Improved low-loading road vehicle

摘要

956,136. Adjusting vehicle height; vehicle frames. P. W. BOTHWELL. June 16, 1960 [June 18, 1959], No. 20933/59. Heading B7D. A motor road vehicle has a chassis 1 or frame which may be lowered as a whole on to the ground for loading and unloading. Inverted U-form members 2 on the chassis form top mounting points of suspension units which are connected at their lower ends to wheel supports mounted on transverse parallel wishbones 8 at the front and tailing links 7 at the rear. Alternatively, trailing links are used for both the front and rear suspensions. Each suspension unit, Fig. 2, comprises a telescoping rod 5 and tube 4, which may incorporate a telescopic shock absorber, having mountings for a helical suspension spring 3 and an hydraulic cylinder 6 the piston of which is attached to the end of tube 4. The vehicle is raised by introducing pressure fluid to the upper ends of the cylinders 6. For holding the suspension units in the fully extended position when the vehicle is in motion toggle linkages 14, 15 are provided controlled by rods 17 actuated by the driver with a hand lever which is preferably interlocked with the engine or hand brake to prevent lowering of the chassis when the vehicle is in motion. Pads 13, Fig. 2, are provided below the chassis to support the body when lowered to the ground. The cylinder 6 may be modified so that the pressure fluid above the piston provides additional damping when the vehicle is in motion.