Horizontal And Transverse Pivot Axis Patents (Class 280/124.116)
  • Publication number: 20120313339
    Abstract: A wheel suspension element for a motor vehicle which comprises a supporting structure (1) for an axle of a motor vehicle and at least a rod for guiding, with the rod, at least an articulated wheel carrier (2) which can be connected to the supporting structure (1). The supporting structure (1) is formed from a fiber composite material. The rod of the wheel suspension element is designed as an elastic spring rod (3, 4) and is formed from a fiber composite material as one element with the supporting structure (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Jens HEIMANN, Daniel WOLF, Thomas EIFFLAENDER
  • Patent number: 8328211
    Abstract: A suspension system for use with a vehicle comprising a control arm having an upper rear arm and a spring mounting plate integrally formed as a single member, a spindle extending outwardly from the upper rear arm, an air spring adapted to be mounted intermediate the spring plate and the vehicle, and a pivot assembly for pivotally mounting the control arm to the vehicle whereby the pivot assembly has a fist axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Air Suspensions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ervin K. VanDenberg, David H. Croston
  • Patent number: 8322737
    Abstract: A method of constructing a vehicle suspension system includes forming a suspension arm having a pivot connection at an end thereof, and a brake mounting integrally formed with the suspension arm; and then securing the suspension arm to an axle. A suspension system includes an axle and a suspension arm having a pivot connection which pivotably connects the axle to a vehicle frame, whereby the axle is vertically displaceable relative to the frame. At least one brake shoe is pivotably mounted to the suspension arm. Another suspension system includes a suspension arm having a pivot connection at an end thereof, and a brake spider integrally formed with the suspension arm. The brake spider includes at least one opening which receives a brake shoe pivot therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Watson & Chalin Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Cully B. Dodd, Todd Greaves
  • Patent number: 8322734
    Abstract: The present invention provides a wheel axle lifter used for being adapted to be disposed with auto-mobiles. The wheel axle lifter comprises a fixing portion, a first airbag and a suspending arm. The fixing portion is used for being disposed with a body of the auto-mobile. The first airbag disposed with the fixing portion comprises at least two rollers. The two rollers are positioned integrally. One end of the suspending arm is pivotally disposed with the fixing portion. The suspending arm is disposed with a wheel axle and is able to move between a first position and a second position. Each one of the two rollers rotationally contacts with the suspending arm when the first airbag drives the two rollers upward to abut against the suspending arm so that the suspending arm moves to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Chuan Ta King Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu-Hsia Yao
  • Patent number: 8322736
    Abstract: A swing arm assembly is configured for pivotal coupling with a frame of a vehicle. The swing arm assembly includes first and second support arms. A first axle support bracket is attached to the first support arm and a second axle support bracket is attached to the second support arm. A first reinforcement member includes upper, lower, forward and rearward edges, and is welded to the first axle support bracket along at least a portion of the upper edge and at least a portion of the lower edge of the first reinforcement member. The rearward edge of the first reinforcement member is devoid of weld material. The first support arm is attached to the first reinforcement member. Vehicles including a swing arm assembly are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lee N. Bowers
  • Patent number: 8317209
    Abstract: A wheel axle suspension for suspending a round hollow axle (10) from a vehicle comprises on both sides of the vehicle a trailing arm (1,41,51) to which the axle (10) is attached. The trailing arm is hingedly connected at the front to a bearing bracket (42) which is arranged on the vehicle chassis (43). A pneumatic spring (44) is operational between the trailing arm and the chassis. The axle body bears directly against a contact region (5,45,55) of the trailing arm. The contact region is essentially complementary to the outer contour of the axle body, wherein, on that side of the axle body opposite the contact region, a support part (20,46,56) is provided with a recess (21) for accommodating the axle. The support part is clamped against the axle by means of clamping means (23,24,47,48). At the location of the contact region, the trailing arm is wider than in the region (2,41a, 52) which is situated immediately in front thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Weweler Nederland B.V.
