Abstract: A suspension system for an automotive vehicle having a sprung portion and an unsprung portions. The suspension system includes a leaf spring for insulating the transmission of road vibration from the unsprung portion of the automotive vehicle to the sprung portion of the automotive vehicle, the open span of the leaf spring being susceptible to resonance vibration. The suspension system further includes a resonance vibration damper which is able to attenuate resonance vibration of the leaf spring.

Abstract: A trailer frame comprised of a tongue and longitudinal side frame members extending rearwardly from the tongue. The side frame members are formed of hollow tubing having top, bottom and side surfaces. Cross bar members are positioned between the longitudinal side frame members. An axle for mounting wheels and tires is also provided. A pair of fenders with mounting straps provide cover for the top portion of each of the tires and a pair of leaf springs is provided to suspend the axle from the trailer frame. The center portion of each of the springs is mounted to one end of the axle. Openings associated with each spring are formed in the bottom surface of each side frame member to allow the end portions of the leaf springs to be positioned within the interior of the tubing. Loops are formed at the ends of each leaf spring. Two bolts associated with each spring are horizontally positioned through the side surfaces of the side frame members above the openings.

Abstract: A suspension system on a motor vehicle includes a transverse leaf spring interconnecting knuckles on which road wheels are rotatably supported. The suspension system includes a pair of knuckle members on which the road wheels are rotatably mounted, an elongate leaf spring which is vertically resilient and extends transversely with respect to the vehicle body, the leaf spring having opposite ends coupled to the knuckle members, respectively, a support member supporting the leaf spring at two supporting points thereon which are spaced from each other transversely with respect to the vehicle body, for allowing the leaf spring to move transversely but limiting the leaf spring against vertical movement with respect to the vehicle body, and a transverse movement limiting mechanism for allowing the leaf spring to move vertically but limiting the leaf spring against transverse movement with respect to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A semi-elliptical spring suspension system is provided in conjunction with a trailing arm and the suspension system may be readily mounted from the longitudinal side members of a vehicle frame. The suspension system semi-elliptical spring comprises a composite spring whose spring rate increases dramatically as the load on the spring is increased and the suspension system is constructed in a manner which isolates the semi-elliptical spring from twisting forces and wind up torque.

Abstract: A leaf spring assembly comprised of at least three leaf springs, at least one of the leaf springs having a rolled over portion for the spring eyes and wherein the leaf springs are prevented from lateral shifting or splaying by rib guides and grooves formed in intermediate and supporting springs and lying in the end area of a main spring.

Abstract: Disclosed is a suspension having an improved transverse leaf spring with its longitudinal axis extending transversely of a car body. The leaf spring is operatively associated at opposite ends with the right and left wheels of a car and is curved along its intermediate length in the direction in which the car moves ahead or back. The curved portion may be along a full length of the leaf spring or along a length defines between support points on the leaf spring, and in the latter case, lengths extending from the respective support points to the ends of the leaf spring most adjacent thereto remain linear to form linear portions extending substantially perpendicularly with respect to respective suspension arm rocking shafts. Various forms of support elements are described for securing the leaf spring for only pivotal movement about one of the support points and both pivotal and linear movement about the other thereof.

Abstract: A suspension system comprising a pair of fiber reinforced plastic spring arms, right and left, and a beam assembly connecting the respective free ends of the arms, said springs arms having a free-end-side portion and being vertically bendable, each spring arm serving as a suspension spring. A fixed end of each spring arm is fixed to a vehicle body. The beam assembly, which extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle body, includes an intermediate beam member of fiber reinforced plastic and metallic end beam members fixed individually to two opposite end portions of the intermediate beam member. Each end beam member is provided with an axle. If the right and left spring arms are subjected to loads of opposite phases at the time of turning, the intermediate beam member is twisted to produce a stabilizer effect.

Abstract: A flexible link includes an elongated central portion formed from a flexible steel cable. First and second cylindrical heads are provided at the ends of the cable. The first head is inserted through an opening on a first suspension component so that the second head is adjacent the first component and retains the first component. The first head is then inserted into a complementary keyway on a second suspension component to secure the link. Tensile forces from the components are transferred and accommodated by the flexible central portion. The tensile force in the link keeps the heads in place and seated in both the first and second components.

