Vehicle suspension assembly

Abstract

A suspension assembly for a wheel of a motor vehicle, includes a suspension assembly, an axle beam, an elongated spring, and a radius arm. The radius arm has an extended length for attachment at a mid-region suspension connection point on the vehicle frame. The suspension bracket has multiple surfaces adapted for flush mounting to the chassis of the vehicle.

What is claimed is: .[.1. A suspension assembly for supporting a wheel of a motor vehicle having a chassis comprising a first longitudinal chassis member, a second longitudinal chassis member, each chassis member having a lower center portion, a raised end portion and a bend transition portion between the lower center portion and raised end portion, and a suspension cross member coupled between the raised end portions of the first and second longitudinal chassis members, the first longitudinal chassis member being nearest the wheel and having a suspension attachment site located along the lower center portion of the first longitudinal chassis member, the suspension assembly comprising: 
     
        at the mid-region suspension connection point..]. 8. .[.An apparatus according to claim 7,.]. .Iadd.A suspension assembly for supporting a wheel on one side of a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle having a chassis with a first longitudinal chassis member, a second longitudinal chassis member spaced apart from the first longitudinal chassis member, and a suspension cross member coupled between the first and second longitudinal chassis members, the suspension cross member defining a downwardly protruding center region and having an inverted "U" shaped cross section, the inverter "U" shaped cross section defining a base part, two side parts, and two horizontal lip parts, the first longitudinal chassis member containing therealong a mid-region suspension connection point, the suspension assembly comprising: suspension bracket mounted to the base part and at least one of the side parts of the suspension cross member at a point proximate to the second longitudinal chassis member, and remote from the first longitudinal chassis member;   an axle beam, having an outboard end and an inboard end, the inboard end movably mounted to the suspension bracket;   a spindle mounted to the outboard end of the axle beam; and   a radius arm, having a rear end and a front end, the front end of the radius arm coupled to the axle beam adjacent to the spindle, and the rear end of the radius arm movably coupled to the longitudinal chassis member at the mid-region suspension connection point .Iaddend.wherein the radius arm comprises:   a radius arm bracket having a first side remote from the axle beam and a second side adjacent to be the axle beam;   a lower tube, having a first end and a second end, the first end movably coupled to the longitudinal chassis member at the mid-region suspension connection point, and the second end fixed to the first side of the radius arm bracket;   an upper tube, having a first end and a second end, the first end fixed to the lower tube at a point adjacent to the first end of the lower tube, and the second end of the upper tube fixed to the radius arm bracket distant from the lower tube;   a gusset tube having a first end and a second end, the first end fixed to both the second end of the lower tube and to the radius arm bracket, and the second end mounted to the upper tube at a point remote from the radius arm bracket; and   a shock absorber mount bracket having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end movably mounted to a shock absorber, and the lower end fixed to   
     
     
        the second end of the upper tube. .[.9.  An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the downwardly protruding center region and the inverted "U" shaped cross section define a plurality of attachment surfaces oriented in different planes, and the suspension bracket comprises: a lower portion for receiving a suspension bracket connecting pin;   at least two vertical surfaces for mounting against at least one of the side parts of the inverted "U" shaped cross section of the suspension cross member;   at least two non-vertical surfaces for mounting against the base part of the inverted "U" shaped cross section and an ear of the suspension cross member;   the horizontal surfaces oriented in different planes, and the vertical surfaces oriented in different planes, for mounting against the base part and the side part of the inverted "U" shaped cross section of the suspension cross member; and   the suspension bracket thereby dissipating stress caused by the torsion of the axle beam over the base part, two side parts, and an ear of the inverted "U" shaped cross section of the suspension cross member..].