Abstract: A vehicle suspension includes a mount assembly for a gas strut. The mount system includes a resilient bushing supported upon an annular carrier. A rigid annular member is mounted within an inner diameter of the resilient bushing. The resilient bushing, the annular carrier, and the annular member are symmetrical about an equator. The resilient bushing, the annular carrier, and the annular member are of a two-piece structure which are mirror images when reflected through the equator. The two-piece structure allows rapid assembly, simplification of manufacture, and assembly into the vehicle structure. Another mount system includes a one-piece resilient bushing having a cylindrical annular carrier.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for a motor vehicle includes upper and lower control arms pivotally attached to a frame member of the vehicle. A knuckle arm pivotally attaches to the upper and lower control arms moves along a substantially vertical axis in response to wheel movement caused by an uneven road surface. An actuation link is attached to one of the control arms at one end and to a damper assembly at another end. The damper assembly is disposed substantially within the frame member along a second axis transverse to vertical movement of the wheel and is actuated along the transverse axis in response movement of the control arm along the substantially vertical axis.

Abstract: A connecting component connecting two members, such as a suspension component and a vehicle component, dampens vibrations and produces springing forces. The connecting component is formed by a steel strip including a plurality of holes. A sealing strip is secured to the upper surface of the steel strip to contain fluid for damping, and springing strips are secured to the upper surface of the steel strip to provide for springing forces. The steel strip is rolled to form the connecting component, trapping the fluid between the sealing strips. As the connecting component is a linking element with several degrees of freedom, different springing and damping rates are possible at each degree of freedom.

Abstract: A suspension assembly is provided for a vehicle including a frame. A lower control arm having first and second opposing portions is pivotally connected to the frame at the first portion. A knuckle is supported on the second portion of the lower control arm with a wheel supported on the knuckle. A strut having a lower end is connected to the knuckle and an upper end of the strut is connected to the frame at an upper connection. The upper connection generally constrains the upper end of the strut against vertical movement while permitting limited lateral movement of the upper end relative to the frame. In one embodiment, a linkage assembly including a first link is operatively connected between the lower control arm and the frame. A second link interconnects the upper end of the strut and the first link portion for moving the upper end laterally in the upper connection in response to vertical movement of the lower control arm.

Abstract: A hydrostatic drive system for a mass transit vehicle includes an engine that drives a hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump circulates high-pressure fluid through a circuit to two slave motors disposed at each driven wheel. The slave motors include a shaft rotated in proportion to the flow of fluid to drive a driven gear disposed on an axle supported by the frame of the motor vehicle. The hydrostatic drive transmits power from the engine through fluid pressure circulated by a hydraulic pump to the slave motors through a circuit composed of tubes or hoses. The tubes or hoses require little space compared to an axle assembly of a prior art inverted portal axle system.

Abstract: A steering assembly is provided for a vehicle including an upper connection, typically provided by an upper control arm. A knuckle includes an upper and lower portions with the upper portion supported by the upper connection. A lower assembly of the present invention includes a control arm with legs extending from a spring portion at spaced apart ends. The legs extend from its ends and converge to a lower connection for supporting the lower portion of the knuckle with the upper and lower connections defining a wheel camber and a wheel caster. Preferably, each of the legs of the control arm has a different spring rate to provide a change in wheel camber under the deflection of the control arm during wheel travel. The different spring rates of the legs permits the lower connection to twist thereby enabling the wheel caster to change slightly during the upward and downward motion of the wheel.

Abstract: A drive unit assembly utilizes a single input to drive a pair of laterally spaced wheel ends. Each wheel end is suspended independently from the other. The input is operatively coupled to only one of the wheel ends and an exposed axle shaft assembly interconnects the input to the opposite wheel end. The axle shaft assembly includes multiple shaft members to interconnect the laterally spaced wheel ends. One of the axle shaft members is mounted to a vehicle floor structure with a bearing mount and includes connection joints at either end to accommodate the independent motion of each wheel end. The floor and the shaft member move together during suspension travel, allowing the floor to have a lower profile than is traditionally available.

Abstract: A wheel end assembly includes an output shaft that is directly mountable to a wheel adapter to drive a vehicle wheel. A gear assembly is coupled to the output shaft to transfer driving force from an input to the output shaft. The gear assembly includes an output gear that is directly coupled to the output shaft. Thus, the wheel adapter and output gear are both supported directly on the output shaft. The gear assembly and output shaft are substantially enclosed within a housing that is mounted to a non-rotating vehicle component. The output shaft is solely supported by a pair of bearings for rotation relative to the housing. The bearings are installed for direct engagement with the output shaft and housing.

Abstract: A damping structure for providing damping and vibration attenuation includes an intermediate steel sheet positioned between an upper steel sheet and a lower steel sheet. The structure is incorporated as a part of a suspension component. The intermediate sheet is perforated with a plurality of holes, and a plurality of elastic strips are positioned between each of the sheets when assembled. The edges of the sheets are welded, sealing viscous fluid within the structure. Alternatively, the structure can be secured by rivets. Compression on the damping structure moves the fluid through the holes, providing a damping effect.

Abstract: A damping structure for providing damping and vibration attenuation includes an intermediate steel sheet positioned between an upper steel sheet and a lower steel sheet. The structure is incorporated as a part of a suspension component. The intermediate sheet is perforated with a plurality of holes, and a plurality of elastic strips are positioned between each of the sheets when assembled. The edges of the sheets are welded, sealing viscous fluid within the structure. Alternatively, the structure can be secured by rivets. Compression on the damping structure moves the fluid through the holes, providing a damping effect.

