Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a Raised Axle and Suspension System that consists of a unique design that is intended to be used on a wide variety of front wheel drive vehicles and trailers by raising the axle overarm to an overhead position. This is accomplished by having the wheels on stub axles attached to a pivoting wheel support castings that are attached to frame attachment members. Angular support members are fixably attached to the frame attachment members and suspension support members that connect to the axle overarm. The axle overarm extends from the left side of the vehicle to the right side. The suspension springs extend between the suspension base members that are pivotally connected to the wheel support castings and the suspension support members along with conventional shock absorbers creating a spring cushioning system.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This application is in the field of lowering the floor level for a wide variety of motor vehicles and trailers by raising the rear axle overarm to an overhead position and mounting the wheels on a suspension system using individual stub axles. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention describes a new and unique design that raises the axle height of a wide range of vehicles including cars and minivans, delivery vans, handicapped vans, busses, campers and trailers to provide a curb level floor surface. The intended use of the overhead axle is for front wheel drive vehicles only or trailers. The axle consists of the rigid structure that connects two or more rear wheels of a motor vehicle or the two or more wheels of a trailer. The axle overarm is actually an extension of the vehicle frame and is connected to the unitized construction of the vehicle body. 
     This is accomplished by having the rear axle structure above head height within these vehicles. On conventional vehicles with the floor above the rear axle and suspension system it creates an elevated floor height where individuals are required to climb up to enter the vehicle. This is extremely difficult for delivery people who have to re-enter the vehicle a great number of times a day. Additional problems occur with handicapped individuals entering vehicles either by themselves, with help or in wheelchairs. Wheel chair lifts are very expensive to be incorporated into a vehicle where they are required to lift the handicapped individual up to the floor height of the vehicle. Most public vehicles are required to have wheelchair lifts for the handicapped which are expensive and take up a lot of space. On commercial vehicles it takes a lot more time assisting a handicapped person into and out of the vehicle than the other passengers which can greatly affect the scheduled time of these operations. Electric wheelchairs are most often carried on a special lift on the rear of private vehicles due to their weight. For recreational vehicles the Raised Axle and Suspension System produces a unique conveyance and the ability for elderly individuals to enter easily. 
     The overhead axle eliminates the need for a bulky frame going over the conventional axle below the floor between the two rear wheels of the vehicle. The main body strength of the Raised Axle and Suspension System comes from the overhead axle overarm, overhead chassis and unitized construction of the body. As a result, the entire floor may be only three inches thick, and ten inches from the ground. 
     Numerous innovations for various vehicles have been provided in the prior art that are described as follows. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they differ from the present design as hereinafter contrasted. The following is a summary of those prior art patents most relevant to this application at hand, as well a description outlining the difference between the features of the Raised Axle and Suspension System and the prior art. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,039,205 of Emile Lucien Castanier describes a rear-end suspension for an automotive vehicle comprising a rigid cross-member mounted by means of resilient bearing assemblies on the vehicle frame or body. At each side of the vehicle is provided a substantially triangular wheel arm pivoted at two vertices of the triangle to the cross-member, the third vertex carrying the spindle on which the wheel is mounted. In view to limit the longitudinal displacements of the ends of the cross-member, each of said ends is mounted on the vehicle frame by means of two directional bearing assemblies the directional axes of which intersect substantially on the axis of the cross-member. 
     This patent describes a rear-end suspension for an automotive vehicle comprising a rigid cross-member mounted by means of resilient bearing assemblies on the vehicle frame or body. This patent design still has the floor of the vehicle above the axle and could not be used for transporting handicapped people, and does not facilitate a walk-about interior. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,881 of Kolbel; Hans J. et al describes a vehicle suspension, wherein the wheels are mounted to bending and torsion resistant longitudinal control arms, is provided with a cross-strut with a U-shaped or V-shaped cross-section mounted between the control arms and gusset plates for strengthening the connection between the cross-strut and the control arms. A transverse corrugation is provided on the cross-strut in the vicinity of the end of the gusset plate, for strengthening the cross-strut in the vicinity of its largest discontinuity in rigidity and thereby increasing its overall strength. 
