US1628386A

US1628386A - Snubber attachment for vehicle springs

Info

Publication number: US1628386A
Application number: US120956A
Authority: US
Inventors: Blackmore William
Original assignee: WILLIAM C BLACKMORE
Current assignee: WILLIAM C BLACKMORE
Priority date: 1926-07-07
Filing date: 1926-07-07
Publication date: 1927-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 1944-05-10

Description

' 1,628,386 May 10 1927' w. BLACKMORE SNUBBER ATTACHMENT FOR VEHICLE SPRINGS Fiied dul v, 1926 Patented May 10, 1927.

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WILLIAM BLACKMORE, OF SHARON, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD T O ELI/[ER BELL, 0F SHARON, PENNSYLVANIA, AND ONE-THIRD TO WILLIAM C.

IBLACKMORE, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

Application filed July 7,

The present invention relates to a snubber attachment for vehicle springs, the snubber attachment of the present invention being of the type in which pressure is applied to superposed leaves of the spring to resist relative longitudinal movement of the leaves and prevent excessive fiexure of the spring, either downwardly due to the impacton the supporting wheels or upwardly due to the rebound.

I am aware that the idea of checking the flexure of a leaf spring by applying clamping pressure to the leaves thereof to increase the friction between them is not broadly new but in so far as I amaware no snubbing device of this character has heretofore come into general use.

The present invention has for its object to provide a device of this character capable of withstanding the hard usage to which it is subjected in service and of such simple construction that it may be manufactured at a low cost.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clip for supporting the spring clamping element which is formed of resilient metal, permitting it to yield and prevent application of excessive pressure to the leaves of the spring and also preventing damage to the clip and to the clamping devices carried thereby.

Further objects of the invention are to simplify and otherwise improve the connections between the vehicle body or axle and the spring clamping means and to provide a more durable, more reliable and more effective spring clamping device.

W it-h the above andother objects in view the invention may be said to comprise the device as illustrated in the accompanying drawings hereinafter described and particularly set forth in the appended claims, together with such variations and modifications thereof as will be apparent to one skilled in the art to which the invention appertains. I

Reference should be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing the snubber attachment applied to a semielliptic leaf spring of the type employed in automobiles of various makes;

Fig. 2' is a fragmentary side elevation SNUBBER ATTACHMENT FOR VEHICLE SPRINGS.

1926. Serial No. 120,956.

showing the spring clamped device in side elevatlon on a larger scale than in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of F 1g. 3; v

Fig. 6 is a rear elevation showing the invention applied to the rear spring of an automobile of a well-known type;

Fig. 7 is a front elevation showing a modified form of leaf clamping device applied to a front spring of an automobile of a Wellknown type; and

Fig. 8 is a section taken on line 88 of Fig. 7.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing, there is shown a side member 1 of an automobile frame, an axle 2, a leaf spring 3, connected at its center to the axle by means of a clamp 41-, at its front end to the frame member 1 by means of a pivot pin 5 and at its rear end to the frame member 1 by means of a shackle 6.

' The device of the present invention is adapted to be applied to the leaf spring and to exert'a clamping pressure upon a plurality of superposed leaves thereof to limit the fleXure of the spring. The spring engaging clamping members are carried by a substantially U-shaped clip 7 which is formed of resilient metal, such as spring steel, and is adapted to be slipped over the spring 3 between the center and one of the ends thereof. The clip 7 has an upper arm 8 which overlies the top leaf of the spring and which is provided with a set screw 9, adapted to be screwed down into engagement with said top leaf and held with a lock nut. The clip 7 is also provided with a lower arm 10 which extends beneath the spring and is provided with an upwardly projecting flange 11 at its outer end. Within the flange 11, there is mounted, upon the lower arm 10, a bearing block 12 whichis provided with a concave recess 13 on its upper side. A cam 14: is interposed between the bearing block 12 and the underside of the spring The cam 1a, which is substantially triangular in shape. has a rounded apex 15 which engages in the concave recess of the bearing block 12, the cam being supported on the bearing block with its base uppermost beneath the spring 3, the base of the cam being providedwith a lltl till

suitable wear plate 16 which engages with the lower lea't ot the spring. elutlicient space is provided between the upper edge of the llangre it and the outer end of the arm tr ot' the clip to permit the clip to he slipped into place on the spring and when the clip is positioned on the spring. the set, screw 9 may be turned to clamp the spring: with the d 'red pressure against the [lat lace oi. the cam ll. 'lhe llange it has a slot if? extend inn' dmvnwardl v treat the upper end thereof and the cam 'l-l: has an intt 1. arm 18 which extends laterally through the slot and is bent at rirjht an jslei-i to extend npwncdlv alone the side of the spring; l. The upper end of the arm 15% slidahli qupporled in an eye bolt 'ltl. attached to the under side o l" the tranie member 1.

