Multi-tapered suspension component

Abstract

Energy storing suspension components for use in suspension systems for wheeled vehicles and trailers are disclosed. The energy storing suspension components include an axle seat portion, an end, and a limb extending between the axle seat portion and the end. The limb includes a first taper wherein the limb decreases in width as the limb extends toward the end, a second taper wherein the limb decreases in thickness as the limb extends toward the end, wherein along the limb there is at least a portion where both the first taper and second taper are present, and a third taper that is further from the axle seat portion than the first taper and wherein the limb increases in width as the limb extends toward the end. Also disclosed are combinations of bushings and energy storing suspension components having an end configured to include an eye.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An energy storing suspension component comprising:
 an axle seat portion;   an end; and   a limb extending between the axle seat portion and the end;   the limb comprising a first taper wherein the limb decreases in width as the limb extends toward the end, a second taper wherein the limb decreases in thickness as the limb extends toward the end, wherein along the limb there is at least a portion where both the first taper and second taper are present, and a third taper that is further from the axle seat portion than the first taper and wherein the limb increases in width as the limb extends toward the end.   
     
     
         2 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 1  wherein the limb includes a minimum width position. 
     
     
         3 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 1  wherein the limb includes a minimum thickness position. 
     
     
         4 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 3  wherein the limb includes a minimum width position that coincides with the minimum thickness position. 
     
     
         5 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 1  wherein the first taper and the second taper begin at the same position along the limb. 
     
     
         6 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 1  wherein the first taper and the second taper end at the same position along the limb. 
     
     
         7 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 1  wherein the axle seat portion has a maximum width and includes at least a taper wherein the axle seat portion increases or decreases in width. 
     
     
         8 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 1  wherein the axle seat portion includes multiple tapers wherein the axle seat portion varies in width. 
     
     
         9 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 1  wherein the axle seat portion has a maximum thickness and includes at least a taper wherein the axle seat portion decreases in thickness. 
     
     
         10 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 1  wherein the axle seat portion has a greater maximum thickness than maximum width. 
     
     
         11 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 1  wherein the axle seat portion has a maximum thickness and a maximum width, wherein the maximum thickness is equal to the maximum width. 
     
     
         12 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 1  wherein the axle seat portion includes at least one hole therethrough. 
     
     
         13 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 1  wherein the end is configured to include an eye. 
     
     
         14 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 1  wherein the end is configured to engage a first frame member coupling assembly having a slipper pad or a cam. 
     
     
         15 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 1  wherein the end is configured to have a constant thickness and/or width. 
     
     
         16 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 1  wherein the axle seat portion is configured to be connected to a lower air spring support. 
     
     
         17 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 1  wherein the limb further comprises a fourth taper further from the axle seat portion than the second taper and wherein the limb increases in thickness as the limb extends toward the end. 
     
     
         18 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 1  wherein the limb comprises multiple tapers wherein the limb decreases in thickness. 
     
     
         19 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 1  wherein the limb comprises multiple tapers wherein the limb decreases in width. 
     
     
         20 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 1  wherein the limb comprises multiple tapers wherein the limb increases in thickness. 
     
     
         21 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 1  wherein the end is a first end and the limb is a first limb, and the energy storing suspension component further comprises a second end and a second limb extending between the axle seat portion and the second end. 
     
     
         22 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 21  wherein the second limb includes at least a taper that increases or decreases in width. 
     
     
         23 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 21  wherein the second limb further comprises at least a taper wherein the second limb increases or decreases in thickness. 
     
     
         24 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 21  wherein the second limb includes a minimum width position. 
     
     
         25 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 21  wherein the second limb includes a minimum thickness position. 
     
     
         26 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 25  wherein the second limb includes a minimum width position that coincides with the minimum thickness position. 
     
     
         27 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 21  wherein the second limb includes at least a portion having a constant width. 
     
     
         28 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 21  wherein the second limb includes at least a portion having a constant thickness. 
     
     
         29 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 21  wherein the second limb comprises a first taper wherein the second limb decreases in width as the second limb extends toward the second end, a second taper wherein the second limb decreases in thickness as the second limb extends toward the second end, wherein along the second limb there is at least a portion where both the first taper and second taper are present, and a third taper that is rearward of the first taper and wherein the second limb increases in width as the second limb extends toward the second end. 
     
     
         30 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 21  wherein the second end includes at least one hole therethrough. 
     
     
         31 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 21  wherein the second end is configured to include an eye. 
     
     
         32 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 21  wherein the second end is configured to engage a second frame member coupling assembly having a slipper pad or a cam. 
     
     
         33 . The energy storing suspension component of  claim 21  wherein the second end is configured to have a constant thickness and/or a constant width. 
     
     
         34 . An energy storing suspension component in combination with a bushing comprising:
 an energy storing suspension component comprising: an axle seat portion, an end configured to include an eye, and a limb extending between the axle seat portion and the end, wherein the limb comprises a first taper wherein the limb decreases in width as the limb extends toward the end, a second taper wherein the limb decreases in thickness as the limb extends toward the end, wherein along the limb there is at least a portion where both the first taper and second taper are present, and a third taper that is further from the axle seat portion than the first taper and wherein the limb increases in width as the limb extends toward the end; and   a bushing having a low axial rate and being configured to be received by the eye of the energy storing suspension component.   
     
     
         35 . The energy storing suspension component in combination with a bushing of  claim 34  wherein the bushing also has a high radial to axial rate ratio. 
     
     
         36 . The energy storing suspension component in combination with a bushing of  claim 34  wherein the bushing further comprises a central body to which at least one elastomeric member is bonded. 
     
     
         37 . The energy storing suspension component in combination with a bushing of  claim 36  wherein the central body includes a bar pin or a sleeve having a passage therethrough. 
     
     
         38 . The energy storing suspension component in combination with a bushing of  claim 36  wherein the bushing further comprising at least one rate ring portion. 
     
     
         39 . The energy storing suspension component in combination with a bushing of  claim 38  wherein the at least one rate ring portion further comprises a cylindrical sleeve having a passage therethrough. 
     
     
         40 . The energy storing suspension component in combination with a bushing of  claim 38  wherein the at least one rate ring portion includes two or more pieces that are configured substantially as portions of a cylinder. 
     
     
         41 . The energy storing suspension component in combination with a bushing of  claim 38  further comprising at least a second elastomeric member, with the respective at least one elastomeric member disposed between the central body and the at least one rate ring portion and the at least second elastomeric member bonded to the at least one rate ring portion.