Camber Or Caster Patents (Class 280/86.751)
  • Publication number: 20060237919
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for establishing a caster angle of a vehicle suspension system. The apparatus includes two air reservoirs, each reservoir having an extendable piston rod. The air reservoirs are juxtaposed, and are pivotally connected to a single bell crank. In particular, the bell crank is pivotally connected to each piston rod, and to a control arm of the vehicle suspension system for establishing the caster angle. Concerted pressurizing and exhausting of the air reservoirs extends and retracts the piston rods, causing the bell crank to rotate. Rotation of the bell crank induces movement of the control arm which translates into a rotation of an axle to a desired caster angle. In one embodiment, one air reservoir is a multi-chamber reservoir capable of doubling the force used to extend the piston rod, rotate the bell crank and adjust the caster angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Inventor: William Mattocks
  • Patent number: 7111849
    Abstract: An actuator assembly for a suspension is provided, in which a hinge unit is formed on an actuator and the actuator can be rotated according to a forward or backward movement of a rod, and thereby it is possible to prevent sliding at the joint of the lever and the actuator, thus to secure durability of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seok-Chan Yun
  • Patent number: 7108271
    Abstract: A wheel suspension system including a wheel support pivotally attached to a vehicle frame at two, laterally-spaced locations, the wheel support being pivotal between an uppermost and a lowermost position. The wheel support is biased to a position intermediate of the uppermost and lowermost positions by a spring. The spring urges apart a spring support of the wheel support from the vehicle frame, the spring support being below the rotational axis of the wheel. The pivotal axes of the pivotal attachments are located below the rotational axis of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Inventor: Earl Dallas Smith
  • Patent number: 7096533
    Abstract: A locking roller assembly includes a housing adapted for mounting to an article of furniture. A wheel is rotatably mounted to the housing via a mounting arrangement that accommodates relative vertical movement between the wheel and the housing. The wheel is mounted to an axle, which in turn is secured to an axle carrier. A biasing member, such as a spring, is engaged between the housing and the axle carrier to bias the housing toward a raised position. When a load is applied to the article of furniture, the spring is compressed so as to allow the housing to move vertically downward toward the wheel. The housing includes an engagement surface that engages the wheel when the load is applied and the housing is moved downwardly, to prevent rotation of the wheel and to thereby prevent movement of the article of furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Kruegar International, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis G. Griepentrog
  • Patent number: 7083176
    Abstract: Control arms used to support a swivel member retaining a wheel of a vehicle are attached to the body or frame rail of the vehicle by U-shaped attachment brackets having walls with lateral slots therein, each of which receives a mounting bolt therethrough. The mounting bolts pass through bushings in the ends of the control arms to pivot the control arms on the vehicle body or frame rail. Adjacent to the heads of the bolts are pairs of reaction surfaces that in one embodiment of the invention are pairs of opposed projecting surfaces on the attachment brackets. Separate tools are provided which have cams thereon each having a first peripheral cam surface for engaging one of the reaction surfaces and a second peripheral cam surface for engaging the other reaction surface. Upon loosening nuts threaded on the mounting bolts and rotating the cams with levers, socket wrench handles or other drives, the bolts shift laterally in the lateral slots enabling adjustment of the camber and caster of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Soles, Scott A. Kolp
  • Publication number: 20060138740
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wheel angle adjustment apparatus for automobile suspension systems. The wheel angle adjustment apparatus of the present invention has a structure such that upper, lower, left and right gaps between a spindle bracket and a wheel bracket are changed by tightening or loosening a plurality of locking bolts that couples the spindle bracket and the wheel bracket together. Therefore, toe and camber angles of each wheel are easily adjusted by tightening or loosening the locking bolts. In particular, when the present invention is used in a suspension system such as a torsion beam suspension system which has a structure such that a wheel alignment using a connection part provided between the automobile body and wheels is impossible, the wheels are easily aligned merely by adjusting the gap between the spindle bracket and the wheel bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventor: Duk-Woo Nam
  • Patent number: 7052024
