Abstract: A suspension damper includes a housing bounding a main chamber. A piston rod is slideably disposed within the main chamber of the housing. A main piston is mounted on the first end of the piston rod within the main chamber of the housing so as to slideably engage against the housing in sealed engagement, the main piston having a first side and an opposing second side with a compression port extending therebetween. A control valve assembly is disposed within the main chamber and bounds a sealed valve compartment. The control valve assembly is movable between a first position wherein the valve compartment is compressed to a first volume and a second position wherein the valve compartment is expanded to an enlarged second volume, the control valve assembly being movable under pressure so as to provide variable compression damping properties.

Abstract: A suspension damper includes a housing bounding a main chamber. A piston rod is slideably disposed within the main chamber of the housing. A main piston is mounted on the first end of the piston rod within the main chamber of the housing so as to slideably engage against the housing in sealed engagement, the main piston having a first side and an opposing second side with a compression port extending therebetween. A control valve assembly is disposed within the main chamber and bounds a sealed valve compartment. The control valve assembly is movable between a first position wherein the valve compartment is compressed to a first volume and a second position wherein the valve compartment is expanded to an enlarged second volume, the control valve assembly being movable under pressure so as to provide variable compression damping properties.

Abstract: A lightweight, high-strength tow hook is provided. The tow hook includes a first member provided by an elongated strip of metal formed generally into a U-shape with a hooked end with two extending arms. The first member has a cross-sectional shape with a base and in a preferred embodiment has two extending cross-sectional legs which extend outwardly. A second member is provided forming a mounting bracket having a main body for connection to an automotive vehicle. The second member also has connected with the main body two connected lateral flanges. The flanges are connected with the first member extending arms. A third member is connected to the second member spanning the lateral flanges of the second member generally opposite the second member main body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a suspension system for in-line skates. The in-line skate includes a boot and a tracking system attached to the sole of the boot. Opposing rocking arms that hold the wheels are connected to the tracking system using a truncated axle. In addition, an adjustable spring can be configured between the opposing rocker arms.

Abstract: A bushing for use in a vehicle suspension system includes a pair of elastomeric bearings having cylindrical holes formed therein and flanges formed integrally therewith. The bushing further includes a journal carried by the bearings in the cylindrical holes. In the first embodiment, the bearings are of substantially elliptical cross section and provide a compliance in a major axis direction that is different than the compliance in a minor axis direction. In a second embodiment, the bearings additionally are formed with channels of partial substantially cylindrical section on the outer surfaces, thereby giving the bearings a compliance in the major axis direction of a nonlinear higher order than the corresponding compliance of the first embodiment. A third embodiment is similar to the second embodiment except that the bearings are formed with voids of a partial substantially conic section formed on the outer surface, with the apex of the voids being adjacent the flanges.

Abstract: A rear suspension having an axle with a generally U-shaped or V-shaped twist beam is provided. The twist beam on its extreme ends is penetrated by the corresponding control arms. The control arms of the present invention penetrate through apertures provided into the twist beam. The first and second walls of the twist beam are brought toward one another to allow the control arm to penetrate through the respective first and second apertures provided in the walls of the twist beam. After insertion through the walls of the twist axle, the twist axle is allowed to angularly expand again to its free state wherein it locks the twist beam to the control arm. A slight weld may be added to further ensure the connection of the control arm to the twist beam.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present invention provides a damping device that comprises a bladder that has an exterior surface and an interior surface, with the interior surface defining a chamber which stores a compressible fluid and a valve that is attached to the interior surface of the bladder. In an embodiment, the damping device contains a bladder that can be constructed from one or more of the following materials: urethane, neoprene, Viton, Nitrile, buna rubber, or silicon. The bladder is constructed to minimize the distance between the interior surface and the exterior surface. In an embodiment, the damping device contains a valve that can be constructed from one of the following materials: steel, brass, aluminum, or composite. The valve includes a stem that has threads for attaching a nut and a flange for attaching the valve to the interior surface of the bladder. The flange is contoured to maintain the axial location of the bladder within the damping device.