Abstract: Selectively engagable auxiliary leaf spings (38 or 138) for vertically supporting a vehicle chassis (32) on an axle assembly (22 or 102) in parallel with main suspension springs (34 or 114). In three of the disclosed embodiments, both ends (38b,38a) of the auxiliary springs (38) are pivotally attached. In two other embodiments, one end (138a) of each auxiliary leaf spring (138) is pivotally attached and the other end (138b) is rigidly affixed in cantilever fashion. Actuators (140 or 170) are employed to selectively enable or increase load supporting of the auxiliary leaf springs.

Abstract: Selectively engagable auxiliary leaf springs (38 or 142) for vertically supporting a vehicle chassis (32) on an axle assembly (22 or 102) in parallel with main suspension springs (34 or 114). In three of the disclosed embodiments, both ends (38b,38a) of the auxiliary leaf springs (38) are pivotally attached. In two other embodiments, one end (142a) of each auxiliary leaf spring (142) is pivotally attached and the other end (142b) is rigidly affixed in cantilever fashion. A manually operated hand crank (60) or ratchet mechanism (87) employed to drive a speed reducer actuator (62) to selectively enable or increase load supporting of the auxiliary leaf springs.

Abstract: A tandem axle suspension wherein alignment of one axle relative to the other may be adjusted. The suspension includes a pair of spring hangers attached to each side of the chassis frame and a leaf spring assembly interconnecting each pair of spring hangers. Each leaf spring assembly includes a leaf with a spring eye at one end and a spring pin extending through the spring eye and through a transverse aperture in an aperture-providing insert rotatably mounted in the spring hanger to which the end of the leaf spring with the spring eye is interconnected. The spring hanger in which the insert is mounted has an upper portion by which it is attached to the vehicle chassis frame and depending portion having a transverse opening in which the insert is rotatably mounted. The depending portion is transversely bifurcated by a slot extending upwrdly into the transverse opening.

Abstract: When attaching components to composite members, for example leaf springs of composite fibre reinforced resin material, it is necessary to avoid stress concentrations and also the access of foreign matter between the spring and the component since this can cause abrasion and break down of the spring. A composite leaf spring having upper and lower planar surfaces has a two element component clamped to it as indicated by the arrows. Liners of elastomeric material are interposed between one element and the upper planar surface and between the other element and the lower planar surface. Towards their ends the surfaces of the elements adjacent the spring diverge from the spring and the liners are shaped to fill the divergencies. The liners extend beyond the ends of the elements to form sealing lips at the spring surfaces. In an eye end attachment at an end of a composite spring in a one piece component may be used.

Abstract: Assembly comprising a spring in the form of a zig-zag strip of fibre reinforced plastics material with limbs (10-16) connected by reflex portions (17,22), wherein end limbs (10,16) of the spring are mounted at an attitude they would adopt when loaded if they were pin-jointed so as to be free to move as the spring is loaded so that over-stressing of the reflex portions (18,21) of the spring is thereby avoided when the spring is loaded. In modifications of the invention, a spring end limb (39) may be progressively engaged by a surface (42) of a mounting to be supported at a range of attitudes corresponding to a range of spring loads; or a spring mounting may be associated with pivotable members so that end limbs of the spring move arcuately therewith and change their relative attitude as if they were pin-jointed.

Abstract: A leaf spring attachment comprises a support for fixing to the structure of the vehicle and an omega-shaped bracket fixed to the support so as to define two facing walls between which a pin for supporting the eye of the leaf spring is mounted. The support comprises first and second metal strips welded together centrally in an X arrangement.

Abstract: An actuator for a vibratory material feeder comprises a base, a tray support, at least one spring for mechanically coupling the base and tray support, and a spring mount for mounting the spring to an actuator mounting surface on one of the base and tray support. The spring mount comprises first and second bearings each having a spring-abutting surface for supporting the spring therebetween, an arcuate surface and at least one hole therethrough; first and second bearing blocks each having an arcuate surface for mating with the arcuate surface of a corresponding one of the first and second bearings, and at least one hole therethrough. One of the bearing blocks abuts the actuator mounting surface. The spring mount further comprises at least one fastener having a shaft extending through the at least one hole of each of the first and second bearings and bearing blocks and a corresponding at least one hole in the spring.

