Patent ID: 7614659
Filing Date: 2009-11-10
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. A vehicle chassis comprising: first and second spaced apart frame rails, each frame rail comprising a front portion and a rear portion; a front axle; a front suspension coupling the front axle to the front portions of each of the first and second frame rails; a rear axle; a rear suspension coupling the rear axle to a rear portion of each of the first and second frame rails; the rear suspension comprising a first rear axle suspension assembly coupling the rear axle to the first frame rail and a second rear axle suspension assembly coupling the rear axle to the second frame rail; each of the first and second rear axle suspension assemblies comprising a rear suspension mounting bracket extending downwardly from the associated frame rail at a location forwardly the rear axle, a support arm coupled to the axle with a forward end portion pivoted to the mounting bracket at a location below the associated frame rail, and an air spring coupling the rear axle to the associated frame rail; a first forward mounting bracket coupled to the first rail at a location rearwardly of the front axle and extending downwardly below the first frame rail; a second forward mounting bracket coupled to the second frame rail at a location rearwardly of the front axle and extending downwardly below the second frame rail; a first tensioning member extending from the rear suspension mounting bracket associated with the first frame rail to the first forward mounting bracket; and a second tensioning member extending from the rear suspension mounting bracket associated with the second frame rail to the second forward mounting bracket.