Vehicle suspension support system and method of use

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a vehicle suspension support system that may be coupled to a vehicle having an air ride suspension system. The vehicle suspension support system may be configured to maintain the ride height of a vehicle and prevent the undercarriage of the vehicle from contacting a ground surface when the air ride suspension system of the vehicle fails.

Description

Atty. DocketNo.: 2968089.2Date of hling:February 7,2025VEHICLE SUSPENSION SUPPORTSYSTEM AND METHOD OF USEt000UThis patent disclosure contains material that is subject to copyright protection. Thecopyright owner has no objection to thefacsimile reproduction by anyone of the patentdocument or the patent disclosureas it appears in the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office patentfile or records,but otherwisereservesallcopyright rights.CROSS-REFERENCETORELATEDAPPLICATIONSt00021The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.63 / 664,877,filedonJute27,2024,entitled"Vehicle Suspension Support System and Methodof IJse," which is herebyincorporated by referencein its entirety'GOVERNMENTINTERESTS

[0003] Not applicable.TECHNOLOGICALFIELDt00041The present disclosure includes to a vehicle suspension support system and methodsfor use thereof. Specifically, the vehiclesuspension support system disclosed herein isconfigured to maintainthe ride height of a vehiclewhen an air ride suspension system of thevehiclefails.BACKGROUNDt00051 This section isintended to introducevarious aspects of the art, which may beassociated with exemplary embodimentsof thepresentdisclosure.This discussion is believedto assist in providing a framework to facilitatea better understanding of aspects of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, it shouldbe understood that thissection should be read in this light,and not necessarilyas admissions of prior art.t00061Air ride suspension systems, also known as air suspension, can replace traditionalcoil or leaf springs withairbags. In certaininstances, air rise suspension systems can be usedin association with traditional coilor leaf springs.The airbags of these air ride suspensionsystems are inflated and deflated using compressedair, allowing the vehicle's ride height andstiffiress to be adjustedas desired either electronicallyor manually.I""t?i'-?i,'T:i}:;,i,i1i1'J;3t00071Air ride suspension systems typically include a plurality of airbags (also referred toas air springs) that may be made fromrubber and / orpolyurethane materials, an air compressorthat pressurizes the air for the system, airlines connecting the airbags to the air compressor,and a control system. The control system oftentimesincludes a plurality of valves, sensors, anda controller. The valves regulate theflow of air to certain elements of the air ride suspensionsystem, such as the airbags to name one example.The control system provides data relating tothe current state of the air ride suspensionsystem tothe user, receives user input, and outputscontrol signals to the various components ofthe control system in response to the user input.t000SlAir ride suspension systems allow for greater adjustability and comfort as comparedto traditional suspensionsystems. Air ride suspensionsystems can provide a smoother ridecompared to traditional suspensionsby providing betterabsorption of bumps and vibrations,and also reducing body roll during cornering.Drivers can also change the vehicle's ride heightto suit different driving conditionsor preferences,such as raising the ride height when drivingoff-road. Because of the adjustability, airride suspension systems have become popular forcustom vehicle builds including low-rider trucksand cars. Drivers often drive their vehicle toand from a car show or similar event withthe ride heightraised, but drastically lower the rideheight when parkedattheshowtoachieve a desired look.t00091Air ride suspension systems, like other suspension systems, can suffer from variousissues and require regular maintenance. However,when an air ride suspension system fails, thevehicle is often undrivable andincapable of beingloaded onto a tow truck without causingfurther damage to thevehicle. This is uniqueto air ride suspension systems and deters manydrivers from installing these systemson their vehicles.During these failures, the air ridesuspension system is unable to inflate theairbags, whichis often due to air leaks in the air lines,a faulty compressor, a f4ulty controller,a damagedatrbag, a malfunction of the valves, orsensor issues to name afew exemplarycausesof failure.t00l0lThe primary issue with a failed air ride suspension system is ground clearance of thevehicle. When the airbags are completelydeflated, variouscomponents of the vehicle rest orare close to resting on theground surface, includingthe chassis cross-members and lowercontrol arms. If a driver was to drivethe vehicle in this condition, the vehicle would sufferserious damage to the undercarriage, assuming thevehicle would move at all' Further, whenthe vehicle is in such a state, tow truck operatorsare unableto pull the vehicle onto the deckof the tow truck withoutcausing undercarriagedamage. In addition to ground clearance,vehicles with failed air ride suspensionsystems oftenhave issues with tire clearance within thefender