GB186380A - Improvements in and relating to vehicle suspensions - Google Patents

Abstract

186,380. Waters, S. J. May 25, 1921. Straight bars arranged for torsion.-Relates to vehicle suspensions comprising a number of torsion rods of substantial cross-sectional area arranged side by side adjacent each other and forming the main shock absorbing device, all the rods acting in conjunction with one or both wheels on an axle for rolling as well as vertical motion of the body relatively to the axle. According to the invention all the torsion rods are connected together by means which prevent relative rotational motion between them at the point of connection. As shown in Fig. 1, a group of longitudinally arranged torsion rods 3 3a is used in conjunction with each end of the axle. The rods 3, 3a of each group are rigidly connected together at one end by a member 4 provided with. a pivot 5 mounted in a bearing 6, the other ends of the rods being rigidly connected respectively to a lever 2 and to the vehicle frame, the lever being connected to one end of the axle. The pivot 5 may be arranged eccentrically for example in line with the rod 3a. The bosses 7 of the lever 2 may, as shown, be mounted to rotate in bearings 8 on an axis intermediate of the axes of the rods 3, 3<a>, and the members 4 of the two groups of rods may be provided with lugs 9 connected by links as shown in dotted lines. In the modification shown in Fig. 2, one group of rods is used in conjunction with both ends of an axle. The rods 3, 3a rigidlv connected by the member 4 are rigidly connected to a rod 10 of greater strength secured to the frame of the vehicle and arranged coaxially with the rod 3 which is directly secured to the lever 2. The other lever 2 mounted on a pivot 11 is connected by a link 12 to a lever 13 the boss of which rotates in a bearing 14 and is rigidly secured to the rod 3a. The rods may be arranged transversely of the vehicle frame as shown in Fig. 5. The rod 3, rigidly secured at its end to the lever 2 carrying an axle, is rigidly secured by a member 4 to torsion rods 3a, 3b arranged on each side of the rod 3. Each rod may be in two parts which are rigidly connected by the member 4. Modifications are also described in which only two transverse rods are used. Adjacent torsion rods may be actually in contact with each other. The groups of torsion rods are preferably initially stressed so that when under maximum 'load they are parallel with one another. Specification 149,718 is referred to.