engaging wheels mounted on an axle housing which is secured to trailing arms pivotally mounted at one end to the frame of the vehicle for vertical swinging movement relative thereto. The other ends of the trailing arms are connected by a transverse beam which extends between them. The beam is connected with the trailing arms by bushed articulating joints which permit the trailing arms to move with respect to each other. A stiffener arm is mounted at one end to each trailing arm by a bushed connection, and rigidly secured at another end to the transverse beam near to where the transverse beam is connected to the trailing arm. The bushed connection between the stiffener arm and the trailing arm provides limited articulation, and resists roll forces imparted to the suspension when the vehicle turns to provide increased stiffness at low rates of roll.

Abstract: An improvement is provided for a vehicle suspension of the type comprising a pair of control arms pivotally mounted to a frame of the vehicle and carrying ground-engaging wheels. A transverse beam extends between the free ends of the control arms and supports a pair of air springs. A carriage is also pivotally connected to the frame which is mounted to an upper portion of the air springs so that the air springs are disposed between the carriage and the transverse beam. The carriage includes a brace for bracing the carriage relative to the frame when the wheels are in a highway mode. During retraction of the wheels from engagement with the ground surface, the brace is released from engagement with the frame during a first stage of retraction, and the control arms and carriage are moved toward the frame during a second stage of retraction.

Abstract: An axle suspension assembly for a low-bed trailer wherein the frame is formed of I-beams at each side thereof and each I-beam has an intermediate portion sloping upwardly and rearwardly between a low central portion and a higher rear portion. The customary trailing arm or equalizing beam is pivotally mounted on the web of this sloping portion of the I-beam utilizing a bushing assembly. Basically, the bushing assembly includes two pivot brackets which are bolted to opposite sides of the web and which carry, by way of a resilient bushing a bushing core through which a fastener may pass so as to clamp opposite arms of a yokelike forward portion of the trailing arm to the bushing core. The bushing core passes through an opening formed in the web with the opening being elongated in a fore and aft direction whereby the bushing assembly may be adjusted so as to accurately position the mounted axle transversely of the trailer frame.

Abstract: An air-operated spring brake of the type wherein a spring-operated brake actuator is in tandem with an air-operated service brake actuator has a spring diaphragm which separates a spring housing into a fluid pressure chamber and a spring chamber. A spring in the spring chamber bears against a pressure plate to bias the diaphragm longitudinally in the spring housing in a brake-applying direction upon a decrease in pressure in the fluid pressure chamber. The diaphragm is movable generally longitudinally in the other direction to compress the spring in the presence of pressure in the fluid chamber to allow operation of the service brake actuator independently of the spring-operated actuator. A push plate, mounted to a push member, moves reciprocally with the diaphragm in the fluid pressure chamber in abutting relationship to the spring diaphragm.

Abstract: A lightweight trailing arm suspension comprises a frame bracket assembly (18), a trailing arm (16) and an air spring assembly (22) formed of a fixed cup (64) with a movable piston (66) mounted in lateral juxtaposed relationship to a terminal end of the trailing arm assembly (56). A clamping assembly (28) affixes the trailing arm to the axle (24), thus suspending the ground engaging wheels (14). A wear pad (60) interposed between a portion of the clamping assembly (28) and the trailing arm (16) resists the torsional moment of the trailing arm to provide stability and minimize wear. The cup (64) is hollow and communicates with the interior of an air spring (72) to provide a reservoir therefor. A track bar (115) with bushed joints at both ends interconnects the frame (10) and the axle housing (26) to provide lateral stability.