    Inventors: Derk Geert Aalderink, Geert Everts, Harm Damkot, Hans Bramer
  • Publication number: 20120292978
    Abstract: The invention relates to an axle module for a motor vehicle, the axle module being composed of two control arms which can be fixed to the body structure via a pivotal bearing, support the wheels of the axle and are connected to each other by an axle body. According to the invention, each control arm comprises a receiving element for a drive, particularly an electric motor, particularly a wheel hub motor. The receiving device is designed such that it forms the carrier for the stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: KSM CASTINGS GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Buschjohann, Andreas Kiesel, Udo Albinus
  • Patent number: 8282115
    Abstract: A suspension system for use on off-road trailers may be an independent air suspension system that may provide ample wheel travel and stability to keep the wheels on the ground through rough and uneven terrain. Conventional suspension systems may lack adequate wheel travel, may bounce too much, or may not be soft enough. The suspension system of the present invention may use an air bag to normalize the suspension for varying weights of the trailer load, allowing proper suspension for both heavy and light loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Terrasport, Inc
    Inventor: Scott P. Stephani
  • Patent number: 8282116
    Abstract: The suspension comprises, for each rear wheel, a trailing arm (16), a wheel-carrying structure (18) fixed to a length (24) of the trailing arm (16) and an axle (44) fixed to the wheel-carrying structure (18). The wheel-carrying structure (18) is made as a single piece forming an upper support portion (38) having a seat (42) into which the wheel axle (44) is inserted and fixed, and a lower attachment portion (40) including a pair of vertical flat walls (34) which are parallel to each other, are arranged astride of said arm length (24) and have a plurality of through holes (46) aligned in pairs. The arm length (24) forms a pair of vertical walls (26) to which three spacers, each having a through hole (30), are fixed, and a pair of end flat surfaces (32). The spacers (28) project beyond the vertical walls (26) of the arm length (24) in such a manner that their end flat surfaces (32) form two abutment flat surfaces for the vertical flat walls (34) of the wheel-carrying structure (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Sistemi Sospensioni S.p.A.
    Inventor: Guido Borgi
  • Patent number: 8276927
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension including a spring module and a spring mount positioned within an opening in the spring module with two shear springs on either side of the spring mount, wherein the spring mount includes an inboard part and an outboard part, and a through-hole positioned in the inboard or outboard part to allow passage of a threaded connecting rod therethrough that has been tightened to draw the inboard part of the first spring mount together with the outboard part of the first spring mount, and to compress the first shear spring between a first side wall of the spring mount and a first side wall of the opening, and also to compress a second shear spring between a second side wall of the spring mount and a second side wall of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Shawn D. Noble, Hormoz Kerendian, Ashley T. Dudding
  • Patent number: 8272652
    Abstract: A suspension for a rear or a front portion of a chassis for vehicles in which a pair of longitudinal stabilizer assemblies and an anti-sway stabilizer each use a same type of a stabilizer bar, with the longitudinal stabilizer assemblies pivotably connected on opposing sides of the chassis and the anti-sway stabilizer pivotably connected in transverse relation proximate an end of the chassis. The longitudinal stabilizer assemblies and the anti-sway stabilizer each include a portion of a saddle that extends around the axle and rigidly connects to the axle. A shock absorber connects between the saddle and the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventor: Frank Majerik
  • Publication number: 20120228847
    Abstract: A wheel axle suspension having on both sides of a vehicle a trailing arm which extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a thin walled tubular axle body, which has attachment regions where the axle body is attached to the trailing arms. Each trailing arm is hingedly connected at the front, viewed in the direction of travel of the vehicle, to a bearing bracket which is arranged on the vehicle chassis. The suspension also comprises a pneumatic spring operational between each of the trailing arms and the chassis, and clamp bodies for clamping the axle body at the attachment regions thereof so as to attach the axle body to the trailing arms, as well as tensioning elements for providing the clamp force for the clamp bodies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: VDL WEWELER B.V.
