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:
Nov. 23, 1999
Filed:
Aug. 11, 1997
Ervin K VanDenberg, Massillon, OH (US);
Meritor Heavy Vehicle Suspension Systems, Inc., Troy, MI (US);
Abstract
A vehicle suspension system having a box shaped beam having a top plate, a bottom plate, a front plate and a pair of end plates. The top plates and bottom plates are spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the axle height and are securely welded thereto along both the top and bottom of the axle. A pair of axially aligned and spaced apart pivots are secured intermediate the top plates and bottom plate, and receive a pivot pin for mounting the box beam to a vehicle. Each pivot includes a bushing, which, in an alternative embodiment, includes a horizontal spring rate, a vertical spring rate and an axial spring rate. Additionally, the top plate and bottom plate are welded to the axle along a substantial portion of the length thereof for substantially reducing torque in the axle, and for significantly reducing bending stresses felt by the axle. In an alternative embodiment, the sidewalls are integrally formed with the top and bottom walls for ease of manufacture.