Bent torque rod

Abstract

A torque rod assembly for use in a vehicle suspension system, the torque rod assembly comprising a torque rod, which is preferably V-shaped. The torque rod has a first arm portion and a second arm portion, each arm portion having an end. A bend portion is disposed between the first and second arm portions, the arm portions being disposed at an angle with respect to each other. The bend portion, disposed between the first and second arm portions, is pivotably mounted to an axle. The ends of the torque rod are pivotably mounted to the vehicle frame.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A torque rod assembly comprising: 
 a torque rod having a first end, a second end and a bend portion disposed between the first and second end;    means for pivotably mounting the bend portion of the torque rod to an axle so that the torque rod is pivotable with respect to the axle; and    means pivotably mounting the first and second ends to a vehicle frame.    
     
     
         2 . The torque rod assembly of  claim 1  wherein the torque rod is substantially V-shaped.  
     
     
         3 . The torque rod assembly of  claim 1  wherein the means for pivotably mounting the bend portion of the torque rod to an axle comprises a bracket assembly positioned about the bend portion of the torque rod, the bracket assembly being operative to mechanically couple the torque rod to an axle and permit the torque rod to pivot with respect to the axle about the bend portion.  
     
     
         4 . The torque rod assembly of  claim 3  wherein the bracket assembly comprises: 
 a bearing ring mechanically connected to the bend portion of the torque rod; and  
 an outer bracket pivotably engaging the bearing ring so as to permit the bearing ring and the torque rod to pivot within the outer bracket, the outer bracket being mechanically coupled to the axle.  
 
     
     
         5 . The torque rod assembly of  claim 1  wherein the means for pivotably mounting the first and second ends to a vehicle frame comprise means for pivotably mounting the first and second ends of the torque rod to a cross-member mechanically connected to the vehicle frame.  
     
     
         6 . The torque rod assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a ball joint mechanically connected to the torque rod at the bend portion, and wherein the means for pivotably mounting the bend portion of the torque rod to an axle comprises means for pivotably mounting the ball joint to the axle.  
     
     
         7 . A torque rod assembly comprising: 
 a substantially V-shaped torque rod having a first end, a second end and a bend portion disposed between the first and second ends; and    a bracket assembly positioned about the bend portion of the torque rod, the bracket assembly being operative to mechanically couple the torque rod to an axle and permit the torque rod to pivot with respect to the axle about the bend portion, the bracket assembly comprising a bearing ring mounted to the bend portion of the torque rod and an outer bracket pivotably engaging the bearing ring so as to permit the bearing ring and the torque rod to pivot within the outer bracket, the outer bracket mechanically coupled to the axle.    
     
     
         10 . A torque rod assembly comprising: 
 a torque rod having a first arm portion and a second arm portion, the first arm portion disposed at an angle relative to the second arm portion; and    means for pivotably mounting the bend portion of the torque rod to an axle so that the torque rod is pivotable with respect to the axle.    
     
     
         11 . The torque rod assembly of  claim 10  wherein the angle between the first arm portion and the second arm portion ranges between 40° and 60°.  
     
     
         12 . The torque rod assembly of  claim 11  wherein the angle is 55°.  
     
     
         13 . In a vehicle suspension system comprising a vehicle frame, at least one axle, and at least one cross-member mechanically connected to the vehicle frame, the improvement comprising: 
 a torque rod having a first arm portion, a second arm portion and a bend portion disposed between the first and second arm portions, the first arm portion being disposed at an angle with respect to the second arm portion, both arm portions being pivotably connected to the cross-member, the bend portion being pivotably connected to the axle.    
     
     
         15 . The vehicle suspension system of claim  14 , the torque rod being substantially V-shaped.  
     
     
         16 . The vehicle suspension system of claim  14 , the angle between the first arm portion and the second portion ranges between 40° and 60°.  
     
     
         17 . The torque rod assembly of  claim 16  wherein the angle is 55°.