wells, leading tofender damage if thevehicle is moved'Atty. DocketNo.: 2968089.2Date of filing:February 7,2025100111A failed air ridesuspension system can be difficult to diagnose, and often moredifficult to fix. Further, these systemsare best diagnosedand fixed in a shop environment wherea vehicle lift and otherspecialty toolsareavailable.Due to the complications when thesesystems fail, drivers are often left with the choiceof attempting to fix the vehicle in a hazardouslocation near the roadway such that furtherdamageisnot risked,or damaging the undercarriagebymoving or towing the vehicle.t00121 Accordingly,there exists a need for a system that allows a vehicle with a failed airride suspension system to be moved without causingfuither damage to the vehicle. Further,the system needs to allow full use ofthe air ride suspensionsystem such that the user may fullylower the ride height of the vehicle when desired,such as when the vehicle is parked at a catshow. SUMMARYOFTHE INVENTION t00l3lDisclosed herein is a vehicle suspension support system configured to maintain theride height of a vehicle whenan air ride suspensionsystem of the vehicle fails.t00l4lIn various aspects the vehicle suspension support system may comprise a mountingbracket and a stanchion. The mounting bracketmay be couplable to a portion of the vehicleand include an aperture defined therethrough.The stanchionmay have a generally cylindricalpost and a bumper located at an end of thepost. The stanchion may be removably couplable tothe mounting bracket. Thepostofthe stanchion maybe received within the aperture of themounting bracket whenthe stanchion is coupledto the mounting bracket't00151ln certain embodiments, the vehicle suspension support system may be operable ina working configuration where the stanchionis removably coupled to the mounting bracket.t00l6l In certainembodiments, the bumper of the stanchion may be configured toselectively engage a lower control arm ofthe vehicle whenthe vehicle suspension supportsystemisinthe working configuration. t00171ln certain embodiments, the mounting bracket may be couplable to an upper bagmount of thevehicle.t001SlIn certain embodiments, the vehicle suspension support system may be configuredto prevent the lower controlarm from contacting the upper bag mount.t00191In certain embodiments, the vehicle suspension support system may further compriseapin. The stanchion may include a hole definedthrough the post and may be configured toreceive at least a portion of thepin. The pin may be configuredto prevent the stanchion fromdecoupling from the mounting bracket whenthe pin is received by the hole of the post.JAtty. Docket No.:2968089.2Date of filing: February7,2025t00201In certain embodiments, the mounting bracket may be removably couplable to aportion ofthe vehicle viaone or more fasteners.t002UIn certain embodiments, the vehicle suspension support system may be configuredto be used in association with a vehiclehaving an air ride suspension system. The vehiclesuspension support system may be configured toprevent an undercarriage from contacting aground surface whenthe air ride suspensionsystem fails'100221 ln various aspectsa method of supportinga suspension of a vehicle mayincludeobtaining the vehicle suspension supportsystem from any one of claims 1-8; coupling amounting plate of the vehicle suspension supportsystem to an upper bag mount of the vehicle;coupling a stanchion of the vehiclesuspension supportsystem to the mounting plate; andpreventing an undercarriage of the vehicle fromcontactinga ground surface via the vehiclesuspension supportsYstem.t00231Other objects and advantages of this invention will become readily apparent fromthe ensuing description. BRIEF DESCRIPTIONOF'THEFIGURES100241 Certain illustrations, charts,or flowcharts are provided to allow for a betterunderstanding for the present invention.It is to be noted,however, that the drawings illustrateonly selected embodiments of the inventionsand are therefore not to be considered limiting ofscope. Additional and equally effectiveembodimentsand applications of the present inventionexist. t00251Figure L shows a perspective view of a vehicle suspension support system under oneembodiment. t00261Figure 2 shows a side view of the vehicle suspension support system of Figure 1.100271 Figure 3 showsaperspectiveviewof the vehicle suspension support system ofFigure 1 wherein a stanchionis decoupled from a mounting bracket.t002SlFigure 4 shows a side view of the vehicle suspension support system under theembodimentof Figure 1.t00291Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the stanchion of the vehicle suspension supportsystem ofFigure l. t00301 Figure 6shows a schematic view of the stanchion and mounting bracket of thevehiclesuspension supportsystem of Figure 1.Atty.Docket No.:2968089'2Date of filing: February7,2025l003lltr'igure 7 shows a perspective view of the mounting bracket of the vehicle suspensionsupport system of Figure 1 coupledto an upper bag mount of a vehicle'100321 Figure 8 showsa perspectiveview of the vehicle suspension supportsystemofFigure 1 coupled to the upper bagmount of the vehicle't00331Figure 9 showsa perspective view of the vehicle suspension support systemofFigure 1 coupled to the upperbag mount of the vehicle't00341Figure10 shows a perspective view of the vehicle suspension