GB408228A - Improvements in or relating to motor road vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

408,228. Motor road vehicles. TRIER, V. A., 38, Felsham Road, Putney, London. Aug. 17, 1932, No. 23112. [Classes 79 (iv) and 79 (v).] In a motor vehicle, the engine A and a longitudinal member, which may comprise the gear box A<5> and torque tube F, form a rigid structure spring-supported on one pair of wheels E and rotatably connected to the centre F<1> of the axle G of the other pair of wheels G<1> so as to be rockable relatively thereto about a longitudinal axis, whilst the frame, which is disposed mainly below the level of the longitudinal member, includes a girder member H constituting a tunnel-like housing for the longitudinal member and is supported by a spring or springs L<3> on the axle G, its other end being connected to the engine unit by a pivotal or like joint A<9>. The engine A is bolted by means of its support A<1> to a transverse leaf spring B, pivotal mountings C for the front wheel stub-axles C<1> being carried between the ends of the spring B and of links D pivoted, preferably with the interposition of friction dampers D<1>, to arms A' on the support A', the arrangement being of the nature of a parallel link motion. In a modified construction, the members C are mounted between upper and lower quarter elliptic leaf springs with the same effect. To the tunnel member H, which may be of sheet metal, are riveted &c. transverse end plates H<1>, H<2>, and an intermediate girder H<3> connected by a flooring J. The springs L<3> are centrally clamped to the ends of a transverse shaft L<1> mounted in bearings L carried by the rear plate H<1>, each spring being pivoted at one end L' to the axle G and anchored at its other end L<5> to the girder H<3>, the shaft L<1> thus transmitting torque from one spring to the other in case of individual wheel displacements. An extension K of the frame H is connected to the engine casing A<5> by a gimbal type of joint comprising an intermediate member A<6> connected by transverse trunnions A<7> to the extension K and by a longitudinally disposed pivot pin A<8> to a lug A<9> depending from the casing. Alternatively, a ball joint or a connection in which the required freedom is obtained by means of rubber bushings &c. may be employed. In order that the steering shall not be affected by rocking of the engine unit relatively to the frame, the steering shaft M<3> acts through a pinion M<2> on a toothedrack member M slidable in a transverse housing M<1> on the extension K, the movements being transmitted through ball-jointed links N<2> to arms N<3> on the stub-axle mountings C<1>.