    Inventor: Derk Geert Aalderink
  • Patent number: 8262112
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension including a frame attachment portion attached to spring module having an opening defined by two side walls, a top wall and a bottom wall, and a spring mount positioned within the opening with two shear springs on either side of the spring mount, wherein the spring mount includes an inboard part and an outboard part separate from the inboard part, and a through-hole positioned in at least one of the inboard or inboard parts to allow passage of a threaded connecting rod therethrough, wherein the connecting rod has been tightened to draw the inboard part of the first spring mount together with the outboard part of the first spring mount, and to compress the first shear spring between the first side wall of the spring mount and the first side wall of the opening, and also to compress the second shear spring between the second side wall of the spring mount and the second side wall of the opening of the spring module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Shawn D. Noble, Hormoz Kerendian, Ashley T. Dudding, Louis F. Mattia
  • Publication number: 20120217714
    Abstract: A suspension arrangement for interconnecting a frame and an axle in a vehicle includes a control arm having a first beam and a second beam in parallel, spaced relation, each beam having a first end with a single arm and a second end with an upper arm and a lower arm to define a Y-shape, the first end being pivotally connectable to a vehicle frame, and the second end being connectable to a vehicle axle disposed between the upper and lower arms, and a bushing arrangement mountable to the vehicle axle, the bushing arrangement having an upper portion connecting between the upper arms of the first beam and second beam and a lower portion connecting between the lower arms of the first beam and second beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: VOLVO GROUP NORTH AMERICA, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Paul Kiselis, Michael Alwyn Brown
  • Publication number: 20120211961
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a twist beam axle for a vehicle. The twist beam axle includes a twist beam and a reinforcement member. The twist beam has a longitudinal axis and has a generally concave cross-sectional shape. The reinforcement member extends longitudinally and is connected to the twist beam to form a longitudinally extending tubular form therewith. The twist beam has first and second side walls. At least one of the side walls extends outside of the tubular form. The tubular form has cross-sectional dimensions that are selected based on the vehicle on which the twist beam axle is to be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Ying Zhang, James R. Byrne, II, Alexander Zak, Seetarama S. Kotagiri, Nikhil Madan Yardi
  • Publication number: 20120200057
    Abstract: A suspension for a vehicle having a chassis rail and a longitudinal axle arranged substantially orthogonal thereto. The vehicle suspension has a primary air-responsive spring that couples between the chassis and the axle of the vehicle. The primary spring can be a coil spring that surrounds an air helper spring. A secondary leaf spring has a first end for pivotally coupling to the chassis of the vehicle at a secondary pivot coupling, and a second end for coupling to the axle. The longitudinal configuration of the secondary leaf spring can be arranged to be angularly displaced with respect to a chassis rail of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: James Andrew Juriga, Slawomir M. Zieleniec, Graham R. Brookes
  • Patent number: 8235403
    Abstract: A suspension system includes a frame mount assembly, a swing arm assembly and an air spring. The trailer includes a rail with top and bottom rail surfaces. The swing arm assembly is pivotally mounted to a pivot about a swing arm pivot axis located above the bottom rail surface when the suspension assembly is mounted to the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Air Suspensions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ervin K. VanDenberg, David H. Croston
  • Patent number: 8226099
    Abstract: A connection system for connecting a supporting arm to an axle body comprises a first and a second supporting element each having a reinforced region, wherein the first and second supporting elements cooperate to substantially enclose the axle body, and wherein contact regions created between the first and second supporting elements are substantially vertically aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: SAF-Holland GmbH
    Inventor: Hubert B. Koschinat
  • Patent number: 8226098
    Abstract: The suspension system of the present invention broadly comprises a method of retrofitting an existing torsion axle suspension carried by a frame with an air spring comprising the steps of removing an original torsion axle that was fixed to a frame from the frame and mounting the torsion axle to at least one rotatable arm such that rotation of the arm causes vertical translation of the original torsion axle. The suspension system also comprises a retrofit kit for use with a torsion axle suspension system having a torsion axle and a spindle comprising a hanger bracket adapted to be attachable to the frame, a pivot arm for mounting to the hanger bracket and adapted for rotatably supporting the existing torsion axle, an air spring, a support assembly secured to the pivot arm for supporting the air spring, and an attachment for securing the pivot arm to the support assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Air Suspensions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ervin K. VanDenberg, David H. Croston
