Patent ID: 6398236
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: B60G,B62D

Abstract:
In a trailing arm suspension for supporting a vehicle with a pneumatic system and a vehicle frame on ground engaging wheels, the trailing arm suspension comprising:a pair of trailing arm assemblies adapted to be mounted to the vehicle frame in spaced relationship, each of the trailing arm assemblies comprising: a trailing arm having one portion adapted to be pivotally mounted to the vehicle frame for pivotal movement about a pivot axis; a spring mounted to a second portion of the trailing arm and adapted to be mounted to the vehicle frame for resisting the pivotal movement of the trailing arm about the pivotal axis toward the frame; and a pneumatic lift mechanism mounted to the trailing arm for raising the trailing arm with respect to the frame when pressurized; and an axle mounted to the trailing arms for movement therewith; the improvement comprises: at least a portion of the axle has a sealed hollow interior forming a pressurized air reservoir that is adapted to be pneumatically connected to the pneumatic system; and the air reservoir is pneumatically connected to the pneumatic lift mechanism for selectively raising the trailing arm with respect to the frame.