Suspension link with integral pivot assembly
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A suspension for a motor vehicle, comprising:
- a moveable suspension link having a hollow portion with first and second spaced apart sidewalls;
a pivot pin extending between the first and second sidewalls; and
a pivot arm partially positioned within the hollow portion and rotatably supported by the pivot pin, the pivot arm including a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion extending outwardly from the hollow portion via a first side of the moveable suspension link and the second end portion extending outwardly from the hollow portion via a second side of the moveable suspension link that is opposite the first side, each one of the first and second end portions of the pivot arm extending up to approximately a same maximum distance away from the pivot pin.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A suspension for a motor vehicle having a hollow suspension member including first and second spaced apart sidewalls and a pivot pin. In the preferred embodiment, the pivot pin is a locking assembly that includes a first retainer partially insertable through a first window formed in the first sidewall and a second retainer partially insertable through a second window formed in the second side wall. The first retainer engages the second retainer to present a pivot that receives a pivot arm between the sidewalls.
50 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A suspension for a motor vehicle, comprising:
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a moveable suspension link having a hollow portion with first and second spaced apart sidewalls; a pivot pin extending between the first and second sidewalls; and a pivot arm partially positioned within the hollow portion and rotatably supported by the pivot pin, the pivot arm including a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion extending outwardly from the hollow portion via a first side of the moveable suspension link and the second end portion extending outwardly from the hollow portion via a second side of the moveable suspension link that is opposite the first side, each one of the first and second end portions of the pivot arm extending up to approximately a same maximum distance away from the pivot pin. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A suspension for a motor vehicle, comprising:
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a moveable suspension link having a hollow portion with first and second spaced apart sidewalls that are interconnected at one edge by a third wall and at an opposite edge by a fourth wall; a pivot pin extending between the first and second sidewalls; and a pivot arm partially positioned within the hollow portion and rotatably supported by the pivot pin, the pivot arm including first and second end portions extending outwardly from the hollow portion and being substantially centered between planes containing the first and second sidewalls, wherein the first portion of the pivot arm extends through an aperture formed in the third wall and the second portion of the pivot arm extends through an aperture formed in the fourth wall.
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26. A method of making a suspension assembly having a tubular link with first and second spaced apart sidewalls that are interconnected at one edge by a third wall and at an opposite edge by a fourth wall, a pivot arm and a locking assembly having first and second retainers as well as a fastener, the method comprising:
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positioning the pivot arm within a cavity formed in the tubular link such that a first end portion of the pivot arm extends outwardly from the cavity through an aperture formed in the third wall and a second end portion of the pivot arm extends outwardly from the cavity via an aperture formed in the fourth wall; inserting a portion of the first retainer through a first window formed in the first sidewall; inserting a portion of the second retainer through a second window formed in the second sidewall; and interconnecting the first and second retainers with the fastener to present a pivot pin for rotatably supporting the pivot arm.
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27. A method of making a suspension assembly having a tubular link with first and second spaced apart sidewalls, a pivot arm and a locking assembly having first and second retainers as well as a fastener, the method comprising:
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positioning the pivot arm within a cavity formed in the tubular link such that a first end portion of the pivot arm extends outwardly from the cavity via a first side of the tubular link and a second end portion of the pivot arm extends outwardly from the cavity via a second side of the tubular link that is opposite the first side; inserting a portion of the first retainer through a first window formed in the first sidewall; inserting a portion of the second retainer through a second window formed in the second sidewall; and interconnecting the first and second retainers with the fastener to present a pivot pin for rotatably supporting the pivot arm, wherein each one of the first and second end portions of the pivot arm extend up to approximately a same maximum distance away from the pivot pin. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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30. A suspension for a motor vehicle, comprising:
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a moveable suspension link having a hollow portion with first and second spaced apart sidewalls; a pivot pin extending between the first and second sidewalls; and a pivot arm partially positioned within the hollow portion and rotatably supported by the pivot pin; wherein the pivot pin includes a first radially extending flange in engagement with one of the first and second sidewalls; wherein the pivot pin includes a second radially extending flange spaced apart from the first flange, the second flange being in engagement with the other of the first and second sidewalls; wherein the pivot arm includes a first half secured to a second half, the first and second halves engaging one another along a plane that intersects the pivot pin. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of making a suspension assembly having a suspension link with a first shell and a second shell, a pivot arm having a first half and a second half and a pivot pin, the method comprising:
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fixing the first shell to the second shell to define a cavity within the suspension link; coupling the pin to the suspension link, the pivot pin extending through the cavity; positioning the first half and the second half at diametrically opposed positions adjacent the pivot pin; and interconnecting the first and second halves to define a pivot arm rotatably supported by the pivot pin. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification