Abstract: A suspension system allows travel of a sprung mass relative to an unsprung mass. A primary stage has a primary leaf attached between the sprung mass and the unsprung mass. An auxiliary stage has an auxiliary leaf operatively attached to either the primary stage or unsprung mass. A variable engagement bracket includes a mount point, attached to the sprung mass and defining an axis, and an offset arm extending from the mount point and rotatable about the axis. The offset arm contacts the auxiliary stage at a first point at a first travel of the suspension system and at a second point at a second travel. The first point provides or defines a maximum contact span and the second provides a minimum contact span, smaller than the maximum contact span, for the auxiliary stage.

Abstract: A suspension system allows travel of a sprung mass relative to an unsprung mass. A primary stage has a primary leaf attached between the sprung mass and the unsprung mass. An auxiliary stage has an auxiliary leaf operatively attached to either the primary stage or unsprung mass. A variable engagement bracket includes a mount point, attached to the sprung mass and defining an axis, and an offset arm extending from the mount point and rotatable about the axis. The offset arm contacts the auxiliary stage at a first point at a first travel of the suspension system and at a second point at a second travel. The first point provides or defines a maximum contact span and the second provides a minimum contact span, smaller than the maximum contact span, for the auxiliary stage.

Abstract: A leaf spring assembly comprises a leaf spring having an axially extending member, an axis, a key portion disposed at an end thereof, first and second parallel elongate members extending radially from the attachment ring along an axis and include inner facing surfaces opposing one another along the axis to define a receiving slot that is configured to receive the end of the leaf spring. The leaf spring is joined with the leaf spring eye and a key slot, formed adjacent to a terminal end of the receiving slot and comprising an enlarged slot portion defined by a first shoulder formed in an inner facing surface of an elongate member and configured to receive the key portion disposed at the end of the axially extending member.

Abstract: A leaf spring assembly comprises a leaf spring having an axially extending member, an axis, a key portion disposed at an end thereof, first and second parallel elongate members extending radially from the attachment ring along an axis and include inner facing surfaces opposing one another along the axis to define a receiving slot that is configured to receive the end of the leaf spring. The leaf spring is joined with the leaf spring eye and a key slot, formed adjacent to a terminal end of the receiving slot and comprising an enlarged slot portion defined by a first shoulder formed in an inner facing surface of an elongate member and configured to receive the key portion disposed at the end of the axially extending member.

Abstract: An air suspension system includes a rigid frame member defining an unsealed fixed volume. An air reservoir is disposed within the fixed volume and variably occupies the fixed volume. The air reservoir includes a flexible bladder expandable between an unfilled volume, a first filled volume, and a second filled volume larger than the first filled volume. The first filled volume and the second filled volume at least partially expand into the fixed volume of the rigid frame member. A fill port is formed in one end of the flexible bladder and provides access to the expandable volume. A feed tube is disposed through the fill port into the expandable volume and is in airflow communication with the expandable volume. At least one air spring is in airflow communication with the air reservoir.

Abstract: A damping device includes a housing defining a pressure chamber, containing a magnetorheological fluid. A rod is slideably coupled to the housing to adjust a length of the housing. A piston is attached to the rod and disposed within the pressure chamber. The piston is immersed within the magnetorheological fluid, and separates the pressure chamber into a first half and a second half. An electromagnet is disposed in magnetic contact with the magnetorheological fluid, and is operable to apply a magnetic field to the magnetorheological fluid to increase viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid to prevent movement of the rod relative to the housing. The magnetorheological fluid is free to flow through a fluid port in the piston, between a first half and a second half of the pressure chamber, in the absence of the magnetic field from the magnetic source to allow adjustment of the length.

Abstract: A leaf spring assembly, which may be attached to, for example, an axle or suspended components a vehicle, includes a leaf having a first end and a second end on opposing sides of a center point. The leaf is the only leaf in the leaf spring assembly. The leaf spring assembly also includes a first bumper and a second bumper spaced from the first bumper. The first bumper contacts the leaf upon a first displacement of the leaf spring assembly. The second bumper also contacts the leaf upon the first displacement of the leaf spring assembly.

