Integral arm axle/suspension system

Abstract

An axle/suspension system for a wheeled vehicle, in which the vehicle has a frame, includes an integral arm structure that includes an attachment member for connecting the integral arm structure to the vehicle frame. A flexible transition member is connected to and extends from the attachment member and a body is connected to and extends from the transition member. The flexible transition member may be generally curved or angular and enables pivotal movement of the integral arm structure and cooperates with the body to distribute forces encountered by the axle/suspension system. The body may be a truss structure or a solid body, which may include a member that replaces a conventional axle tube. Optionally, two axle/suspension integral arm structures may be used to capture a conventional axle tube.

1 . An alignment assembly for an axle/suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle, wherein said axle/suspension system includes an attachment member for attaching said axle/suspension system to a frame of said vehicle, said attachment member defining a first orifice, said alignment assembly comprising: 
 at least one alignment plate selected from the group consisting of a top alignment plate disposed above and in abutment with a top surface of said attachment member and a bottom alignment plate disposed below and in abutment with a bottom surface of said attachment member, said alignment plate defining a second orifice; and    a cylinder received by said first and second orifices, whereby said cylinder position is adjustable relative to said second orifice for aligning said axle/suspension system, said cylinder further acting as a bearing surface for distributing forces acting on said alignment assembly.    
   
   
       2 . The alignment assembly for an axle/suspension system of  claim 1 , wherein said second orifice is oblong and said cylinder engages said oblong orifice.  
   
   
       3 . The alignment assembly for an axle/suspension system of  claim 2 , wherein said second orifice includes an upper portion and a lower portion; 
 in which said upper portion is oblong-oriented in a selected one of a fore-aft direction and a lateral direction, and said lower portion is oblong-oriented in the other of said directions; and    in which said cylinder includes a first shoulder engageable with said upper portion and an eccentrically-situated second shoulder engageable with said lower portion and said first orifice of said attachment member.    
   
   
       4 . The alignment assembly for an axle/suspension system of  claim 3 , wherein said alignment assembly cylinder distributes road-induced forces to reduce creep and extend the life of said attachment member.  
   
   
       5 . The alignment assembly for an axle/suspension system of  claim 3 , further comprising a nut threadably received by said cylinder to secure said attachment member and said alignment plate to said vehicle frame.  
   
   
       6 . The alignment assembly for an axle/suspension system of  claim 3 , wherein said attachment member and said alignment plate each are formed with aligned bolt holes for receiving bolts to secure said attachment member and said alignment plate to said vehicle frame.  
   
   
       7 . The alignment assembly for an axle/suspension system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one alignment plate is a top alignment plate disposed above and in abutment with a top surface of said attachment member, said top alignment plate defining said second orifice, and a bottom alignment plate is disposed below and in abutment with a bottom surface of said attachment member, said bottom alignment plate defining a third orifice, and said cylinder is received by said first, second and third orifices.  
   
   
       8 . The alignment assembly for an axle/suspension system of  claim 7 , wherein said top alignment plate further comprises an upper plate and a lower plate.