Lockup system for a vehicle suspension mechanism
First Claim
1. In a lockup system for a vehicle suspension mechanism of the type having a frame;
- an axle assembly having a ground engaging wheel thereon;
a radius arm pivotally connected to the frame and supporting the axle assembly and wheel; and
resilient suspension means connected to the frame and one of the arm and axle assembly for cushioning oscillatory movement of the arm as the wheel traverses irregular terrain;
the improvement comprising;
a lockup suspension strut having first and second reciprocally connected members defining first and second chambers therebetween, said first and second members connected individually to one of the frame and the axle assembly; and
control means having a first condition for communicating a fluid to and from said chambers for telescoping said first and second members simultaneously with the independent cushioning action of said resilient suspension means, and having a second condition for blocking fluid communication to said chambers and maintaining a substantially rigid holding position of the frame and the arm.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A lockup system for a vehicle suspension mechanism includes a frame, an axle assembly having a ground engaging wheel thereon, a radius arm pivotally connected to the frame and supporting the axle assembly and wheel, a resilient suspension device connected to the frame and one of the arm and axle assembly for cushioning oscillatory movement of the arm as the wheel traverses irregular terrain, and a lockup apparatus connected to the frame and to one of the arm and axle assembly independently of the resilient suspension device and being of a construction sufficient for maintaining a preselected length holding the arm substantially rigid or maintaining a freely telescoping length floating the arm and permitting full action of the resilient suspension device.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. In a lockup system for a vehicle suspension mechanism of the type having a frame;
- an axle assembly having a ground engaging wheel thereon;
a radius arm pivotally connected to the frame and supporting the axle assembly and wheel; and
resilient suspension means connected to the frame and one of the arm and axle assembly for cushioning oscillatory movement of the arm as the wheel traverses irregular terrain;
the improvement comprising;a lockup suspension strut having first and second reciprocally connected members defining first and second chambers therebetween, said first and second members connected individually to one of the frame and the axle assembly; and control means having a first condition for communicating a fluid to and from said chambers for telescoping said first and second members simultaneously with the independent cushioning action of said resilient suspension means, and having a second condition for blocking fluid communication to said chambers and maintaining a substantially rigid holding position of the frame and the arm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
- an axle assembly having a ground engaging wheel thereon;
Specification