    Abstract: A vehicular suspension assembly is applicable to both manual and power steering systems. In the suspension assembly, when the manual steering system and the power steering system are exchanged with each other, a strut, a lower arm and a frame are commonly used. Three mounting bolts of an insulator are eccentrically disposed relative to the center of the strut. A connector has an insertion hole which is eccentrically drilled on a connector. A bracket of the frame is shared by two applications. Thus, it is possible to perform all functions of both manual and power steering systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dall-Hee Jung
  • Publication number: 20060096686
    Abstract: A high-performance, low-profile tire for four-wheeled passenger car comprises a carcass comprised of at least two carcass cord plies each extending between a pair of bead cores and wound around the respective bead core from an inside of the tire toward an outside thereof, a belt comprised of high elasticity cord layers arranged on an outside of the carcass, a tread rubber arranged on an outside of the belt, a bead apex extending outward from the bead core in the radial direction of the tire and having a tapered sectional form, a flipper comprised of at least one layer of high elasticity cords arranged outside the carcass in the radial direction of the tire and wound around the bead core and bead apex from an inside of the tire toward an outside thereof, and at least one bead-side reinforcing layer of high elasticity cords arranged to pass between a turnup portion of the flipper and the bead apex and extend up to a vicinity of a tire maximum width, and has an aspect ratio of 35-55%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Publication date: May 11, 2006
    Inventor: Kazuo Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20060071439
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of controlling an actuator assembly for suspension systems. The actuator assembly control method of the present invention is possible to control the actuator assembly according to conditions of vehicle velocity and steering angle or vehicle velocity and steering angular velocity, thus reducing energy consumption, thereby increasing the efficiency of the actuator assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Applicant: Hyundai MOBIS Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-Kwang Kim
  • Patent number: 7021414
    Abstract: A birdcage assembly for a high performance vehicle includes a birdcage having an opening defined by an inner periphery. The birdcage is secured to a rear suspension of the vehicle and is maintained in a substantially vertical position. The opening is intended to receive a vehicle axle therethough. The opening has a bearing located therein, which includes an inner race, an outer race, and a plurality of rollers disposed between the inner race and the outer race. The inner race of the bearing is in communication and rotates with the vehicle rear axle. Further, the bearing is moveable with respect to the birdcage such that as the axle deviates from an orientation parallel to ground, the bearing can move with respect to the birdcage away from a vertical position. The floating aspect of the bearing with respect to the birdcage minimizes side loads on the birdcage are thus prolongs the life of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Wayne Campbell
  • Publication number: 20060049593
    Abstract: An angle adjustable camber assembly is adapted to support the wheel of a wheelchair having a seat, the rear of which is at a given rear seat height. The assembly comprises a movable member for supporting the wheel. The movable member is adapted to translate and rotate so as to be able to selectively position the wheel at any one of a variety of camber angles while substantially maintaining the rear seat height and a spacing between the top of the wheel and the seat frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Inventors: Philip Schreiber, Steven Lindquist, Allen Killebrew
  • Patent number: 7004484
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to the suspension and braking of all terrain vehicles (ATVs) are disclosed. An ATV having a frame and a wheel carrier coupled to the frame by a suspension is provided. A suspension in accordance with the present invention preferably has a side view instant center axis which intersects a strategic region. Methods in accordance with the present invention may be used to define the boundaries of the strategic region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Chevalier
  • Publication number: 20060017248
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a suspension and an insulator of the same. A plurality of car body points are uniformly spaced apart from each other on an imaginary circle formed by the car body points, and a strut point is eccentric from the center of the circle formed by the car body points. As the insulator is rotated about the center of the imaginary circle, relative positions of the strut point from the center of the imaginary circle are adjusted in the front and rear direction of a car body. Consequently, a caster angle is easily changed. Also, the caster angle is adjusted according to kinds of vehicles or depending on whether a power steering system is included or not without changing the structure of the suspension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Je Young Kang
  • Publication number: 20050280219
    Abstract: An active wheel suspension for suspending a wheel assembly from a sprung body of a wheeled vehicle, and adapted to permit a center of the wheel assembly to move relative to the sprung body through a jounce and rebound travel and defining a wheel center locus path relative to the body, the suspension including an actuator connected to both the wheel assembly and the sprung body and adapted to apply an active control force between the body and wheel assembly to move the wheel assembly. The wheel suspension is configured such that a tangent to the wheel center locus path is inclined rearward with respect to vertical with the wheel center at nominal ride height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventor: Steven Brown
