Abstract: A first embodiment of a leaf spring suspension assembly for a tractor trailer or the like having single or multiple axles includes a first and second hanger with a camelback spring slidingly secured to an axle bracket assembly with a single torque rod extending between the forward hanger and the axle bracket assembly to stabilize same and prevent axle wind up or wheel hopping. In a multiple axle vehicle, a pivoting type equalizer is mounted between leaf springs and provides the bearing support for an end of each spring. In a second embodiment, an equalizer is supported from the chassis member by an elastomeric spring member with a shock absorber dampening the oscillation thereof. The equalizer is stabilized in the fore and aft direction by a mounting bracket and web assembly within which the mounting bracket extends, and a telescoping tube assembly vertically aligned and surrounding the shock absorber to permit vertical movement but restrict fore and aft movement of same.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly having a spring means resiliently supporting axle loading, and including an axle seat to which a vehicle axle is secured. The axle seat is pivotally mounted to apply a moment to the axle seat upon axle loading, said moment applying a force to the spring proportional and in opposition to the loading force. The suspension further includes a mounting assembly for mounting an oscillating member such as a compensator to a fixed member such as a pedestal. The mounting assembly comprises a bushing assembly having a center shaft, the oscillating member oscillating about the axis of said shaft. A sleeve surrounds the shaft, and one of said oscillating or fixed members is secured to the sleeve. The other of said members has an open slot therein which is sized to allow insertion of the bushing shaft therein by passing the shaft through the open end of the slot. Clamping means secure the shaft to the slotted member.

Abstract: An air suspension assembly for a heavy duty truck or over-the-road vehicle includes a first beam pivotally mounted at its forward end to a hanger assembly depending from the vehicle chassis, a second beam connected to the first beam by a pair of bushings having resilient members therein, and an air spring extending between the second beam and the vehicle chassis. An upper torque arm extends between the axle housing and another chassis member to complete the substantial shape of a parallelogram to stabilize the axle as it deflects vertically with respect to the chassis. The vehicle axle is rigidly pivotally connected to the second beam so that the second beam moves with the axle about the longitudinal axis of the vehicle but the axle freely pivots in the fore and aft direction as required for parallelogram stabilization.

Abstract: A tandem axle vehicle suspension system has a pedestal mounted to a chassis member and extending downwardly to support a trunnion shaft extending the width of the vehicle and between two suspension systems. A compensator is pivotally attached to the trunnion shaft. A fore torque beam and a rear torque beam are pivotally attached to and extend between the compensator and an axle. A central, principal load-bearing elastomer spring is held in position between the upper portions of the torque beams with sandwich type secondary springs extending between the compensator and each torque beam. In one embodiment, a mounting stud extends into the cylindrical opening at each end of the elastomer spring to hold it in position. In an alternate embodiment, fiber block assemblies are mounted to each end of the elastomer spring and opposing U-shaped saddle brackets with arcuate slots capture each end of the spring and permit limited arcuate movement of each end of the spring with respect to its adjacent torque beam.

Abstract: A mounting structure for vehicle suspensions for adjustably mounting first and second members of the suspension including a pin extending through aligned openings in the first and second members. The openings in one of these members are greater in at least one dimension than the pin which may be released from a locking condition to allow the pin to slide within the opening in the direction of its larger dimension producing movement of one of the members relative to the other for purposes of providing axle alignment, adjustment of axle load distribution, and the like.

