Drive train suspension system
First Claim
1. A drive train suspension system for a vehicle comprising, a vehicle drive train assembly the vehicle drive train assembly comprising, an open framework positioned on each side of the vehicle, an endless track and associated drive sprockets and idler wheels mounted in said open framework, a vehicle frame, a linkage assembly connected between the vehicle drive train assembly and the vehicle frame, whereby the vehicle frame is articulately connected to the vehicle drive train assembly, fluid motors connected between the vehicle frame and drive train assembly, whereby the position of the vehicle frame relative to the drive train assembly can be varied, to thereby minimize potential damaging stress imparted to the drive train assembly by lateral movement of the drive train relative to the vehicle frame, and a stabilizing link assembly connected between the drive train assembly and vehicle frame, whereby potential damaging stress imparted to the drive train assembly by the forward and rearward shifting of the drive train assembly relative to the vehicle frame is minimized.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A drive train suspension system for a manure and compost treating vehicle wherein a linkage assembly is connected between the vehicle drive train assembly and the vehicle frame, on each side of the vehicle frame, so that the vehicle frame is articulately connected to a vehicle drive train assembly on each side. Fluid motors are connected between the vehicle frame and each drive train assembly so that the position of the vehicle frame relative to the drive train assembly can be selectively varied to thereby minimize potential damaging stress imparted to the drive train assembly by the lateral movement of the drive train relative to the vehicle frame, and to raise the vehicle frame to a selected elevation above the ground and/or maintain the vehicle frame substantially level. A stabilizing link assembly is connected between each drive train assembly and vehicle frame so that potential damaging stress imparted to the drive train assembly by the forward and rearward shifting of the drive train assembly relative to the vehicle frame is minimized.
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Citations
24 Claims
- 1. A drive train suspension system for a vehicle comprising, a vehicle drive train assembly the vehicle drive train assembly comprising, an open framework positioned on each side of the vehicle, an endless track and associated drive sprockets and idler wheels mounted in said open framework, a vehicle frame, a linkage assembly connected between the vehicle drive train assembly and the vehicle frame, whereby the vehicle frame is articulately connected to the vehicle drive train assembly, fluid motors connected between the vehicle frame and drive train assembly, whereby the position of the vehicle frame relative to the drive train assembly can be varied, to thereby minimize potential damaging stress imparted to the drive train assembly by lateral movement of the drive train relative to the vehicle frame, and a stabilizing link assembly connected between the drive train assembly and vehicle frame, whereby potential damaging stress imparted to the drive train assembly by the forward and rearward shifting of the drive train assembly relative to the vehicle frame is minimized.
- 10. A drive train suspension system for a vehicle comprising, a vehicle drive train assembly, the vehicle drive train assembly comprising, an open framework positioned on each side of the vehicle, and tandem drive wheels mounted in said framework, a vehicle frame, a linkage assembly connected between the vehicle drive train assembly and the vehicle frame, whereby the vehicle frame is articulately connected to the vehicle drive train assembly, fluid motors connected between the vehicle frame and drive train assembly, whereby the position of the vehicle frame relative to the drive train assembly can be varied, to thereby minimize potential damaging stress imparted to the drive train assembly by lateral movement of the drive train relative to the vehicle frame, and a stabilizing link assembly connected between the drive train assembly and vehicle frame, whereby potential damaging stress imparted to the drive train assembly by the forward and rearward shifting of the drive train assembly relative to the vehicle frame is minimized.
- 19. A drive train suspension system for a vehicle comprising, a vehicle drive train assembly, said vehicle drive train assembly including an open framework positioned on each side of the vehicle and each having an upper edge portion, traction means mounted in said framework, a vehicle frame, a linkage assembly connected between the vehicle drive train assembly and the vehicle frame, said linkage assembly comprising at least one pair of links positioned in the front portion of the vehicle and at least one pair of links positioned at the rear portion of the vehicle, each link in each pair being pivotally connected at one end to each other to form an elbow joint, the elbow joint at the rear portion of the vehicle extending in a direction toward the front of the vehicle, and the elbow joint at the front portion of the vehicle extending in a direction toward the rear of the vehicle, the opposite ends of each link in each pair being respectively pivotally connected to the drive train assembly and the vehicle frame, whereby the vehicle frame is articulately connected to the vehicle drive train assembly, fluid motors connected between the vehicle frame and drive train assembly, whereby the position of the vehicle frame relative to the drive train assembly can be varied, to thereby minimize potential damaging stress imparted to the drive train assembly by lateral movement of the drive train relative to the vehicle frame, and a stabilizing link assembly connected between the drive train assembly and vehicle frame, said stabilizing link assembly comprising an arm extending longitudinally on the upper edge portion of the framework, an arm member, one end of the longitudinally extending arm being pivotally connected to the upper edge portion of the open framework, the opposite end of said longitudinally extending arm being pivotally connected to said arm member, and the opposite end of said arm member being fixedly connected to the vehicle frame, whereby potential damaging stress imparted to the drive train assembly by the forward and rearward shifting of the drive train assembly relative to the vehicle frame is minimized.
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24. A drive train suspension system for a vehicle comprising, a vehicle drive train assembly, the vehicle drive train assembly comprising, an open framework positioned on each side of the vehicle, and traction means and associated drive means for said traction means mounted in said open framework, a vehicle frame, a linkage assembly connected between the vehicle drive train assembly and the vehicle frame, whereby the vehicle frame is articulately connected to the vehicle drive train assembly, fluid motors connected between the vehicle frame and drive train assembly, whereby the position of the vehicle frame relative to the drive train assembly can be varied, to thereby minimize potential damaging stress imparted to the drive train assembly be by lateral movement of the drive train relative to the vehicle frame, and a stabilizing link assembly connected between the drive train assembly and vehicle frame, whereby potential damaging stress imparted to the drive train assembly by the forward and rearward shifting of the drive train assembly relative to the vehicle frame is minimized.
Specification