Abstract: A frame hanger bracket for pivotally mounting a suspension main support member to a vehicle frame features a pair of ear portions adapted to be attached to the vehicle frame. A bridge portion is positioned between the pair of ear portions and a pair of flanges extending from the bridge portion so that a space is defined that receives the proximal end of a vehicle main support member. Each of the pair of flanges includes a positioning member including a space that receives an end portion of a pivot fastener attacked to the main support member so that a double shear connection is formed with the pivot fastener. The bottom end of a shock absorber is pivotally connected to a distal end of the main support member while the upper end is pivotally connected to an outboard upper shock bracket. The shock bracket may be mounted to the vehicle frame with the ear portion of the frame hanger bracket sandwiched between the shock bracket and the vehicle frame rail.

Abstract: A suspension system for supporting fore-and aft extending frame members of a vehicle chassis on a hollow axle, the system on one side of the vehicle being duplicated on the opposite side. Included in the suspension on each side are: (1) a frame bracket for pivotally supporting the fore or leading end of an asymmetric leaf spring; (2) a spring end support mounted on the frame side member for supporting the aft or trailing end of the leaf spring, and (3) a suitable assembly for attaching the leaf spring at a location intermediate its opposite ends to the axle so that the spring is divided into two cantilever limbs extending in opposite directions from the center line of the axle. The spring is formed so that one of the cantilever limbs has a stiffness substantially greater than the stiffness of the other limb. In all forms, at least one leaf of the asymmetric spring extends the full length of the spring.

Abstract: The invention is directed to vehicle suspension systems and components thereof including attachment devices for mounting an axle alignment and/or load reacting mechanism to an axle. Disclosed herein are axle towers used for connecting a torque box to an axle. The axle tower of the present invention can include one or more features to absorb and disperse loads to the axle. The axle tower has a more contoured or curved edge on the side plate that experiences a compressive force than a similar edge on the side plate that experiences a tensile force. Furthermore, the axle tower has appendages that extend out from the side plates providing a large footprint on the axle housing. At least one of the appendages extending from the side plate experiencing a compressive force has a curved or radiused corner. Also, the axle towers include an inner plate having an off-centered slot where the troque box connects.

Abstract: A vehicle leaf spring suspension having a low spring rate is disclosed. The suspension has an axle seat secured to a vehicle axle. The leaf spring is clamped at its spring seat area to the axle seat at the clamp group mounting surface of the axle seat and with certain of the disclosed axle seats, can be clamped such that the spring seat area is asymmetrically positioned with respect to the vehicle axle centerline. Also, an active clamp group arrangement can be used to utilize the entire physical length of the leaf spring.

Abstract: A non-torque reactive air suspension exhibiting excellent roll stability characteristics is shown to include frame hangers mounted to frame rails extending longitudinally on opposite sides of a vehicle. Longitudinally extending beams are connected to the frame hangers at one end and extend parallel to the frame rails. At their other ends, the beams are joined by a crossbrace extending laterally across the vehicle centerline. In a central portion thereof, the beams have an axle pivot bore to which an axle clamp assembly is connected, the axle clamp assembly clamping a drive axle housing for the vehicle. The axle pivot bore is generally aligned with the drive axle. A control rod assembly is connected to suspension or frame components. Together with the beams, the control rod assembly forms a parallelogram configuration wherein the beams form the lower linkages of that configuration and the control rods included within the control rod assembly form the upper linkages of that configuration.

Abstract: A shackle assembly is shown to include a shackle bracket, wear pads, a shackle stop, shackle plates and elastomer bushings. The shackle bracket includes legs forming portions thereof, which serve as contact surfaces for the wear pads and the shackle plates. By providing conical and lateral stiffness, the shackle bracket legs allow for the use of a more versatile elastomer bushing. The elastomer bushing preferably includes voids vertically separated with respect to each other and the elastomer layer preferably is in the form of a bowtie-shaped configuration, which enhances vertical, conical and torsional performance. A first redundancy feature is in the form of a shackle stop secured between the shackle plates. The shackle stop provides longitudinal control of the axle in the event the opposite limb of the leaf spring is broken, the vehicle is generally traveling in a given direction and the vehicle is subject to deceleration.