  • Publication number: 20050247388
    Abstract: This invention relates to a tire suitable in a passenger car, particularly a tire being high in the resistance to hydroplaning on a wet road surface and low in the tire noise and having an asymmetric tread pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2003
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: Yasuo Ohsawa, Takafumi Sawada, Takanari Saguchi, Kazuto Fujita, Arata Tomita
  • Publication number: 20050218618
    Abstract: The present invention provides a suspension tuning device for vehicles with struts. More specifically the suspension tuning device generally comprises an upper plate, two lower plates and a strut mounting plate. The plates are constructed to mount juxtaposed to a standard strut tower mounting member to permit quick front suspension alterations throughout an increased range when compared to the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventor: Andrew Carlson
  • Publication number: 20050212244
    Abstract: An adjustable control arm is for a suspension of a vehicle having a frame and at least one wheel. The control arm includes a first arm section connected with the frame and a second arm section connected with the wheel and coupled with the first arm section such that the second section is releasably fixable to the first section and alternatively slidably displaceable with respect to the first section so as to adjust camber of the wheel, the first and second arm sections remaining generally coupled together during displacement of the second section. Preferably, the first arm section has a cavity and the second arm section has an engagement portion disposed within the cavity, the engagement portion being fixedly connectable to the first arm section to releasably connect the two arm sections and alternatively displaceable within the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Applicant: Club Car, Inc.
    Inventors: John Bobbitt, David Schult, Joseph Butler
  • Patent number: 6932366
    Abstract: An automotive suspension assembly 10 is provided, including an upper control arm 20, a lower control arm 22 and a knuckle 24. The lower control arm 22 is rotatably affixed to the knuckle 24 by way of a lower mount joint 29 rotatably engaging a lower rotational joint 28. The upper control arm 20 is rotatably affixed to the knuckle 24 by way of an upper mount joint 36 rotatably engaging an upper rotational joint 34, the upper mount joint 36 including an upper control arm shaft 38 positioned within a slotted guide 40 such that the camber is adjustable by adjusting the position of the upper control arm shaft 38 within the slotted guide 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Allen Jones, Steve Scott Allen, Scott D. Wareing
  • Patent number: 6880839
    Abstract: A parallelogram lift axle suspension system includes an in-line lift bellows located between and vertically aligned with a pair of upper and lower control arms so as to provide bi-directional expansion and contraction of the lift bellows for raising and lowering the suspension while increasing the space available between the longitudinal frame rails enabling use of the suspension in certain vehicles by avoiding interference with other vehicle components of the vehicle located in this space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Boler Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Keeler, Michael J. Gottschalk
  • Publication number: 20050073120
    Abstract: The present invention provides a suspension tuning device for vehicles with struts. More specifically, the suspension tuning device generally comprises a pair of plates constructed to mount juxtaposed to the strut/spindle mounting flange of a standard MacPherson strut, each plate includes an inset sub-plate having an offset aperture which cooperates with one of the spindle attachment bolts to control wheel camber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2004
    Publication date: April 7, 2005
    Inventors: William Mathis, Lyew Christopher
  • Patent number: 6874793
    Abstract: A dynamically acting variable camber suspension system (50) having a sensor (56), a controller (58), and camber adjusters (60) associated with each wheel (54) which is employing the VCSS (50) in a vehicle (52). The VCSS (50) detects lateral force acting upon the vehicle (52) when it is turning with the sensor (56), calculates the appropriate dynamic response with the controller (58), and uses the camber adjusters (60) to set negative camber for outside wheels (54) and positive camber for inside wheels (54) in a manner such that road contact points (70) of the wheels (54) are spaced to balance normal forces and footprints (74, 76) of the wheels (54) are equalized to maximize frictional forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventor: Khalid M. Choudhery
  • Publication number: 20050017471
    Abstract: This invention relates to steering systems having triple linkage suspensions. More specifically, provision is made for the steering linkage assembly to interact with the front and rear suspension linkages to adjust wheel camber responsive to steering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventor: Matthew Kim