Abstract: A suspension system for a low floor vehicle includes an independent suspension system which includes a spring strut of the McPherson type. The spring strut essentially combines a spring and shock into a load bearing member of the suspension. The spring strut is mounted to the hub support structure and the top of each wheel box. An input gear box such as a differential is mounted to the vehicle underside or directly to a hub gear box.

Abstract: A back belt including magnets, and a thermally active gel material to provide magnetic and thermal induced lower back pain relief. The magnets are arranged in multiple quadrapolar pods, which are secured to a contour-conforming, resilient support web. Preferably, an interior sheet sandwiches the pods and gel material between it and an exterior sheet in a cross-shaped array within the support web. In a more preferred embodiment, the belt includes a fastening strap that neatly secures excess belt by wrapping around the excess belt and drawing that excess against the remainder of the belt. In a preferred process of manufacturing the back belt, multiple quadrapolar magnet pods and the gel material are secured to a support web. Belt straps are secured to the support web. More preferably, a fastening strap is secured to at least one of the belt straps.

Abstract: A suspension system includes a swing arm which pivots about a pivot axis. A hub assembly, hub gear box and input gear box are mounted to an independently pivoting swing arm. The pivot axis is located below (closer to the ground) than a rotational axis defined by the hub assemblies and the input gear box. A coupling extends from the input gear box to receive an input driveline from a drive source such as vehicle engine. The coupling is located proximate the pivot axis to minimize relative movement during articulation of the swing arm. An axle housing extends between the input gear box and an opposite hub gear box to support a drive shaft and serves as a torsion bar between the independent swing arms.

Abstract: A drive unit assembly utilizes a single input to drive a pair of laterally spaced wheel ends. Each wheel end is suspended independently from the other. The input is operatively coupled to only one of the wheel ends and an exposed axle shaft assembly interconnects the input to the opposite wheel end. The axle shaft assembly includes multiple shaft members to interconnect the laterally spaced wheel ends. One of the axle shaft members is mounted to a vehicle floor structure with a bearing mount and includes connection joints at either end to accommodate the independent motion of each wheel end. The floor and the shaft member move together during suspension travel, allowing the floor to have a lower profile than is traditionally available.

Abstract: A drive axle assembly for a low floor vehicle utilizes a single input gear assembly to drive a pair of laterally spaced wheel ends. The input gear assembly is positioned next to one of the wheel ends so that the vehicle floor can be lowered to facilitate passenger access to the vehicle. Each wheel end includes a gear reduction assembly with a ring gear rotatably mounted within a gear housing. A drive gear is operatively coupled to the input gear assembly and is in meshing engagement with the ring gear. The gear reduction assembly also includes an output or driven gear, which is larger than the drive gear, to provide the desired gear reduction. The driven gear is also in meshing engagement with the ring gear. A pair of idler gears is rotatably mounted within the gear housing and are in meshing engagement with both the drive and driven gear. The idler gears and drive gear do not have a common centerline.

Abstract: A mounting system is provided whereby a data communications system can be mounted in a plurality of different ways in one or more standard size rack openings and on planar surfaces. A first bracket selection and arrangement provides side by side dual mounting of two closures within a first rack having a first rack width. A second bracket selection and arrangement provides side by side dual mounting of two enclosures within a second rack having a second rack width greater than the first rack width. A third bracket selection and arrangement provides a single mounting of one enclosure in the first rack. A fourth bracket selection and arrangement provides a single mounting of one enclosure in the second rack. A fifth bracket selection and arrangement provides a single mounting of one enclosure on a planar surface.

Abstract: Several embodiments are disclosed for incorporating suspension components into vehicle frame structures. Most preferably, the resulting structure is a modular combination of a frame and a suspension. Most preferably, the frame component extends along the lateral width of the vehicle and between the two wheels for the vehicle. The suspension components mounted within the frame may be mechanical springs or fluid springs. Moreover, various types of controls can be incorporated into this structure.

Abstract: A connecting component connecting two members, such as a suspension component and a vehicle component, dampens vibrations and produces springing forces. The connecting component is formed by a steel strip including a plurality of holes. A sealing strip is secured to the upper surface of the steel strip to contain fluid for damping, and springing strips are secured to the upper surface of the steel strip to provide for springing forces. The steel strip is rolled to form the connecting component, trapping the fluid between the sealing strips. As the connecting component is a linking element with several degrees of freedom, different springing and damping rates are possible at each degree of freedom.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for a motor vehicle includes upper and lower control arms pivotally attached to a frame member of the vehicle. A knuckle arm pivotally attaches to the upper and lower control arms moves along a substantially vertical axis in response to wheel movement caused by an uneven road surface. An actuation link is attached to one of the control arms at one end and to a damper assembly at another end. The damper assembly is disposed substantially within the frame member along a second axis transverse to vertical movement of the wheel and is actuated along the transverse axis in response movement of the control arm along the substantially vertical axis.

Abstract: A system and method for selling vehicles includes an adjustable suspension module on a test drive vehicle. The suspension module preferably is adjusted so that it performs as each of a plurality of available suspension options for the vehicle. The customer is presented with the various options. The suspension module is adjusted to perform as each of the suspension options in which the customer is interested. Once the customer makes the selection, the dealer or seller is able to place an order for the vehicle containing the suspension option chosen by the customer.