  • Patent number: 8220810
    Abstract: A countersteering vehicle rear axle induces a rotational motion of a wheel carrier about a virtual spread axis in the toe-in direction under the influence of a lateral force on the outside cornering wheel mounted on the wheel carrier. A support member exhibits a section, which extends essentially parallel to the plane of the wheel carrier, and a section, which is connected, when viewed in the direction of travel, to former section behind the wheel center point and extends essentially in the transverse direction of the vehicle. In a lateral projection, the support member is inclined in relation to the vertical direction in essentially the same way as the virtual spread axis. This support member is supported at least on the free ends of a sheet metal support plate, which in a lateral projection is approximately U-shaped and which in turn is mounted on the axle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Benjamin Jakob
  • Patent number: 8210551
    Abstract: In a vehicle wheel suspension, a first trailing arm is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a second trailing arm in the direction of an angle bisector between the longitudinal and transverse directions. The ends of the trailing arms determine a substantially horizontal instantaneous axis for the wheel carrier relative to the spring jounce and rebound motions of the vehicle chassis. The wheel carrier is slightly pivotable about a toe axis under the influence of braking forces. A support arm securely connects to the wheel carrier and extends over a defined distance substantially in parallel with and supported on the second trailing arm. The support is softer in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction. A suitable design of the second trailing arm and/or the support arm allows a slight pivot motion of the wheel carrier about the toe axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Benjamin Jakob
  • Publication number: 20120126504
    Abstract: A lift assembly for a suspension assembly of an axle/suspension system is located generally adjacent to and beside the suspension assembly. The lift assembly includes an air chamber, a support member assembly, a pivot arm assembly and a beam support assembly. The support member assembly attaches to the hanger of the suspension assembly, to the air chamber, and pivotally attaches to the pivot arm assembly. The air chamber also attaches to the pivot arm assembly. The pivot arm assembly pivotally attaches to the beam support assembly which in turn attaches to the beam of the suspension assembly, for raising and/or lowering the suspension assembly during operation of the heavy-duty vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: HENDRICKSON USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Piehl, Kevin J. Erdmann
  • Patent number: 8177244
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension includes a vehicle body, a supporting member, wherein a proximal end is attached to the vehicle body at a central axis. The supporting member is configured to secure an end of a vehicle suspension component to the vehicle body. A distal end of the support member includes a hanger configured to receive and to allow a tie-down hook to move in an arcuate path defined by a circle centered at the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Matsuda, Takemi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8177245
    Abstract: A suspension is provided for non-steered wheels on a motor vehicle body. The suspension includes, but is not limited to a twist-beam rear axle with a Watt linkage. A top rocker arm of the Watt linkage is mounted on the motor vehicle body. The Watt linkage prevents the motor vehicle from oversteering during cornering. The damping bushes can be disconnected in part from wheel-guiding functions as the Watt linkage performs a major part of the wheel guiding functions, which leaves some freedom for designing the characteristics so as to significantly increase motoring comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gerd Bitz, Werner Brinker, Dirk Ehrlich, Michael Harder, Matthew S. Purdy, Wolfgang Stoff
  • Publication number: 20120112437
    Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle chassis includes a pair of trailing arms, a pair of air springs and a guiding assembly for preventing lateral loads from being transferred to the air springs. Each trailing arm is pivotally mounted to the vehicle chassis so as to permit an arcuate movement of the vehicle axle. A first lateral surface faces in a first lateral direction and a second lateral surface faces in an opposite second lateral direction. The guiding assembly includes a first guide element mounted beneath the vehicle chassis which extends proximate the first lateral surface so as to block lateral movement thereof in the first lateral direction. The guiding assembly further includes a second guide element mounted beneath the vehicle chassis and which extends proximate the second lateral surface so as to block lateral movement thereof in the second lateral direction. The suspension system can be adapted to a tandem suspension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Andrè-Marie Simard, Réjean Lavoie
  • Patent number: 8172244