support system ofFigure I coupledto an upper bag mount of a vehicle wherein the airbag is deflated and thestanchion contactsa lower control armof the vehicle't00351 Figure11 shows a perspective view of the vehicle suspension support system ofFigure 1 coupled to an upper bag mount of a vehiclewherein airbags of an air ride suspensionsystemof the vehicle areinflated.t00361FigureL2 shows a perspective view of the vehicle suspension support system ofFigure 1 coupled to an upper bag mount ofa vehicle wherein airbags of an air ride suspensionsystem of thevehicle are deflated.100371 Figure 13 provides aperspective schematic viewof a mounting bracket foruse inanother embodiment of thevehicle suspension support system'DETAILED DESCRIPTIONOF THE INVENTIONAbbreviationsand DefinitionsI003SlDetailed descriptions of one or more embodiments are provided herein. It is to beunderstood, however, that the present inventioncan be embodied in various forms. Therefore,specific details disclosed herein are notto be interpretedas limiting, but rather as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teachingone skilled in the art to employ the presentinventionin any appropriatemanner.t00391The singular forms "a," "arL," and o'the"include plural referenceunless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The use ofthe word "a" or'oan"when used in conjunction with theterm "comprising" in the claims and, / or the specificationcan mean"one,"but it is alsoconsistent withthemeaning ofo'oneor more,"o'at least one," and oooneor more thanone."100401 Wherever any ofthe phrases "forexample," "such as," "including" and thelikeareused herein, the phrase "and without limitation"is understood tofollow unless explicitly statedotherwise. Similarly,o'anexample,"'oexempl ary" andthe like are understood to be nonlimiting'Atty.Docket No.: 2968089.2 Dateof filing: February 7,2025t00411 The term "substantially"allows for deviations from the descriptor that do notnegatively impact the intendedpurpose.Descriptiveterms are understood to be modified bythe term "substantially" even ifthe word "substantially"is not explicitly recited. Therefore, forexample, the phrase "wherein the leverextends vertically" means "wherein the lever extendssubstantially vertically"so long as a precise vertical affangementis not necessary for the leverto perform its function.t00421 The terms "comprising"and "including"and "having" and "involving" (andsimilarly "comprises,"ooincludes,""has," and"involves")andthe like are used interchangeablyand have the same meaning.Specifically, each ofthe terms is defined consistent with thecommon United Statespatent lawdefinitionof "comprising"and is therefore interpreted to bean open term meaning 'oat least the following,"and is also interpretednot to exclude additionalfeatures, limitations, aspects, etc.Thus, for example, 'oaprocess involving steps a, b, and c"means that the process includes atleast steps a, b, and c. Whereverthe terms "a" ot ooarf'areused, "one or more" is understood,unless such interpretationis nonsensical in context.t00431As used herein the term ooabout"is used herein tomean approximately, roughly,around, or in the region of.When the term 'oaboufis used in conjunction with a numericalrange, it modifies that range byextending the boundaries aboveand below the numerical valuesset forth. In general, the term "about" is used hereinto modi$r a numerical value above andbelow the stated value byavarianceof 20 percent up or down(higher or lower).t00441For purposes of the present disclosure, it is noted that spatially relative terms, suchasttupr" oodown," oo11ghtr" otleft," tobeneath," tobelowr" ttlower,t' ooabover" ttupper"and the like,can be used herein for ease of description todescribe oneelement orfeature's relationship toanother element(s) or feature(s) as illustratedinthe figures.It will be understood that thespatially relative terms are intended to encompassdifferent orientations of the device in use oroperation in addition to the orientationdepicted in the figures.For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over or rotated, elementsdescribed as "below" or "beneath" other elements orfeatures would then be oriented'oabove"the other elementsor features. Thus, the exemplaryterm "below" canencompass both an orientationof above and below. The device can beotherwise oriented(rotated 90degreesor at otherorientations) and the spatially relativedescriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly. Description ofSelected Embodimentst00451Disclosed herein is a vehicle suspension support system configured to maintain theride height of a vehicle when an airride suspension systemof the vehicle fails. In various"#yi.?i,iJliil:;,,?1i1'J,3embodiments, at least a portion ofthe vehicle suspensionsupport system can be mounted tothe vehicle during operation toserve as afailsafe should the air ride suspension systemexperience sudden failure. In alternative embodiments,at least aportion of the vehiclesuspension support system can be mountedto the vehicleafter the air ride suspension systemhas failed.t00461 Referring nowto the figures,and specifically Figures 1-3, a vehicle suspensionsupport system 100 under oneexemplary embodimentis shown. The vehicle suspensionsupport system 100 may be used in associationwith avehicle having anait ride suspensionsystem. An exemplary air ride