초록 ▼

A vehicle suspension system having a pair of spaced apart control arms, and a central beam positioned intermediate the control arms. The central beam and the control arms are pivotally mounted to the frame at one end, and secured to the axle at another end. At least one air spring extends between th

A vehicle suspension system having a pair of spaced apart control arms, and a central beam positioned intermediate the control arms. The central beam and the control arms are pivotally mounted to the frame at one end, and secured to the axle at another end. At least one air spring extends between the axle and the frame to support vertical load, and the center beam. The center beam has sufficient width to provide a roll stable suspension, while remaining resistant to lateral deflection. The pivotal connection at the central beam provides a bushing, which may have a constant spring rate, or which may include a spring rate which varies in the vertical and horizontal direction. In a second embodiment, a lift mechanism is provided for raising the axle from a ground engaging to a non-ground engaging position. In yet another embodiment, the suspension system is provided as a primary suspension.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A suspension system adapted to be mounted to a vehicle frame comprising:an axle;a suspension frame;a pair of spaced apart rigid control arms extending between the axle and the suspension frame;a central beam non-rotatably secured to the axle and having a pair of spaced apart sidewal

[ I claim:] [1.] A suspension system adapted to be mounted to a vehicle frame comprising:an axle;a suspension frame;a pair of spaced apart rigid control arms extending between the axle and the suspension frame;a central beam non-rotatably secured to the axle and having a pair of spaced apart sidewalls and one of a top wall and a bottom wall extending between the suspension frame and the axle intermediate the control arms; andat least one air spring adapted to extend intermediate one of the vehicle frame and suspension frame and the axle.