Patent ID: 7789405
Filing Date: 2010-09-07
Classification: B60G

Abstract:
1. An axle suspension system for a vehicle including first and second longitudinally extending frame members having first and second ends, comprising: first and second mounting brackets secured to said first and second frame members, respectively; a first upper control arm, having first and second ends, pivotally secured at its said first end to said first mounting bracket and extending longitudinally therefrom; a second upper control arm, having first and second ends, pivotally secured at its said first end to said second mounting bracket and extending longitudinally therefrom; first and second axle and wheel supports positioned longitudinally of said first and second mounting brackets, respectively; said second end of said first upper control arm being pivotally secured to said first axle and wheel support; said second end of said second upper control arm being pivotally secured to said second axle and wheel support; first and second air springs having upper and lower ends; said upper ends of said first and second air springs being secured to said first and second frame members longitudinally of said first and second mounting brackets, respectively; said lower ends of said first and second air springs being operatively secured to said first and second axle and wheel supports, respectively; a first lower control beam having first and second ends; a second lower control beam having first and second ends; said first lower control beam being pivotally secured at its said first end to said first mounting bracket and extending longitudinally therefrom; said second lower control beam being pivotally secured at its said first end to said second mounting bracket and extending longitudinally therefrom; said second ends of said first and second lower control beams being pivotally secured to said first and second axle and wheel supports, respectively; and a transverse control means secured to and extending between said first and second lower control beams; said first and second lower control beams comprising tubular members; each of said tubular members comprising a top wall having inner and outer sides, an outer side wall, having upper and lower ends, extending downwardly from said outer side of said top wall, an inner side wall, having upper and lower ends, extending downwardly from said inner side of said top wall, and a bottom wall, having inner and outer sides, extending between said lower ends of said inner and outer side walls; each of said inner and outer side walls of each of said first and second lower control beams having a first circular opening formed therein at said first ends thereof; each of said inner and outer side walls of each of said first and second lower control beams having a second circular opening formed therein at said second ends thereof; a first pivot bushing positioned in said first circular openings in said first lower control beam; a second pivot bushing positioned in said first circular openings in said second lower control beam; a third pivot bushing positioned in said second circular openings in said first lower control beam; a fourth pivot bushing positioned in said second circular openings in said second lower control beam; a first bolt extending through each of said first and second pivot bushings to pivotally secure said first ends of said first and second lower control beams to said first and second mounting brackets respectively; a second bolt extending through each of said third and fourth pivot bushings to pivotally secure said second ends of said first and second lower control beams to said first and second axle and wheel supports respectively; each of said third and fourth pivot bushings comprising: