Inventors:
Douglas G. Stuyvenberg - Savage MN
Suzanne M. Schneider - Franklin WI
Assignee:
Applied Power Inc. - Waukesha WI
International Classification:
B62D 3310
Abstract:
A vehicle cab suspension unit has a support plate f or fixation to a vehicle frame, an impact plate for fixation to a cab of the vehicle, a pair of air springs supporting the impact plate above the support plate, and a pair of shock absorbers for damping changes in the separation between the impact and support plates. A track arm is pivotally connected between the support and impact plate s for permitting changes in the vertical separation of the plates and restraining lateral motion of the plates relative to one another. A U-shaped crash restraint strap is fixed to the support plate and loops over the track arm to restrain the track arm from excessive pivoting in an angular direction away from the support plate, so as to deform the suspension unit to absorb energy in a crash and resist complete separation of the support and impact plates. The unit is tested in a crash test skid by orienting it with its axis, which is normally vertical, directed in the crash test direction of movement of the skid, and with the impact plate being fixed to a test mass, simulating the truck cab, which is moveable relative to the skid.