Abstract: A two-stage shock absorber comprises a casing having a low level damping piston rod therein an end portion of which has two spaced apart flanges thereon with a low resistance fluid path formed therebetween. A floating ring piston is slidingly seated about the piston rod between the flanges and has high resistance throughbores therein. When vibrational forces become excessive to a point where one or the other of the flanges engages against the floating ring piston, the low resistance fluid path is closed off by the floating piston and the high resistance throughbores engage within the fluid flow system to cause a shift from primary low level damping to a high level damping. Once pressure within the system equalizes and the ring piston is no longer in contact with either of the flanges, low level damping resumes.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes an elongate dual leaf spring assembly mounted at each end thereof to a vehicle frame member and which is adapted to be engaged over an axle of the vehicle at an approximate midpoint along the length thereof. A brake torque reaction beam comprising a thick, planar half leaf spring member has one end thereof engaged between the leaf spring assembly and the axle. The other end of the reaction beam member extends rearwardly away from the midpoint of the leaf spring assembly a predetermined distance which is slightly less than to greater than the distance the leaf spring assembly extends rearwardly. In a preferred embodiment, an air bag is suspended from the vehicle frame member and interposed between the frame member and the leaf spring assembly at the approximate midpoint thereof and is engaged to the leaf spring assembly.

Abstract: A control system for a two-wheel/four-wheel drive vehicle having a rear axle which can be operated in a high speed mode or a low speed mode and a front axle which can be drivingly coupled to the engine power train to place or maintain the rear axle in the low speed mode when the front axle is sensed to be engaged. The control system includes several switches. A first switch is provided for sensing when the front axle is drivingly coupled to the power train. A second switch is associated with a speed selection control system of the vehicle for causing the power train to be driven in a low speed mode or a high speed mode. A third switch is coupled to the first switch and is responsive to sensing of the front axle being drivingly coupled to the power train for preventing the second switch from causing the rear axle to be driven in the high speed mode and for forcing the rear axle to be driven in the low speed mode so long as the front axle is drivingly coupled to the power train.

Abstract: A break-away gear shifting mechanism, for use in a motor truck having a tilt cab, wherein a gear shift lever mounted inside the cab uncouples from a gear shift control shaft and the control shaft uncouples from a support bearing on the underside of the cab upon the tilting of the cab about a forward pivot axis; and reengage upon the pivoting of the cab back to an upright operating position.

Abstract: A break-away gear shifting mechanism, for use in a motor truck having a tilt cab, wherein a gear shift lever mounted inside the cab uncouples from a telescopic gear shift control shaft, which is supported at one end on the underside of the cab and is supported at the opposite end on the gear shifting mechanism, and telescopes outwardly or expands upon the tilting of the cab about a forward pivot axis; and reengages with the control shaft upon the pivoting of the cab back to an upright operating position simultaneously with the control telescoping inwardly or retracting to its original length.