With Spring Suspension Means Patents (Class 280/787)
  • Patent number: 8950779
    Abstract: A golf cart includes a frame, an adjuster, and a pair of suspension assemblies that reduce changes in camber angles in a pair of wheels caused by an adjustment of a ground clearance. The adjuster includes a pair of first adjusting portions and a pair of second adjusting portions. Each of the first adjusting portions includes a first upper hole and a first lower hole. Each of the second adjusting portions includes a second upper hole and a second lower hole. Each suspension assembly includes a damper and an arm portion. When the golf cart is set to a high ground clearance, the first adjusting portions are installed between the frame and the dampers, and the second adjusting portions are installed between the frame and the arm portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Yamaha Motor Power Products Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuta Inoue, Ken Itou, Yuya Sato
  • Patent number: 8925966
    Abstract: A golf cart includes a frame, an adjuster, and a pair of suspension assemblies that reduce changes in camber angles in a pair of wheels caused by an adjustment of a ground clearance. The adjuster includes a pair of first adjusting portions and a pair of second adjusting portions. Each of the first adjusting portions includes a first upper hole and a first lower hole. Each of the second adjusting portions includes a second upper hole and a second lower hole. Each suspension assembly includes a damper and an arm portion. When the golf cart is set to a high ground clearance, the first adjusting portions are installed between the frame and the dampers, and the second adjusting portions are installed between the frame and the arm portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Yamaha Motor Power Products Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuta Inoue, Ken Itou, Yuya Sato
  • Patent number: 8801037
    Abstract: A golf cart includes a frame, an adjuster, and a pair of suspension assemblies that reduce changes in camber angles in a pair of wheels caused by an adjustment of a ground clearance. The adjuster includes a pair of first adjusting portions and a pair of second adjusting portions. Each of the first adjusting portions includes a first upper hole and a first lower hole. Each of the second adjusting portions includes a second upper hole and a second lower hole. Each suspension assembly includes a damper and an arm portion. When the golf cart is set to a high ground clearance, the first adjusting portions are installed between the frame and the dampers, and the second adjusting portions are installed between the frame and the arm portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Motor Power Products Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuta Inoue, Ken Itou, Yuya Sato
  • Patent number: 8695746
    Abstract: A three wheeled vehicle is disclosed having a vehicle frame with a frame sidewall providing a substantially flat surface, with recesses in the flat surface. Alignment arms have inner ends and outer ends, where the inner ends are mounted to the frame sidewall, and the outer ends mount a wheel hub. The inner ends have couplings with pivotal portions and fixed portions, the pivotal portions being at least partially positioned within the recesses, and the fixed portions being attached to the substantially flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: James A. J. Holroyd, Gustavo A. Aramayo, Jason J. Hohenstein, Mathew Bradley Wiest, Jeffrey D. Bennett, Mark Alan Ziliak
  • Patent number: 8342556
    Abstract: A truck for towing a trailer includes a vehicle frame spine, a pair of suspension assemblies extending from either side of the vehicle frame spine and each supports a drive assembly at an end distal to the vehicle frame spine. Extensible struts are positioned between the vehicle frame spine and the drive assemblies allowing selection of vehicle drive height from a driving surface. A fifth wheel assembly is supported from the vehicle frame spine located above the drive assemblies. The fifth wheel assembly includes a fifth wheel and a fifth wheel lift which varies spacing of the fifth wheel from the vehicle frame spine. Control system selects strut extension based on a selected vehicle drive height and operates the lift assembly to counteract changes in vehicle drive height and maintain a constant fifth wheel drive height relative to the driving surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Navistar Canada, Inc.
