Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for alignment of a pivot bushing, trailing beam and axle of a vehicle having a pivot bushing housing mounted on the beam of a vehicle frame. Flanges are mounted on the exterior of the side walls of the bushing housing. The adjusting mechanism includes a nut attached to one of the flanges, the nut positioned to receive the threaded shaft of a bolt extending forward and rearwardly, an aligning plate attached to the bolt, the aligning plate engaging the front wall of the housing to move the threaded bushing rod forwardly and rearwardly upon tightening and loosening of the nut and bolt.

Abstract: An axle suspension system for a wheeled vehicle. This suspension system includes a trailing arm beam extending longitudinally along each side of the vehicle with each trailing arm beam connected to a resilient pivotal bushing at the forward end thereof. Each resilient pivotal bushing is mounted on a hanger attached to the vehicle frame. An air spring is attached to the rearward end of each trailing arm beam and connects its trailing arm beam to the wheeled vehicle. Each trailing arm beam has a U-shaped transverse cross-section wherein a horizontally extending wall is oppositely located relative to vertically extending walls to define a vertical facing opening in the trailing arm beam. A vehicle axle is connected to the trailing arm beams. The vehicle axle is attached to an axle thrust mounting located on the trailing arm beams and spanning the vertical facing openings thereof near the rearwardly located ends of the trailing arm beams.

Abstract: A stabilizer for a steer axle air ride suspension of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a frame having longitudinally extending beams, a pair of spring beams each pivotally attached at its forward end to one of the frame beams by a pivot pin and an air spring interposed between each of the frame and spring beams. The pivot pins lie on a common axis. The stabilizer includes a somewhat U-shaped torsion bar having side portions connected by a cross portion. The distal ends of the side portions of the U-shaped torsion bar are pivotally attached to the pivot pins and the cross portion is rotatably connected to the axle. Isolators are installed at the pivotal attachments of the distal ends of the side portions of the U-shaped bar to the pivot pins and at the rotatable connections of the cross portion to the axle.

Abstract: An anti-friction pad for a bushed pivot connection of a main leaf spring and a secondary leaf spring of a spring mounted air spring suspension of a vehicle. The pivot connection includes a bushing, a main leaf spring having an eye receiving the bushing and a secondary leaf spring having an eye receiving the eye of the main leaf spring and the inside surfaces of bushing hanger bracket. The anti-friction pad has an elongated main body portion positioned between and in contact with the main leaf spring and the secondary leaf spring. The anti-friction pad also has side walls which engage the secondary leaf spring. The anti-friction pad has a center post which seats in a socket of the secondary leaf spring. The main body portion of the pad has an outer convex surface which mates with a concave face of the main leaf spring. The anti-friction pad is formed of an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.

Abstract: A slider frame adapted to be slidably mounted on a semi-trailer having a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending body rails on the underside thereof. The slider frame includes a pair of longitudinally extending side rails of C-channel shape. Suspension hangers are fastened to the C-channel rails. A reinforcing pan is mounted in each C-channel rail above each suspension hanger. Tubular cross-members extend between the cross-rails and are attached to the reinforcing pans and the side rails. The reinforcing pans box-in and connect the C-channel rails to the suspension hangers.

Abstract: A suspension for a vehicle having a rear axle beneath the frame of the vehicle. An elongated gooseneck spring includes a center portion, an upwardly inclined front portion and a lower trailing rear portion. The front portion of the spring operatively engages a front hanger mounted on the frame. The spring is clamped to the rear axle at the center portion of the spring. An air spring is mounted on the lower trailing rear portion of the spring and is also attached to the frame. A shock absorber is located between the rear axle and the air spring and is operatively connected between the frame and the rear axle. The lower trailing rear portion of the gooseneck spring extends inwardly under the frame. The gooseneck spring is formed with a downwardly and inwardly twisted portion between its center portion and its lower trailing rear portion.

Abstract: A heavy duty suspension system for multiple axle over-the-road semi trailers. A rigid frame for the suspension includes beams on opposite sides which are connected with the trailer body. Hangers receive the front ends of spring beams to which the axles are connected. Torque arms connect the hangers with the axles. Behind the axles, air cushions are interposed between the spring beams and frame to provide an air ride. A transverse track rod is provided behind each axle to accept laterally applied loads. Each track rod is pivoted at one end to the back of one spring beam and at the other end to a track rod hanger suspended from the frame.

Abstract: An equalized suspension system is provided for the truck of a truck-trailer combination of the tandem axle type. The suspension on each side of the vehicle includes independent semi-elliptic leaf springs mounted in tandem relationship one behind the other, and which are respectively connected at their midpoint to the forward and rearward axles. The remote ends of each spring are supported in rolling contact with respective roller assemblies housed by respective brackets which, in turn, are secured to the frame of the truck. An equalizer support bracket is provided between the adjacent ends of each pair of springs and an equalizer is pivotally supported within each equalizer support bracket. The adjacent ends of the springs are pivotally attached to shackles which, in turn, are pivotally mounted to the respective equalizers.