Abstract: A suspension system having a torque beam with a bushing for connecting the torque beams to a hanger. The torque beam can be telescopingly received in a sleeve of an axle seat assembly. There are a number of different axle seat assemblies for accommodating various vehicles but all have the sleeve so that one form of torque beam can be used with any one of the axle seat assemblies. The bushing has strategically located recesses to facilitate flow of the bushing member and to make it more yieldable in a vertical direction than in a longitudinal direction. An annular groove in the outer wall of the bushing also improves flow under compression of the bushing member. The telescoping connection between the torque beam and an axle seat assembly may include knock-away components to facilitate breaking the components apart in the event they become rusted together.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system having a torque beam pivotally supported from the vehicle chassis and an axle seat assembly connected to an axle with a telescoping connection between the torque rod beam and the axle seat assembly. The axle seat assembly has a telescoping component with slots in its side walls separating the telescoping component into separable sections. Flanges on the upper and lower sections can be connected by bolts. Bars on the torque beam extend through the slots and also can be connected by the bolts. Spaces are provided to span the distance between the bar and the upper and lower flanges to prevent bending of the flanges when the bolts are tightened.

Abstract: A suspension system for the idlers and guide wheels, and related structures, of a belted track-type vehicle provides cushioning for the vehicle and components as the vehicle traverses obstacles and uneven terrain. The suspension system also provides tensioning and recoil for the endless track belt during ingestion of foreign material between the belt and the idler wheel. The suspension system includes a plurality of hydropneumatic struts connected between the vehicle frame and various belt guiding and supporting components. Most endless track machines utilize auxiliary frame assembles on each side of the main vehicle frame to support track guiding rollers, idler wheels, suspension systems, and track recoil mechanisms. These auxiliary frame assembles are bulky, heavy, and complicated and generally limit the total amount of suspension and recoil afforded to the idler wheels and track guide wheels.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle equipped with a pair of belts arranged on opposite lateral sides of the vehicle's frame wherein each belt is entrained about an elevated drive wheel, a front and a rear idler wheel, and roller wheels arranged longitudinally between the idler wheels. Resilient front, intermediate, and rear struts connected respectively between the frame and a support apparatus of which the front idler comprises a portion, between the frame and one set of roller wheels, and between the frame and the rear idler wheel provide the vertical support for the vehicle's frame. Fluid interconnection of the front struts provides lateral load sharing during low speed vehicle operation and, during high speed vehicle operation, fluid interconnection of each front strut with its own accumulator provides independent suspension. Selective fluid interconnection of the rear strut with a recoil strut which provides the desired belt tension maintains belt to wheel engagement for high speed vehicular operation.

Abstract: A track-type vehicle capable of high speed operation over rough terrain includes a frame supported by lefthand and righthand suspension mechanisms individually having a plurality of hydropneumatically actuated struts for supporting the frame on a plurality of wheels. An elastomeric drive belt is entrained about these wheels and is frictionally driven by an elevated drive wheel. Forces from several struts are directed into the frame in a centralized common region which minimizes rocking of the vehicle. A front idler wheel is urged forwardly and downwardly against the drive belt by a hydropneumatically actuated recoil mechanism, and a front strut also acts on the front idler wheel to resiliently urge it downwardly. A plurality of pivoting members are cooperatively connected to the struts to more evenly distribute forces against the drive belt.

Abstract: A rear wheel suspension system for straddle carriers wherein a pair of axle mount plates are positioned on each side of the rear end of the carrier frame and each being swingably mounted on a transverse axis trunnion secured to a depending box beam on the straddle carrier frame. Rear wheel axle assemblies for pairs of tandem rear wheels are carried by the medial portions of the axle mount plates. Air springs and shock absorbers are interconnected bewteen the axle mount plates and the carrier frame.

Abstract: A hanger depending downwardly from a side of the chassis supports a torque beam and a lift spring which is mounted between a plate and the torque beam. A cross channel assembly is connected between the hangers of opposite sides of the vehicle. The forward central portion of a wishbone stabilizer assembly is connected to the center of the channel assembly by a special resilient spring and bushing assembly. The wishbone stabilizer assembly has diverging arms. The rearward end of each arm is journalled on a bushing assembly that is mounted in an axle seat assembly. Similarly, the rearward end of the torque beam is journalled on a bushing assembly that is also mounted in the axle seat assembly, and in a longitudinal direction, the stabilizer arm and the torque beam act as a parallelogram to stabilize the axle seat and maintain the pitch of the axle. An air spring is mounted between the axle seat and the chassis and is located directly above the axle.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly for tandem drive axles has a suspension system for each axle. Each suspension system incorporates two lower torque beams on each side of the vehicle and a single central upper torque rod. A central hanger is mounted between the two axles. The lower torque beams are pivotally connected between the hanger and an axle seat. A straddle bracket connects the axle to the axle seat in a hinged fashion. The upper central torque rod is connected between the upper side of the axle housing and the chassis. The lower torque beams act as a parallelogram to stabilize the axle seat. They also act together with a portion of the axle seat as a composite lower torque rod cooperating with the upper torque rod to stabilize the axle.