    Inventor: Leo P. Oriet
  • Patent number: 7815008
    Abstract: The invention relates firstly to a frame construction for a road vehicle, comprising a main frame of, for example, a motorcycle. This main frame is on the front edge provided with a fork head. A front frame is also provided, which is suspended from the fork head. In addition, the front frame is fastened to the main frame by means of further, separate front suspension means. Further, a rear frame can also be provided, which is provided with rear suspension means standardly present on the main frame. The rear frame can possess a drive train having a differential, the housing of which can be driven by means of a chain or pulley transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: Sandy Augustinus Maria Poglavec
  • Patent number: 7651312
    Abstract: A truck includes a chassis 1 supporting a cab 3 and a deck 9 which is supported at least by a rearmost axle 15 and wheels 17. The deck 9 is tiltable relative to the chassis 1 about a pivot axis 27 located in front of the rearmost axle 15 of the truck and arranged such that as the deck 9 tilts rearwardly, the chassis 1 tilts forwardly and the deck 9 lowers towards the rearmost axle. A forward part of a rear suspension arrangement may be operatively connected to the chassis 1 so that the forward part moves upwardly towards the deck 9 as the deck 9 is tilted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignees: HGW Trustee's Limited
    Inventors: Barry Douglas Armour, Richard Zane Wilson
  • Patent number: 7131666
    Abstract: A trailer for all terrain vehicles and/or snowmobiles for transporting injured persons from remote locations. Trailer has a frame of tubing, a main axle, spring and shock suspension, flotation type tires, IV pole with multiple mounting locations, carrier area for injured personnel transport, and accessory tube for attaching miscellaneous accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Empire Welding & Fabricating, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard C. Jenney
  • Patent number: 7040639
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure for securing sufficient interior space and for opposing the load for forcing the suspension to fall sideward by effectively using the existing members of the body structure, thereby improving the rigidity of the vehicle body. The structure has damper bases provided at both sides of the vehicle; a cross member portion between the damper bases; and gussets fastened to both ends of the cross member portion. Each gusset is attached at the outside of an interior of the vehicle to an upper wall and a side wall of each damper base, and typically has an upper wall combined with a bottom face of the upper wall of the damper base; a side wall fastened to an outer face of the side wall of the damper base; and front and rear walls, each being joined to the upper and side walls of the gusset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoyuki Tamura
  • Patent number: 6932388
    Abstract: A bolt-together trailer frame that can have either a torsion axle or a sprung axle attached thereto without modification of the trailer frame side members. The side frame of the trailer includes at least one axle cut-out with an axle cut-out reinforcement plate attached about the cut-out. A torsion axle is welded to the axle cut-out reinforcement plates. A sprung axle is attached to the trailer frame with a plurality of spring hangers to which leaf springs are connected. The axle of the sprung axle is then attached to the spring hangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Norco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Few, Bernard F. Garceau
  • Patent number: 6805379
    Abstract: In a vehicle frame having a first and second frame member extending along the vehicle and disposed spaced and parallel relative to each other, a sub-frame device for supporting a pick-up box. The sub-frame device is secured to the frame of the vehicle. An elongate first longitudinal member has a first and a second end, the first member being disposed adjacent to and extending parallel relative to the first frame member. An elongate second longitudinal member having a first and a second extremity, is disposed adjacent to and extends parallel relative to the second frame member. The longitudinal members are disposed such that the frame members are disposed between the longitudinal members. A plurality of cross members extend between the longitudinal members. A first and second resilient support are disposed between the longitudinal members for resiliently supporting the sub-frame device relative to the frame of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Monroe Truck Equipment Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Nommensen
  • Publication number: 20040195818
    Abstract: The reverse shackle system is designed to reverse the OEM leaf spring mounting design by moving the stationary mount to the front of the leaf spring in the front suspension increasing steering and handling stability. The roller bumper is designed to enable ascending on boulders utilizing a steel tube shafted by another steel tube creating a front roller. The front mounting component for reverse shackle system and roller bumper is a one piece unit providing a ridgidness of the portion of the vehicle frame. The front and rear suspension drop-arm shackle mounts are a system to increase front and rear independent suspension drop or wheel articulation. The drop-arm shackle mount pivots and drops allowing increase independent wheel travel. The rear leaf spring mounting system allows for movement of rear axle rearward for large tire applications as well as increased independent drop and wheel travel. The mounting front and rear mounting system allows for a 2″ or 4″ suspension lift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Frank A. Borke, George C. Stickles
  • Patent number: 6799781
    Abstract: A frame for an ATV comprises a support module with a central opening defining an engine receiving space. The support module includes a first frame member and a second frame member with at least one cross member extending between the first and second frame members. At least a portion of the support module, which includes one of the frame members and the at least one cross member, consists essentially of a single beam. The single beam may be considered a modular central beam of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventors: Mihai Rasidescu, Daniel Mercier
