US1936258A - Spring shackle - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 21, 1933- E. J. w. NIELSEN SPRING SHACKLE Filed Dec. 27, 1930 Patented Nev. 21, 1933 SPRING ,SHACKLE Edward James Westergaard Nielsen, Bowen, Queensland, Australia Application December 27, 1930, Serial No. 505,112, and in Australia February 10, 1930 I 3 Claims. (01. zen- 5c) This invention is for an improved spring shackle, and refers more particularly to a shackle for use in connection with the springing of motor vehicles and the like.

At present it is usual to employ a shackle between the end of the dumb iron and the end of the main leaf of the spring. This shackle is subject to considerable friction and requires constant lubrication to prevent wear, and avoid the noise which is set up by the dry parts moving over one another. After excessive wear lateral movement between the chassis and thespring is set up.

The object of my invention is to provide a shackle which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, lit and maintain, and which will eliminate a great deal of the friction, and dispense with the necessity for constant lubrication, at the same time enabling freer and more satis' factory action of the spring.

My invention also contemplates of means in the said shackle for dampening the the dumb iron or chassis or be secured to it. This shackle incorporates a flanged roller, the flange running in a slot horizontal with the spring leaf. The end of the spring (main and second leaves) passes through the shackle, and the main leaf is also provided with a slot to accommodate the flange of the roller. Beneath the second leaf I provide a spacing and retaining bolt, at right angles to the spring. The face of theroller, on

each side of the central flange, runs on the top underside of the shackle and on the upper side of the main leaf. The ends of the main leaf and second leaf (the latter not slotted) pass right out between the beforementioned flanged roller and the spacing bolt. The flangerunning in the slots prevents lateral movement of the chassis relative to the spring, and also prevents twisting of the roller.

.As the load descends upon the wheels striking an obstruction the spring flattens and its free end moves out under and with the roller, and returns upon the rebound. The roller during this movement of the spring has unrestricted movement to and fro. r

In a modification the end of the main leaf is extended back and turned up engaging a screw which tensions and holds a spiral spring'between the end of the said turned end ofthe main leaf and the back of the shackle. As the body descends the spiral spring is extended and upon the Figure 7 is an the provision rebound acts as a snubber in conjunction with the shackle.

In order that the invention may be better understood reference will be had to the accompanying sheet of drawings wherein- 1 Figure l is an elevation of a shackle in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is an end view of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detail view of the main leaf showing the flanged roller in position;

Figure i is an elevation of a shackle embodying'a snubber in accordance with this invention;

Figure 5 is a detail view of the snubber; and

Figure 6 is a detail view of the main leaf showing the extension.

elevation of a modified construction of the invention employing a roller having end flanges.

Figure 8 is a detail elevation of said roller.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 3 a casting A is shown bolted or riveted to the dumb iron B. A slot C in the casting A is directly above a slot D in themain leaf E of the spring. A roller F having a flange G accommodates itself between the underside of the casting A and the main leaf E,

theflange accommodating itself in slot C of casting A and slot D of main leaf E. The spacing bolt K may be provided with a thimble J and is located beneath the spring and at the lower'end of the casting A.

' It will be obvious that the casting A may be integral with the dumb iron B or be secured to it as shown in the drawing. Inuse the end of the main leaf E is normally beneath roller F. As the spring functions theleaves E and H move longitudinally beneath roller Rand the flange G running in the slots C and D prevents lateral movement of the casting A relative to the spring E. Bolt K also provides against the load leaving the roller in an excessive rebound.

. Referring to Figures 4, 5 and 6, the casting A is shown as bolted or riveted to the dumb iron 13. The various operative parts are similar to those shown in Figure 1, the addition thereto being the snubbershown in detail in Figure 5. The snubber comprises a spring M held between the shackle A and an extension L of the main leaf;

The spring M is secured at each end to cap pieces N and N, the former being provided with a bead 0 (see Figure 5) adapted to lie in a channel P (see Figure 4) in the casting A to allow of a rocking motion. The other cap N is provided with a socket S. The bolt Q passes through the extension L of main leaf E and the ball S at its end enters socket S. A lock nut R may be provided.

In operation the end of main leaf E is beneath roller F and functions as before described. The snubber only becomes eifective on the rebound, in which case the spring M is compressed between extension L of main leaf and shackle A. The compression of spring M may be adjusted by bolt Q.

Referring to Figures '7 and 8, the end of leaf E may move beneath a roller F having flanges F at each side, said flanges F lying alongside the edge of spring leaf E. The roller F is adapted to roll upon the curved surface C in the housing A. This dispenses with the slotting while still maintaining the unrestricted movement of the roller F longitudinally along the spring E, the flange F preventing lateral movement. Preferably the spring leaf E is turned up at the end.

I claim:

1. An improved shackle of the class described,

comprising in combination with a leaf spring having a slot in its upper leaf forming a runway, a member arranged to be secured to a chassis and having an opening through which said leaf spring extends, said member being provided with a slot forming a runway at the upper side of said opening and a free roller arranged in said opening of said member. between said spring and the upper side of said opening, said roller having a flange engaging the runway of said member and EDWARD JAMES WESTERGAARD NIELSEN.

Images