GB645627A - Improvements in or relating to vehicle steering-wheel suspensions - Google Patents

Abstract

645,627. Vehicle suspensions. ALFORD & ALDER (ENGINEERS), Ltd., TURNER, G. A., and LIND, J. A. March 16, 1948, No. 7885. [Class 108(ii)] A steering wheel suspension comprises upper and lower radius arms pivoted to the vehicle frame, one of which is connected to one end of the rotatable steering pin by a universal joint of the type comprising a screwed journal on the pin and a transverse journal bearing connected to one radius arm, and the other is connected by a ball and socket joint to the other end of the steering pin, the steering pin carrying a wheel axle intermediate its ends. As shown in Fig. 1, the steering pin 14 is fast with the wheel axle 24 and is connected to the lower radius arm 11 by a universal joint comprising a threaded socket 27 into which the steering pin is screwed, and a transverse pivot pin 29. The upper end of the steering pin terminates in a ball 15 which is received in a socket 16 formed in two halves bolted together by bolts 19 which pass through the two limbs 10 forming the upper radius arm. Shims may be located between the two half sockets to accommodate wear. Rubber sleeves 22, 30 exclude dirt from the joints. In a modified form, Fig. 4, the steering pin 14 is connected to the lower radius arm 11 as before but its upper end is formed with a split socket 52 to receive the ball 53 which is bolted to the upper radius arm 10. In this example a helical spring 71 is shown mounted between a frame member 72 and a pressure plate 68 bolted between the two limbs of the lower radius arm. Bolted beneath the pressure plate are two ribs 73 between which is pivoted the lower end of a piston and cylinder type shock absorber 76, which passes through the helical spring and is anchored at its top end by means of a rubber bush 80 to a frame member.