  • Publication number: 20030234529
    Abstract: A suspension for coupling a steer axle assembly to a vehicle frame is provided that moves one or more of the spring reaction points outboard to increase roll stiffness and enable the use of a lighter axle. In one embodiment of the invention, the suspension includes a spring coupled to the vehicle frame and a shock absorber having a first end coupled to the spring and a second end coupled to a component of the steer axle assembly, such as the kingpin, at a location outboard of a longitudinal frame rail of the vehicle frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: James F. Ziech, Michael L. Zebolsky
  • Patent number: 6158773
    Abstract: A frame for a vehicle with at least two longitudinal members (8) and at least one wheel shaft (5) supported on suspension members (6) that are fixed to the longitudinal members (8). The longitudinal members (8) are made of composite material and various parts of the frame are glued together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Groep Stevens International, nv
    Inventor: Jan Verhaeghe
  • Patent number: 5700033
    Abstract: A full perimeter vehicle frame is described having two siderails and at least one cross member having a zigzag shape which allows it to be easily removable from the siderails. The removable cross member can be square or tubular in cross section and is configured having a first end and a second end which are parallel, but offset from each other and a central portion which extends at an angle between the first end and the second end. The siderails each have an aperture which extends through the siderail from an inner side to an outer side of each siderail. One of the apertures is located at an axial position on a siderail which is offset from the other aperture located on the other siderail. These two apertures are offset the same axial distance as the amount of distance the first and second ends of the cross member are offset from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: John A. Beckman
  • Patent number: 5584510
    Abstract: The invention concerns a chassis (1) of the beam type for a motor vehicle comprising a central beam (4), characterised in that it comprises at least one elongated member (6, 8) attached to said central beam (4) and extending substantially parallel to said central beam (4), and in that the end portions (6a, 6b, 8a, 8b) of said elongated member (6, 8) extend beyond the ends (4a, 4b) of said central beam (4) at the front and the rear of said chassis (1) and are arranged to be deformed and to absorb energy in case of a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: SMH Management Services AG
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Thuliez
  • Patent number: 5362121
    Abstract: A holder for attachment to the underside of a vehicle bodywork for use as a suspension seating. The holder consists of a twin-chambered, extruded aluminum section, which is generally L-shaped in cross-section, and includes a first substantially upright box section which forms the support arm, and a second substantially horizontal box section which forms the support seating surface. The upright support arm is secured, preferably by welding, to a longitudinal support member of the vehicle bodywork. The L-bend region of the support arm includes an internal connecting ridge member which further stiffens the holder in the direction of loading. The bottom seating surface is provided with a relief portion for receiving the protruded end associated with a car jack, a straightening bench, a transport frame, etc. In accordance with the method aspect of the invention, the holders are cut at predetermined section widths from a single extrusion such that both left side and right side holders are made from one extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Audi A.G.
    Inventors: Norbert Enning, Klaus P. Rinke, Walter Schmale, Heinrich Timm
  • Patent number: 5273317
    Abstract: A truck frame (100) for use hauling heavy loads in a dump body (14) pivotally attached thereto utilizes a first beam (102) as a central spline for the truck (10). The first beam (102) is constructed by welding steel sheeting together around a plurality of support gussets (124). A pyramidal structure (102) connects this first beam (102) to a second beam (106). A pair of outriggers (110) extend from the second beam (106). The front suspension attaches the front wheels (16) of the truck (10) to the frame (100). The rear wheels (18) attach to the distal end of the first beam (102c) by the rear suspension (24). A cab support structure (120) extends across the proximal end of the first beam (102a). The monobeam construction allows for the use of two engines (30) mounted on either side of the first beam (102). If two engines are used, a second pair of outriggers (130 ) are utilized for support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Komatsu Dresser Company
    Inventors: James F. Kunz, Edward G. Orth
  • Patent number: 5060975
    Abstract: The part-mounting structure of the present invention includes a part-mounting portion of a sandwich structure constituted by a core layer and plastic skin layers formed on both surfaces of the core layer, and a part-mounting metal member, at least one of the skin layers having a tapered recess having a sloped side wall and a flat bottom wall, the bottom wall being constituted by the skin layers bonded together, the part-mounting metal member having a bottom plate, and a pair of side plates vertically extending from the bottom plate substantially on both sides, at least one of the side plates having a dent tapered complementarily to the tapered recess of the sandwich structure. The part-mounting metal member is mounted to the part-mounting portion of the sandwich structure with a surface of the tapered recess of the sandwich structure and a surface of the tapered dent of the part-mounting metal member bonded together by an adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoichi Sano, Suguru Yoshida, Ken Uchida, Hajime Kajiwara, Masao Ohno, Tateo Kawade
  • Patent number: 5033567
