Abstract: An illustrative example composite leaf spring includes first and second bushing tubes near longitudinal ends. A ribbon of base material is wrapped at least partially around the first and second bushing tubes. The base material has a width that defines a width of the leaf spring. First portions of the base material are near the longitudinal ends and a second portion is between the first portions. The second portion is thicker than the first portions. A plurality of layers of a ribbon of tension material are wrapped around the base material. The tension material defines an outermost layer of the leaf spring. The tension material has warp strands in a longitudinal direction between the first and second longitudinal ends of the leaf spring and weft strands transverse to the warp strands. The warp strands establish a majority of a composition of the tension material.

Abstract: An illustrative example composite leaf spring includes first and second bushing tubes near longitudinal ends. A ribbon of base material is wrapped at least partially around the first and second bushing tubes. The base material has a width that defines a width of the leaf spring. First portions of the base material are near the longitudinal ends and a second portion is between the first portions. The second portion is thicker than the first portions. A plurality of layers of a ribbon of tension material are wrapped around the base material. The tension material defines an outermost layer of the leaf spring. The tension material has warp strands in a longitudinal direction between the first and second longitudinal ends of the leaf spring and weft strands transverse to the warp strands. The warp strands establish a majority of a composition of the tension material.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to methods and structures that can be used to quickly disconnect a trailer from a tractor. One embodiment provides a quick disconnect hitch that links a tractor and a trailer. The quick disconnect hitch comprises a tongue attached to the tractor and a body insertable into the tongue. An extension is attached to and projects away from the body. The extension is connectable with the trailer. A pair of lugs is disposed on the body. The lugs are movable between a connected position where the trailer moves responsive to movement of the tractor and a disconnected position where the trailer moves independently of the tractor. A detent is disposed on each of the pair of lugs. A pair of slots is disposed on the tongue. Each of the pair of slots is configured to accept the detent. Each detent is disposed in each of the pair of slots when the lugs are in the connected position, and each detent is dislocated from each of the pair of slots when the lugs are in the disconnected position.