Abstract: Elastic suspension leaf (1) made of composite material of which the extremities have a width which decreases concomitantly with a thickness increase, comprising connectors forming a rigid casing and defining an inner trapezohedral volume which fits on the extremities of the leaf. The casing includes a cylindrical ring (9) for connection to a wheel. The connector is comprised of metal elements (10,11,12) or of fiber ribbons embedded in a synthetic resin.

Abstract: A leaf spring made of a flat, thin, metallic strip comprised of an elongated flexible member with two parallel sides terminating at either end into flat rectangular, cross-like or circular shapes with a width approximately twice the width of the strip at its midpoint. The ends are crimped or cold pressed downward and then outward near their edges to form flanges. The crimped or pressed ends become each foot of the leaf spring.

Abstract: A leaf spring made of a flat, thin, metallic strip comprised of an elongated flexible member with two parallel sides terminating at either end into flat rectangular, crosslike or circular shapes with a width approximately twice the width of the strip at its midpoint. The ends are crimped or cold pressed downward and then outward near their edges to form flanges. The crimped or pressed ends become each foot of the leaf spring.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved device for connecting an elastic suspension leaf arranged between a load and a carrier, particularly of a vehicle, to the walls or the like and to the chassis. The suspension leaf comprises a composite material having in its vertical plane of symmetry a thickness increasing from the chassis to the end support of the wheel, its cross-section remaining approximately constant. At least one device for connecting to the chassis includes a lower part which retains the leaf and which has a trapezoidal shape in projection in a horizontal plane and a U-shaped cross-section in a vertical plane, and a semi-cylindrical upper part possessing an axial bore which receives a shock-absorbing device for fastening the device to the assembly. The dimensions of the lower part ensure that the part fits onto the gradually varying shape portion of the leaf at the fastening points of the leaf.

Abstract: An energy and absorption and barrier device for automotive vehicles and a method manufacture thereof. The device includes a plurality of metal strips in stacked relation having sinusoidal shapes and devices for securing the ends of the strips together. The method involves forming the strips in dies having adjustable stroke lengths so as to successively form corrugations in the strip in sequence from the center to the outer ends of the strip.

Abstract: A spring in the form of a strip of fibre-reinforced plastics material, of zig-zag configuration having limbs connected by reflex portions with the longitudinal centre line of the strip lying substantially in a single plane, is secured to another component by a mounting affording a socket in which a limb portion of the spring is held. Such limb portion may extend longitudinally or tranversely of the spring as a whole. Two such springs may be disposed on opposite sides of a telescopic damper, to provide an assembly useful for vehicle suspension.

Abstract: A twist isolating connection between a distal end of an elastic beam disposed transversely of a vehicle sprung mass and an adjacent end of a torsion rod disposed longitudinally of the sprung mass between a suspension control arm and the elastic beam distal end, the connection including a yoke rigidly attached to the end of the torsion rod with a pair of legs straddling a platform member on the distal end of the elastic beam, and a pair of protuberances on the legs engaging opposite sides of the platform member in a common transverse plane of the sprung mass but at laterally spaced locations. The elastic beam is thus clamped between the protuberances which transfer torsional moments to the elastic beam for resistance in bending modes but which isolate the elastic beam from the torsion rod with respect to twisting of the beam due to beam bending of the torsion rod.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device with a flat component made of fiber-reinforced synthetic material and an end power induction unit, in particular a leaf spring or transverse link for motor vehicles. The flat component essentially enters the power induction unit without a change in fiber direction and is contained therein by a clamp. The contact point on the power induction unit is displaced by a distance "a", asymmetrically to the fiber levels such that a resultant of perpendicular forces and forces acting parallel to the fiber direction cause a reduction in stress and momentary relief. The portion of the flat component in the power induction unit has a length, using the perpendicular projection of the point of application of force, that is at least two-thirds of the length from the point of application of force to the resultant in the fiber plane or at least corresponds to quantity "a".

Abstract: A leaf spring of plastic material having a spring body of fiber-reinforced plastic material, which at least at one end is provided with a thickening, with an end zone (1) of the spring body increasing in its thickness towards the spring end (5'). On this thickened end zone (1), a spring eye body (6, 19, 26) is wedged up at its appropriately laminar mounting zones with the aid of clamping sleeves.For the manufacture of the plastic material leaf spring, one advantageously starts with a spring body, the end zone (1) of which exhibits plane parallel top and bottom sides (2, 3), respectively, on which coatings of a plastic mass of fiber-reinforced duromer plastic material are applied to form the aforementioned thickening.