Suspensions for low floor vehicle

Abstract

A low profile chassis and suspension system for a road vehicle. The chassis supports a payload section or cargo compartment, such as for a delivery truck, ambulance, or shuttle bus. The chassis includes a largely planar frame having a top surface which is located beneath the rotational axes of the rear wheels. The wheel suspension system is particularly compact and close to the road surface. In some embodiments each wheel is suspended from the vehicle by a pair of pivotal support arms. Preferably, one arm is located above the other arm, and both arms pivot along pivot axes that are generally perpendicular to the rotational axis of the supported wheel. A spring urges one of the arms apart from the frame. In other embodiments, the spring is placed beneath the rotational axis of the wheel. In some embodiments both of the pivoting support arms are located beneath the rotational axis of the wheel.

1 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . An apparatus for suspending a stub axle of a vehicle, comprising:
 a wheel support having a vertical section including a flange with a face and having a vehicle coupling section, said flange being adapted and configured for coupling to a stub axle, the face contacting a coupled stub axle, the face being substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the a coupled stub axle;   said vehicle coupling section including a first pivot attachment for pivotal coupling to the vehicle and a second pivot attachment for pivotal coupling to the vehicle, said first pivot attachment being spaced apart from said second pivot attachment along a common pivot axis;   wherein the face lies in a plane, and the plane intercepts the pivot axis in between said first pivot attachment and said second pivot attachment.   
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein said wheel support includes a biasing member support section adapted and configured for attachment to a biasing member and spaced inboard relative to said first pivot attachment. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein said wheel support includes a dampener support section adapted and configured for attachment to a dampener and spaced inboard relative to said first pivot attachment. 
     
     
         35 . An apparatus for suspending a tire of a vehicle from a stub axle and over a roadway, comprising:
 a wheel support having a vertical section including a flange and having a vehicle coupling section, said flange being adapted and configured for coupling to a stub axle which supports a tire, the supported tire contacting the roadway along a tire track;   said vehicle coupling section including a first pivot attachment for pivotal coupling to the vehicle and a second pivot attachment for pivotal coupling to the vehicle, said first pivot attachment being spaced apart from said second pivot attachment along a common pivot axis;   wherein at least a portion of said first pivot attachment is above the tire track and said second pivot attachment is inboard of the tire track.   
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein said wheel support includes a biasing member support section adapted and configured for attachment to a biasing member and spaced inboard relative to the tire track. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein said wheel support includes a dampener support section adapted and configured for attachment to a dampener and spaced inboard relative to the tire track. 
     
     
         38 - 44 . (canceled)