  • Patent number: 6805362
    Abstract: The amount of lean to be provided is determined by force sensors, the speed, and/or the angle of turn. Then the vehicle is leaned by actuators in the suspension in accordance with a predetermined protocol in an electronic control unit (ECU). The protocol also provides shock absorption by rapidly tracking a contour of a surface on which the vehicle rides. The suspension is provided by a plurality of arm assemblies each including a lower arm, an upper control arm, and an actuator motively connected to the lower arm and to the upper control arm. The arm assemblies are pivotally connected to the frame on a common axis. The arm assemblies generally form parallelograms and are actuated in concert to remain generally parallel to each other through a range of angles to adjust the lean of the vehicle. The arm assemblies are also actuated independently of each other to accommodate variations in the contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas Wesley Melcher
  • Patent number: 6786260
    Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire has a tire meridian cross-sectional configuration of a tread surface portion on at least one side of the tire center line which is arranged such that, when a position A is an intersection of the tire center line and the tread surface, and when a position B is an intersection of a straight line P drawn orthogonal to the tire axis from an edge of an innermost belt layer and the tread surface, an angle &agr; between a straight line X connecting the positions A and B and a straight line Y drawn perpendicular to the tire center line from the position A is set in a range of 8 to 10 degrees, when the pneumatic radial tire is attached to a standard rim specified in JATMA with its air pressure being 180 kPa and with no load applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu Niwa, Katsuyuki Kato
  • Patent number: 6776425
    Abstract: The invention relates to vehicle axles. Self-steering axle systems are known and are adequate when the vehicle is moving forward but not when the vehicle is reversed. The invention avoids this by having a stub axle assembly located on a support by a first pivot the support being mounted on an axle beam by a second pivot, a drive means to cause the support to pivot between two opertional conditions, and the two pivots being angularly disposed to provide a first castor angle in one position, second opposite castor angle in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: The Boler Company
    Inventor: Phillip John Britton
  • Patent number: 6776426
    Abstract: The invention relates to a suspension device (1; 11) intended to connect a wheel carrier (3) to a body (5) of a vehicle, the device having means (4, 8, 9) conferring to the wheel carrier, with respect to the body, a degree of camber freedom and a degree of suspension deflection freedom substantially independent of one another. The said means comprises an intermediate support (4) linking the wheel carrier to the body, the intermediate support being, on the one hand, articulated with respect to the body along a substantially vertical first axis (ASI) and, on the other hand, articulated to the wheel carrier along a second axis (R1R2), so that a rotation of the intermediate support about the first axis permits the degree of camber freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: Michel Deal
  • Publication number: 20040150178
    Abstract: A wheel suspension system including a wheel support pivotally attached to a vehicle frame at two, laterally-spaced locations, the wheel support being pivotal between an uppermost and a lowermost position. The wheel support is biased to a position intermediate of the uppermost and lowermost positions by a spring. The spring urges apart a spring support of the wheel support from the vehicle frame, the spring support being below the rotational axis of the wheel. The pivotal axes of the pivotal attachments are located below the rotational axis of the wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Earl Dallas Smith
  • Publication number: 20040130114
    Abstract: A steering device for an agricultural harvesting machine having steerable rear wheels. The rear wheels are mounted to a rear axle. The steering device comprises a pivot support mounted on the rear axle and a wheel carrier that is pivotally supported on the pivot support. The rear wheel is rotaively supported on the wheel carrier and defines a rotational axis. The wheel carrier is pivoted relative to the pivot support about a pivot axis for steering the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Dirk Weichholdt
  • Patent number: 6729633
    Abstract: A wheel end assembly in a steering beam axle for use in a motor vehicle. The wheel end assembly comprises a tube yoke attached to an axle tube defining an axle centerline, a steering knuckle defining a steering knuckle centerline, a driving axle shaft rotatably disposed in the axle tube, a live spindle rotatably supported by the steering knuckle, a stub shaft extending through the live spindle and rotatably coupled thereto, and a universal joint connecting the driving axle shaft and the stub shaft. The steering knuckle is pivotally coupled to the tube yoke through a pair of vertically spaced swivel joints defining a steering axis. The wheel end assembly further includes a knuckle centering adjuster for adjusting the knuckle centerline by selectively moving said steering knuckle relative to said tube yoke along said steering axis in order to align the knuckle centerline to the axle centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Earl James Irwin