suspension systemis shown in Figures7'12 and may include aplurality of airbags 10, an air compressorthat pressurizes air for the air ride suspension system,air lines connecting theplurality of airbags10 and the air compressor, and a control system.The control system of the air ridesuspension systemmay include a plurality of valves' aplurality of sensors, and a controller. The controlsystemmay be configured to ffansmit datareceived from the sensors to a userinterface associatedwith the vehicle, and output controlsignals to various componentsof the controlsystem in response to user input't00471 Theplurality of airbags10 may include a front driver's side airbag, a frontpassenger's side airbag, areafdriver'sside airbag, anda rearpassenger's side airbag' Each ofthe plurality of airbags 10 maybe referred toindividually as an airbag 10' In certainembodiments, each corner of the vehicle(i.e., front driver'sside, front passenger's side, reardriver's side, and rear passenger's side) mayincludeasingleairbag 10 or a plurality of airbags10. Each airbag 10 may be mountedbetween an upperbag mount 12 and a lower bag mount14. The upper and lower bag mounts 12, 14may be configured to maintain the airbag 10therebetween during the course ofinflation and deflation of the airbag 10.I004SlIn certain optional embodiments, for the front driver's side and front passenger'sside, the upper bag mount 12 maybe coupled or otherwiseconnected to a portion of an axleand the lower bag mount 14 may be coupledor otherwise connected to a lower control arm20of the vehicle. In other optional embodiments, forthe front driver's side and front passenger'sside, the upper bag mount !2may be coupledor otherwise connected to a chassis crossmember30 of the vehicle and the lowerbag mount 14 maybe coupled or otherwise connected to thelower control arm20. A singlevehiclesuspension support system 100 may be associated ormounted in connection with acorner of the vehicle(i.e., front driver's side, front passenger'sside, rear driver's side, and realpassenger's side) and / oran airbag 10' Thus, ifa vehicle has anairbag 10 on the front driver's side and an airbag10 on the front passenger's side, a first vehiclesuspension support system 100 maybe installed inassociation the airbag 10 on the frontl"'J:iI:;"?111'J;3 ""*'Yifidriver's side and a second vehicle suspensionsupport system 100 may be installed inassociation with theairbag l0 onthe front passenger's side't00491The vehicle suspension support system 100 may include a mounting bracket 110, astanchion 150, and a hitch pin 190. Referringnow to Figures 4 and 6, the mounting bracket1 l0 may be removably couplable to aportion of a vehicle.More specifically, in certain optionalembodiments, the mounting bracket 110 maybe removably couplable to the upper bag mount12ofanair ride suspensionsystem. In certain optional embodiments, the mounting bracket110 may be configured to removably couple toa portion of the vehicle via a plurality offasteners I92. Eachof the plurality offasteners 192 may include a bolt and nut fastener or thelike. In other optional embodiments, the mountingbracket 110 may be configured to be coupledto a portion of the vehicle, and morespecifically theupper bag mount 12 of the air ridesuspensionsystem, viaa welded connection't00501In certain optional embodiments, the mounting bracket 110 may have a generallynon-geometric shape with curved sides.The shape of the mounting bracket 110 may becomplementary to the portion of the vehicle(e.g., upper bag mount 12) to which the mountingbracket 110 is configured to be mountedto. The mountingbracket 110 may include an elongateportion ll2 and a couplingportion 114. The coupling portion ll4 may extend out from theelongate portion 112 such that the couplingportion114 is generally perpendicular to theelongate portion Il2.Themounting bracket110 may have a thickness in a range of from 0'1to 0.4 inches, preferably 0.15 to 0.35inches, andmost preferably from 0'2 to 0'3 inches' Themounting bracket 110 maybe composed offorged 1040 steel or a like material.t005UThe mounting bracket 110, and more specifically the elongate portion 112 of themounting bracket 110, may include aplurality of mountingapertures 120' In certain optionalembodiments, the plurality of mountingapertures120 may include a first mounting aperture122 anda second mounting aperture l24.Eachofthe first andsecond mounting aperines 122,124 may be a slot. The slots mayprovide for adjustmentof the mounting bracket 110 relativeto the portion of the vehicle to which the mountingbracket110 is coupled' Thus, the slots mayallow for the mounting bracket110 to bepositioned such that the mounting bracket 110 doesnot contact or otherwise interfere withan associated airbag 110. The slots may also allow forthe mounting bracket 110 to be positioned suchthat the stanchion 150 is positioned in adesirable positioned relative to the lowercontrol arm 20 orother portion of the vehicle. Thefrst and second apertures 122,l2L,providedthey are slots, may be arranged such that the firstaperture 122 is substantiallyperpendicular to the secondaperture 124. The first aperture 122may be extend along the elongate portion112 while the secondaperture 124 may extend across,#3;fii"Tiiil:i#1i1?,3the elongate portion 1,12, orvice versa. The firstand second apertures I22,124 may each beconfigured toreceive a