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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
First Claim
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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.

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