GB570190A - Improvements in resilient connections between sprung and unsprung bodies - Google Patents

Abstract

570,190. Endless - track vehicles. HORSTMANN, S. A., and HORSTMAN, Ltd. July 26, 1943, No. 12148. Addition to 559,776. [Class 79 (i)] [Also in Group XXXII] A resilient connection between sprung and unsprung bodies, particularly for a vehicle wheel suspension, comprises two superimposed and independently pivoted levers 2, 3 one of which is adapted to impart movement to the other, the movement of which is controlled by an elastic element, the opposed faces of the levers being relatively slidable during pivoting and the sliding movement being resisted by the interposition of a friction pad 13. As shown in Fig. 1, the levers 2, 3 are pivoted at 4, 5 to the carrier block 1 of a military vehicle such as a tank. The wheel 6 is carried by the lever 3 and imparts movement to the lever 2 which is controlled by a compression spring extending between cups 7, 8 and having a counterbalancing action against a projection 9 on a lever 10 also pivoted to the block 1 and carrying a second wheel 11. The friction pad 13 is mounted on one face of a member 12 pivotally attached to the lever 2 and movable around the pivotal surface 15 against a rubber or like cushion 16. Slight movements of the lever 3 are absorbed by the cushion but major movements are governed by the frictional resistance of the pad 13. In a modification the springing is duplicated on both sides of the block 1 and the friction pad and its mounting are secured to the lower lever 3. In another construction, Fig. 4, the levers 2, 3 extend in opposite directions from their pivots and a different spring arrangement 18 is shown. In a further construction, Fig. 5, the friction pad is a doublefaced member 19 mounted on a separate lever 20 pivoted at 21 to the vehicle body and extending in the same direction as the levers 2, 3 (as shown) or oppositely thereto. The operative surface of the friction pad may be inclined or curved relatively to the levers.