    Abstract: A rear axle for a motor vehicle has two longitudinal links, each pivotally connected to a vehicle body, a cross member that connects the links to each other in the transverse vehicle direction and is coupled to each of the links in a rigid manner, and a Panhard rod extending substantially in the transverse direction that is joined on one end to a link or to the cross member, and on the other end to a joining point on the body side. The rear axle further has a longitudinal strut substantially extending in the longitudinal vehicle direction that is connected to the body at a forward end section in a rigid manner and forms the joining point for the Panhard rod on a free rear end section. The rear axle has an installation space requirement corresponding to a four-link rear axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Ingo Winter
  • Publication number: 20120091777
    Abstract: With a motor vehicle having a front axle and a rear axle, an underbody and shock absorbers, each of which extend between an upper point of action on the underbody and a lower point of action on the rear axle extending adjacent to a rear wheel, and at least one back seat the upper point of action of one of the shock absorbers is located vertically below the back seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Udo MILDNER, Stefan GLOGER
  • Publication number: 20120061936
    Abstract: The present invention provides a wheel axle lifter used for being adapted to be disposed with auto-mobiles. The wheel axle lifter comprises a fixing portion, a first airbag and a suspending arm. The fixing portion is used for being disposed with a body of the auto-mobile. The first airbag disposed with the fixing portion comprises at least two rollers. The two rollers are positioned integrally. One end of the suspending arm is pivotally disposed with the fixing portion, and the other end of the suspending arm is disposed with the axle so as to move between a first position and a second position. Each one of the two rollers rotationally contacts with the suspending arm when the first airbag drives the two rollers upward to abut the suspending arm so that the suspending arm moves to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: CHUAN TA KING ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: YU-HSIA YAO
  • Publication number: 20120007328
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rear wheel suspension system for motor vehicles having a composite link axle that has two wheel-carrying longitudinal links that are each articulated pivotably on a vehicle body by one body-side pivoting bearing and a flexurally rigid, torsionally soft transverse strut that connects the longitudinal links to one another. The pivoting bearings are set at a predefined yaw angle in relation to an initial position with the pivoting bearing axes aligned with a connecting line between the centers of the pivoting bearings. The pivoting bearings are also set at a predefined roll angle relative to a horizontal plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Olav Lange, Michel Vencken
  • Publication number: 20110304115
    Abstract: A wheel axle suspension for suspending an axle body of a wheel axle from a vehicle, comprises on both sides of the vehicle a trailing arm which extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The axle body is attached to the trailing arms. The trailing arms are each hingedly connected at the front in the direction of travel of the vehicle to a bearing bracket which is arranged on the vehicle chassis. The wheel axle suspension furthermore comprises a pneumatic spring which is operational between the trailing arm and the chassis. A pneumatic spring support arm is provided, which is coupled to the axle body for supporting an underside of the pneumatic spring. The pneumatic spring support arm is coupled to the axle body so that the pneumatic spring support arm is mountable in a plurality of orientations with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Derk Geert Aalderink, Geert Everts, Matthijs van Dop
  • Publication number: 20110298191
    Abstract: A suspension for use on two front/rear wheels of a tricycle includes a linking assembly comprising two H-shaped lower supports, two H-shaped upper supports, two coupling members each secured to a hub of the front/rear wheel, and a plurality of internally threaded linkages for pivotably securing the upper supports together, pivotably securing the lower supports together, and pivotably fastening each coupling member between the upper support and the lower support at the same side together; and an elongated shock absorber having both ends secured the upper supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: ADIVA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nicola Pozio
  • Patent number: 8070177
    Abstract: An improved steer axle assembly for a trailer is provided in which a tapered roller thrust bearing extends between each lower kingpin yoke thrust face and each lower kingpin sleeve thrust face to transfer load between the lower yoke sleeve and the kingpin sleeve while allowing the yokes to swivel about the kingpins. Upper and lower needle bearing assemblies extend respectively between the upper and lower yoke sleeves and the kingpins to guide the swivelable movement of the yokes about the kingpins. Upper and lower kingpin caps are secured across the upper and lower yoke sleeves respectively above and below the kingpins to seal the opposite ends of the kingpins within the yoke sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Eveley Alignment
    Inventor: Nicholas Eveley
  • Publication number: 20110291370