Abstract: A method of marrying a rear axle assembly to a vehicle body is provided. The axle assembly includes parallel-spaced trailing control arms connected together by a transverse twist beam. The trailing control arms have a sleeve at a forward end and a spindle plate adjacent a rear end. The spindle plate along its lower end having V-shaped notches which are vertically and fore and aft aligned with one another. The axle assembly is connected with a tool tray, having two fore and aft aligned and vertically aligned elevated first and second pins projecting toward one another and third and fourth pins for contacting said trailing control arm sleeves to set the vertical height of the forward end of the trailing control arms. The axle assembly is set on the tray by placing the spindle plate V-shaped notches on the first and second pins to set the axle assembly fore and aft position and rear end vertical position with respect to the tray.

Abstract: A vehicular leaf spring tip insert is provided. The insert includes a pad portion providing a liner between adjacent leaf spring tips, at least one shank portion extending from the pad portion to a free end, the shank portion having a generally axial bore, the shank portion also having a protuberance extending outward therefrom with a leaf spring engagement surface facing toward the pad portion at an axial distance therefrom, the protuberance being dimensionally adapted and configured so that the protuberance is compressed radially inward sufficiently to be received through the tip opening upon insertion of the shank portion therethrough, and a pin for insertion into the shank bore, the pin retaining the shank protuberance in a position to extend the protuberance radially outward to enable the shank leaf spring engagement surface to become engageable with the leaf spring.

Abstract: A vehicular leaf spring tip insert is provided. The insert includes a pad portion providing a liner between adjacent leaf spring tips, at least one shank portion extending from the pad portion to a free end, the shank portion having a generally axial bore, the shank portion also having a protuberance extending outward therefrom with a leaf spring engagement surface facing toward the pad portion at an axial distance therefrom, the protuberance being dimensionally adapted and configured so that the protuberance is compressed radially inward sufficiently to be received through the tip opening upon insertion of the shank portion therethrough, and a pin for insertion into the shank bore, the pin being formed from a semi-liquid material poured into said shank axial bore or material from the protuberance that has been thermally deformed.

Abstract: An apparatus for straightening a U-shaped leaf spring wherein the spring includes a curved section having a concave side and a convex side and wherein the spring has a pair of elongated legs spaced-apart relationship with each other from the curved section of the spring and the curved section of the spring has a radius of curvature adjacent a side of the legs facing away from each other, the apparatus comprising a plurality of pivotal block members which simultaneously rotate counter to one another, each of the blocks having a channel disposed thereon adapted to receive one of the leaf spring legs therein and the channel having an outer wall facing toward the other block outer wall which extends away from the curved section of the leaf spring to a respective free end such that the combined lengths of the outer walls on both blocks are substantially the same length of the convex side of the curved section of the leaf spring; each block channel having a respective inner wall facing away from the inner wall of t

Abstract: Apparatus for shock-absorbingly supporting a bicycle seat on a bicycle frame. A longitudinal beam means is pivotably attached via transverse bearings a first end to the frame, the beam bearings being configured to permit pivot motion only in a plane containing the bicycle frame. The beam is supportive of seat device near an opposite end of the beam. Shock absorbing means, preferably an adjustable gas strut, is disposed below the beam, and is connected at a first strut end to the frame and at an opposite strut end to the beam adjacent the seat device to form a triangular strut shock-absorbing suspension for the seat device wherein the triangle side comprising the strut is variable in length. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the strut may be remotely adjusted by the rider to vary the distance between the seat and the pedals or ground. In a further preferred embodiment, the beam includes a control to adjust the attitude of the seat in accordance with the height thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a preferred embodiment of straightening apparatus (100) featuring a pair of adjacent rotary block members (8) and (8') having channels (30) and (30') respectively disposed therein for receiving spaced-apart legs (6) and (6') of a heated leaf springs folded into a substantially flat "U" shaped configuration as block members (8) and (8') are caused to rotate in unison in opposite directions, inner walls (12) and (12') of channels (30) and (30') respectively engage and urge legs (6) and (6') away from each other whilst outer walls (10) and (10') of channels (30) and (30') respectively are operative to engage and provide support for substantially the entire length of a convex side (26) of a curved section (24) of the folded leg spring effective to prevent warpage thereof during the straightening process.

