초록 ▼

The invention is a trailing arm suspension with a steerable axle assembly having a caster angle controlling the direction at which the axle steers. A lift axle suspension or a lockout device is provided to lift the wheels from a ground engaging position or to lock the position of the wheels, respect

The invention is a trailing arm suspension with a steerable axle assembly having a caster angle controlling the direction at which the axle steers. A lift axle suspension or a lockout device is provided to lift the wheels from a ground engaging position or to lock the position of the wheels, respectively, permitting the operation of the vehicle in a direction opposite the direction for which the caster angle is designed. Advantageously, the lift axle suspension is of a simplified design and the trailing arm configuration is V-shaped to better absorb lateral forces.

대표청구항 ▼

[ The embodiments for which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:] [1.] A trailing arm suspension for a vehicle having a longitudinal axis and comprising a frame oriented generally parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis and an axle assembly rotatably mounting groun

[ The embodiments for which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:] [1.] A trailing arm suspension for a vehicle having a longitudinal axis and comprising a frame oriented generally parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis and an axle assembly rotatably mounting ground engaging tires, the axle assembly adapted to be oriented generally transverse to the vehicle longitudinal axis, and the trailing arm suspension adapted to pivotally mount the axle assembly to the vehicle frame, the trailing arm suspension comprising:a hanger bracket adapted to mount to and extend downwardly from a vehicle frame;a first trailing arm having a first end pivotally connected to the hanger bracket for movement of the first trailing arm in a first plane at a first acute angle substantially greater than zero relative to the vehicle longitudinal axis when the trailing arm suspension is mounted to the vehicle frame and a second end adapted to mount to a portion of the axle assembly whereby the first trailing arm diverges in one direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle;a second trailing arm having a first end pivotally connected to the hanger bracket for movement of the second trailing arm in a second plane at a second acute angle substantially greater than zero relative to the vehicle longitudinal axis when the trailing arm suspension is mounted to the vehicle frame and a second end adapted to mount to a portion of the axle assembly, the second acute angle diverging in a direction opposite the one direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, whereby the second trailing arm diverges in a direction opposite the one direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle; andwherein the angular orientation between the first and second planes is the sum of the first and second acute angles.