    Abstract: A novel low profile vehicle, and a novel method for converting normal profile vehicles into the same, is disclosed. The low profile vehicle disclosed herein is adapted for use in a variety of applications, such as mining operations and aircraft maintenance applications. Selected components and assemblies found in a normal profile vehicle are removed from the normal profile vehicle's original frame and retained and/or modified for use in a completed low profile vehicle in accordance with the present invention. The operator's cab of the original normal profile vehicle is modified for use in the completed low profile vehicle. A frame extension is added to the forward end of the frame of the normal profile vehicle to form a split level frame in a position forward of the front wheels. The cab is shortened and otherwise modified and attached to the frame extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: David J. Washburn
    Inventors: David J. Washburn, Glenn L. Enke
  • Patent number: 4924961
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle for gardening and agricultural work provided with four wheels, of which at least two are drive wheels, and an engine, comprising a frame consisting essentially of a longitudinally extending beam preferably of hollow box section and internally housing the drive shaft or shafts. It is provided with a least one power take-off, and preferably two, of which one is at the front and one is at the rear. The vehicle is preferably provided with a steering handlebar and a seat for the operator. Preferably, the engine is positioned at the rear and at least the front wheels are drive wheels. The vehicle is provided with a gearbox and preferably a separate quick-reversing mechanism. This mechanism and the gearbox are housed in casings preferably disposed on the axis of the beam-frame to form a structural part thereof.The vehicle is suitable for fast travel on and off the road and for use as a vehicle without the addition of implements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: BCS S.p.A.
    Inventor: Guido Bernardi
  • Patent number: 4630547
    Abstract: A railway car underframe includes a center sill having a central section and opposite end sections. The sill includes spaced vertical walls, and upper and lower walls which are slotted in registry the length of the central section, and which form in cross section a spaced I-beam construction. The construction provides a sill having high torsional flexibility which is necessary to accommodate the railway car to track conditions tending to derail the car when single axle suspensions with two wheels are utilized. The sill also includes a separator in the form of a channel which includes flanges at its sides which are secured to the vertical walls of the sill. The separator extends substantially the length of the slots and is effective to resist lateral forces tending to buckle or permanently deform the sill during operation, while not adversely affecting the high torsional flexibility which is required in the sill structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: Pullman Standard Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip G. Przybylinski, John H. Spence
  • Patent number: 4630546
    Abstract: A railway car underframe includes a centersill having a central section and opposite end sections. The sill includes spaced vertical walls, and upper and lower walls which are slotted and in registry the length of the central section, and which form in cross section a spaced I-beam construction. The construction provides a sill having high torsional flexibility which is necessary to accommodate the railway car to track conditions tending to derail the car when single axle trucks with two wheels are utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: Pullman Standard Inc.
    Inventors: Henry K. Wiger, Manfred Katz
  • Patent number: 4630548
    Abstract: A railway car underframe includes a center sill having a central section and opposite end sections. The sill includes spaced vertical walls, and upper and lower walls which are slotted in registry the length of the central section, and which form in cross section a spaced I-beam construction. The construction provides a sill having high torsional flexibility which is necessary to accommodate the railway car to track conditions tending to derail the car when single axle suspensions with two wheels are utilized. The sill also includes a separator in the form of a channel which includes flanges at its sides which are secured to the vertical walls of the sill. The separator extends substantially the length of the slots and is effective to resist lateral forces tending to buckle during operation while not adversely affecting the high torsional flexibility which is required in the sill structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: Pullman Standard Inc.
    Inventors: Henry K. Wiger, Phillip G. Przybylinski
  • Patent number: 4249627
    Abstract: A chassis and suspension arrangement for a front engine and rear driven motor vehicle which has a flexurally and torsionally stiff tubular member surrounding the driveshaft and connected rigidly at its front end to the engine and transmission unit and its rear end to a differential and pivotably mounted about a longitudinal axis to the rear axle crossmember through two longitudinally spaced elastomeric elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1981
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Walter Voll, Anton Matheis
  • Patent number: 4229021
    Abstract: A motor vehicle encompassing a chassis which includes a front and rear axle and a vehicle body which is supported upon the chassis by at least two connecting parts in such manner that the body may move in a translatory manner with respect to the chassis while being capable of pivoting about an axis located in the driving direction. Additionally, the support of at least one of each wheels springs is coordinated between the corresponding axle and the vehicle body. The connecting part includes a support column which, at its upper end, is elastically connected to the vehicle body by a substantially central bearing support and, at its lower end, is supported upon the chassis by several bearing supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1980
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Walter Schmid, Karl Wilfert, deceased, by Thomas Wilfert, legal heir