fastenertherethrough.t00521Figure 13 provides a mounting bracket 210 under another embodiment that can beremovably couplable to the upperbag mount 12 of anair ride suspension system as describedin the present disclosure. In embodiments,the mounting bracket 210 comprises a plurality ofmounting apertures 220. The mounting bracket 210can comprise one or more pass-throughs,voids, or gaps that serve as clearance voids225 to permitprojecting structures on the vehicleframe or airbags to pass therethrough when theairbags are deflated or otherwise flex duringuse. In embodiments, the clearance voids 225 permitan air fittingfrom the top of the air springto pass therethrough. Certain embodiments compriseatleast two, oppositely disposedclearance voids to permit use with airbags and associatedairbag mounts that may be oriented180 degrees as comparedto alternate airbagsand mounts't00531In certain optional embodiments, the mounting bracket 210 may have a generallynon-geometric shape with curved sides.Theshape of the mounting bracket 210 may becomplementary to the portion ofthe vehicle(e.g., upper bag mount 12) to which the mountingbracket 210 is configured to be mounted to.The mounting bracket 210 may include an elongateportion 212 and, a coupling portion 214. The couplingportion 214 may extend out from theelongate portion 212 stch that the couplingportion 214 isgenerally perpendicular to theelongate portion 212. The mounting bracket 2I0may have a thickness in a range of from 0.1to 0.4 inches, preferably 0.15 to 0.35inches, and mostpreferably from 0.2 to 0.3 inches. Themounting bracket 210 maybe composed offorged 1040 steel or a like material.t00541 The mounting bracket 210may include a plurality of mounting apertures 220.Incertain optional embodiments, theplurality ofmounting apertures 220 may include a pluralityof mounting apertures that are disposedat differentpoints along the mounting bracket 210. Theposition of the mounting apertures 220 on themounting bracket 210 may depend on the specificparameters of the vehicle to which thevehicle suspensionsupport system 100, 200 is mounted'the specific parameters of the upper bag mount12 to which themounting bracket 210 will beattached, or a combination thereof.The mounting bracket210 canbe configured for use withairbags(or air springs)of various sizes.t00551Ascan be seen in the Figure 13 embodiment, the mounting bracket 210 comprisesat least two sets of mounting apertures 223,224.The first set of mounting apertures223 canbe disposed medial to the secondset of mountingapertures 224, such that the first set ofmounting apertures 223 areconfiguredfor mounting toa smaller airbag mount and the secondset of apertur es 224 are configuredfor mountingto a larger airbag mount.i,,"JiiiH,3,i1i1';;3 "#3;fi t00561In embodiments, each of the mounting apertures 220 can be a slot' The slots mayprovide for adjustment of the mountingbracket 210relative to the portion of the vehicle towhich the mounting bracket 210 is coupled.Thus, theslots may allow for the mounting bracket210 to be positioned such that the mounting bracket210 does not contact or otherwise interferewith an associated atrbag 210. The slotscan be configured to permit positioning of theclearance voids 225 such that, when installed,any protrusions or structures from the vehicle,airbag, or airbag mount can pass therethrough withoutcontacting the mounting bracket 210'The slots may also allow for the mounting bracket210 to be positioned such that the stanchion150 is positioned in a desirablepositioned relative tothe lower control arm20 or other portionof the vehicle. The first andsecond sets of apertures223,224,provided they are slots, may bearranged such that the first aperture222 is substantiallyparallel with the aperture 224' lnembodiment, the first aperture 223 is substantiallyperpendicular to the second aperttne 224'The first aperture 223 may be extendalong the elongateportion 2I2 while the second aperture224 may extend across the elongate portion212, or vice versa. The first and second apertures223,224may each be configuredto receivea fastener therethrough. It should be understoodthat the mounting bracket 210 disclosedin Figure13 can be used in place of the mountingbracket 110 as disclosed elsewhere in the specification.Thus, the various embodiments of themounting brackets 110,210 as disclosedherein maybe interchangeable depending on thespecifics of the vehicle with whichthe vehicle suspension support system 100 is used't0057lThe stanchion 150 may include a generally cylindrical post 152. The post 152 maybe tiered such that the post 152 includesa thick portion154 having a frst diameter and a thinportion 156 having a second diameterthat is lessthan the first diameter. The stanchion 150may have a bumper 160 positioned atadistalend of thestanchion 150. The bumper 160 maybe connected and positioned adjacent to the thickportion 154 of the post 152. The bumper 160may include rigid member 162 and a resilientmember 164' The rigid member 162 may becomposed of the same or a similar material as thematerial of the post 152, such as forged 1040steel or the like. In certain optional embodiments,the rigid member 162 may be generallycircular. In other optional embodiments,the rigidmember 162 may be a shape other thancircular. The resilient member 164maybe composedof rubber or a like material' The resilientmember 164 may have a complementary shapeto the rigidmember 162.ln certain optionalembodiments, such as when the rigid member162iscircular,the resilient member 164 may besemi-spherical in shape. The resilient member164 may be configured to absorb or at leastreduce vibrations from portions ofthe vehicle contactingthe resilient member 164."