GB593344A - Improvements in or relating to suspension systems for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

593,344. Axle structives; torque rods. RIBBESFORD CO., Ltd., and THORNHILL, P. W. June 15, 1945, No. 15287. [Class 79 (iv) [Also in Group XXXII] In means for controlling movements between a vehicle body and a rigid dead axle comprising a pair of arms extending longitudinally of and each pivotally connected to the body with its other end attached to the dead axle and in which one corresponding pair of arm ends is coupled together by a rigid transverse member, each arm is free to flex or pivot in an outward-upward and inward-downward inclined direction but is constrained against all other movement relative to the transverse member. As shown the rigid transverse member is formed by the dead axle 20 to the enlarged ends 18, 19 of which therear ends of the arms 21, 22 are rigidly anchored. The arms 21, 22 are leaf springs of tempered steel strip, the planes containing which are inclined inwardly and upwardly at 45 degrees, Fig. 3, to intersect at 36 above the centre of gravity 37 of the body 35. The arms 21, 22 which are pivoted at their forward ends to the frame members 13, 14 constrain the body to movement about the point 36 apart from purely vertical up and down movement. In rounding a right hand curve as shown in Fig. 3 the body thus tends to lean to the right instead of to the left. The frame is suspended from the dead axle by helical springs 24, 25. In an alternative construction the arms 21, 22 are universally jointed to downward projections of the dead axle and the rigid transverse member is rigidly secured to the forward ends of the arms 21, 22 adjacent their pivotal connections with the frame. A horizontal torque stay prevents rotation of the dead axle about its points of connection with the arms 21, 22 and the frame is suspended from the dead axle by telescopic spring units. Instead of the arms 21, 22 being flexible they may be rigid, the inclined transverse movement then being obtained by the arms being pivoted to the rigid transverse member about inclined axes, the arms in one such arrangement being of isosceles triangular shape along the base of which is mounted the hinge which may be of the rubber bush type.