     This patent describes a vehicle suspension, wherein the wheels are mounted to bending and torsion resistant longitudinal control arms. This patent design still has the floor of the vehicle above the axle and could not be used for transporting handicapped people, and does not facilitate a walk-about interior. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,234,205 of Thiesce; Pierre describes an invention that relates to a suspension for a set of wheels of a vehicle, in which the wheels are rotatably carried by the end of an axle arm of which the hub is mounted to rotate at the end of a cross member fast with the structure of the vehicle. According to the invention, the suspension is constituted by two torsion bars coupled for each of them between one of the arms and an element fast with the structure. Each torsion bar extends parallel to the axis of the hub and to the exterior thereof, and is immobilized in rotation by one of its ends on the corresponding arm and by the other of its ends on the element which is located in the vicinity of the other arm. The hub of each of the arms is movable in translation along its axis with respect to the cross member. The invention finds particular application to the automobile industry. 
     This patent describes an invention that relates to a suspension for a set of wheels of a vehicle, in which the wheels are rotatably carried by the end of an axle arm. These patents have been designed for industrial or farm vehicles and have the floor of the vehicle above the axle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,042,817 of Vijay W. Motebennur describes a self-propelled, dirigible agricultural vehicle that includes a height-adjustable chassis with an axle and a driven wheel hub. The axle is shiftable between a normal clearance position above the wheel hub and a relatively higher elevated clearance position. The chassis further includes a kingpin and a spacer section that is removably connectable to the kingpin. The axle is in the normal clearance position when the spacer is removed from the kingpin and is in the elevated clearance position when the spacer is connected to the kingpin. 
     This patent describes a self-propelled, dirigible agricultural vehicle that includes a height-adjustable chassis with an axle but does not describe an axle that can be used on passenger vehicles. 
     None of these previous efforts, however, provides the benefits attendant with the Raised Axle and Suspension System. The present design achieves its intended purposes, objects and advantages over the prior art devices through a new, useful and unobvious combination of method steps and component elements, with the use of a minimum number of functioning parts, at a reasonable cost to manufacture, and by employing readily available materials. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The principal advantage of the Raised Axle and Suspension System is the capability of lowering the floor height of a wide variety of vehicles. 
     Another advantage of the Raised Axle and Suspension System is having the floor of vehicles close to the height of a curb. 
     Another advantage of the Raised Axle and Suspension System is that with the aid of a small ramp a wheelchair can enter a vehicle easily, and can be driven by a person while seated in their wheelchair. 
     Another advantage of the Raised Axle and Suspension System is that with the lower floor level delivery people do not have to climb up and down every time they make a delivery. 
     Another advantage of the Raised Axle and Suspension System is that when loading and unloading large items for delivery, they can be rolled in and out of the cargo area very easily on small ramps. 
     Another advantage of the Raised Axle and Suspension System is that delivery vehicles would not require lifting tailgates. 
     Another advantage of the Raised Axle and Suspension System is that openings can be at the rear or sides of the vehicle at a curb height. 
     Another advantage of the Raised Axle and Suspension System is that commercial passenger vehicles would avoid the expense of installing an expensive wheelchair lifting elevator. 
     Another advantage of the Raised Axle and Suspension System is that it eliminates the conventional frame of the vehicle going over the top of the axle. 
     And still another advantage is to create a vehicle with a lower center of gravity. 
     Yet another advantage of the Raised Axle and Suspension System is that the raised axle creates a roll bar at the rear of the vehicle. 
     A further advantage is to create a vehicle with a lower overall height where vans and RV&#39;s are able to fit into private home garages while maintaining a taller entry height and a walk-about interior with a greater ceiling height. 
     And yet a further advantage of the Raised Axle and Suspension System is being able to create trailers having a lower floor, lower overall height and reduced weight, or a vehicle or trailer with no floor capable of straddling a cargo load for pick-up and delivery. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the Raised Axle and Suspension System in detail it is to be understood that the design is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement, of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The Raised Axle and Suspension System is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present design application. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present application. 
     The Raised Axle and Suspension System consists of a unique design that is intended to be used on front wheel drive cars, minivans, delivery vans, handicapped vans, busses, campers and trailers by raising the axle overarm to an overhead position. This is accomplished by having the wheels on stub axles attached to a pivoting wheel support castings that are connected to frame attachment members. Angular support members are fixably attached to the frame attachment members and suspension support members that connect to the axle overarm. The axle overarm extends from the left side of the vehicle to the right side creating an extension of the frame of the vehicle to the elevated position that will tie into the unitized construction of the vehicle body. As a result, the entire floor may be only three inches thick and ten inches from the ground. The suspension springs extend between the suspension base members. The base members are pivotally connected to the wheel support castings, and the suspension support members. This structure, along with conventional shock absorbers, create a spring cushioning suspension system. 
