The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 14, 1991
Filed:
Dec. 28, 1989
James L Mitchell, Springfield, MO (US);
Ridewell Corporation, Springfield, MO (US);
Abstract
An elevating, reversible self-steering suspension system incorporates upper and lower torque rods pivotally connected between a hanger assembly and an axle seat assembly. The upper torque rod of the parallelogram linkage is pivotally connected at one end to the axle seat assembly, and is pivotally connected at its opposite end to a pivot lever that, in turn, is pivotally connected to the hanger assembly. An end of the pivot lever opposite its pivot connection to the hanger assembly is connected to a selectively extended and retracted piston cylinder assembly. By extending the piston rod from the piston and cylinder assembly, the pivot lever is rotated relative to the hanger assembly, and the upper torque rod connecting the pivot lever to the axle seat causes the axle seat to be displaced. The displacement of the axle seat adjusts the orientation of a vehicle axle supported by the axle seat to a negative caster. By retracting the piston rod of the piston and cylinder assembly into the cylinder of the assembly, the pivot lever is again pivoted relative to the hanger assembly. The pivoting of the pivot lever causes the upper torque rod connecting the pivot lever to the axle seat to adjust the orientation of the axle seat, and adjust the pitch of the vehicle axle supported by the axle seat to a positive caster.