Scissor suspension

• US 7,568,675 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2006
• Issued: 08/04/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Catton, Jonathan C.
• Primary Examiner(s): King; Anita M
• Application Number:
  US11/473,725
• Publication Number:
  US 20070295882A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,138 Days
• Field of Search: 248/588, 248/584, 248/591, 248/421, 248/429, 248/550, 248/631, 267/64.9, 267/64.19, 297/344.16, 297/338, 296/65.02
• US Class Current: 248/588
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/502 attached to the base of the seat B60N2/504 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/508 Scissors-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/509 Seat guided by slides or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/544 Compression or tension springs B60N2/542 takes precedence

Abstract

A scissor suspension includes a first arm having a first end and a second end. The first end may be configured for pivotal attachment to a structure and a first bearing may be pivotally connected proximate to the second end of the first arm. A second arm having a first end and a second end may be pivotally connected to the first arm between the first and second ends of the first and second arms. The first bearing may be moveably coupled to the first rail.

Claims

1. A scissor suspension comprising:

a first frame;

a second frame;

a scissor assembly moveably connecting the first frame with the second frame, wherein the scissor assembly comprises;

a first arm including a first end and a second end, wherein the first arm is pivotally attached to the first frame proximate to the first end;

a first bearing pivotally connected proximate to the second end of the first arm;

a second arm including a first end and a second end, wherein the second arm is pivotally connected to the first arm between the first and, second ends of the first and second arms;

a first rail attached to the second frame, wherein the first bearing is moveably coupled to the first rail;

a first damper disposed to dampen movement of the second frame relative to the first frame; and

a second damper disposed to dampen movement of the second frame relative to the first bearing.

2. The scissor suspension of claim 1, wherein the first bearing is a sleeve bearing.

3. The scissor suspension of claim 1, further comprising third frame moveably coupled to the second frame, wherein the coupling between the third frame and the second frame include a rail, a bearing moveably coupled to the rail, and a third damper disposed to dampen movement between the third frame and the second frame.

4. The scissor suspension of claim 1, wherein the first rail is shaped to prevent rotation of the first bearing about a longitudinal axis of the first rail.

5. The scissor suspension of claim 1, wherein the scissor assembly further comprises a second bearing pivotally connected to the second arm proximate to the first end, wherein the second bearing is moveably coupled to a second rail, wherein the second rail is attached to the first frame such that a gap is disposed between the second rail and the first frame.

6. The scissor suspension of claim 1, wherein the first bearing includes a plurality of ball bearings or a bearing surface, wherein the bearing surface closely follows an exterior profile of the first rail.

7. The scissor suspension of claim 1, wherein The first rail is shaped to prevent rotation of the first bearing about a longitudinal axis of the first rail.

8. A method for using a scissor suspension, the scissor suspension comprising a first arm including a first end and a second end, wherein the first arm is pivotally attached to a structure proximate the first end, wherein the scissor suspension further comprises a first bearing pivotally connected proximate to the second end of the first arm and a second arm having a first end and a second end, the second arm being pivotally connected to the first arm between the first and second ends of the first and second arms, wherein the scissor suspension further includes a first rail and a damper disposed to dampen movement of the first rail relative to the structure, wherein the first bearing is moveably coupled to the first rail, the method comprising:

moving the first bearing along the first rail in response to an input motion of the structure;

wiping a raceway of the-first rail as the first bearing moves along the first rail; and

dampening movement of the first rail relative to the structure.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the scissor suspension further comprises a frame attached to the first rail and a second damper disposed to dampen motion of the frame relative to the first bearing, the method further comprising the step of dampening motion of the frame relative to the first bearing.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the scissor suspension further comprises a second bearing pivotally attached to the second arm proximate to the first end of the second arm, wherein the second bearing is moveably coupled to a second rail attached to the structure, the method further comprising the step of moving the second bearing along the second rail in response to the input motion of the structure, wherein the first and second bearings each maintain a plurality of points of contact with the first and second rails respectively, wherein the plurality of points of contact are separately disposed radially about the respective first and second rails.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of wiping a raceway of the second rail as the second bearing moves along the second rail.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of preventing the rotation of the first bearing about a longitudinal axis of the first rail, wherein the first rail has a noncircular exterior profile.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein a thin layer of lubricant is disposed between the first bearing and the first rail so that the first bearing does not contact the first rail as the first bearing moves along the first rail in response to the input motion of the structure.