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:
Aug. 07, 2007
Filed:
Aug. 31, 2001
Thomas Hughes, Cheshire, GB;
Thomas Hughes, Cheshire, GB;
Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems Limited, Wrexham, GB;
Abstract
A pivot bearing used in a vehicle trailing arm suspension includes a housing, a resilient bush compressed and bonded in the housing, and a rigid axial sleeve in the bush. The bush has voids, above and below the sleeve when the pivot bearing is fitted for use and stiffening elements which extend between the voids at opposite sides of the sleeve. When the pivot bearing is in use in a vehicle trailing arm suspension, the voids increase flexibility of the bush under generally vertical loading on the pivot bearing. The stiffening elements enhance the stiffness of the bush in generally horizontal direction for improved vehicle dynamics and reduced vibration. Preferably, the stiffening elements are of plate or leaf form, are bonded to the bush, and extend arcuately about the sleeve. The voids extend partially through the axial thickness of the bush from opposite ends of the bush and generally accurately about the sleeve. The bush also has enlarged opposite circumferential end portions. The end portions extend circumferentially beyond diametrically opposite parts of the external circumference of the sleeve and are in-turned towards the sleeve. Edges of the stiffening elements extend into the opposite end portions of the voids.