Abstract: Axle-chassis connecting device is particularly for a commercial vehicle having two tandem axles of the hydropneumatic suspension type. The vertical load coming from the chassis is transmitted directly to the wheels by jacks (23) without passing through the axle tanks, and is taken into account near the wheel plane by means of a multifunction part (20) which further assures, simultaneously, the connection of the axle to the chassis by a longitudinal guide rod (26) and the transmission of the braking torques coming from the braking means (35).

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system having a longitudinally extending beam assembly with a medial section connected to the vehicle axle, a forward end that provides a spring seat for a front air spring, and a rearward end that provides a spring seat for a rear air spring. The air springs are outriggered by mounting brackets that project outboard of the beam assembly. Upper outboard projecting mounting brackets are connected to the vehicle chassis. The beam assembly has a special stepped configuration to avoid interference with existing vehicle components while providing the desired distribution of loads between the air springs. The suspension system incorporates two air springs and two shock absorbers on each side of the vehicle. A parallelogram is provided by upper and lower torque rods. The lower torque rod is of large cross section to provide increased strength and to allow for mounting on large heavy-duty bushings so that the torque rod can transfer push and pull loads.

Abstract: A spring support system for tandem axles that supports the adjacent ends of the springs which support the front and rear tandem axles in the center and automatically adjusts the level of the trailer as load changes by having inflatable air bags that support a movable cross beam relative to the trailer frame. The spring ends are mounted on the movable cross beam. Air bags are inflated at a pressure that is automatically adjusted to be proportional to the load on the trailer. The air bags provide an air cushion support for smoother and more trouble free operation. The movement is guided adequately so that the support is very stable, by automatically adjusting the stiffness of the pneumatic bags which compensate for differing loads.

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: A vehicle suspension system having a low roll center to reduce lateral shifting and jolting, in combination with a stabilizer assembly to provide high roll stability is provided. In a preferred embodiment the roll center of the vehicle is positioned below the vehicle axles to reduce lateral shifting of the wheels with respect to the chassis. The stabilizer assembly is positioned above the axles and couples each axle of the tandem axle pair to the other to require counterbalancing movement of the axles for high roll resistance. The stabilizer assembly is mounted to the vehicle chassis at locations spaced apart from each axle to further reduce the degree of lateral shifting of the wheels with respect to the chassis.

Abstract: A tractor having a wheel (15) on the end of each of a pair of pivot arms (13) having a comon central pivot axis (12). A hydraulic cylinder (16) is attached to each arm (13) intermediate the pivot axis (12) and the wheel (15) and to a centrally located bracket (17) on the frame located directly above the pivot axis 12.

Abstract: An air ride, high axle lift tandem comprising two stub-axle mountings each with an air spring and a hydraulic cylinder to lift the stub axle and all mounted upon a single pedestal in a manner to be so compact and simple as to enable the entire assembly to be sold as a unit as, for example, in a kit.

Abstract: A plurality of interconnected air bag assemblies suspend a frame above a vehicle axle or similar support member to provide a low vertical spring rate and a high roll spring. The air bag assemblies comprise a pair of air bags and a piston suspended therebetween. In one preferred embodiment a net effective area which decreases with upward movement of the piston combines with an air bag interconnection system to provide the desired spring rates. Alternate embodiments use offset connection in place of, or in conjunction with the tapered pistons. The air bag assemblies of tandem axles are interconnected to provide equalization in a preferred embodiment.