     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present Raised Axle and Suspension System in order that the detailed description of the application that follows may be better understood so that the present contribution to the art may be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the design will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of this disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific embodiment may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures and methods for carrying out the same purposes of the present design. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions and methods do not depart from the spirit and scope of this application as set forth in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the Raised Axle and Suspension System and together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of this application. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a side view of a conventional front wheel drive vehicle incorporating the Raised Axle and Suspension System mechanism. 
         FIG. 2  depicts an assembled perspective view of the Raised Axle and Suspension System with the wheel exploded away. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a perspective exploded view of the left side support mechanism of the wheel support casting illustrating the stub axle. 
         FIG. 4  depicts an exploded perspective view of the left side mechanism of the Raised Axle and Suspension System. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a left side view of the Raised Axle and Suspension System. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a rear view of the left and right side of the Raised Axle and Suspension System. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a cross section of the left side view of the Raised Axle and Suspension System. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a cross section of the left and right side of the Raised Axle and Suspension System. 
         FIG. 9  depicts a cross section of the left side view of the alternate embodiment of the Raised Axle and Suspension System. 
         FIG. 10  depicts a cross section of the left and right side of the alternate embodiment of the Raised Axle and Suspension System. 
     
    
    
     For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the Raised Axle and Suspension System, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the design and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein similar parts of the preferred embodiment of the Raised Axle and Suspension System  10  are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in  FIG. 1  a side view of a conventional front wheel drive vehicle  12  incorporating the Raised Axle and Suspension System  10 . The right side of the preferred Raised Axle and Suspension System  10  is a mirror image of the left side. This view illustrates the vehicles left side wheel  14 , the frame attachment member  16  that is welded to the angular support member  18 . The wheel side support member  20  of the wheel support casting  22  that is pivotally connected to the suspension base member  24  and the suspension support member  26  that is additionally welded to the angular support member  18 . The suspension spring  28  extends between the suspension base member  24  and the suspension support member  26  along with a conventional shock absorber  30 . The axle overarm  32  extends from the left side of the vehicle to the right side. 
       FIG. 2  depicts an assembled perspective view of the Raised Axle and Suspension System  10  with the wheel  14  exploded away. The frame attachment member  16  that is connected to the angular support member  18  is pivotally attached to the wheel support casting  22  having the wheel side support member  20  and the wheel attachment member  34  with the stub axle  36 . The angular support member  18  is welded to the square cross section  38  of the suspension support member  26 . At the transition section  40  the suspension support member  26  changes from a square cross section  38  to the rectangular cross section  42 . The shock absorber  30  is attached to the rectangular cross section  42  by the means of the clevis pin  46  and to the suspension base member by the means of the clevis pin  48 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts a perspective exploded view of the wheel attach member  34  illustrating the stub axle  36  having a tapered square section  50  which will engage with the tapered square orifice  52  in the wheel attachment member  34  to be locked in place by the means of the stub axle lock nut  54 . The wheel  14  will be attached to the stub axle  36  by the means of the wheel nut  44 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts an exploded perspective view of the left side mechanism of the Raised Axle and Suspension System  10 . The frame attachment member  16  is moved away from the tubular angular support member  18  where it is fixably attached. The wheel support casting  22  is shown with the side support member  20  and the wheel attachment member  34  with the stub axle  36  and a bearing pocket  60  which will also be located in side support member  20 . A square bearing block  62  will be attached within the square cross section  38  of the suspension support member  26  by the means of four bolts  64  and nuts  66 . Bearing pockets  68  on both sides of the bearing block  62  will house the roller bearings  70  that will rotate on the shoulder bolts  72 . The reason for the roller bearings  70  is to facilitate a flat surface contact with the square section  74  of the central shaft  76  that moves forward and backward along with up and down in the motion of the wheel  14  on the wheel support casting  22 . An upper section of the suspension support member  26  in the rectangular cross section  42  has been broken away to expose the square section  74  of the central shaft  76  that changes to a round cross section  78 . The reason that the central shaft changes from the square section  74  to the round cross section  78  is the round section  78  goes through the bushing  80  in the pivot block  82  that pivot on pivot pins  84 . The pivot block  82  pivots slightly with the up and down motion of the wheel  14  and the wheel support member  20 . A rubber bumper  86  is attached to the end of the central shaft  76  to bottom out against the fixed stop plate  88 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts a side view of the Raised Axle and Suspension System  10 . This view illustrates the vehicles left side wheel  14 , the frame attachment member  16  that is welded to the angular support member  18 . The wheel side support member  20  of the wheel support casting  22  is pivotally connected to the suspension base member  24  and the suspension support member  26 . The wheel  14  is shown in phantom to illustrate the location of the wheel attachment member  34  and the stub axle  36 . The suspension spring  28  extends between the suspension base member  24  and the lower suspension support  26  along with a conventional shock absorber  30 . The axle overarm  32  extends from the left side of the vehicle to the right side. 