  • Patent number: 6705626
    Abstract: The process of the invention consists in assembling a correction stub axle 2 comprising a correction angle &ggr;c on the receiving surface 3 of a suspension system 1. The stub axle is positioned along a correction azimuth &dgr;c as a function of an error azimuth &dgr;d of the orientation of the receiving surface 3 relative to the nominal orientation intended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: Pierre-Yves Chevillard
  • Patent number: 6688617
    Abstract: A device for adjusting the position of suspension control arm and, consequently, wheel caster is provided. The device includes a fastener that couples a suspension control arm between a pair of support members in a vehicle frame. Shim packs are supported on the fastener on either side of the control arm between the control arm and the frame support members. The shim packs include shims having open-ended slots for easy addition or removal. Each shim pack may further include a pair of ring shaped members disposed about the fastener, and coupled to the shims of its respective shim pack. The shims are held together using a coupling element such as a cotter pin, however, to prevent the shims from becoming dislodged. The position of the control arm may be adjusted by swapping shims between the first and second shim packs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Chamberlin
  • Patent number: 6688616
    Abstract: A suspension adjustment device for adjusting both camber and caster of a wheel is provided. A suspension control arm is mounted between a pair of vehicle frame support members using a single fastener. Cams are disposed on either end of the fastener. The cams rotate in grooves defined in the vehicle frame support members and cause the fastener to move inboard or outboard in slots defined in the frame support members in order to adjust wheel camber. Shims are disposed about the fastener on either side of the control arm between the control arm and the frame support members. Shims are removed from one side and added to the other side to move the control arm in the fore-aft direction and adjust wheel caster Alternatively, the fore-aft position of the control arm may be adjusted by rotating a threaded bushing disposed about the fastener and extending through the control arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: James Ziech
  • Patent number: 6676142
    Abstract: A replacement ball joint apparatus and method for conveniently modifying motor vehicle suspension camber, caster or camber/caster combination angle by means of repositioning a wheel spindle top or bottom relative to a control arm. The apparatus includes a mount assembly secured at one end of a ball joint which is connectable at its other end to the spindle, the mount assembly having a slide with a stud extending therefrom. A guide assembly is securable at the control arm and receives and guides the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Ingalls Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Allman, James H. Garrard
  • Publication number: 20040004335
    Abstract: A reverse caster suspension apparatus includes a tiltable platform assembly that is interposed between a sprung axle assembly and a vehicle structure. This arrangement provides an efficient means for changing the caster angle without harmful distortion of springs, and without requiring complex special-purpose suspension design and components that would likely be subjected to excessive wear. The platform assembly includes a platform frame to be connected to the vehicle, a nested, pivotally connected suspension frame to which the axle assembly is attached, and an actuator mechanism coupled at high mechanical advantage between the pivotally connected frames. A pivot axis of the platform assembly can be located approximately in line above respective spindle axes of the axle assembly for facilitating operation of the actuator at low power, and the actuator preferably holds its positive-caster condition with no applied power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Benito V. Rudder, Jamal Umar Qattan
  • Publication number: 20040000767
    Abstract: In a multi-link rear suspension (A) in which a wheel support (11) is connected to a vehicle body through five links (6-10) and vehicle body side ends of the links are provided with rubber bushes (26), respectively, the lower end of a damping device (14) formed by coaxially arranging a coil spring (12) and a damper (13) is pivoted to a portion of the wheel support (11) located toward the inside of the vehicle body so that the vertical reaction force of the damping device (14) produces a moment Mn toward negative camber on a rear wheel (2). The moment Mn is set to be always larger than a moment Mp toward positive camber produced by a side force on the outside rear wheel (2) during vehicle cornering until limit maneuvering conditions of the outside rear wheel due to the side force are reached. The damping device (14) is disposed with respect to a suppositive king pin axle K so that the vertical reaction force thereof produces a moment toward toe-in on the rear wheel (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi Oda, Toshihide Koyama, Fumitaka Andou, Masahito Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20030227151
