Patent ID: 7445220
Filing Date: 2008-11-04
Classification: B60G

Abstract:
1. A vehicle comprising a solid axle and first and second spaced apart elongated frame rail members from which the axle is suspended, the frame rail members each comprising a front or forward end portion and a rear or rearward end portion, the axle comprising first and second opposed axle end portions that each support at least one wheel for rotation about a wheel axis, and a suspension for the axle of the vehicle comprising: a first elongated support comprising a first end portion pivotally coupled to the first frame rail member at a first location along the first frame rail member that is rearwardly of the axle, the first support also comprising a second portion coupled to the axle; a first air spring coupled to the first frame rail member and to the first support, the first air spring having a first upright air spring axis which is positioned at a location forwardly of the wheel axis; a second elongated support comprising a first end portion pivotally coupled to the second frame rail member at a second location along the second frame rail member that is rearwardly of the axle, the second support also comprising a second portion coupled to the axle; a second air spring coupled to the second frame rail member and to the second support, the second air spring having a second upright air spring axis which is positioned at a location forwardly of the wheel axis; at least one cross-member having a first end portion coupled to the first frame rail member adjacent to the first air spring and a second end portion coupled to the second frame rail member adjacent to the second air spring; and at least one elongated lateral stabilizer member having a first end portion pivotally coupled to one of the first and second frame rail members and a second end portion pivotally coupled to the axle at a location adjacent to the other of the first and second frame rail members.