Patent ID: 6527287
Filing Date: 2003-03-04
Classification: B60G

Abstract:
An air suspension system for a vehicle having a chassis and front and rear axle housings, said system comprising:a) a lever arm having a forward end, a center section and a rear end, said lever arm being mounted on said chassis to extend transversely to, and rearwardly of, said rear axle housing; b) means for mounting said forward end of said lever arm to be shiftably supported by said rear axle housing; c) means for pivotably mounting the rear end of said lever arm to said chassis; d) an air spring mounted on said center section of said lever arm between said lever arm and said chassis to provide load support to said chassis; e) a torque rod affixed to said rear axle housing and extending forward to pivotally mount on said chassis; f) said torque rod confining the movement of said rear axle to a defined arcuate path; g) said lever arm affecting movement of said rear axle dependent on load conditions imparted to said lever arm by said air spring; and, h) said means for mounting said forward end of said lever arm enabling said lever arm to shift relative to said rear axle housing to enable said rear axle housing to move in an arcuate path different than the arcuate path of said lever arm, whereby the load on said air spring is effected in a substantially linear manner throughout the movement of said rear axle housing.