Abstract: An air suspension system for tandem axles vehicles includes a pair of inboard, laterally-spaced air springs disposed within or below the vehicle frame each in communication with a separate reservoir compartment. The air springs are connected to a transverse tubular cross member at their upper ends, which may function as to the air reservoir compartments and are seated on the interior ends of transverse levers, each lever articulating on a floating walking beam. Each floating transverse lever may be pivotally connected at its outer end to the lower end of an outrigger bracket which is mounted at its upper end on the frame of the vehicle. A rubber spring preferably is interposed between the outer end of the transverse lever and the outrigger bracket.Upper torque rods interconnect the tandem axles and the vehicle frame, while lower torque rods interconnect the frame support bracket and the tandem axles.

Abstract: An adjustable torque rod having a pair of identical, transversely-serrated mating castings disposed intermediate the torque rod ends secured together by a bolt passing through mating slots formed in the castings for longitudinal axial adjustment.The transverse serrations preferably are formed on generally planar surfaces, said surfaces inclined at an angle up to about 40.degree., preferably about 20.degree., to the longitudinal axis of the torque rod.

Abstract: An axle suspension system for a vehicle including a pair of torque rods splayed or outwardly angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle in which the torque rods cross each other and are flexibly connected to the vehicle chassis at their outer ends and flexibly connected to an axle at their inner ends, typically at a level above the axle corresponding to the level of and in proximity to the roll center of the vehicle chassis. In one embodiment, one of said torque rods curved upwardly in a vertical plane crosses the other of said torque rods curved downwardly in a vertical plane whereby interference between them is avoided. In another embodiment, one of the torque rods passes through an enlarged opening in the other torque rod to avoid interference between the torque rods.

Abstract: A spigot assembly for attaching a knuckle of a vehicle to a relatively movable part of the vehicle by way of a bushing having a bore and ends adapted to be held within the knuckle. The major parts of the assembly include a spigot having a base arranged to be rigidly secured to the vehicle part and a tubular projection extending from the base. The projection includes an outer end defining a first annular surface facing axially outwardly of the projection. A tubular cap is provided having on its inner end a second annular surface and engageable in abutting relation with the first annular surface of the projection. A centering and aligning means is located at the inner end of the cap to ensure registry of the first and second annular surfaces.

Abstract: A rubber spring for vehicle suspensions of generally cylindrical form, and with smooth, uninterrupted external side faces, and having an axial cavity of divergent/convergent form. The cavity has a small cross-sectional area at the end faces of the spring, and has a maximum cross-sectional area preferably at two transverse planes spaced on opposite sides on the axial center of the spring. The cross-sectional area of the rubber is minimized at these two transverse planes, and is maximized at the central transverse plane which corresponds to the minimum diameter of the cavity. As used in a preferred suspension, the spring is held within a metal cylinder, which serves both to restrict lateral expansion so increasing the spring rate at heavy loads, and also applies frictional damping forces to the sides of the rubber spring.