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Low profile chassis and suspension

  • US 6,986,519 B2
  • Filed: 10/08/2001
  • Issued: 01/17/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for a motor vehicle with a front engine, transmission, and a pair of powered, steerable front wheels, comprising:

  • a first frame supporting at least one of the engine, transmission, and the front wheels, wherein the engine rotational axis is located above the centerline of the front wheels;

    a second frame with a top surface and a bottom surface, said second frame being rigidly coupled to said first frame;

    a first rear wheela second rear wheel;

    a first stub axle providing cantilevered support to said first wheel about a first rotational axis, said first stub axle being pivotally coupled to said second frame and pivotal about a first pivot axis;

    a second stub axle providing cantilevered support to said second wheel about a second rotational axis, said second stub axle being pivotally coupled to said second frame and pivotal about a second pivot axis;

    wherein said first pivot axis is below and in front of said first rotational axis, said second pivot axis is below and in front of said second rotational axis, and the top surface of said second frame is below the first rotational axis and the second rotational axis; and

    which further comprises a first wheel support supporting said first stub axle, said first wheel support being pivotally coupled to said second frame, and a second wheel support supporting said second stub axle, said second wheel support being pivotally coupled to said second frame, wherein said first wheel support is pivotally coupled to said second frame by a first pivotal attachment including a first inner member and an elastomeric bushing and said first wheel support is pivotally coupled to said second frame by a second pivotal attachment including a second inner member and a second elastomeric bushing.

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