Abstract: An upper mounting system for a MacPherson strut includes a shock absorber mount and an air spring mount. The air spring mount is disposed coaxially around the shock absorber mount. A curved spherical interface of the air spring mount permits pivotal movement of the air spring such that it maintains a coaxial relationship with the shock absorber. The curved spherical interface also provides a seal for sealing the gas chamber of the air spring.

Abstract: An exhaust system has a plurality of isolator assemblies which are used to mount the exhaust system to a vehicle. Each of the isolator assemblies has an exhaust rod which is attached to a component of the exhaust system and which includes a first end which engages an elastomeric isolator attached to the vehicle through a U-shaped member. Each of the first ends of the exhaust rods are aligned to be generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle when the exhaust system is installed in the vehicle.

Abstract: A stabilizer bar assembly has a stabilizer bar and a pair of bushing assemblies. Each bushing assembly has an elastomeric bushing disposed around the stabilizer bar and an outer metal member disposed around the elastomeric bushing. The outer metal member compresses the elastomeric bushing between the stabilizer bar and the outer metal member to a prespecified percent of compression. When the stabilizer bar rotates with respect to the outer metal member, the compression of the elastomeric bushing stops movement between the elastomeric bushing and the stabilizer bar and between the elastomeric bushing and the outer metal member. A fastening strap is attached to the outer metal member to attach the stabilizer bar assembly to a vehicle.

Abstract: A multiple chamber piston includes a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber attached by a first channel and a third fluid chamber connected to a fourth fluid chamber by a second channel. Air chambers are provided between the first fluid chamber and the third fluid chamber as well as the second fluid chamber and the fourth fluid chamber. As a result, when vibration is to be attenuated, walls of the air chambers are able to bend and deform to increase compliance of the overall multiple chamber piston.

Abstract: An axle assembly for a vehicle or a trailer includes an outer housing, an axle shaft and a plurality of bushings. The axle shaft is a single piece unitary construction which includes an activator shaft portion, a trailing arm portion and a spindle portion. The outer housing is adapted to be secured to the frame of the vehicle or trailer while the spindle portion is adapted to support a wheel assembly of the vehicle or trailer. Another embodiment has a single piece unitary axle which includes an activator shaft portion and a trailing arm portion. A spindle is secured to the trailing arm portion to complete the axle assembly.

Abstract: A stabilizer bar assembly includes a stabilizer bar and a pair of bushing assemblies. Each bushing assembly includes a first semi-circular member, a second semi-circular member and a hinge connecting the two semi-circular members together. The two semi-circular members encases the stabilizer bar and the two semi-circular members are encased by a frame bracket which attaches the stabilizer bar to a vehicle. Each semi-circular member includes an embedded rigid semi-circular member to control the compression and flexing of the bushing assembly.

Abstract: A pivot bushing for a suspension system has an inner metal and an outer metal with an elastomeric bushing disposed between the metals. The outer metal has one end which is partially closed by an inwardly curved portion and one end which is open. The assembly of the bushing is through the open end. Once assembled the open end is closed by placing a cover over the open end and crimping the cover to a flange formed at the open end. In another embodiment, the cover is inserted into the outer metal and the outer metal is crimped to secure the cover in place.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a V-configuration torque rod has an apex joint assembly and a pair of end pivotal joint assemblies. The apex joint assembly is attached to each end pivotal joint assembly using a rod. The rod includes a headed end which increases the radial distance at which the rod is welded to the joint assembly. The attachment of the rod to the apex joint assembly can be by welding or by using a clamp. The rod can either be a solid rod or it can be a tubular rod. In another embodiment, the torque rod is a straight torque rod which includes a rod connecting two end pivotal joint assemblies. Both ends of the rod include a headed end which increases the radial distance at which the rod is welded to the joint assembly. The rod can either be a solid rod or it can be a tubular rod.

Abstract: A V-configuration torque rod has an apex pivotal joint assembly which includes either a single forging or a pair of eyelets each of which form one arm of the V. An intermediate sleeve is located within the forging or each eyelet and an elastomeric bearing socket is located within the sleeve. The bearing socket defines a pocket within which a bar-pin journal is located. Each eyelet of the apex pivotal joint assembly is connected to a tube which is connected to an end pivotal joint assembly. Each end pivotal joint assembly has an internal joint configuration the same as the apex pivotal joint assembly.

