Patent ID: 7644942

Claim:
A suspension apparatus for an axle of a vehicle, the vehicle having a frame with generally opposing forward and rearward ends defining a longitudinal axis, the suspension apparatus comprising: an elongate axle carrier having opposing first and second ends generally aligned with said longitudinal axis, a carrier mounting structure affixed adjacent said second end, said mounting structure connecting said carrier to said frame in a manner allowing said carrier to pivot about a first axis generally transverse to said longitudinal axis, and an axle pivot structure disposed adjacent said first end of said carrier and affixed thereto, said axle pivot structure aligned generally parallel to said longitudinal axis; an axle having a laterally extending central portion with left and right ends and left and right wheels connected respectively thereto for engagement with the ground, said axle pivotally coupled to said axle pivot structure to permit said axle to pivot with respect to said axle carrier about a second axis generally parallel to said longitudinal axis; a guide member disposed on said forward end of said carrier engaging a receiving structure connected to said frame, said guide member interacting with said receiving structure limiting relative motion of said axle carrier to pivoting motion about said first axis; left and right suspension actuators connecting said left and right extending portions of said axle, respectively, to said frame, said suspension actuators being selectively movable in first and second opposing directions and extendable or retractable to a desired length whereby extending or retracting selective said actuators modifies the position of said left or right wheels relative to said frame; and a control system for managing the position, extension and retraction, and the rate thereof, of said suspension actuators in response to the contour of the ground engaged by or to be engaged by said wheels thereby controlling pivoting of said axle about said first and second axes.