Abstract: A first embodiment of a suspension supports a vehicle from a drive axle and includes a forward hanger and a rearward hanger depending downwardly from the chassis, an axle seat assembly attaching the suspension to the axle, a first torque arm pivotally connected between the axle seat asssembly and the forward hanger, a second torque arm pivotally connected between the axle seat assembly and the rear hanger, a central elastomer spring mounted between opposing surfaces of the torque arms, and an upper radius rod pivotally connected and extending between the forward hanger and axle seat assembly to form a parallelogram with the first torque arm to control and stabilize the axle. A second embodiment of the same suspension mounts a vehicle chassis to a steer axle with the radius rod being offset inwardly and the axle seat being mounted to the top of the steer axle to accommodate space limitations.

Abstract: A vehicle chassis is provided with a forward mounting portion and a front-to-rear extending trailing arm has its forward end pivotally supported from the mounting portion for oscillation about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the arm. The rear end portion of the arm is clampingly anchored to a corresponding axle end by a resilient material bushed clamp sleeve stationarily mounted on the axle end and clamped about the rear end of the trailing arm for limited angular displacement relative thereto and against longitudinal displacement relative to the trailing arm. By support from the clamp sleeve which is stationarily mounted on the axle end, the lower air bag mount portion is stationary relative to the axle end and the rear end of the trailing arm may oscillate slightly relative to the clamp sleeve.

Abstract: A rough terrain vehicle has a frame for supporting lading and equipment especially adapted for off-road, rough country use. The frame is supported on four wheels through pivot arms and hydraulically interconnected expansible chambers subject to manual hydraulic control. The vehicle is preferably self-propelled by an engine that also drives the hydraulic mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle with at least three axles two of which are combined to form a double-axle unit and which are resiliently connected to a frame. The vehicle furthermore comprises a first device for automatically lifting and lowering one axle of the double-axle unit while a control element is provided for controlling the lifting and lowering device in conformity with the respective axle load. The vehicle also comprises a second device which ascertains the respective total vehicle load to be taken over by the respective double-axle unit or the measured values of the vehicle load and actuates the control element in conformity with the total vehicle load or ascertained measured values.

Abstract: A liftable tandem axle suspension for a trailer including a central trunion frame mounted on the trailer frame, a front non-liftable axle assembly pivotally mounted on the central trunion frame and extending forwardly thereof, and a rear liftable axle assembly pivotally mounted on the central trunion frame and extending rearwardly thereof so that the rear axle assembly can be lifted when the trailer is not loaded.

Abstract: Tandem wheels are carried on arms trailing from a hinge point to a vehicle chassis. The forward wheel trailing arm extends rearwardly of the wheel to termination under an air bag. The rear wheel trailing arm extends forwardly of chassis hinge point to termination on the top side of the same air bag associated with the forward trailing arm. The distance from each hinge point to the air bag is identical, and the distance from each wheel center to the associated hinge point is identical. A mechanical linkage measures the height of the air bag and either supplies additional air to or vents air from the bag, as required, to restore the bag to a predetermined height.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tandem wheel arrangement for construction vehicles, such as a motor grader. Most particularly the invention relates to such an arrangement wherein both the forward and rearward wheels of the tandem wheel arrangement are mounted to levers and the levers are mounted to the vehicle frame. For example, when one of the roadwheels becomes elevated relative to the other when such roadwheel runs over a rock, a fluid circuit including cylinders interconnected between the vehicle frame and the levers, functions to change the lever relationship between the ascending and descending roadwheels such that the resistance to upward motion of the ascending wheel is reduced, a lowering force is imposed on the descending wheel to increase tractive effort thereof and the upward movement of the frame is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a multiple axle articulated suspension structure and system for vehicles wherein road and tire excitations of each axle are isolated from their opposing axle, as well as from the sprung mass. This is accomplished in a preferred embodiment of my invention via deflections in a combination integrally damped multiple spring means system including a pressure resistant air spring and a self-damping compressive resistant elastomer having high hysteresis characteristics, operatively providing a progressively increasing spring rate. The elastomer is disposed entirely within and functions in parallel with the air spring, such that the compressive resistance of the air spring supplements or augments that of the elastomer, and the high hysteresis of the elastomer serves to dampen fluctuations or deflective excitations induced in the air spring during what as known as jounce conditions.

Abstract: A construction vehicle has pairs of tandem roadwheels on each side thereof. The pairs of tandem roadwheels are simultaneously coordinatively anglable relative to the frame to accomplish steering thereof. The roadwheels are mounted to strut cylinders which act as kingpins therefor. A linkage is provided that allows for simultaneous coordinative angling of the roadwheels through pivoting at the kingpins.