Abstract: An improved rear wheel suspension device for motorcycles is provided. A rectangular open-ended tracking assembly is mounted to the lower aspect of a motorcycle frame or motorcycle engine. The side walls of the tracking assembly have elongated slots. A shock absorber shaft is passed through the open end of the tracking assembly, and two elongated pull rods having bolt eyes at their opposite ends are placed against the exterior of the tracking assembly side walls. The pull rods and shock absorber shaft are movably fixed to the tracking assembly by placing a bolt through the tracking assembly slots. The opposite end of the shock absorber is mounted to a downwardly reflecting bracket fixed to the bottom of the motorcycle frame at predetermined distance from the tracking assembly. The opposite ends of both pull rods are then mounted to the downwardly reflecting vertical portion of an essentially "T"-shaped swing arm.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system having a pair of hanger brackets. A first intermediate bracket dependent from a vehicle, a second intermediate bracket a pair of control arms, and a torque rod. One end of each control arm is pivotally mounted on a corresponding hanger bracket. Another end of each control arm, is pivotally attached to an axle seat. The torque arm is pivotally mounted between the first and second intermediate brackets. One end of a stabilizer bar is mounted to each control arm to increase the suspensions roll stability, and resistance to lateral deflection. In one embodiment, the stabilizer bar extends through a hole formed in each control arm, and in other embodiments, flanges extend outwardly from the stabilizer bar adjacent respective control arms for mounting the stabilizer bar to the control arms.

Abstract: A coil spring assembly is disclosed for use with motor vehicle suspension systems in which a portion of the wire coils of the coil spring is covered by a flexible hose or tube. Coil springs which could use such hoses include those having a tapered wire diameter wherein one end of the coil spring's wire has a smaller diameter than at other portions of its length. The flexible hose is made of a material which has sufficient resiliency to first be stretched as it is installed onto the wire of the coil spring, and then will naturally return back to near its original non-stressed diameter to tightly fit around the diameter of the wire at both ends of the hose. The resulting tight fit retains lubricant and anti-corrosive compounds inside the hose, and keeps moisture and dirt from entering the interior of the hose.

Abstract: A coil spring assembly is disclosed for use with motor vehicle suspension systems in which a portion of the wire coils of the coil spring is covered by a flexible hose or tube. Coil springs which could use such hoses include those having a tapered wire diameter wherein one end of the coil spring's wire has a smaller diameter than at other portions of its length. The flexible hose is made of a material which has sufficient resiliency to first be stretched as it is installed onto the wire of the coil spring, and then will naturally return back to near its original non-stressed diameter to tightly fit around the diameter of the wire at both ends of the hose. The resulting tight fit retains lubricant and anti-corrosive compounds inside the hose, and keeps moisture and dirt from entering the interior of the hose.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle suspension comprising a beam, and an air spring between the vehicle frames and the beam. The air spring comprises an air spring lobe connected to the vehicle frame and a reinforced piston mounted on the beam in laterally offset relation to the longitudinal centerline of the beam.

Abstract: An auxiliary vehicle axle suspension which is pivoted to the frame for up and down movement. An air bellows unit is provided to force the axle down to a load-supporting position. Apparatus is provided to lift the axle to an elevated position when pressure is relieved in the air bellows unit, the apparatus being spring-operated.

Abstract: The vehicle suspension provides an axle assembly which may be mounted either on a truck-tractor or a truck-trailer to provide an additional axle. The suspension includes an axle which is suspended from a vehicle frame by means of a spring structure. A drawbar extends forwardly from the axle to connect the axle to the vehicle frame. A lifting mechanism is provided to raise the axle and associated wheels off the ground when desired.