    Abstract: A wheel mount assembly adapted for use in securing a camber tube to a wheelchair frame comprises an axle plate, at least one axially displaceable member adapted to be fixed in relation to the axle plate, and at least one radially displaceable member adjacent the axially displaceable members. The axially displaceable member is adapted to be axially displaced to cause the radially displaceable member to be displaced to tighten against the camber tube to hold the camber tube in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Philip Schreiber, Steven L. Lindquist, Brandon McKee, Allen B. Killebrew
  • Patent number: 6637758
    Abstract: The invention relates to a camber control suspension of a vehicle that can form a stable camber angle even at the time when the vehicle rolls as well as when bumping and rebounding, including a camber control rack and camber control links which function to control camber of wheels by stopping or moving according to the vertical motion of both wheels. As a result, a most stable ground contact state of the tires at all times is achieved to sufficiently enhance the groiund contact force of the tires at any running state of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Seung-Hoon Woo
  • Patent number: 6588776
    Abstract: An adjustable mounting assembly for a steerable wheel assembly. A pin member is horizontally movably disposed within a slot formed in the lower arm of a yoke assembly. A ball joint forging is adjustably secured to the lower arm. The pin member extends between the lower arm and a ball joint forging to facilitate selective adjustment therebetween. A pair of set screws are secured to the lower arm to engage opposite sides of the pin member to selectively move the pin member within the slot. By simply rotating the set screws, the pin member is horizontally adjusted to selectively move the ball joint forging in a horizontal direction to adjust the caster of the wheel assembly. Horizontal slots are formed in the lower arm to align with boltholes formed in the ball joint forging to allow the forging to be bolted to the lower arm over a range of horizontal positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Earl James Irwin
  • Publication number: 20030107198
    Abstract: A lift axle suspension system to be mounted under a vehicle for selectively raising a tire wheel assembly out of engagement with a road surface which vehicle includes a lift axle mounted to a hanger bracket via a pivot connector. The hanger bracket is rigidly attached to a vehicle frame and has articulating arms pivotally connected thereto. These arms connect at their opposite ends to the axle. A pair of diaphragm chambers such as brake chambers each include upper and lower chambers separated by a flexible bladder that moves under pressurization causing a push rod affixed thereto to translate. The diaphragm chambers and push rods extending therefrom are connected in different embodiments to the hanger bracket or other rigid structures as well as the articulating arm such that movement of the push rods causes movement of the articulating arms and thus movement such as lifting of the axle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventor: Ervin K. VanDenberg
  • Patent number: 6557872
    Abstract: A replacement apparatus for a ball joint for conveniently modifying motor vehicle suspension camber, caster or camber/caster combination angle by means of repositioning a wheel suspension steering knuckle top or bottom relative to a knuckle mount. The apparatus includes a body with an orientation mark and positioning teeth, a lower support with degree offset marks and matching positioning teeth, a bearing insert, an upper support, and a shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Ingalls Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James H. Garrard
  • Patent number: 6559418
    Abstract: A method of controlling caster and/or camber angle by controlling the amount of heat input during the welding process associated with the axle tube brackets and other suspension components such as the lower control arm, spring seat, shock bracket and sway arm bracket. In other words, larger hot weld spots versus smaller cooler welds will distort the axle tube differently. If the design of a tube assembly has undesirable caster and/or camber angles due to distortions caused by the welding of suspension components, the weld can be tuned to distort the assembly to a desired caster and/or camber angle. For example, if the camber desired requires the axle tube to be deflected up, the travel speed of welds on the top side of the tube may be slowed thus increasing the heat input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Sorg
  • Patent number: 6550797
    Abstract: A zero roll suspension system for a vehicle that includes a vehicle frame and a wheel assembly has an axis of rotation. The present system preferably includes first and second crossing members, each of which has a first end and a second end. One of the first and second ends of each of the first and second crossing members is adapted to be mated to a portion of the wheel assembly. The other of the first and second ends of each of the first and second crossing members is adapted to be mated to the vehicle frame. The first and second crossing members are oriented so as to cross one another in superposition along a crossing axis while each crossing a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Zero Roll Suspension, LLC
    Inventor: J. Todd Wagner
  • Publication number: 20030011157
