Abstract:
There is provided a vehicle having an oscillating solid axle having a maintenance free composite bearing on the oscillating axis.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention related to vehicles utilizing an axle that oscillates about an axis perpendicular to the axle. The invention provides a maintenance free bearing for the oscillation axis. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    An oscillating solid axle receives its load of the weight of the vehicle and the vehicle contents through the oscillation axis. Thus, although the range of movement about an oscillation axis may be limited to about 30 degrees of a circle, the load on the oscillation axle may be significant. There would be a benefit from a bearing at the axis of oscillation that would withstand severe loading at the oscillation axis and be maintenance free. The instant composite bearing and associated seals meet this need. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention offers a maintenance free oscillating axle. Further provided is a maintenance free bearing and seal useful for the axis of an oscillating axle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an oscillation vehicle axle. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is an end view of a vehicle with an oscillating axle. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a Section view of an oscillating joint and bearing. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Many slow moving vehicles  8  are equipped with an oscillating or pivoted connection  12  between rigid axles  10  and the vehicle frame or chassis  14 : such as fork-lift trucks, loaders; agricultural tractors and the like. The oscillation of the axles permits the axle to tilt when one wheel encounters a depression (or a rise) in the travel surface as illustrated by shadow lines shown on  FIG. 2 . While the axle tilts, the vehicle frame remains level, within limits, as the axle oscillates to accommodate irregularities in the travel surface. 
         [0008]    Such vehicles are expected to experience heavy loads, often under sever conditions. Consequently, such vehicles must be constructed to withstand the rigors of their intended use, including the axis of oscillation and the bearing between the frame member and the axle. As is evident from the illustration of the oscillating axle in  FIG. 1 , the axis of oscillation bears the entire load borne by the axle. Consequently from weight alone, the axis of oscillation must withstand considerable stress. Additionally, such vehicles often operate under severe conditions of abrasive airborne particulate. 
         [0009]    Traditionally bearings of the bushing variety of brass or bronze have been used for oscillation axis. Lubrication for such bushings was provided by grease fittings, or self-lubrication bearings such as oil impregnated bronze bushings available under the trademark Oilite™. 
         [0010]    The bearings on the axis of oscillation of the prior art required periodic lubrication, and suffered from damage from excessive loads in relation to the bearing size and material. Because of load limitations of the bearing, it became common to increase the surface area of the bearing over the size required for load bearing of the axis and bearing collar to spread the loads over a larger surface area. 
         [0011]    The maintenance free bearing  22  illustrated in  FIG. 3  comprises a composite of materials. The bearing  22  is shown between the oscillation shaft  24  and the oscillating member  26 . resilient seals  28  separate the bearing from abrasive contaminants. 
         [0012]    Typical resilient seals comprise polychloroprene, fluorinated polyethylene, or flexible polyurethane. 
         [0013]    Suitable composite bearings include those comprising lead, polytetrafluoroethylene, a particulate of polyarylene sulfide and clay. Other suitable maintenance free bearings may be formed from polytetrafluoroethylene fiber wound with a second fiber selected from polyamide, polyaramid, polyester, and cellulose bonded with a thermosetting resin such as a bisphenol-A epoxide containing from 5 to 25 wt % carbon based on the thermosetting resin. 
         [0014]    Suitable commercially available bearings may be obtained from Glacier Garlock: GGB North America P.O. Box 189, 700 MidAtlantic Parkway, Thorofare, N.J. 08086. General description of suitable bearings is available in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,575,429, and 4,867,889, the entire content thereof being incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0015]    In the absence of traditional lubrication in the form of oil or grease in a severe operating environment bearing life is observed to be at least 2 times the life of prior art lubricated bushings. 
         [0016]    The utility and benefits described herein as well as modifications and adaptations by those skilled in the art may adapt the invention to specific uses without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.