VEHICLE LOWERING SYSTEM

摘要

A vehicle with a lowering suspension is provided where at least one axle can be moved between a raised position and a lowered position. A cargo area is located above the axle and can be raised and lowered with the axle. When the axle is in the lowered position, a spindle on the axle is located above a part of the frame, allowing the cargo area to be lowered. The cargo area includes an integral ramp that can be raised and lowered.

主权项

1. A lowering suspension for a vehicle having driving wheels, said lowering suspension comprising:
a cargo area overlying a portion of a frame, said frame affixed to said vehicle; an axle located underneath said cargo area, said axle having a central axis, said axle including arms affixed thereto and extending outward from said central axis, each of said arms having a pivot point, each of said pivot points of said arms aligned to form a pivoting axis being spaced from said central axis of said axle, said axle capable of pivoting with respect to said pivot axis between a raised and lowered position, said pivoting axis intersecting said frame; an actuator having a first end and a second end, said first end affixed to said vehicle, said second end connected to said axle, said actuator movable between a retracted and an extended position, said actuator capable of moving said axle between said raised and lowered position; a swing arm pivotal about an axis that is coaxial with said central axis of said axle, said swing arm having a spindle with a rotational spindle axis offset from said central axis; a wheel capable of rotation with respect to said rotational axis of said spindle; and when said axle is in said lowered position, said spindle axis is located above said cargo area and said axle is in said raised position, said spindle axis is located below said cargo area.