    Abstract: A wheel 4 mounted on a vehicle body 2 by a suspension arm 6 can be retained in a raised position by a retaining mechanism 10. The retaining mechanism 10 comprises a latching element 12 which can be disposed in a deployed position by means of a control element 14. When the control element 14 is moved to a position corresponding to the deployed position of the latching element 12, the latching element 12 is resiliently displaceable towards the vehicle body 2, to allow the suspension arm 6 to rise, for example when the wheel 4 is driven over an obstacle. The latching element 12 can then move to the deployed position to prevent lowering of the arm 6, so retaining the wheel 4 in the raised position. All wheels of the vehicle may be moved to the raised position, so as to reduce the ride height of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: HORSTMAN DEFENCE SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Tim Holman, Robert D'Aubyn
  • Publication number: 20110272907
    Abstract: A suspension system for use on off-road trailers may be an independent air suspension system that may provide ample wheel travel and stability to keep the wheels on the ground through rough and uneven terrain. Conventional suspension systems may lack adequate wheel travel, may bounce too much, or may not be soft enough. The suspension system of the present invention may use an air bag to normalize the suspension for varying weights of the trailer load, allowing proper suspension for both heavy and light loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: Scott P. Stephani
  • Publication number: 20110272906
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle comprises a frame comprising a front portion and a rear portion, with two front wheels steerably attached to the front portion, a swing arm connected to the rear portion of the frame at first and second pivots separated by a first distance, the pivots comprising a common axis of rotation, and a drive wheel attached to a distal end of the swing arm, the common axis of rotation and the distal end of the swing arm being separated by a second distance, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Stephen Hall
  • Patent number: 8038163
    Abstract: A leading or trailing arm vehicle suspension system comprised of a fabricated vehicle axle and a fully integrated beam casting providing bending stiffness to control axle windup and longitudinal stiffness to control axle position is disclosed. The beam casting is attached to the vehicle axle with a thru-bolt connection. The beam casting includes rack and pinion mounting attachment holes and also includes other built-in features providing efficient transfer of loads into the vehicle axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Ashley Thomas Dudding, Rodolfo Rosales, Jr., Jerome Lim Cortez, Jerry Michael Lovett
  • Patent number: 8033565
    Abstract: A trailer tandem wheel suspension system comprising a pair of suspension units (3) for mounting on either side of a chassis (4) of a trailer (1) to support a pair of wheels 2?, 2? and arranged to respond both to small and large deflections of the wheels 2?, 2?. Each suspension unit (3) has a primary spring element (12) and a secondary spring element (13) linked to the primary spring element (12) so that the primary and secondary spring elements (12, 13) are effective over different ranges of movement of the wheels 2?, 2?. The primary spring element (12) is a leaf spring responsive to small movements of the wheels 2?, 2? and the secondary spring element (13) includes a compression spring (18) linked to the leaf spring and responsive to larger movements of the wheels 2?, 2?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Oldbury UK Limited
    Inventor: Carl Justin Holroyd
  • Publication number: 20110233888
    Abstract: A transverse link for a wheel suspension, which can be connected to a suspension point of a car body or of a chassis and a holding point of a wheel mount. The transverse link has a connecting rod on the wheel mount side and a connecting rod on the vehicle side, which are connected to one another in a rotating manner. The connecting rod on the vehicle side can be fastened on the suspension point of the auto body or of the chassis and the connecting rod on the wheel mount side can be fastened to the holding point of the wheel mount. Such a transverse link can be used both on the front and rear axles. The plurality of variable parameters permits fine coordination with regard to kinematic travel properties. Also, a low number of additional components are required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Raphael Fischer, Vincent Cardinet
  • Publication number: 20110227308
    Abstract: A wheel axle suspension for suspending a round hollow axle (10) from a vehicle comprises on both sides of the vehicle a trailing arm (1,41,51) to which the axle (10) is attached. The trailing arm is hingedly connected at the front to a bearing bracket (42) which is arranged on the vehicle chassis (43). A pneumatic spring (44) is operational between the trailing arm and the chassis. The axle body bears directly against a contact region (5,45,55) of the trailing arm. The contact region is essentially complementary to the outer contour of the axle body, wherein, on that side of the axle body opposite the contact region, a support part (20,46,56) is provided with a recess (21) for accommodating the axle. The support part is clamped against the axle by means of clamping means (23,24,47,48). At the location of the contact region, the trailing arm is wider than in the region (2,41a, 52) which is situated immediately in front thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: WEWELER NEDERLAND B.V.