       FIG. 6  depicts a rear view illustrating the relationship of the left and right side of the Raised Axle and Suspension System  10  and the positioning of the shock absorber  30 . It is also anticipated that a vehicle or trailer with no floor capable of straddling a cargo load for pick-up and delivery may be configured using the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  depicts a cross section of the left side view of the Raised Axle and Suspension System  10  illustrating the vehicles left side wheel  14  in phantom to depict the angular movement up and down θ and the angular movement back and forth θ′ of the wheel  14  and the stub axle  36 . The central shaft  76  pivots on the upper end in the pivot block  82  moving up and down through the bushing  80 . The wheel side support member  20  of the wheel support casting  22  is pivotally connected to the suspension base member  24  and the suspension support member  26 . A spring guide  90  is the upper part of the suspension base member  24  and centers the suspension spring  28  under the bearing block  62 . A rubber cushion  92  attached to the central shaft  76  on the square section  74  will come against the bearing block  62  when the weight of the vehicle  12  is removed from the wheel  14 . 
       FIG. 8  depicts a cross section of the left and right side of the Raised Axle and Suspension System  10  illustrating the centralized alignment along the centerline  94  of the wheel  14 , the suspension base member  24 , and the central shaft  76 . The two roller bearings  70  in the bearing pockets  68  in the bearing block  62  rotating on the shoulder bolts  72  are on each side of the square section  74  of the central shaft  76 . The two sides of the wheel support casting  22 , consisting of the wheel side support member  20  and the wheel attachment member  34  with bearing pockets  60  and bearings  96  retain the suspension base member  24 . The wheel support casting  22  pivots on the pivot shaft  98  that is held at both ends by the means of snap rings  100 . The two roller bearings  70  provide for allowing up and down and forward and backward movement, while also restricting lateral movement. 
       FIG. 9  depicts a cross section of the left side view of the alternate embodiment of the Raised Axle and Suspension System  110  where a pair of roller bearings  112  rotating on shoulder bolts  114  are housed in a second bearing block  116  and allow the central shaft  76  to pivot forward and backward and move up and down. The upper section  118  of the central shaft  76  in this embody will have a square cross section instead of the round section of the preferred embodiment of the Raised Axle and Suspension System  10 . 
       FIG. 8  depicts a cross section of the left and right side of the alternate embodiment of the Raised Axle and Suspension System  110  depicting a second pair of roller bearings  120  rotating on shoulder bolts  114  are housed in a second bearing block  116  allowing the central shaft  76  to move up and down. The position of the roller bearings  70  in the bearing block  62  will eliminate any side movement of the central shaft  76 . The unique use of the roller bearings  70 ,  112  and  120  against a square central shaft  76  allow for a smooth movement up and down and the pivoting forward and backward while providing a solid resistance against any sideways movement. It is also anticipated that a conventional disc breaking system will be adapted to the standard wheel rim and the wheel attachment member  34 . 
     The Raised Axle and Suspension System  10  shown in the drawings and described in detail herein disclose arrangements of elements of particular construction and configuration for illustrating preferred embodiments of structure and method of operation of the present application. It is to be understood, however, that elements of different construction and configuration and other arrangements thereof, other than those illustrated and described may be employed for providing a Raised Axle and Suspension System  10  in accordance with the spirit of this disclosure, and such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this design as broadly defined in the appended claims. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.