GB149718A - Improvements in vehicle suspensions - Google Patents

Abstract

149,718. Waters, S. J. April 8, 1919. Straight bars arranged for torsion; vibration dampers.-A vehicle suspension in which the axle is supported by levers connected to torsion members secured to the frame, is provided with one or more members connecting the levers or their respective torsion members in such a manner that rolling of the vehicle is minimized, the torsion members being of bar or tubular form. Fig. 1 shows an axle connected by two levers 1 to opposite ends of a torsion member 2 secured at its centre 3 to the vehicle frame, an anti-rolling member 6 rigidly connected to the levers 1 resisting unequal movements on the two sides. Instead of a single torsion member 2 being used, two members may be employed extending right across the vehicle, each anchored at one end and arranged side by side or one inside the other. Modifications are described in which the anti-rolling member and a torsion member secured at their ends to the levers 1 are arranged one inside the other, the torsion member being centrally secured to the chassis. Fig. 6 shows a modification in which a tubular anti-rolling member 6 connected to the levers 1 is centrally secured to a member 2 fixed at its ends to the frame. According to the Provisional Specification, the position of the members 2 and 6 of the arrangement shown in Fig. 6 may be reversed. Fig. 9 shows two torsion members 2a, 2b, secured to the levers 1 and to brackets 11 on the chassis, an anti-rolling member 6 mounted in bearings 4 being also connected to the levers 1. A modification is described in which a member 6 of bar form is arranged within two tubular torsion members. Fig. 10 shows the levers 1 connected to two torsion members 2<a>, 2<b>, having cranks at their other ends which are connected by links 12, 13 to similar cranks on additional torsion members 2<c>, 2d anchored at their ends 3. Cranks on the members 2<c>, 2<d> are connected by a link 14 to minimize rolling. In another modification, an antirolling member connecting two axle-supporting levers is centrally linked to a torsion member secured at its ends, a distance piece keeping the two members a constant distance apart. This arrangement may be duplicated on the opposite side of the axle. In another modification, a single anti-rolling member is connected near its ends to the ends of two torsion members extending across the vehicle. Fig. 15 shows two longitudinally arranged torsion members 2 anchored at 17 and interconnected at an intermediate point by a link 19 so that rotation of the members 2 in opposite directions is permitted but rotation in the same direction is resisted. This link connexion may be combined with a frictional device as shown in Fig. 16, in which two drums 23 on the shafts 2 are embraced by two spring-pressed blocks 20. This friction device may be applied near the ends of the shafts connected to the levers 1, the link in that case being omitted. To save space, the parts of the members 2 beyond the link connexion 19 may be of tubular form arranged about the members 2 and anchored to the vehicle frame adjacent to the levers 1. According to the Provisional Specification, additional springs may be arranged between the levers and frame, or friction devices may be arranged between the axle and the frame.