GB1191880A - Temporary Axle Assemblies with Air Bag and Torsion Arm Suspension - Google Patents

Abstract

1,191,880. Temporary axle structure. GICHNER MOBILE SYSTEMS Inc. 23 Nov., 1967 [23 Nov., 1966], No. 53411/67. Heading B7D. A temporary axle assembly for attachment to a load container 16 for transport purposes comprises an axle 32 having wheels 28 which may be pivoted at 34 for steering by a tow arm 26 through linkages 36, 38 or may be non-steerable. Towards each end, the axle is pivoted to a supporting structure by an assembly comprising a torque arm 42 and a suspension arm 44. The torque arm 42 comprises a tube 48 connected to the axle 32 with the aid of a sleeve member 50, and a tube 62 telescopically mounted thereon and retained in position by means of resilient discs 56, the arm 62 having a fixed flange 60, pressure being exerted upon the discs 56 through a bolt 66 and plate 68. The tube 62 is pivoted at 64 to the suspension arm 44 which comprises a plate 80 and depending flanges 82 and is pivoted at 86 to the support structure. An hydraulic ram 108 extends between the suspension arm 44 and support structure for raising the load, a brace 114 having a lock 120 being provided for retaining the load in the raised position. The arm 44 bears upon the axle 32 through an air spring 94 and a vibration damper 102 and bump stop 98 are provided. The support structure for attachment to the load may comprise a transverse beam 136, upright 126, diagonal 152, support hooks 148 and a roller 146 to facilitate positioning the load. In a modification, Fig. 12, the torque arm 206 and suspension arm 208 are mounted at 222, 224 upon the support structure, with a common pivot axis. In a modified support structure arrangement, Fig. 14, the suspension assemblies are connected to uprights 252 which are rigid with a beam 254 and the load is connected to brackets arranged on the inside of the uprights 252 and to uprights 258 which are connected to the uprights 252 by means of torque tubes 256.