#l[,1i"'jli[:;,1i111'J;3 I005SlThe mounting bracket 110,210 may include a stanchion aperture 130,230' Thestanchion aperture I30, 230 may beconfigured toreceive at least a portion of the stanchion150. More specifically, the stanchion aperture130,230 maybe configured to receive the thinportion 156 of the post 152. The mounting bracket110, 210 may further include acollar 132,232 extending out fromaround the stanchionaperture I3O, 230' In certain optionalembodiments, the collar I32,232mayextend outfrom around the stanchion aperture 130,230on both faces of the mounting bracket IlO,2l0,whilein other embodiments the collar 132,232 may only extend out from around the stanchionaperture on a single face. The collar I32,232 may be configured to stabilize thestanchion150 such that horizontal rotation of thestanchion 150 relative to themounting bracket110,210 is reduced. In certain optionembodiments, an outer diameter of thecollar 132,232 may be substantially equal to thediameter of the thick portion 154 of thepost 152. The collar 132, 232 may have a generallycylindrical shapewith a hollow center.10059]The vehicle suspension support system 100 may include a plurality of embodimentsof the stanchion 150. For example,the vehiclesuspension support system 100 may include apairof stanchions 150, including a longstanchion 150Aand a short stanchion 1508. The thickportion 154 of the long stanchion 1504 mayhave a greater length than the thick portion 154of the short stanchion 150B. Thus, auser may selectivelycouple either the long stanchion 150Aor the short stanchion 150B to the same mountingbracket llo,2I0based on desired use.t00601When the stanchion aperlure 130, 230 receives the post 152 of the stanchion I 50, thethin portion 156 of the post may extend throughthe collar132,232 such that an end of the post152 extends out of the collar 132,232.The thinportion 156 may include a tapered end toprovide for ease of insertion into the stanchionaperture I30,230. The thick portion 154 of thepost 152 may contact the collar 132,232such thatthe post 152 cannot move through thestanchion aperture I30,230 further. Thethin portion 156 of the post 152 may include a pinhole 170 defined therethrough. The pin hole 170may bepositioned such that it extendsperpendicular to a length of the post 152.The pin hole152 may be configured to receive a pin,such as hitch pin 190 or the like. When the hitchpin 190 is inserted into the pin hole 152 of thestanchion 150 and the post I52 ofthe stanchion150 isreceived by the mounting bracket 110,210 the hitch pin 190 mayprevent the stanchion150 from decoupling from the mountingbracket110,210.100611 The mounting bracket110, 210 maybe configured to be coupled to the vehicle andnot removed. Coupling the mountingbracket 110,210 to the vehicle, and specifically the upperbag mount 12, may require the use of tools,such as a weldingmachine in the case of a weldedl1,#3;.?i,iJii}:;.,'i11"'J;3connection or wrenches in the case of a bolt andnut fastener. Thus, the mounting bracket 110,210 is configured tobe left in a coupledto the vehicle't00621 Thestanchion150isconfigured to be easily coupled and decoupled fromthemounting bracket 110, 210 withoutthe need fortools. A user may insert the thin portion 156of the post 152 of the stanchion 150 intothe stanchionaperture 130, 230 of the mountingbracket I I 0, 210. The user may then place the hitchpin 190 through the pin hole 152 to preventthe stanchion 150 from decoupling fromthe mounting bracket110, 210. When the user wishesto decouple the stanchion 150 frommounting bracket 110, 210, the user simply removes thehitch pin 190 from the pin hole 152.The post 152 of the stanchion 150 may then translaterelative to the stanchion aperture 130, 230 ofthe mounting bracket 110, 210 and the stanchion150 may be decoupledfrom the mountingbracket 110, 210'100631 One exemplary advantageof thepresent disclosure may be that the stanchion150 isremovably couplable to the mountingbracket 110,210 such that a user may easily and quicklycouple / decouple the stanchion 150to the mountingbracket 110, 210. Further, the user mayeasily switch between the long stanchion150A andthe short stanchion 150B easily andquicklybased on desired use andwithout the need for tools't00641The vehicle suspension support system 100 may be referred herein as beingintheworking configuration whenthe stanchion150 is coupled to the mounting bracket 110, 210'The vehicle suspension support system 100, whenmounted in the front of a vehicle' may beconfigured to contact the lower controlarm20 of thevehicle when the airbag 10 deflates' Morespecifically, the resilient member 164 of the bumper160 of the stanchion 150 may contact thelower control arm20 suchthat the vehiclesuspension support system 100 maintains separationbetween the lower control arm20 and theupper bag mount 12.By maintaining said separationbetween the lower control arm 20 andthe upper bag mount 12, cleatance may exist betweenthe undercarriage of the vehicle and theground surface; more specifically, clearance