Abstract: A linkage-type air suspension system for supporting either a front steer axle or a rear drive axle includes a lower structure assembly which combines the lower control rods, a transverse rod and a stabilizer control system which functions as a single structure. The transverse control system includes a pair of lower beams which have one end thereof pivotally connected to mounting brackets secured to the frame members of the vehicle by pivot bearings. The other ends of the lower beams are pivotally connected to axle and wheel supports. A transverse control is secured to and extends between the lower beams.

Abstract: A linkage-type air suspension system for supporting either a front steer axle or a rear drive axle includes a lower structure assembly which combines the lower control rods, a transverse rod and a stabilizer control system which functions as a single structure. The transverse control system includes a pair of lower beams which have one end thereof pivotally connected to mounting brackets secured to the frame members of the vehicle by pivot bearings. The other ends of the lower beams are pivotally connected to axle and wheel supports. A transverse control is secured to and extends between the lower beams.

Abstract: A bus or truck having an engine, a transmission and a differential directly assembled to the frame and geared hubs assembled to a carriage frame to which the wheels of the vehicle are secured to provide the lowest possible floor height. The carriage frame supports the vehicle on air springs. Right and left geared hubs are directly assembled to the carriage frame and are operatively connected to the right and left half axles and the right and left wheel sets. The geared hubs provide a second level of gear reduction. The geared hubs are assembled to the wheel carriage frame with the axis of rotation of the drive axles and the axis of rotation of the wheels aligned in either a fore and aft direction or are aligned with the axis of the half axles being directly above the axis of the wheels. Air brakes on the drive axles provide braking action prior to the gear reduction of the geared hubs allowing for the use of smaller air disc brakes.

Abstract: A composite structure for method of mounting a vehicle suspension member, such as a leaf spring or a main support member, to an axle housing is disclosed. The invention is particularly useful in the truck and trailer industry. An axle bracket is welded to the axle housing. A cover and an axle seat are clamped so as to compress the suspension member and a top pad between them The cover and axle seat are then welded together. The axle seat and axle bracket may then be bolted together. A spacer plate may be inserted between the rear portions of the axle seat and axle bracket so as to increase the pinion angle of the vehicle axle.

Abstract: A system for mounting a vehicle axle housing to a vehicle suspension member, such as a main support member, Z-spring or a gooseneck spring, is disclosed. The invention utilizes a bracket welded onto the axle housing so as to eliminate excessive compressive stresses on the axle housing. The suspension member is sandwiched between a top pad and an axle seat. A pair of downwardly extending U-bolts have their bight portions seated on the top pad with their distal ends extending through holes in the axle bracket. Nuts are attached to the U-bolt distal ends to secure the entire assembly together. The system can accommodate a variety of axle seat sizes which in turn allows for a variety of pinion angles to be effected without necessitating the use of a different axle bracket design for each pinion angle.

Abstract: A flexible bolster for installation between two load-carrying members in a vehicle suspension. The bolster comprises a block of rubber or rubber-like elastomer sandwiched between two end plates. The block of rubber preferably has molded thereon a plurality of metal washers or plates oriented parallel to each other and the end plates. A bore extends axially through the end plates and block of rubber. A rebound control restraint is disposed in the bore. The restraint comprise a length of cable having retainers swaged to its opposite ends. Each retainer has an enlarged part or assembly which bears against the outer side of one of the end plates. The restraint acts to limit the extent to which the end plates separate when the bolster is under tension and thereby controls rebound. The restraint is free so as not to absorb compression or shear forces applied to the bolster.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system particularly useful in the heavy duty truck and trailer industry is disclosed. The suspension features lower control rods that are pivotally connected at their leading ends to hangers attached to each side frame member. The rearward ends of the lower control rods are attached to axle seats, one at each end of the axle, which are connected to the axle of the vehicle. Air springs and shock absorbers or, alternatively, hydraulic cylinders with accumulators, are mounted between each axle seat and each side frame member. The lower control rods are in an inclined orientation with their forward ends above their trailing ends. Additionally, some embodiments of the suspension feature upper control rods with their forward ends pivotally attached to the two opposing truck side frame members. The rearward ends of the upper control rods are attached to the top center of the axle by either a bolt and bushing mount or a ball and socket mount so that the upper control rods form a "V".

Abstract: In a tandem wheel and axle suspension for suspending a vehicle chassis, a flexible joint assembly for connecting the underside of each distal end of a fore-and-aft leaf spring equalizer beam to the subadjacent end of a transverse axle comprising a downwardly projecting spring anchor mounted on the underside of the distal end of the bottom leaf of the leaf spring, a load cushion formed of elastomeric material having an upwardly open socket in which the projecting portion of the spring anchor is embedded, and an axle bracket mounted on the subadjacent end of the axle having an upwardly open socket formation into which the load cushion is seated. An elastomeric rebound cushion is mounted over each distal end to prevent the spring anchor from disengaging the load cushion axle and is without upper torque rods.

Abstract: A tandem axle suspension has frame supporting bracket assemblies on opposite sides. Each bracket assembly is connected through springs and torque rods to tandem axle assemblies. Lower torque rods are connected to outer ends of lower brackets. Inner ends of the lower brackets have upward box-like extensions which fit into complementary recesses in lower ends of the main frame supporting bracket. Shear forces which tend to separate the lower brackets from the main brackets, such as during heavy braking, are withstood by the projections and recesses. Crossover tubes fit within lower semicylindrical cavities in the lower brackets and cap plates with complementary upward facing semicylindrical cavities are fastened to the lower brackets to hold the crossover tubes.