Reyco Granning, LLC

Tuthill Corporation

Gregory A Richardson

John Hinz

Richard Lee Conaway

An independent suspension and steering system that can be used with a large truck. The suspension system includes a transversely extending leaf spring assembly. The midpoint of the leaf spring assembly is secured at the centerline of the vehicle while the two opposing ends of the leaf spring assembly are shackled to vertically moveable carriers on which the steering knuckles are pivotally mounted. The steering unit includes a transversely extending relay rod which is attached to tie rods at its opposite ends. The tie rods are, in turn, attached to the steering knuckles. In some embodiments, at least one steering gear is coupled with the relay rod via a connecting rod that is secured at one end to the rotating output shaft of the steering gear and secured at its other end to the relay rod.

Independent suspension and steering assembly

An independent suspension assembly having a wheel support member and upper and lower control arms that is well adapted for use with the front steerable wheels of a large truck. The upper and lower control arms are each pivotally secured to the wheel support member at a first location on the control arm and pivotally supported relative to the frame at a second location on the control arm. The wheel support member is vertically displaceable relative to the frame by pivotal movement of the upper and lower control arms relative to both the frame and wheel support member. A leaf spring and an air spring may be positioned between the lower control arm and frame to communicate loads therebetween. A vertically extending linkage member may be disposed between the lower control arm and frame. The lower control arm may extend across the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle below the engine.

Independent suspension assembly

A trailing arm suspension system and method of manufacture wherein a tubular axle is formed with a central area and trailing arm attachment areas outboard of the central area. The axle central area and attachment areas have a substantially uniform outer surface diameter, and the wall thickness of the attachment areas is thicker/greater than the wall thickness of the central area. Inboard and outboard arm brackets are secured by welding to the axle arm attachment areas and trailing arms are secured, at one end thereof, between an inboard and an outboard arm bracket. At their other ends, the trailing arms are adapted to be pivotally secured to the vehicle. The arm brackets are secured to the axle by inserting the axle through an axle receiving hole in the brackets and providing a 360&#xb0; weld bead at the interface between the axle and arm brackets. A brake spider is secured at each end of the axle outboard of the arm brackets by inserting the axle through an axle receiving hole in the spider and providing a 360&#xb0; weld bead at the interface between the axle and spider. A spring seat is secured to the trailing arm and is adapted to carry a spring and transfer the vehicle weight from the spring to said trailing arm.

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Nixa, MO, United States of America

Gregory A Richardson