Abstract: A damping device includes a housing defining a pressure chamber, containing a magnetorheological fluid. A rod is slideably coupled to the housing to adjust a length of the housing. A piston is attached to the rod and disposed within the pressure chamber. The piston is immersed within the magnetorheological fluid, and separates the pressure chamber into a first half and a second half. An electromagnet is disposed in magnetic contact with the magnetorheological fluid, and is operable to apply a magnetic field to the magnetorheological fluid to increase viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid to prevent movement of the rod relative to the housing. The magnetorheological fluid is free to flow through a fluid port in the piston, between a first half and a second half of the pressure chamber, in the absence of the magnetic field from the magnetic source to allow adjustment of the length.

Abstract: A leaf spring assembly, which may be attached to, for example, an axle or suspended components a vehicle, includes a leaf having a first end and a second end on opposing sides of a center point. The leaf is the only leaf in the leaf spring assembly. The leaf spring assembly also includes a first bumper and a second bumper spaced from the first bumper. The first bumper contacts the leaf upon a first displacement of the leaf spring assembly. The second bumper also contacts the leaf upon the first displacement of the leaf spring assembly.

Abstract: A leaf spring assembly includes a main stage and a second stage. The main stage has at least one leaf, which is a steel leaf. The second stage has a composite leaf. The second stage is operatively attached to, and aligned with, the main stage.

Abstract: A double chamber sealed tank, wherein a singular tank shell is formed so as to provide two separate, yet mutually integral, chambers, each chamber not fluidically communicating with the other. Each chamber has an opening and is provided with its own respective sealing cap. In addition, each chamber has its own respective liquid dispensing system which functions independently of the other.

Abstract: A set of interlocking tanks. The tanks have respective sidewalls including cooperating interlock features formed inclusive of the hollows of the tanks which are mutually correlated and reciprocally shaped so that the interlock feature of one tank interlocks with respect to the interlock feature of the other tank to thereby connect the tanks together as a single subassembly. The interlocking is selectively releasable.

Abstract: The invention concerns a brinelling bushing joint assembly having a brinelling bushing sleeve with a brinelling feature that mates with a bracket. This joint assembly may be particularly advantageous when employed to connect a vehicle frame to a vehicle suspension.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an air spring and jounce shock assembly for use in an automotive vehicle suspension system. The assembly may include a base adapted to be mounted on one of an axle assembly and a suspension component, a top cap adapted to be attached to a vehicle frame, and a diaphragm disposed between and attached to the base and the top cap, with the diaphragm including an inner surface defining a first portion of a compressed air cavity. A jounce shock reaction surface defines a second portion of the compressed air cavity and is included in a one of the top cap and the base.

Abstract: Control arms used to support a swivel member retaining a wheel of a vehicle are attached to the body or frame rail of the vehicle by U-shaped attachment brackets having walls with lateral slots therein, each of which receives a mounting bolt therethrough. The mounting bolts pass through bushings in the ends of the control arms to pivot the control arms on the vehicle body or frame rail. Adjacent to the heads of the bolts are pairs of reaction surfaces that in one embodiment of the invention are pairs of opposed projecting surfaces on the attachment brackets. Separate tools are provided which have cams thereon each having a first peripheral cam surface for engaging one of the reaction surfaces and a second peripheral cam surface for engaging the other reaction surface. Upon loosening nuts threaded on the mounting bolts and rotating the cams with levers, socket wrench handles or other drives, the bolts shift laterally in the lateral slots enabling adjustment of the camber and caster of the wheels.

Abstract: Automotive suspension system having a leaf spring assembly. A splay reduction device is employed for maintaining alignment of leaf members.

Abstract: A fastener-less spring assembly for a vehicle includes an axle spring seat adapted to be secured to an axle of a vehicle. The fastener-less spring assembly also includes a frame spring seat adapted to be secured to a frame of the vehicle. The fastener-less spring assembly further includes an inflatable air spring having a base for attachment to the axle spring seat and a mounting cap for attachment to the frame spring seat. The frame spring seat has at least one slot extending therethrough and the mounting cap has at least one projection extending through the slot and being rotated relative to the frame spring seat to prevent the projection from exiting the slot to attach the mounting cap to the frame spring seat.