Vehicle suspension system incorporating swivel link assembly
View Patent ↗An adjustable suspension member of a vehicle suspension system is adapted for supporting a frame of vehicle. The suspension member interconnects first and second components of the vehicle, and enables movement of the first component relative to the second component when the vehicle is in motion. The suspension member includes an elongated swivel link assembly having first and second opposite ends. The first end is operatively connected to the first component of the vehicle, and the second end is operatively connected to the second component of the vehicle. The link assembly swivels about a longitudinal axis defined by the suspension member. The swivel range is greater than 45 degrees.
1. In a vehicle suspension system adapted for supporting a frame of vehicle, and comprising an axle, at least one spring operatively connected to the axle and adapted for absorbing kinetic energy transferred to the frame when the vehicle is in motion, and at least one dampening device for dampening the kinetic energy absorbed by the spring, the improvement comprising an adjustable suspension member interconnecting first and second components of the vehicle and enabling movement of the first component relative to the second component when the vehicle is in motion, said suspension member comprising:
an elongated swivel link assembly having first and second opposite ends, the first end being operatively connected to the first component of the vehicle and the second end being operatively connected to the second component of the vehicle;
means for swiveling said link assembly about a longitudinal axis defined by said suspension member; and
said link assembly having a swivel range greater than 45 degrees.
2. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 1 , wherein the first end of said link assembly comprises a female T-link having a first elongated tubular portion extending along the longitudinal axis of said suspension member, and a second elongated tubular portion fixedly attached to the first tubular portion and extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said suspension member.
3. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 2 , and comprising a rubber bushing residing inside the second tubular portion of said T-link.
4. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 3 , and comprising a protective metal sleeve covering an outer surface of said rubber bushing.
5. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 3 , wherein said rubber bushing defines a longitudinal through-bore adapted for receiving a pivot pin, such that the pivot pin pivotably attaches the first end of said link assembly to the first component of the vehicle.
6. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 5 , and comprising a protective metal sleeve located at the through-bore between said rubber bushing and the pivot pin.
7. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 2 , wherein said link assembly further comprises a male link connected to said female T-link and adapted for swivel movement relative to said T-link.
8. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 1 , wherein said link assembly has a swivel range greater than 90 degrees.
9. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 1 , wherein said link assembly has a swivel range greater than 180 degrees.
10. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 1 , wherein said link assembly has a swivel range of 360 degrees.
11. In a vehicle suspension system adapted for supporting a frame of vehicle, and comprising an axle, at least one spring operatively connected to the axle and adapted for absorbing kinetic energy transferred to the frame when the vehicle is in motion, and at least one dampening device for dampening the kinetic energy absorbed by the spring, the improvement comprising an adjustable control arm operatively connected to the axle and adapted for locating the suspension system relative to the frame, said control arm comprising:
an elongated swivel link assembly having first and second opposing ends, the first end being operatively connected to the axle of the suspension system and the second end being operatively connected to the frame;
means for swiveling said link assembly about a longitudinal axis defined by said control arm, such that said suspension system is movable relative to the frame when the vehicle is in motion; and
said link assembly having a swivel range greater than 45 degrees.
12. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 11 , wherein the first end of said link assembly comprises a female T-link having a first elongated tubular portion extending along the longitudinal axis of said control arm, and a second elongated tubular portion fixedly attached to the first tubular portion and extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said control arm.
13. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 12 , and comprising a rubber bushing residing inside the second tubular portion of said T-link.
14. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 13 , wherein said rubber bushing defines a longitudinal through-bore adapted for receiving a pivot pin, such that the pivot pin pivotably attaches the first end of said link assembly to the axle of the suspension system.
15. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 12 , wherein said link assembly further comprises a male link connected to said female T-link and adapted for swivel movement relative to said T-link.
16. An adjustable suspension member of a vehicle suspension system adapted for supporting a frame of vehicle, said suspension member adapted for interconnecting first and second components of the vehicle and enabling movement of the first component relative to the second component when the vehicle is in motion, said suspension member comprising:
an elongated swivel link assembly having first and second opposite ends, the first end being operatively connected to the first component of the vehicle and the second end being operatively connected to the second component of the vehicle;
means for swiveling said link assembly about a longitudinal axis defined by said suspension member; and
said link assembly having a swivel range greater than 45 degrees.
17. An adjustable suspension member according to claim 16 , wherein the first end of said link assembly comprises a female T-link having a first elongated tubular portion extending along the longitudinal axis of said suspension member, and a second elongated tubular portion fixedly attached to the first tubular portion and extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said suspension member.
18. An adjustable suspension member according to claim 17 , and comprising a rubber bushing residing inside the second tubular portion of said T-link.
19. An adjustable suspension member according to claim 18 , wherein said rubber bushing defines a longitudinal through-bore for receiving a pivot pin, such that the pivot pin is adapted for pivotably attaching the first end of said link assembly to the first component of the vehicle.
20. An adjustable suspension member according to claim 17 , wherein said link assembly further comprises a male link connected to said female T-link and adapted for swivel movement relative to said T-link.
21. An adjustable control arm of a vehicle suspension system adapted for supporting a frame of vehicle, the suspension system comprising an axle, at least one spring operatively connected to the axle and adapted for absorbing kinetic energy transferred to the frame when the vehicle is in motion, and at least one dampening device for dampening the kinetic energy absorbed by the spring, said control arm being operatively connected to the axle and adapted for locating the suspension system relative to the frame, said control arm comprising:
an elongated swivel link assembly having first and second opposing ends, the first end adapted for being operatively connected to the axle of the suspension system and the second end adapted for being operatively connected to the frame;
means for swiveling said link assembly about a longitudinal axis defined by said control arm, such that said suspension system is movable relative to the frame when the vehicle is in motion; and
said link assembly having a swivel range greater than 45 degrees.
22. An adjustable control arm according to claim 21 , wherein the first end of said link assembly comprises a female T-link having a first elongated tubular portion extending along the longitudinal axis of said control arm, and a second elongated tubular portion fixedly attached to the first tubular portion and extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said control arm.
23. An adjustable control arm according to claim 22 , and comprising a rubber bushing residing inside the second tubular portion of said T-link.
24. An adjustable control arm according to claim 23 , wherein said rubber bushing defines a longitudinal through-bore for receiving a pivot pin, such that the pivot pin is adapted for pivotably attaching the first end of said link assembly to the axle of the suspension system.
25. An adjustable control arm according to claim 22 , wherein said link assembly further comprises a male link connected to said female T-link and adapted for swivel movement relative to said T-link.