Abstract: Lateral support elements include an element wall with an exterior surface dimensioned to abuttingly engage an associated flexible wall and an interior surface that at least partially defines an element chamber within the lateral supporting element. Gas spring assemblies include a flexible spring member that at least partially defines a spring chamber. The lateral support element is disposed along and operatively connected to the flexible spring member. The element chamber can, optionally and in some cases, be disposed in fluid communication with the spring chamber. The gas spring assembly can include one or more end members operatively connected to the flexible spring member. Suspension systems and methods of assembly are also included.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis having a frame member, and a suspension system carried by the chassis. One or more air spring assemblies are associated with the suspension system, with each air spring assembly having an air bag, an air line and an air valve. An inflation valve bracket includes a channel and a flange depending from the channel. The channel is at least partially wrapped around the frame member. The flange has one or more openings with a corresponding air valve in each opening.

Abstract: A non-torque reactive trailing arm air suspension system for vehicle driven axle uses a spherical joint between trailing arm and axle as one of four nodes of four bar mechanism which is disposed on both sides of vehicle that maintains substantially constant pinion shaft angle during vehicle operation. The trailing arm is a rolled and formed beam of spring steel and utilizes a vertically resilient length between hanger bracket joint and axle joint to absorb road shocks.

Abstract: A suspension system for providing a suspension between wheels and a frame of a vehicle is provided. The system includes an arm beam pivotally mounted to the frame at its proximate end and coupled at its distal end to a guiding assembly enabling the arm beam to pivot in a vertical direction and to be restrained in lateral directions perpendicular to the vertical direction. The arm beam includes: (a) a spring and damper assembly near its distal end for providing a dampened resilient mount for the suspension; (b) a wheel axle beam coupled to the arm beam for bearing a load borne by the wheels transmitted directly in-line with a central axis of the spring and damper assembly; and (c) a stabilizer coupled between the arm beam and the frame, the stabilizer resisting a lateral rolling motion of the vehicle. The stabilizer is included between the proximate end of the arm beams and their damper and spring assemblies for rendering the system more compact.

Abstract: An air suspension anti-roll stabilization system includes air suspension devices, such as at least one pair of air bags air spring mounted upon an axle via leaf spring suspension arms of an associated vehicle on respective opposed sides of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, with the axle being located at least partially with respect to the frame or chassis of the vehicle by means of a pair of leaf spring arms which are located on respective opposed sides of the longitudinal vehicle axis and of which each has one end mounted pivotally to the vehicle frame or chassis, wherein anti-roll means is connected rigidly between the part of longitudinal leaf spring suspension arms.

Abstract: A damping system for reducing or substantially eliminating leaf spring chatter experienced in a vehicle, especially when towing another vehicle, during start-up. The damping system comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinder-pistons that cushion the deflections of each leaf spring resulting from axle housing backlash during the starting of the vehicle.

Abstract: An attachment device with which a sensor may be fixed to the outer periphery of a cylinder barrel of a fluid power operated drive cylinder. It comprises an attachment clamp, on which a holding face is provided for securing the sensor and cooperating with the peripheral face thereof. The holding face is formed by an undercut holding groove and provides also a working face against which a positioning element on the sensor may be engaged.

Abstract: A suspension system including an integrally formed axle seat provides reduced suspension system maintenance, increased reliability, reduced number of parts, reduced stress on axles, reduced manufacturing cost, and more convenient assembly as compared to conventional suspension systems. In a preferred embodiment, a suspension system has a hanger attachable to a vehicle frame, a bushing received in the hanger and fastened thereto, a spring beam pivotably attached to the bushing, an integrally formed axle seat coupling the spring beam to an axle, and an air spring mounted between the axle seat and the vehicle frame.

Abstract: An axle of a motor vehicle axle includes a rigid axle body and at least one leaf spring arrangement on each of opposite sides of a longitudinal median plane of the vehicle. The spring arrangement is hinged at a front end thereof to a chassis-stationary bearing axis and is clamped at a position spaced from such axis rigidly to the axle body. One supporting arm projects rearwardly from the axle body and forms the bottom bearing of an air spring on an upper side of which a chassis is braced and having an axle lifting mechanism.

