Axle suspension system for a wheeled vehicle

Abstract

An axle suspension system for a wheeled vehicle. This suspension system includes a trailing arm beam extending longitudinally along each side of the vehicle with each trailing arm beam connected to a resilient pivotal bushing at the forward end thereof. Each resilient pivotal bushing is mounted on a hanger attached to the vehicle frame. An air spring is attached to the rearward end of each trailing arm beam and connects its trailing arm beam to the wheeled vehicle. Each trailing arm beam has a U-shaped transverse cross-section wherein a horizontally extending wall is oppositely located relative to vertically extending walls to define a vertical facing opening in the trailing arm beam. A vehicle axle is connected to the trailing arm beams. The vehicle axle is attached to an axle thrust mounting located on the trailing arm beams and spanning the vertical facing openings thereof near the rearwardly located ends of the trailing arm beams. The axle thrust mounting includes an axle cradle mounted on the vertically extending walls of the trailing arm beams and extending transversely across the trailing arm beams. The axle cradle has side walls which seat in notches formed in the walls of the trailing arm beams with the axle cradle side walls extending laterally outwardly of the trailing arm beams on both sides thereof. Sponsons are attached to the outside walls of each of the trailing arm beams with the sponsons positioned adjacent the cradle axle. A wall is provided to close a portion of the vertical facing opening of each trailing arm beam to transmit stresses from the axle cradle to the pivotal bushing. A thrust transferring gusset is mounted on the closure wall of each trailing arm beam in an abutting engagement with the axle cradle.