Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle provided with a sprung mass, including a vehicle frame, at least one axle provided with first and second ends, and a suspension system provided with a mechanical springs and leveling springs. The mechanical springs connect the axle ends to the frame and are provided with a spring rate in a rebound direction that is greater than or substantially equal to a spring rate in a jounce direction. The leveling springs are configured to support the sprung mass at one or more sprung mass load points, whereby the first and second mechanical springs may become substantially unloaded by the sprung mass of the vehicle at the one or more sprung mass load points.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle provided with a sprung mass, including a vehicle frame, at least one axle provided with first and second ends, and a suspension system provided with a mechanical springs and leveling springs. The mechanical springs connect the axle ends to the frame and are provided with a spring rate in a rebound direction that is greater than or substantially equal to a spring rate in a jounce direction. The leveling springs are configured to support the sprung mass at one or more sprung mass load points, whereby the first and second mechanical springs may become substantially unloaded by the sprung mass of the vehicle at the one or more sprung mass load points.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle and a method for improving the roll characteristics of a vehicle. The vehicle includes an axle, a sprung mass, a first control arm, a second control arm, a third control arm, a first pivotable joint, a second pivotable joint, a third pivotable joint, and a fourth pivotable joint. The torsional stiffness of the first control arm, the second control arm, the first pivotable joint, the second pivotable joint, the third pivotable joint, and the fourth pivotable joint are substantially equal to or greater than the torsional stiffness of the axle, whereby the axle bends and twists during a sprung mass roll event in order to limit an amount of roll.

Abstract: A suspension arrangement for interconnecting a frame and an axle in a vehicle includes a control arm having a first beam and a second beam in parallel, spaced relation, each beam having a first end with a single arm and a second end with an upper arm and a lower arm to define a Y-shape, the first end being pivotally connectable to a vehicle frame, and the second end being connectable to a vehicle axle disposed between the upper and lower arms, and a bushing arrangement mountable to the vehicle axle, the bushing arrangement having an upper portion connecting between the upper arms of the first beam and second beam and a lower portion connecting between the lower arms of the first beam and second beam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle and a method for improving the roll characteristics of a vehicle. The vehicle includes an axle, a sprung mass, a first control arm, a second control arm, a third control arm, a first pivotable joint, a second pivotable joint, a third pivotable joint, and a fourth pivotable joint. The torsional stiffness of the first control arm, the second control arm, the first pivotable joint, the second pivotable joint, the third pivotable joint, and the fourth pivotable joint are substantially equal to or greater than the torsional stiffness of the axle, whereby the axle bends and twists during a sprung mass roll event in order to limit an amount of roll.

Abstract: A suspension arrangement for interconnecting a frame and an axle in a vehicle includes a control arm having a first beam and a second beam in parallel, spaced relation, each beam having a first end with a single arm and a second end with an upper arm and a lower arm to define a Y-shape, the first end being pivotally connectable to a vehicle frame, and the second end being connectable to a vehicle axle disposed between the upper and lower arms, and a bushing arrangement mountable to the vehicle axle, the bushing arrangement having an upper portion connecting between the upper arms of the first beam and second beam and a lower portion connecting between the lower arms of the first beam and second beam.

Abstract: A low insertion force snap together automotive coupler for the suspension of a vehicle includes a spherical bearing insert having a first end, a second end, a pocket adapted to engage a ball stud that is integrally formed onto a suspension component, and an axially extending annular flange. The coupler further includes a receiver adapted to receive the spherical bearing insert after the spherical bearing insert has been placed to a ball stud and to engage the flange to secure the spherical bearing insert within the receiver. The pocket within the spherical bearing insert is shaped such that an axial force tending to pull the ball stud out of the pocket will result in a radial force exerted upon the flange, thereby causing additional force to keep the flange engaged within the receiver.

Abstract: A low insertion force snap together automotive coupler for the suspension of a vehicle includes a spherical bearing insert having a first end, a second end, a pocket adapted to engage a ball stud that is integrally formed onto a suspension component, and an axially extending annular flange. The coupler further includes a receiver adapted to receive the spherical bearing insert after the spherical bearing insert has been placed to a ball stud and to engage the flange to secure the spherical bearing insert within the receiver. The pocket within the spherical bearing insert is shaped such that an axial force tending to pull the ball stud out of the pocket will result in a radial force exerted upon the flange, thereby causing additional force to keep the flange engaged within the receiver.