    Inventors: Derk Geert Aalderink, Geert Everts, Harm Damkot, Hans Bramer
  • Publication number: 20110227309
    Abstract: A machine is provided. The machine has a forward direction of travel and includes a frame, at least one lift arm, a first torsion axle assembly, an undercarriage, and an endless track. The lift arm is pivotally attached to the frame. The first torsion axle assembly is attached to the frame and includes a first torsion arm, a first torsion shaft, and a first axle, with the first torsion shaft and the first axle extending from the first torsion arm. The undercarriage is attached to the first torsion axle assembly and the endless track encircles the undercarriage. One of the first torsion shaft and the first axle is attached to the frame and the other of the first torsion shaft and the first axle is attached to the undercarriage. The first torsion arm extends upward from the frame at an angle between 90 and 180 degrees from the forward direction of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mylvaganam Arulraja, Michael S. Freberg, Leslie L. Weaver, JR., Michael C. Layko, Jeffrey M. Parker, Michael Bottom
  • Patent number: 8020648
    Abstract: A tractor has front wheels mounted on the frame at fixed angles and a pair of rear wheels each mounted on a respective castor assembly. Each of the castor assemblies has a vertical pivot axis mounted in a swivel support of an axle of the frame and a bottom transverse tubular member connected to a pair of parallel forks carrying at a lower ends the transverse axle of the wheel. The mounting link includes a torsion spring defined by a rod attached to the forks which passes though a sleeve containing a resilient elastomeric spring of the tubular member allowing spring suspension pivotal movement of the upper ends of the forks relative to the bottom transverse member about an axis parallel to the wheel axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: MacDon Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Philip J. Otto
  • Patent number: 8006990
    Abstract: An improved suspension that may be used in any dynamically loaded beam structure, such as a trailer chassis. Specifically, an improved spring hanger and method for attachment are discussed, in which the improved spring hanger is welded to the web of a support beam, where stresses are lower, as opposed to the bottom flange thereof. Methods are provided for welding the spring hanger to said beam alongside as well as in contact with existing, transverse support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Reinke Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Davis, Mark R. Virus, Daniel O. Seacat
  • Patent number: 8006987
    Abstract: A trailing arm assembly for a suspension includes at least first and second cast components. The first and second cast components are welded to each other to substantially surround an outer perimeter of an axle member. The first cast component is then welded to one side of the axle member at a first weld and the second cast component is welded to an opposite side of the axle member at a second weld. One of the first and second cast components includes an integrally formed air spring seat and the other of the first and second cast components includes an integrally formed bushing housing for connection to a frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Steven George Saieg, Craig Allen Holt
  • Patent number: 8002297
    Abstract: A wrap used on pneumatic suspension systems which includes a cylindrical body (100) with a single aperture for links (110) which extends along the surface of the cylindrical body (100), the aperture (110) having a region of interruption (101) with the single aperture form (110), and also including a sequence of concordant slots (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: Juarez Keiserman
  • Patent number: 7997598
    Abstract: A link arm (81) for restraining lateral movement of a pivotable vehicle suspension system (1), wherein a first end (90) of the arm (81) is pivotally connected to a wheel-mounting end of the system (1) and a second end (91) of the arm (81) is pivotally mounted to a frame of the vehicle such that the arm (81) may pivot relative to the frame in unison with the wheel-mounting end and restrain lateral movement of the system (1) relative to the frame. The first end (90) has a bearing (90) through which a pivot pin (71) extends. The second end (91) has a ball and socket joint 91 (ball joint) enabling pivoting of the arm (81) relative to the frame about more than one axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventors: Charles Ralph, Bernard J. Ralph, legal representative, Simone F. Ralph, legal representative, Ashley Harris