may existbetween the lower control arm20,thechassis crossmember30, and the ground surface' Theundercarriage of the vehicle may include variouscomponents critical for the operability of thevehicle, including but not limited tothe vehicle suspension,ball joints, bushing arms, bearing,supports, chassis crossmembefs, gas tank, anddifferential case to name a few examples' Thus'the vehicle may be capable of movingwithout damagingits undercarriage and the vehicle maybe driven slowly to a desired location whererepairs canbe made or loaded onto a tow truckvia a winch. t00651While the exemplary embodiment of the vehicle suspension support system100 shown in the figures is configured for placementin the front of a vehicle, one of skill in the artt2"#3;.?i"'Jii}?;i,i1i1'J;3will appreciate the vehicle suspensionsupport system100 as disclosed herein could also beused in the rear of a vehicle. For example,the upperbag mount12may be coupled or otherwiseconnected to the chassis of the vehicle and thelower bag mount 14 may be coupled or otherwiseconnected to the axle or leaf springpack. The mountingbracket 110 may be coupled to theupper bag mount 12 such that the bumper 160of the stanchion 150 contacts a portion of theleaf springpackwhenthe air ride suspensionsystem fails'EXAMPLES t00661Examples are provided below to facilitate a more complete understanding of theinvention. The following examples illustratethe exemplarymodes of practicing the invention'However, the scope of the invention is notlimited to specificembodiments disclosed in theseExamples, which are for purposes ofillustration only,since alternative methods can be utilizedto obtainsimilar results.EXAMPLE1t00671A vehicle may have an ak ride suspension system with airbags 10, as shown inFigures 7-lZ. Thedriver may installthe vehicle suspension support system 100 on the vehicle'More specifically, the driver maycouple the mountingbracket 110 to the upper bag mount 12by removing fasteners 192 associated with the upperbag mount 12 and placing the mountingbracket 110 in a desired position relative to theupper bag mount12, airbag 10, and / or lowercontrol arrr 20. Fasteners 192, whetheroriginal to the upper bag mount 12 or replacementfasteners, may be used to couple the mountingbracket 110 to the upper bag mount 12' This isshown in Figure 7. t006SlThe driver may wish to use the vehicle suspension support system 100 as a failsafein the event the air ride suspension systemfails. Thedriver may couple the stanchion 150 tothe mounting bracket 110 by insertingthepostI52ofthe stanchion 150 into the stanchionaperture 130 of the mounting bracket110 and placingthe hitch pin 190 into the pin hole 170of the stanchion 150. The drivermay couple thestanchion 150 to the mounting bracket 110without tools. Here, the driver may desireto use theshort stanchion 1508 to ensure thestanchion 150 does not interferewith customarydriving. The vehicle suspension supportsystem 100 is shown in Figures 8and 9 where thestanchion 150 is coupled to the mountingbracket110.Atty.Docket No.: 2968089.2 Date offiling:February7,2025 t00691The vehicle may then be used in a normal and customary fashion. In the event thereis a failure in the air ride suspensionsystem whereinthe airbags 10 are unable to inflate, thevehicle suspension support system 100is configured to maintaina ride height that allows thevehicle to be moved withoutfurther damage. lnother words, the vehicle suspension supportsystem 100 is configured to maintain sufficientseparation between the upper bag mount 12and the lower control arm 20 such that the undercarriageof the vehicle clears the groundsurface. Figures 9 and 1l show the vehiclesuspension supportsystem 100 installed where theairbags 10 are at least partially inflated. FiguresL0 and 12 show the vehicle suspension supportsystem 100 installed where the airbags10 are deflatedand the vehicle suspension supportsystem 100 maintains sufficientground clearancesuch that the vehicle can be move.t00701Once the airbags are deflated and the bumper 160 of the vehicle suspension supportsystem 100 is in contact with the lower control arm20,the driver may drive the vehicle to adesired location to fix the issue,parkthevehicle, or waitfor a tow truck. In the event the vehicleis to be towed, the vehicle suspension support system100 maintains sufficient ride height thatthe vehicle may be loaded onto thetow truck withoutdamaging the undercarriage of thevehicle. EXAMPLE 2 t6g7llA vehicle may have an air ride suspension system with airbags 10, as shown inFigures 7-l2.Thedrivermay install the vehiclesuspension support system 100 on the vehicle.More specifically, the driver may couplethe mountingbracket 110 to the upper bag mount 12by removing fasteners 192 associated withthe upper bag mount12 and placing the mountingbracket l l0 in a desired position relative to the upperbag mount 12, aitbag 10, and / or lowercontrol arm20. Fasteners 192, whetheroriginal to the upper bag mount 12 ot teplacementfasteners, may be used to couplethe mounting bracket110 to the upper bag mount 12. This isshown in Figure 7. I007ZlThe driver may wish to leave the stanchion 150 of the vehicle suspension supportsystem 100 decoupled from the mounting bracket110. This mayallow the driver to fully deflatethe airbags l0 andachieve a lowered ride height when parked. The driver may keep thestanchion 150 