Abstract: An inflatable spring for vehicle usage comprising a flexible wall tube or hose folded lengthwise upon itself to define inflatable upper and lower portions. The ends of the tube are sealed by clamping plates, and communication between the inflatable portions is established by a conduit communicating with the portions and passing through the sealed tube ends intermediate the clamping plates.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a multiple axle truck suspension structure and system for vehicles wherein road and tire excitations of each axle are isolated from their opposing axle, as well as from the sprung mass. This is accomplished via deflections of pressure-resistant spring means and load-equalizing supports. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, a truck version of my novel vehicle suspension system is disclosed as having separately trunnioned rocker beam assemblies supported by cross axles, and wherein an equalizer interconnects air and elastomeric spring means. The equalizer is pivotally connected to either one or both vertical legs of opposing rocker beams, and is reactive on opposing axles, to enable more instantaneous dynamic deflecton of the combined air and elastomeric spring means than the elastomeric hysteresis would otherwise permit. The air spring relieves the hysteresis resistance of the elastomeric spring means on initial impacts.

Abstract: A low transport vehicle has a platform carried by a number of wheels arranged in a transverse row, hydraulic means being provided to raise and to lower the platform. In order to prevent a tilting of the cargo during voyage with the platform with respect to the wheels in raised position, the hydraulic system is arranged in such a manner that a ram operating an outward wheel in the row may be blocked-off from the system if the pressure in the system at the opposite end of the row falls below a predetermined value.

Abstract: The suspension, as mounted in duplicate to a truck or trailer frame midway between fore and rear axles of a rear axle pair, is located relatively closely adjacent the rear of said frame; and it utilizes but a single air bag or spring unit, horizontally interposed medially between the axles, yet well spaced forwardly and inwardly from their wheel tires, as a springing agency.This unit acts vertically between the frame and a horizontal rocker arm assembly of the suspension that is coupled front-to-rear with a pair of generally similar leaf spring sets. The suspension affords an equal loading of the leading and trailing rear axles by a total of only two such air springs, each coacting with a fully floating beam, this beam being slidably associated between said spring sets.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension more particularly for three pairs of ground-engaging wheels at the back of a semi-trailer. The axle of each wheel is carried by the free end of a crank arm pivoted intermediate its ends to a support member secured to and projecting underneath the semi-trailer chassis. The other end of each crank arm is pivotally connected to the piston rod of a single-acting hydraulic cylinder and piston unit, the cylinder of which is pivotally connected to a support secured to the vehicle chassis. All the cylinders of the units on one side of the trailer chassis are interconnected by flexible hydraulic tubing. The set of units on one side of the semi-traler are not connected to the set of units on the other side of the trailer and the wheel axles on one side of the trailer are independent of the wheel axles on the other side of the trailer. A predetermined amount of hydraulic fluid fills the cylinders.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a multiple axle articulated suspension structure and system for vehicles wherein road and tire excitations of each axle are isolated from their opposing axle, as well as from the sprung mass. This is accomplished via deflections of pressure-resistant spring means and load-equalizing supports. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, a tandem axle vehicle suspension system having separately trunnioned rocker beam assemblies supported by cross axles is secured in a novel manner to a combination of self-dampening multiple spring means wherein, while each component spring means is not self-dampening, each combination thereof is self-dampening, and wherein air, elastomeric and hydraulic spring means are combined in a number of combinations thereof.

Abstract: A tandem axle suspension system for a vehicle includes a first axle including non-adjustable fixed spring means for connecting the axle for support of the frame of the vehicle, and a second axle including an adjustable hydraulic spring means and including leveling valve means responsive to the distance between the second axle and the frame means for controlling communication of fluid to the second or adjustable hydraulic spring means.

Abstract: A tandem axle suspension assembly for a vehicle includes a pair of axles pivotally supported to the vehicle frame and including resilient means supporting the frame above each of the axles. The resilient means includes fluid cylinders for each of the axles and a source of fluid in open communication with both sets of cylinders and an accumulator to maintain an even load distribution on the respective axles. The fluid system includes a valve responsive to the position of one of the axles with respect to the frame to maintain the frame and axles at a predetermined distance apart. Means are also provided for raising one of the axles from contact with the supporting ground.

Abstract: A control valve is disposed between automatic level control means of hydropneumatic shock absorbers and a pressurized hydraulic fluid source to normally provide fluid communication therebetween. The control valve blocks fluid communication therebetween in response to a difference between the relative displacement or distance between a sprung part of the vehicle and a first unsprung part thereof and the relative displacement or distance between the sprung part and a second unsprung part of the vehicle.