Bellows suspension unit

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12135069-B2
Application number	US-202217825443-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 26, 2022
Priority date	May 26, 2022
Publication date	Nov 5, 2024
Grant date	Nov 5, 2024

Abstract

The auxiliary suspension device is relatively neutral at rest and responds in coordination with the existing suspension system upon application of a load. The redundant suspension device has an inflatable bellow that is mounted between a vehicle's frame and an existing vehicle suspension element.

First claim

We claim:

1. An adjustable suspension device comprising:
a first plate that has an upper surface and a lower surface with a downwardly dependent circular wall that defines an axial recess;
a second plate that is spaced a predetermined distance from the first plate, the second plate has a lower surface and an upper surface with a projection that extends toward and is aligned with the recess of the first plate;
a compression spring has a first end received within the axial recess of the first plate and a second end received over the projection of the second plate;
an inflatable bellows that extends between the first plate and the second plate and encases the compression spring in an interior chamber;
an aperture in the first plate extends through the first plate and into the downwardly dependent circular wall; and,
a port connected to the first plate permits ingress and/or egress of a fluid through the first plate and the downwardly dependent circular wall into the inflatable bellows.

2. The adjustable suspension device of claim 1 , wherein each of the first plate and the second plate has a circumferential outer groove and the inflatable bellows is attached to a respective plate by a compression ring that urges the inflatable bellows into a respective outer groove.

3. The adjustable suspension device of claim 1 , wherein the projection has an aperture and a pin located in the aperture retains the compression spring around the projection.

4. The adjustable suspension device of claim 3 , wherein each of the first plate and the second plate has a circumferential outer groove and the inflatable bellows is attached to a respective plate by a compression ring that urges the inflatable bellows into a respective outer groove.

5. The adjustable suspension device of claim 4 , wherein the inflatable bellows has a middle portion with a reduced diameter and a stabilizing ring.

6. The adjustable suspension device of claim 5 , wherein the stabilizing ring is molded in the middle portion with a reduced diameter.

7. The adjustable suspension device of claim 1 , wherein an isolation pad is positioned between the compression spring and both of the first plate and the second plate.

8. The adjustable suspension device of claim 1 , wherein each of the first plate and the second plate has a circumferential outer groove and the inflatable bellows is attached to a respective plate by a compression ring that urges the inflatable bellows into a respective outer groove.

9. The adjustable suspension device of claim 1 , wherein the projection has an aperture and a pin in the aperture of the projection retains the compression spring around the projection.

10. The adjustable suspension device of claim 9 , wherein each of the first plate and the second plate has a circumferential outer groove and the inflatable bellows is attached to a respective plate by a compression ring that urges the inflatable bellows into a respective outer groove.

11. The adjustable suspension device of claim 10 , wherein the inflatable bellows has a middle portion with a reduced diameter and an outer groove that includes a stabilizing ring.

12. The adjustable suspension device of claim 11 , wherein an isolation pad is positioned between the compression spring and both of the first plate and the second plate.

13. The adjustable suspension device of claim 1 , wherein each of the first plate and the second plate has a plurality of apertures that are dimensioned to receive fasteners and secure a mounting plate to each of the first plate and the second plate.

14. An adjustable suspension device comprising:
a first plate that includes a downwardly dependent circular wall that defines an axial recess beneath the first plate;
a second plate that is spaced a predetermined distance from the first plate and includes an axial projection that extends from the second plate toward the axial recess and is aligned with the axial recess;
a compressible element that fits within the axial recess and around the axial projection;
an inflatable bellows that extends between the first plate and the second plate and encases the compressible element in an interior chamber;
an aperture in the first plate extends through the first plate into the downwardly dependent circular wall; and,
a port connected to the first plate permits ingress and/or egress of a fluid through the first plate and the downwardly dependent circular wall into the inflatable bellows.

15. A kit for providing a vehicle with a redundant suspension device, the kit comprising:
an inflatable bellows having:
a first plate with a downwardly dependent circular wall that defines an axial recess beneath the first plate;
a second plate that is spaced a predetermined distance from the first plate and includes a projection that extends from the second plate toward the axial recess and is aligned with the axial recess;
a load bearing element that fits within the recess and around the projection;
an inflatable bellows that extends between the first plate and the second plate and encases the load bearing element in an interior chamber;
an aperture in the first plate extends through the first plate and into the downwardly dependent circular wall; and,
a port connected to the first plate permits ingress and/or egress of a fluid through the first plate and the downwardly dependent circular wall into the inflatable bellows;
a first mount configured for attachment to a vehicle frame member and one of the first plate or the second plate of the inflatable bellows; and,
a second mount configured for attachment to a vehicle suspension member and another of the first plate or the second plate.

16. The kit of claim 15 , wherein each of the first plate and the second plate has at least one circumferential outer groove and the inflatable bellows is attached to a respective plate by a compression ring that urges the inflatable bellows into a respective outer groove.

17. The kit of claim 16 , wherein the inflatable bellows has a middle portion with a reduced diameter and a stabilizing ring.

18. The kit of claim 15 , wherein the projection has an aperture and a pin in the aperture retains the load bearing element around the projection.

19. The kit of claim 15 , wherein the load bearing element is a spring.

20. The kit of claim 15 , wherein the ingress and/or egress of a fluid within the interior chamber passes through a Schrader valve and/or a Presta valve.

21. The kit of claim 15 , wherein the first mount includes a first portion that attaches to a first surface of the frame member and a second portion that contacts a second surface of the frame member.

22. The kit of claim 21 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are in perpendicular planes.

Assignees

• Rb Distrib Inc

Inventors

• Nguyen Tam Van
• May Matthew Robert
• Cattie Sean
• Mcmasters Bryan
• Cimbolo David

Classifications

• F16F9/0409

  characterised by the wall structure · CPC title

• F16F9/0445

  characterised by intermediate rings or other not embedded reinforcing elements (wall structure F16F9/0409) · CPC title

• B60G2300/04

  Trailers · CPC title

• B60G2300/02

  Trucks; Load vehicles · CPC title

• B60G17/052

  Pneumatic spring characteristics (B60G17/048 takes precedence {; valves per se F16K}) · CPC title