and correspondinghitchpin 190 with the vehicle.100731In the event there is a failure in the air ride suspension system wherein the airbags10 are unable to inflate, the driver may stopthe vehicle. Thedriver may then use a jack or otherl4o#Yin",:"T:i[:;,i,i111'J;3lifting means to raise the vehicle suchthat the lowercontrol arm 20 drops under the pull ofgravity toward the ground surface. Once thevehicle is lifted such that there is sufficientseparation between the upper bag mount12 andlower control arm 20, the driver may couplethe stanchion 150 to the mounting bracket110 by inserting the post 152 of the stanchion 150into the stanchion aperture 130 of themounting bracket110 and placing the hitch pin 190 intothe pin hole 170 of the stanchion 150. Thedrivermay couplethe stanchion 150 to the mountingbracket 110 without tools. Here, thedriver maydesire to use the long stanchion 150A as thedriver will simply be lookingto recoverthe vehicle and the stanchion 150 will be removedonce the repair has been made. The vehicle suspensionsupport system 100 is shown in Figures8 and 9 where the stanchion150 is coupledto the mounting bracket 110.100741The vehicle suspension support system 100 is configured to maintain a ride heightthat allows the vehicle to be moved withoutfurther damage. In other words, the vehiclesuspension support system 100is configured tomaintain sufficient separation between theupper bag mount 12 and the lower controlarlrr_ 20 suchthat the undercarriage of the vehicleclears the ground surface. Figures 9 and11.showthe vehicle suspension support system 100installed where the airbags 10 are atleast partially inflated.Figures 10 and 12 show the vehiclesuspension support system 100 installed wherethe airbags 10 are deflated and the vehiclesuspension support system 100 maintainssufficientground clearance such that the vehicle canbe move. t00751once the airbags are deflated and the bumper 160 of the vehicle suspension supportsystem 100 is in contact with the lower controlarm20, the driver may drive the vehicle to adesired location to fix the issue, park the vehicle, orwait for a tow truck. In the event the vehicleis to be towed, the vehicle suspension supportsystem 100 maintains sufficient ride height thatthe vehicle may be loaded onto thetow truck withoutdamaging the undercarriage of thevehicle. EQUIVALENTS t00761Those skilledin the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain, using no morethan routine experimentation, numerousequivalentsto the specific substances and proceduresdescribed herein. Such equivalents are consideredto be within the scope of this invention andare coveredby the followingclaims'

Claims

Atty. Docket No.:2968089.2Date of filing: February7,2025Whatis claimed:

1. A vehiclesuspension support system comprising:amounting bracket couplableto a portion ofa vehicle, the mounting bracketincluding anaperture definedtherethrough;astanchion having agenerally cylindricalpost and a bumper located at an endof thepost;wherein the stanchion isremovably couplableto the mounting bracket, the postof the stanchion being receivedwithin the apertureof the mounting bracket whenthe stanchionis coupled tothe mounting bracket'2.The vehicle suspension support system of claim 1, wherein:the vehicle suspension support systemis operable ina working configurationwhere the stanchionis removably coupledto the mounting bracket.3.The vehicle suspension support system of claim 2, wherein:the bumper of the stanchion is configuredto selectively engage a lower controlarm of the vehicle when the vehiclesuspension support system is in the workingconfiguration. 4.The vehicle suspension support system of claim 3, wherein:the mounting bracket is couplabletoanupper bagmount of the vehicle5.The vehicle suspension support system of claim 4, wherein:the vehicle suspension supportsystem is configuredto prevent the lower controlarm fromcontacting the upperbag mount.I6Atty.Docket No.: 2968089.2 Dateoffiling: February 7,20256.The vehicle suspension supportsystem of claim l, further comprising:aPin;wherein the stanchion includes ahole defined through thepost and configuredto receive at least a portion of thepin,thepin configured to prevent the stanchionfrom decouplingfrom the mounting bracketwhen the pin is received by the hole ofthepost.7.The vehicle suspension support system of claim 1, wherein:the mounting bracket isremovably couplable toa portion of the vehicle via oneormore fasteners. 8.The vehicle suspension support system of claim 1, wherein:the vehicle suspensionsupport systemisconfiguredto be used in associationwithavehicle havingan air ride suspension system; andthe vehicle suspension support systemis configured to prevent an undercarriageof the vehiclefromcontacting a ground surfacewhen the air ride suspension systemfails. g.A method of supporting a suspension ofa vehicle, the method comprising: obtaining the vehicle suspension supportsystem from any one of claims 1-8;coupling a mounting plate of thevehicle suspension support system to an upperbag mountof the vehicle;coupling a stanchion of the vehiclesuspension support system to the mountingplate; and I7Atty. Docket No.:2968089.2Date of filing:February 7,2025preventing an undercarriage ofthe vehiclefrom contacting a ground surface viathe vehicle suspensionsupport system.

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