Abstract: A non-torque reactive air suspension exhibiting excellent roll stability characteristics is shown to include frame hangers mounted to frame rails extending longitudinally on opposite sides of a vehicle. Longitudinally extending beams are connected to the frame hangers at one end and extend parallel to the frame rails. At their other ends, the beams are joined by a crossbrace extending laterally across the vehicle centerline. In a central portion thereof, the beams have an axle pivot bore to which an axle clamp assembly is connected, the axle clamp assembly clamping a drive axle housing for the vehicle. The axle pivot bore is generally aligned with the drive axle. A control rod assembly is connected to suspension or frame components. Together with the beams, the control rod assembly forms a parallelogram configuration wherein the beams form the lower linkages of that configuration and the control rods included within the control rod assembly form the upper linkages of that configuration.

Abstract: A non-torque reactive air suspension exhibiting excellent roll stability characteristics is shown to include frame hangers mounted to frame rails extending longitudinally on opposite sides of a vehicle. Longitudinally extending beams are connected to the frame hangers at one end and extend parallel to the frame rails. At their other ends, the beams are joined by a crossbrace extending laterally across the vehicle centerline. In a central portion thereof, the beams have an axle pivot bore to which an axle clamp assembly is connected, the axle clamp assembly clamping a drive axle housing for the vehicle. The axle pivot bore is generally aligned with the drive axle. A control rod assembly is connected to suspension or frame components. Together with the beams, the control rod assembly forms a parallelogram configuration wherein the beams form the lower linkages of that configuration and the control rods included within the control rod assembly form the upper linkages of that configuration.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for supporting an axle on a vehicle frame includes a pair of transversely spaced hangers mounted on and depending from the frame. Each one of a pair of longitudinally extending control arms is pivotally attached at one end of its ends to a respective one of the hangers, and at the other of its ends to a respective one of a pair of axle seats. The axle seats rigidly capture the transversely extending axle. A support member is attached to and extends longitudinally rearwardly from each of the axle seats for mounting an air spring and a shock absorber. Each of the air springs and shock absorbers extend upwardly from its respective support member and is attached to the frame. A generally rigid torque box is immovably attached at one of its ends to the frame, and at the other of its ends to the axle. The torque box is a hollow fabrication closed at each of its attachment ends by a mounting tube. A shaft having at least one bushing molded about the shaft is press fit into each of the tubes.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for supporting an axle on a vehicle frame includes a pair of transversely spaced hangers mounted on and depending from the frame. Each one of a pair of longitudinally extending control arms is pivotally attached at one end of its ends to a respective one of the hangers, and at the other of its ends to a respective one of a pair of axle seats. The axle seats rigidly capture the transversely extending axle. A support member is attached to and extends longitudinally rearwardly from each of the axle seats for mounting an air spring and a shock absorber. Each of the air springs and shock absorbers extend upwardly from its respective support member and is attached to the frame. A generally rigid torque box is immovably attached at one of its ends to the frame, and at the other of its ends to the axle. The torque box is a hollow fabrication closed at each of its attachment ends by a mounting tube. A shaft having at least one bushing molded about the shaft is press fit into each of the tubes.

Abstract: A vocational vehicle (i.e. truck or trailer intended for off-road operation) comprising a chassis mounted on a tandem axle suspension and having lateral stability in addition to roll and fore-and-aft stability. Roll and fore-and-aft stability are provided by a suspension sub-assembly comprising the stabilizer or cross tube of the suspension and a crank arm fixedly mounted on each end of the stabilizer tube with its distal end pivotally attached to the adjacent side of the chassis. Lateral stability is provided by a transverse torque rod interconnected between the rear axle and the chassis.