  • Patent number: 7988165
    Abstract: A suspension apparatus for an automotive vehicle employs, as its main element, a main suspension member 10. The main suspension member 10 includes a main portion 12 constituted by a pipe; two body-side attachment portions 14, 16 that are fixed to opposite ends of the main portion 12, respectively; and a wheel-side attachment portion 18 that is fixed to a rear-side portion of the main portion 12. The opposite ends of the pipe constituting the main portion 12 are located near to each other, such that the main portion 12 has a generally C-shaped configuration in its side view. The body-side attachment portions 14, 16 are attached to a body of the vehicle such that those portions 14, 16 are pivotable about their pivotal axes. The pivotal axes of the two body-side attachment portions 14, 16 are offset from each other in a direction perpendicular to those axes, or are inclined relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinya Nishigaya
  • Publication number: 20110175316
    Abstract: An axle suspension includes a vehicular frame and first and second mounting fixtures mounted in spaced relation beneath the vehicular frame. First and second swing arms have first and second ends and are substantially parallel. The first ends are pivotally mounted to the first mounting fixture for vertical pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal first pivot axis. An axle is positioned on top of and perpendicular to the first swing arm and the second swing arm. The axle is mounted toward the second end of the first swing arm and the second swing arm by underlying resilient elastomer bushings wherein limited movement of the axle is accommodated about a substantially horizontal second pivot axis. Air spring suspension is positioned between the axle and the frame wherein pivotal movement in an upward direction about the first pivot axis is dampened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: RAYDAN MANUFACTURING INC.
    Inventors: Danny E. ENGLISH, Shay O. JARVIS, William D. SMITH
  • Patent number: 7980575
    Abstract: A four-point link for suspending a vehicle axle (36) on a vehicle frame (35) of a vehicle (11). The four-point link includes four link arms (2, 3, 4 and 5) which are fixed to one another by a central region (6) and which extend away from the central region (6) to form a cross. Two first link arms (2, 3) may be connected, in an articulated manner, to the vehicle frame (35) and two second link arms (4, 5) may be connected, in an articulated manner, to the vehicle axle (36). Each of the link arms (2, 3, 4, 5) has an H-shaped profile (13) which is open transverse or vertically with respect to the cross plane (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Matthias Quaing
  • Publication number: 20110168508
    Abstract: An anti-vibration suitcase wheel which has a wheel body, a shaft as well as a wheel seat. A buffer assembly lessens the shock of any impact to the wheel body where the buffer assembly is connected between the wheel body and the wheel seat. The wheel body is hinged to the shaft and the shaft is inserted into and matched with a limit slot extending along a direction of buffering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: HANHUI JIANG
  • Publication number: 20110163514
    Abstract: A trailing arm suspension includes a trailing arm body having an axle mount portion that is attached to an axle wrap. The axle wrap includes at least one internal weld window to secure the axle wrap to an axle. In one example, the internal weld window is positioned within an internal cavity defined by the trailing arm body and axle wrap includes an external weld window located external of the trailing arm body. In one example, the trailing arm suspension includes a reinforcement bracket that is attached to both the trailing arm body and the axle wrap. In one example, a spring pedestal includes a support plate at one end of trailing arm body and a side wall portion that extends downwardly from the support plate to be attached to the axle wrap. In one example, the axle wrap includes a weld window having a V-shaped lower edge surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Steven G. Saieg, Craig Holt