l i hen the attachment is put in place on the ii-inn. the set screw 5) is tightened suitieientlv to hold the spring snuejlv again t the tint upper lace oi the chin ll. l chen the ends oi the spring I are 'lleited dmvnwardlv. due to the impact of the wheels ot the vehicle in passing); over irregularities in the road sur'l ace. the trains number 1 will move dmvnwardlv toward the axle f]. rocking the arm ll? and turning the earn l-lon the rocker hearing '12. causing the cam to exert an in- (1lIJlt-';tl pressure upon the superposed leaves oi the shrine with the resu t that the trietional resistance to relative longitudinal movement between the haves ot the spring is greatly increased. stitl'ening the spring and limiting; the llexure. l i lien on the rebound the trame member l. n'ioves upwardly above its normal positioz'i, the arm 18 and cam l t are rocked in the opposite direction again causing the cam to exert a clamping; pres sure upon the leav s ot' the spring! to limit the upward tlexure oi the spring: Since the clip T "Formed of resilient metal. the arms ti and 1D thereot will be sprung slightly apart when (Tie -ive prei snre exerted upon the cam H and this vieldin r ol. the clip prevents damage to the spring; and to the clampinp; devices since it limits the pressure applied by the cam to the spring and permits the arm 19- to have the uecesearv range at nioven'ient to accommodate the movements at? the 'l'raine member 1. wher the wheels of the vehicle are subjected to exccssive impacts.

in lligr. t3 oi the drawing. tl e inventitni is shown applied to a dillerent type of spring. the spring: in this case heinn a welllmown type ot rear swing. in this case, the spring :20 is interposed betweiui a rear ash ill and a vehicle frame member 22. the frame member being: supported upon the central portion of the spring aud the opposite ends of the spring being}; connected to the axle. by suitable shackles 23.

'lhe clip and the clamping devices car ried thereby are identical with the clip and clamping devices above described and the attz'aehn'ient shown in Fig. 6 dilters from that above described only in that the actuating arm extends from the clip to the axle in stead of TtlOll'l the clip to the supporting frame and in that a. sligl'itly ditlerent connix-lion is provided between the axle and actuating arm. Its shown in Fig. 6, the actuating arm 18 extends inwardly and downwardly from each of the clips 7 and each of the two arms 18 is provided with an elongated slot- .Z-l; adjacent its inner end, which receives the clanuping bolt. :25 ot a sectional collar :26 secured upon the axle 21. lipward or down "ard nlorenicnt of the frame member :t'roin its normal position will cause the arms ill nd the cams carried thereby to he rocked about their pivots to apply clamping pressure to the leaves of the spring; and limit the tlexure thereof.

in Fig. 1 ot the dra-wing g', the cam actuating arm is shown connected to the vehicle tranie member whereas in Fig. (l, the cam actuating arni shown connected to the axle ot the vehicle. It will be obvious, theretore, that it is immaterial, so far as the present: illl'Gl'ltlOll is concerned, whether the cam actuating arm is attached to the frame member or to the axle, the same re sult being accomplished when the actuating arni connected to either of the relatively movable parts of the vehicle between which the spring is interposed.