Abstract: A steel reinforced filled polymer torque rod and method of making the same, is disclosed. The torque rod includes a stamped metal reinforcement plate having first and second bores therethrough which are surrounded by first and second annular flanges, respectively. The stamped metal reinforcement plate also includes a depression extending axially between the first connector bore and the second connector bore, and an end flange surrounding an end surface of the reinforcement plate. The torque rod also includes a polymer shell which encases and conforms to the stamped metal reinforcement plate. The polymer shell includes a first connector portion which encases the first connector bore and first annular flange, a second connector portion which encases the second connector bore and the second connector flange, an end wall which encases the end flange, and a number of side walls which encase the depression.

Abstract: A steel reinforced filled polymer torque rod and method of making the same, is disclosed. The torque rod includes a stamped metal reinforcement plate having first and second bores therethrough which are surrounded by first and second annular flanges, respectively. The stamped metal reinforcement plate also includes a depression extending axially between the first connector bore and the second connector bore, and an end flange surrounding an end surface of the reinforcement plate. The torque rod also includes a polymer shell which encases and conforms to the stamped metal reinforcement plate. The polymer shell includes a first connector portion which encases the first connector bore and first annular flange, a second connector portion which encases the second connector bore and the second connector flange, an end wall which encases the end flange, and a number of side walls which encase the depression.

Abstract: An improved device for isolating a vehicle frame from an axle assembly is provided. This device is characterized such that deflection caused by road shock is severely limited when the vehicle is in a loaded condition and substantially higher when the vehicle is in an unloaded condition. The device comprises an elastomer shear spring; a circular outer ring surrounding the shear spring and mounted to the axle assembly; and an inner plunger having a top surface to which a load is applied and a lower portion comprising an elastomer compression spring.

Abstract: An internally sealed pivotal joint assembly for use on buses and other vehicles. The assembly includes an eyelet which has disposed therein a bearing socket for positioning a ball stud journal therein. The assembly includes a cap and a sealing ring provided to the socket in order to avoid ingestion of contaminants and obviate the need for repeated lubrication of the assembly.

Abstract: An improved torque rod assembly is provided for connecting a vehicle axle to a frame comprising a torque rod with forged ends, each forged end having an eyelet and a cylindrical bar pin extending therethrough wherein the torque rod assembly is adaptable to a plurality of mounting angles.

Abstract: A torsional bushing system is provided and includes an elongated inner member that has disposed thereon a plurality of elastomer bushings of a generally square configuration. The assembly is inserted into a housing which is connected to a trailer, automobile or other vehicle. The end of the inner member is linked to a wheel assembly for the vehicle.

Abstract: A seat post assembly attaching a seat to a bicycle is provided. The assembly includes an elastomeric shock absorbing subassembly bonded to a curved bar which is received in a tube of the bicycle at one end and attaches to a seat at the other. The subassembly is also retained on the inside of the tube.

Abstract: A torque rod assembly includes two subassemblies. The subassemblies are configured in a V-shape and comprise forged eyelets joined by a solid bar extending through the eyelets at an apex end of the V. Within the eyelets there is an elastomer bushing. The elastomer bushings surround the metal bar joining the subassemblies. The assembly is suitably installed on a vehicle with the apex end connected to the axle assembly and the opposite end attached to the frame of the vehicle.

Abstract: A feeder housing is suspended from a material supply bin and has lower and upper cylindrical members with the upper member isolated from the lower member by a flexible collar which also seals the cavity formed by the members. The lower member is suspended from the upper member and has a concave bottom wall with a discharge port. A first fixed baffle next adjacent the bottom wall is a ring with shape of a segment of a toroid with angularly oriented sides having a central opening. A second conical baffle is over the central opening and is axially displaced toward the first baffle between a closed state and a material flow open state wherein material flow is normally arrested until the housing and baffles are vibrated. In a second embodiment, a single fixed baffle comprises a pair of symmetrical cones secured inverted relative to each other over a feeder housing discharge and inlet port.

Abstract: A circular cylindrical elastomeric member is formed with an annular recess and two spaced apart pockets in communication with the recess. An outer metal tube receives an inner ring in interference fit in the tube bore, the ring having at least one peripheral depression in an outer surface and a pair of spaced apertures through the ring each communicating with a different corresponding aperture forming at least one channel communicating with the pockets and apertures which are congruent with the pockets. The member is axially forced into the ring and outer tube while submerged in an imcompressible hydraulic fluid to radially compress and elongate the member during member insertion and fill the channel and pockets with the fluid. The ring seats in the member recess. An inner tube is then axial forced into the bore of the elastomeric member and locked to the member by the radial compressive forces without vulcanization or a bonding agent.

Abstract: A composite article and process forming a soft metallic layer, underneath a hardface coating, on a metallic substrate, using cloth-like flexible preforms. The softer layer formed underneath the hardfacing should be one having a hardness below 35 HRC, preferably 30 HRC, and should not experience any significant physical changes, e.g., increase in hardness, upon heat treatment.