Missing link swivel for four-link rigid axle suspensions

• US 5,458,359 A
• Filed: 08/08/1994
• Issued: 10/17/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Larry A. Brandt
• Original Assignee: Larry A. Brandt
• Inventors: Brandt, Larry A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rice, Kenneth R.
• Application Number:
  US08/287,528
• Time in Patent Office: 435 Days
• Field of Search: 280/96.1, 280/673, 280/675
• US Class Current: 280/124.111
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/315 at least one of the arms having an A or V shape
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/342 Watt linkage
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/416 Ball or spherical joints
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 9/00 Resilient suspensions of a rigid axle or axle housing for two or more wheels the axle being a part of a set of tandem axles B60G5/00-B60G5/065; with leaf springs B60G11/02-B60G11/08

Abstract

In a four-link suspension for a ground vehicle, of the type which utilizes a lower pair and an upper pair of connecting links to attach and stabilize a rigid axle of a vehicle in fore, aft, and rotational directions. The improvement to which comprises the addition of a swivel arm, having two ends, and interposed between a pair of links at one end, so that, one end of each link attaches to a corresponding end of swivel arm. The swivel arm has a center pivot axis and attached base mount, which is securely affixed to the approximate middle laterally of the rigid axle or chassis, whichever location is the most desireable to mount the swivel. When looked at from above the impression created is that of a V or U shape from the pair of links and the swivel where they connect. The general purpose of the swivel is to eliminate any bind in the suspension connecting links by permitting one link of the pair to push past, and the other link to pull away from, the swivel center axis. This motion allows the rigid axle to tilt freely from side to side in relation to the vehicle'"'"'s body, through the full range of vertical suspension travel, when the vehicle is traversing uneven terrain, or leaning when rouning a curve. Plus, the swivel allows for almost infinite mounting angles and lengths of the connecting links, for frame, chassis, or body mounting location considerations, or high performance setup, tuning, and adjustment.

Claims

1. In a suspension for a ground vehicle comprising:

a lower pair of links pivotally attached at one end each to a rigid axle below the axle centerline, and an upper pair of links pivotally attached at one end each to said rigid axle above said axle centerline;

both pair of links extending from said rigid axle normally within a predetermined number of degrees of parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and are pivotally attached at their other end each to the chassis of said vehicle;

thereby said suspension stabilizes said rigid axle in fore, aft, and rotational directions;

the improvement to which comprises a swivel arm, having two ends, and interposed between a pair of links at the same attaching end of each link, so that one end of each link attaches to a corresponding end of said swivel arm;

said swivel arm having a pivot axis which is securely affixed to a surface in between the locations where the attaching ends of said pair of links would otherwise attach to said surface;

whereby said swivel eliminates any bind in said suspension by permitting one link of said pair of links to push past, and the other link to pull away from the pivot axis center and vice versa;

this action occurs when said rigid axle tilts from side to side in relation to the vehicle'"'"'s body, and normally in response to said vehicle traversing uneven terrain or leaning as when rounding a curve.

2. The suspension of claim 1 wherein said swivel arm is interposed between said upper pair of links at the axle attaching ends, and said pivot axis being securely affixed to the above centerline surface of said rigid axle.

3. The suspension of claim 1 wherein said swivel arm is interposed between said lower pair of links at said axle attaching ends, and said pivot axis being securely affixed to the below centerline surface of said rigid axle.

4. The suspension of claim 1 wherein said swivel arm is interposed between said upper pair of links at the chassis attaching ends, and said pivot axis being securely affixed to a chassis surface of said vehicle.

5. The suspension of claim 1 wherein said swivel arm is interposed between said lower pair of links at said chassis attaching ends, and said pivot axis being securely affixed to said chassis surface of said vehicle.

6. The suspension of claim 1 wherein said rigid axle is a power accepting rigid drive axle.

7. The suspension of claim 1 wherein said rigid axle is a non-powered rigid axle.

8. In a suspension for a ground vehicle comprising:

four connecting links having two opposite pivotally attachable ends each, to connect a rigid axle to a chassis of the vehicle, and stabilize said rigid axle in fore, aft, and rotational directions.

wherein the improvement comprises a swivel arm interposed between two of the links at the axle attaching end of each link;

said swivel arm having two opposite ends and an intermediate pivot axis which is steadfastly attached to said rigid axle normally between the locations where the two links would attach otherwise;

said axle attaching ends of said two links attach to a corresponding end each of said swivel arm;

whereby the pivoting motion of said swivel arm allows one link of said two links to pull from, and the other link of said two links to push beyond, the center of said pivot axis, and vice versa;

thereby freeing said suspension from bind when one axle end moves up or down at a different rate than the other axle end;

this occurs usually in response to said vehicle traversing over uneven terrain or leaning as when negotiating a change of direction.

9. The suspension of claim 8 wherein said rigid axle is a powered drive axle.

10. The suspension of claim 8 wherein said rigid axle does not accept power to drive vehicle along.

11. In a vehicle having a suspension of the type which comprises four connecting links, each link having two opposite pivotally attachable ends;

one end of each said link attaches to a rigid axle of said vehicle, and the other end of each said link attaches to a chassis of said vehicle;

thus stabilizing said rigid axle from forces acting on it in fore, aft, and rotational directions;

wherein the improvement comprises a swivel arm having two opposite attachable ends and an intermediate pivot axis;

said swivel arm being interposed between the chassis attaching ends of two of the links, so that one end of each link attaches to a corresponding end of said swivel arm;

said pivot axis is steadfastly affixed to said chassis normally between the previous chassis attaching locations of the two links;

whereby the swivel prevents bind from occurring in the suspension by its pivoting motion when one of the two attaching links pushes beyond, and the other link pulls from, the center of said pivot axis, and vice versa;

this action takes place as a result of one end of rigid axle being moved up or down without the other end doing the same;

this occurs usually in response to the vehicle traversing uneven ground or leaning as when changing course while moving.

12. The suspension of claim 11 wherein said rigid axle is a power driven rigid axle.

13. The suspension of claim 11 wherein said rigid axle is the type which does not accept power to drive the axle.