In Figs. 7 and 8 oil? the drawing, there is illustrated a niodilied ltlllll o:l:' the invention in which a uniform clamping; pressure is maintained upon the leaves of the spring to incraee the resistance to bending movement and to thereby stilt'en the spring. In this term ol the invei'ition. a substantially U-shaped clip 27 of resilient metal, such as spring; steel, is provided and this clip has an upper arm :38 which overlies the top lea't (lit the spring: and carries a grease cup Qt) tor lubricating the spring and a lower arm 2:30, which overlies the spring and carries a set screw 31 by means of which clamping pressure may b? :pplicd to the spring. The set screw ill may be tightened upon the spring until the springis held with the desired pressure and the set screw may be held in adjusted position by means oi a lock nut which is carried by the set screw below the arm 30 and is adapted to be screwed into engnurement with the arm 30 to hold the set; screw against turning; movement. The attachment shown in Fie's. 7 and 8 is designed particailarly tor a small automobile ot a veil-known make and is shown applied to the trout spring- 33 of such an automobile Having thus described my invention. what I claim is:

1. The combination with a spring formed, of superposed leaves which have a relative :til

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endwise movement upon fiexure of the spring, of a substantially U-shaped clip formed of resilient metal and having a base portion and a pair of spaced. arms extending laterally from the base portion, said clip being adapted to be placed on the spring with the base extending across one side of the spring and the arms extending across the leaves at the top and bottom thereof, and means mounted on one of the arms for applying a clamping pressure to the superposed leaves of the spring.

2. The combination with a spring formed of superposed leaves which have a relative endwise movement upon flexure of the spring, of a substantially U-shap-ed clip formed of resilient metal and having a base portion and a pair of spaced arms extending laterally from the base portion, said clip being adapted to be placed on the spring with the base extending across one side of the spring and the arms extending across the leaves at the top and bottom thereof, and a set screw carried by one of the arms for applying a clamping pressure to the superposed leaves of the spring.

' 3. The combination with a vehicle having frame and axle members and an interposed leaf spring, of a snubber attachment comprising a clip of resilient metal having spaced arms adapted to straddle plurality of leaves of th spring, a movable pressure applying device interposed between one of said arms and the adjacent leaf of the spring and means connecting said device with one of said members for actuating said pressure applying device upon a relative movement of said members.

4. The combination with a vehicle having frame and axle members and an interposed leaf spring, of a snubber attachment com prising a clip of resilient metal having spaced arms adapted to straddle a plurality of leaves of the spring, a movable pressure applying device interposed between one of said arms and the adjacent leaf of the spring, and means connecting said device with one of said members for actuating said device to apply pressure to superposed leaves of the spring upon relative movement of said members in either direction from their normal position. v r

5. The combination with a vehicle having frame and axle members and an interposed leaf spring, of a snubber attachment comprising a clip having spaced upper and lower arms adapted to receive a plurality of leaves of the spring between them, a cam mounted on one of the arms and interposed between said arm and the adjacent leaf of the spring, and an arm fixed to the cam and slidably connected to one of said members whereby said cam is actuated to apply clamp ing pressure to the superposed leaves of the spring upon relative movement of said members.

6. The combination with a vehicle having frame and axle members and an interposed leaf spring, of a snubber attachment comprising a clip having spaced upper and lower arms adapted to receive a plurality of leaves of the spring between them, a cam mounted on one of the arms and interposed between said arm and the adjacent leaf of the spring, a set screw carried by the other arm for clamping the superposed leaves of the spring against said cam, and an arm fixed to the cam and slidably connected to one of said members whereby said cam is actuated to apply clamping pressure to the superposed leaves of the spring upon relative movement of said members.

7. Thecombination with a vehicle having frame and axle members and an interposed leaf spring, of a snubber attachment comprising a clip having spaced upper and lower arms adapted to receive a plurality of leaves of the spring between them, a cam mounted on one of the arms and interposed between said arm and the adjacent leaf of .r:

fitting in said recess and a base bearing against an outer leaf of the spring, and an arm fixed to said cam and connected to one of said members.

8. The combination with a vehicle having frame and axle members and an interposed leaf spring, of a snubber attachment comprising a clip having spaced upper and lower arms adapted to receive a plurality of leaves of the spring between ther a cam mounted on one of the arms and interposed between said arm and the adjacent leaf of the spring, a bearing block carried by one of the arms on the inner side thereof and having a concave bearing recess, a substantially triangular cam having a rounded apex fitting in said recess and a base bearing against an outer leaf of the spring, an arm fixed to said cam and connected to one of said members, and a set screw carried by the other arm of the clip for clamping thesuperposed leaves of the spring against said cam.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aflix my signature.

WVILLIAM BLAOKMORE.

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