    Abstract: The invention relates to a support system designed to connect a wheel (2) to suspension elements comprising an intermediate support (4), wherein the support system comprises (a) a wheel support (3) designed to carry the wheel (2), and at least one curved slider (10) that connects the wheel support (3) to the intermediate support (4), and wherein the curved slider (10) confers upon said wheel (2) a degree of camber freedom relative to the suspension elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Francis Aubarede, Michel Deal
  • Publication number: 20020171216
    Abstract: The invention relates to a suspension device (1; 11) intended to connect a wheel carrier (3) to a body (5) of a vehicle, the device having means (4, 8, 9) conferring to the wheel carrier, with respect to the body, a degree of camber freedom and a degree of suspension deflection freedom substantially independent of one another. The said means comprises an intermediate support (4) linking the wheel carrier to the body, the intermediate support being, on the one hand, articulated with respect to the body along a substantially vertical first axis (ASI) and, on the other hand, articulated to the wheel carrier along a second axis (R1R2), so that a rotation of the intermediate support about the first axis permits the degree of camber freedom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Applicant: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A. (Switzerland)
    Inventor: Michel Deal
  • Patent number: 6478318
    Abstract: A replacement ball joint apparatus and method for conveniently modifying motor vehicle suspension camber, caster or camber/caster combination angle by means of repositioning a wheel spindle top or bottom relative to a control arm. The apparatus includes a mount assembly secured at one end of a ball joint which is connectable at its other end to the spindle, the mount assembly having a slide with a stud extending therefrom. A guide assembly is securable at the control arm and receives and guides the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Ingalls Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Allman, James H. Garrard
  • Patent number: 6457728
    Abstract: An upper control arm adjustment system for an automobile is described. The system includes a bracket, a pair of spaced and opposed indexing fingers located on top of the bracket, and a lever that rotates about a slot formed in the bracket. As a manipulation device is selectively rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise, the lever is rotated towards one of the indexing fingers, thus causing a bolt or cam fastened to the lever to move within the slot, thus causing the upper control arm to move either inboard or outboard with respect to the slot, thus altering the pivot position of the upper control arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew E Klais
  • Publication number: 20020130477
    Abstract: The invention relates to vehicle axles for fixed lorries and trailer vehicles having a supplementary axle system that is self-steering. Self-steering axle systems are known where the wheels are located on a pivotally mounted axle allowing the wheels to turn freely to follow the steered wheels. Known systems are adequate when the vehicle is moving in a forward direction, but have serious operational difficulties when the vehicle is being reversed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventor: Phillip John Britton
  • Patent number: 6431565
    Abstract: Castor of a motor vehicle suspension, typically having a wishbone (1), is adjusted by mounting the suspension upright ball joint (4) in a housing (6) having an offset spigot (10) rotatable by an Allen key engaged in the spigot to move the ball joint backward and forward while the spigot is restrained by a slot (16) in a location bracket (14) engaged with the wishbone. Camber is adjusted by a threaded adjuster (24) operable between the location bracket (14) and the housing (6) while allowing rotation of the housing relative to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: Kevin Joseph McIntyre
  • Patent number: 6409189
    Abstract: There is provided a suspension arm mounting structure in which a mounting end portion 2 of a suspension arm 1 is fastened relative to a vehicle body 4 with a bolt 11 and a nut 12 and in which the wheel alignment is adapted to be adjusted by displacing the bolt in a direction orthogonal to an axis thereof through rotation of a pair of plate cams 15, 19 disposed at ends of the bolt, characterized in that a cylindrical collar 13 is provided over a shank portion 11b of the bolt; in that one 15 of the pair of plate cams and an engagement portion 16 for engagement with a turning tool are provided at one end of the cylindrical collar in such a manner as to prohibit a relative rotation therebetween, and in that an engagement portion 17 is formed on the other end of the cylindrical collar so as to prohibit a relative rotation between the cylindrical collar and the other 19 of the pair of plate cams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukihiro Orimoto, Ryoji Nakagawa, Tuyoshi Funano
  • Patent number: 6367826
    Abstract: An alignment adjuster for wheel alignment of a motor vehicle is provided. The alignment adjuster includes a shaft that is moveable within an elongated slot. The adjustable member in the preferred embodiment is a lower control arm and is attached via bushing to the shaft. The shaft includes a pinion gear that operatively contacts a rack element that is disposed near the elongated slot. Rotation of the shaft will initiate lateral movement of the shaft in the elongated slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew E. Klais