Abstract: A suspension assembly having a unitized parallelogram structure with air springs for resiliently resisting movement of the axle upon loading and unloading. A hanger depends from the chassis of the vehicle and pivotally supports the forward ends of at least two torque beams or rods defining the parallelogram of the assembly. An axle seat is provided to which the axle of the vehicle is rigidly secured with the axle seat having a portion extending forwardly of the axle to which the rearward ends of the torque rods are pivotally mounted. The axle seat also has a portion extending rearwardly of the axle and air springs are mounted between the chassis and the forward and rearward extensions of the axle seat. The forward portion of the axle seat defines the pocket for receiving the rearward ends of the torque rods and the upper one of the rods is offset downwardly providing clearance from the axle seat. The rearward extension of the axle seat defines a compartment for housing an air brake cylinder of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle air suspension assembly consists generally of a hanger and a front and rear air spring depending from the chassis on opposite sides of the hanger. An axle seat assembly attaches to the axle and rigidly extends between the springs. An upper and a lower radius rod are pivotally connected between the hanger and the axle seat assembly and form a parallelogram which supports and stabilizes the axle. The pivotal connections of the radius rods are adjustable to provide accurate axle alignment and pitch in relation to the chassis. A shock absorber extends between the axle seat assembly and the chassis to dampen suspension movement.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for a vehicle having front and rear axles. Front and rear hanger assemblies depending from the vehicle chassis. A free floating shackle assembly between the axles. A front leaf spring extending between the front hanger assembly and the shackle assembly and bearing downwardly on the front axle. A rear leaf spring extending between the shackle assembly and the rear axle and bearing upwardly against an elastomer main load pad in the rear hanger assembly. The rear leaf spring bears downwardly against the rear axle. Elastomeric load pad spacers are used to mount the leaf springs. A slide limiter mounted to an end of the rear leaf spring allows linear sliding within specified limits while retaining the leaf spring in a downwardly bearing relationship to the rear axle.

Abstract: This suspension assembly is for a vehicle with a chassis and at least one axle. A front and a rear air spring depend downwardly from the chassis on either side of the axle. A beam extends between the free floating ends of the air springs and provides the mounting location for an axle seat assembly. The axle seat assembly rigidly secures the axle to the beam. A hanger assembly extends downwardly from the chassis and provides the forward mounting location for a radius rod which pivotally connects between the beam and the hanger. A radius rod extends between the axle and the chassis so as to form a parallelogram with the other radius rod.

Abstract: An axle suspension with a unitary bracket attachable to a vehicle frame, the bracket having three sets of depending rails, between the first two of which a torque beam is pivoted with members at its other end for connection to an axle, and between the second and third rail sets a lift beam is pivoted to lie alongside the torque beam, the lift beam having members for connection to the axle; a hydraulic piston motor connected between the bracket and the lift beam; and a leaf spring bearing at one of its ends on the axle opposite to the piston motor; bearing at its middle on the bracket to receive vehicle load, and shackle members for supporting its other end.

Abstract: A tag axle suspension that can adjust the load forces on tag axles or the like, with the tag axle supported upon swinging rigid torque arms pivoted to the vehicle frame at its opposite sides with leaf springs concentrically mounted with and parallel to the torque arms, and with hydraulic piston motors extending from the frame of the vehicle to each torque arm and a two-way hydraulic pump motor system. The hydraulic motors can operate one way to apply solid lifting forces directly to the torque arms intermediate the ends thereof to raise the tag axle. Upward forces on the tag axle are transmitted to the leaf springs, and by them to the hydraulic pistons to urge them upwardly, their upward movement being resiliently opposed by interposition into the hydraulic system of an accumulator having a predetermined gas pressure above the liquid.

Abstract: A multiple axle suspension for vehicles has a first arm pivotally mounted at its rearward end from the vehicle chassis to suspend a first vehicle axle and a second arm pivotally mounted at its forward end from the vehicle chassis to suspend a second vehicle axle. A beam connects the first and second axles, either directly or by connecting the suspending arms. The forward end of the beam bears downwardly on the first axle or arm in opposition to that axle load, and the rearward end of the beam bears downwardly on the second axle or arm in opposition to that axle load. Resilient means are mounted between the vehicle chassis and the beam at a location between the axles. Other resilient means are mounted between the beam and the points where the beam joins the pivoting arms, if that configuration is used.