초록 ▼

The present invention relates to a suspension assembly for a carriage. The suspension assembly, in one embodiment, includes a first torsion member connectable to a carriage frame along a first axis and a second torsion member operatively coupled to the first torsion member along a second axis. A plu

The present invention relates to a suspension assembly for a carriage. The suspension assembly, in one embodiment, includes a first torsion member connectable to a carriage frame along a first axis and a second torsion member operatively coupled to the first torsion member along a second axis. A plurality of wheel arms coupled to the second torsion member, which, in turn, are each coupled to wheel spindle. This type of suspension assembly provides carriages with enhanced suspension and reduces damage to carriages during operation.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A suspension assembly for a carriage having a frame, the suspension assembly comprising:a first elongated torsion member connectable to the frame, the first elongated torsion member having a position along a first axis;a second elongated torsion member operatively coupled to the first elongated t

1. A suspension assembly for a carriage having a frame, the suspension assembly comprising:a first elongated torsion member connectable to the frame, the first elongated torsion member having a position along a first axis;a second elongated torsion member operatively coupled to the first elongated torsion member, the second elongated torsion member having a first end and a second end positioned along a second different axis; anda plurality of wheel arms, one of the wheels arms operatively coupled to the first end of the second elongated torsion member and the other wheel arm operatively coupled to the second end of the second elongated torsion member.2. The suspension assembly of claim 1, wherein the first elongated torsion member includes an inner elongated member and an outer elongated member.3. The suspension assembly of claim 2, wherein the second elongated torsion member includes an inner elongated member and an outer elongated member. 4. The suspension assembly of claim 3, which includes at least one torsion member connector which connects the inner elongated member of the first elongated torsion member to the inner elongated member of the second elongated torsion member.5. A suspension assembly for a carriage having a frame, the suspension assembly comprising:a first elongated torsion member connectable to the frame, the first torsion member positioned along a first axis, the first elongated torsion member including an outer elongated member which encases an inner elongated member and a plurality of elongated deformable members positioned between said outer elongated member and said inner elongated member;a second elongated torsion member having a first end and a second end positioned along a second different axis, the second elongated member including an outer elongated member which encases an inner elongated member and a plurality of elongated deformable members positioned between said outer elongated member and said inner elongated member;a plurality of torsion member connectors which connect the inner elongated member of the first elongated torsion member to the inner elongated member of the second elongated torsion member; anda first wheel arm operatively coupled to one of the first end of the second elongated torsion member; anda second wheel arm operatively coupled to the second end of the second elongated torsion member. 6. The suspension assembly of claim 5, wherein the inner elongated member of the first elongated torsion member has a variable position relative to the outer elongated member of the first elongated torsion member.7. The suspension assembly of claim 6, wherein the inner elongated member of the second elongated torsion member has a variable position relative to the outer elongated member of the second elongated torsion member.8. The suspension assembly of claim 5, wherein the first elongated torsion member and the second elongated torsion member each have a maximum deflection position.9. The suspension assembly of claim 5, wherein each of the torsion member connectors defines an opening for receiving the inner elongated member of the first elongated torsion member and a different opening for receiving the inner elongated member of the second elongated torsion member.10. The suspension assembly of claim 9, wherein said openings of one of the torsion member connectors have locations along said torsion member connector which are separated by a select distance.11. The suspension assembly of claim 10, wherein said distance defines a lever arm which receives force from one of the wheel arms. 12. The suspension assembly of claim 11, wherein said lever arm has a force distribution characteristic which disproportionately distributes said force to the first elongated torsion member and the second elongated torsion member.13. An axle for a carriage having a frame, the axle comprising:a first elongated torsion member connectable to the frame, the first elongated torsion member having a first end and a second end positioned along a first axis;a second elongated torsion member having a first end and a second end positioned along a second different axis;a plurality of torsion member connectors, each of the torsion member connectors operatively coupling the first elongated torsion member to the second elongated torsion member; anda plurality of wheel arms, one the wheel arms operatively coupled to the first end of the second elongated torsion member and the other wheel arm operatively coupled to the second end of the second elongated torsion member.14. The axle of claim 13, wherein the first elongated torsion member includes an inner elongated member and an outer elongated member.15. The axle of claim 13, wherein the second elongated torsion member includes an inner elongated member and an outer elongated member. 16. The axle of claim 13, which includes at least one torsion member connector which connects the inner elongated member of the first elongated torsion member to the inner elongated member of the second elongated torsion member.17. The axle of claim 13, which includes a wheel spindle connected to each of the wheel arms.18. The axle of claim 13, wherein each of the torsion member connectors includes an elongated arm.19. A carriage having a torsion suspension assembly, the carriage comprising:a frame;a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the frame including a first wheel and a second wheel positioned along a common axis;a first wheel arm operatively coupled to the first wheel;a second wheel arm operatively coupled to the second wheel;a first elongated torsion member connected to the frame, the first elongated torsion member positioned along a first axis,a second elongated torsion member having a first end and a second end positioned along a second different axis, the first end operatively coupled to the first wheel arm, and the second end operatively coupled to the second wheel arm; and a plurality of torsion member connectors which operatively couple the first elongated torsion member to the second elongated torsion member.20. The carriage of claim 19, wherein the carriage includes a carriage selected from the group consisting of a trailer, a wagon, a truck, an automobile, a tractor and a vehicle.21. The carriage of claim 19, wherein the first elongated torsion member includes an outer elongated member which encases an inner elongated member and a plurality of elongated deformable members positioned between said outer elongated member and said inner elongated member.22. The carriage of claim 21, wherein the second elongated member includes an outer elongated member which encases an inner elongated member and a plurality of elongated deformable members positioned between said outer elongated member and said inner elongated member.23. The carriage of claim 22, wherein the inner elongated member of the first elongated torsion member has a variable position relative to the outer elongated member of the first elongated torsion member. 24. The carriage of claim 23, wherein the inner elongated member of the second elongated torsion member has a variable position relative to the outer elongated member of the second elongated torsion member.25. The carriage of claim 19, wherein the first elongated torsion member and the second elongated torsion member each have a maximum deflection position.