Sprayer strut suspension

• US 7,281,723 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2005
• Issued: 10/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Miller-St. Nazianz, Inc. (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Inventors: Prohaska, James B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gooden, Jr.; Barry
• Application Number:
  US11/225,339
• Publication Number:
  US 20060049598A1
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 280/124.133, 280/124.134, 280/124.157, 280/93.511, 280/93.512, 280/124.125, 280/124.145, 280/124.127, 180/209, 180/900, 180/21, 180/213, 180/253
• US Class Current: 280/124.127
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 11/27 wherein the fluid is a gas
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/152 Pneumatic spring
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/421 Pivoted lever mechanisms for mounting suspension elements, e.g. Watt linkage
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/08 Agricultural vehicles

Abstract

A chassis suspension for agricultural equipment, the chassis suspension comprising: an axle having a substantially upright journal adapted for upright axial constraint of an inner journal therein; an inner journal extending into the upright journal, the inner journal having a lower end, wherein the inner journal is adapted to constrain axial movement of a strut rod therein; a strut rod extending into the inner journal and having a lower strut rod portion adapted for mounting a ground-engaging drive mechanism and wheel, wherein the lower strut rod portion has an upper end; and, a spring constrained between the lower end of the inner journal and the upper end of the lower strut rod portion.

Claims

1. A chassis suspension comprising:

an axle having a substantially upright journal adapted for upright axial constraint of an inner journal therein;

an inner journal extending into the upright journal, the inner journal having a lower end, wherein the inner journal is adapted to constrain axial movement of a strut rod therein;

a strut rod extending into the inner journal and having a lower strut rod portion adapted for mounting a ground-engaging drive mechanism and wheel, wherein the lower strut rod portion has an upper end;

a spring constrained between the lower end of the inner journal and the upper end of the lower strut rod portion; and

,

wherein the axle is an adjustable wheel track axle.

2. The suspension of claim 1, wherein the upright journal is further adapted for rotational movement of the inner journal therein.

3. The suspension of claim 1, wherein the inner journal is further adapted for rotational movement of the strut rod therein.

4. The suspension of claim 1, wherein the upright journal is further adapted for rotational movement of the inner journal therein.

5. The suspension of claim 1, wherein the spring comprises an airbag.

6. The suspension of claim 5, wherein the airbag contains pressurized air.

7. The suspension of claim 6 wherein the air pressure is adjustable.

8. The suspension of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism is a hydraulic drive motor.

9. The suspension of claim 3, wherein relative rotational positioning of the inner journal and the strut rod is fixed by means of a scissors joint.

10. The suspension of claim 1 further comprising steering means.

11. The suspension of claim 10 wherein the steering means comprise at least one hydraulic piston.

12. A sprayer comprising at least one chassis suspension of claim 1.

13. The sprayer of claim 12 wherein the sprayer is a high clearance vehicle.