Hendrickson Usa, L L.c.

Michael Patrick Robinson

Ashley Thomas Dudding

Shawn D Noble

Matthew J Van Meter

Christopher Wayne Forrest

Hormoz Kerendian

Michael Brannigan

John Wayne Stuart

Gary E Gerstenslager

Sean T Lindsay

Shane Andrew Tipton

An axle/suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle with a pair of suspension assemblies which each are mounted on a hanger outboardly offset from the outboard surface of the vehicle main member from which it depends. Each suspension assembly includes a beam pivotally attached to the hanger outboardly offset from the outboard surface of the main member. The beam has a tapered profile including an upward outboard taper on at least the inboard side of the beam, which provides clearance between each beam and its respective vehicle main member during upward jounce travel or lifting of the axle/suspension system.

Tapered axle/suspension system beam for heavy-duty vehicles

An elastomeric spring suspension is described for supporting a longitudinally extending vehicle frame rail above first and second axles forming a tandem axle configuration. The suspension includes a frame hanger assembly mounted to the vehicle frame rail. The frame hanger assembly has two full spring modules, each of which includes two shear springs, a progressive spring rate load cushion having a pyramidal shape with a flattened top surface and a spring mount for mounting the springs. A saddle assembly is connected to the spring mount, and an equalizing beam is connected to the saddle assembly and further connected to the axles. The spring rate for the suspension increases almost linearly as a function of sprung load, resembling a pneumatic suspension. Accordingly, the suspension exhibits excellent ride quality, without sacrificing roll stability.

Tie-plate and frame hanger of a suspension assembly

An elastomeric spring suspension is described for supporting a longitudinally extending vehicle frame rail above first and second axles forming a tandem axle configuration. The suspension includes a frame hanger assembly mounted to the vehicle frame rail. The frame hanger assembly has two full spring modules, each of which includes two elastomeric shear springs, an elastomeric progressive spring rate load cushion having a pyramidal shape with a flattened top surface and a spring mount for mounting the springs. A saddle assembly is connected to the spring mount, and an equalizing beam is connected to the saddle assembly and further connected to the axles. The spring rate for the suspension increases almost linearly as a function of sprung load, resembling a pneumatic suspension. Accordingly, the suspension exhibits excellent ride quality, without sacrificing roll stability.

Elastomeric spring vehicle suspension

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Chicago, IL, United States of America

Michael Patrick Robinson