Abstract: A zig-zag spring in the form of a strip of fibre-reinforced plastics material with limbs connected by reflex portions, is held at its end portion by a member such that a short length (11a, 18a) of the end reflex portion (11, 18) substantially does not move angularly as the spring is compressed. Preferably an end limb (21a, 29a) extending lengthwise of the spring as a whole is so held. A suspension strut assembly, comprising two springs thus held, is disclosed.

Abstract: An adaptive vehicle suspension assembly includes a transverse leaf spring mounted in series with pneumatic springs at the front and rear wheels of a motor vehicle. A control circuit includes inlet and exhaust solenoid valves to control the flow of pressurized air into or out of the pneumatic springs, providing variable spring rate and vehicle height. Vehicle sensor switch provides control of the operation of the solenoid valves in response to sensed vehicle height increasing or decreasing the spring rate and providing optimum vehicle ride, load and cornering control.

Abstract: An improved suspension system for a vehicle is provided which interconnects the leaf spring assemby positioned adjacent each of the frame members of a vehicle. The suspension system comprises first and second supports which are positioned below the rearward ends of the leaf spring assemblies and which have their forward ends pivotally secured to the axle housing of the vehicle. The first and second supports are connected, forwardly of the rearward end thereof, to the associated leaf spring. A third support is connected to the rearward ends of the first and second supports and extends therebetween beneath the frame members of the vechicle. A pair of air springs are mounted on the third support between the frame members of the vehicle and have their upper ends operatively secured to the frame members of the vehicle.

Abstract: A suspension system is described which interconnects each of the longitudinally extending frame members of a truck or the like to a transversely extending axle housing positioned therebelow. Each of the suspension systems comprises a leaf spring assembly connected to the associated frame member forwardly of the axle housing. The leaf spring assembly is connected, intermediate its ends, to the axle housing. An elongated support is pivotally connected to the axle housing beneath the leaf spring assembly and has the rearward end of the leaf spring assembly pivotally connected thereto intermediate its ends. The lower end of an air spring is supported on the rearward end of the support and has its upper end operatively secured to the frame member.

Abstract: An improved automotive suspension strut isolator and jounce bumper upper mount providing a compact resilient assembly adaptable for a vehicle having a reduced hood line. The assembly comprises a collar member formed with an upstanding collar portion having a radially outwardly extending contact flange. An inverted cylindrical cup member is positioned in spaced relation with the collar separated by an elastomeric isolator. The cup member includes a return bend flange underlying the contact flange in an axially spaced manner. The cup member is sized to telescopically accommodate the upper end of the strut outer support casing at full jounce travel thereby lowering the overall strut height for a given vehicle attachment span. In one form of the invention the strut utilizes a convoluted dust shield as a jounce bumper.

Abstract: An air ride suspension having a step spring pivotally mounted from a front hanger by a universal bushing mount. A vertical step positions the trailing end of the step spring below the leading end and supports a transverse bolster beam for connection to the lower side of an air spring. The upper side of the air spring is connected to a seat that is fastened to the vehicle chassis. All the fasteners are bolts so that the suspension system can be readily used as a conversion for a vehicle suspension system. The air spring preferably supports two-thirds of the axle load with about one-third distributed to the step spring.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for use in a snowmobile suspension system also disclosed herein, which device facilitates increasing the stroke of a shock absorber used in the suspension system. The snowmobile disclosed herein comprises a body having a pair of downwardly extending ski posts, each of which ski posts has associated therewith a suspension system. The suspension system comprises a ski disposed beneath the ski post, together with a leaf spring secured to the ski post for biasing the snowmobile body against substantially downward movement.

Abstract: An air suspension system for a wheeled vehicle and particularly for the auxiliary lift axle of a vehicle wherein a trailing arm supporting the axle is pivotably supported at one end to the frame with an air spring operatively connected to the other end of the arm and a cantilever leaf spring rigidly connected at one end to the arm and cooperating with a frame-supported link at its other end to form a mechanism which normally biases the axle to an elevated position and which, in the lowered position of the axle, serves both as an energy store for lifting the axle and as a means of shock absorption.