Abstract: A rubber sleeve spring includes an internal part 1 an external part 2 which encloses the latter radially spaced-apart and a spring body 3 made of an elastomeric material which is disposed in the gap formed by this space and adhesively connected to the internal part 1 and the external part 2 and the spring body encloses at least three connecting arms 4, 5, 6 between the internal part 1 and the external part 2. At least one of the connecting arms 4, 5, 6 is completely separated by a separation 7 in at least one partial area of its longitudinal extension between the internal part 1 and the external part 2 and the separation 7 basically extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the internal and external parts 1, 2 and at least one insert 8 is provided which is inserted in the separation 7 while generating an elastic preload in the components of the respective connecting arm 4, 5, 6 adjacent to both sides of the separation.

Abstract: An end attachment assembly for a twisted rope torsion bar includes an anchor nut and a plurality of strap wrenches. A plurality of tie rods and a washer secure the assembly and transmit the torque. The torison bar is preferably fabricated of a lightweight glass fiber/epoxy composite material formed in a rope. In operation, the application of torque to the anchor nut results in a rotating/pivoting action by the strap wrenches. The strap associated with each strap wrench loops around the torsion bar and overlaps itself in the area of engagement with a cross bar that forms a cam. As the cross bar rotates/pivots and presses against the engaging portion of the strap, the strap firmly grips the torsion rod. The strap resists by frictional engagement any sliding motion over the torsion bar and against itself in the overlapping region. This compressive action adjusts for the diametral change of the torsion bar upon the application of torque and results in a tighter and tighter grip to the torsion bar.

Abstract: An axle suspension assembly for a low-bed trailer wherein the frame is formed of I-beams at each side thereof and each I-beam has an intermediate portion sloping upwardly and rearwardly between a low central portion and a higher rear portion. The customary trailing arm or equalizing beam is pivotally mounted on the web of this sloping portion of the I-beam utilizing a bushing assembly. Basically, the bushing assembly includes two pivot brackets which are bolted to opposite sides of the web and which carry, by way of a resilient bushing a bushing core through which a fastener may pass so as to clamp opposite arms of a yokelike forward portion of the trailing arm to the bushing core. The bushing core passes through an opening formed in the web with the opening being elongated in a fore and aft direction whereby the bushing assembly may be adjusted so as to accurately position the mounted axle transversely of the trailer frame.

Abstract: The invention provides a torsion spring bar axle which combines a rubber spring axle with a steel torsion rod for an unexpected result. The axle comprises an axle tube which houses a hollow torsion rod between which are placed rubber bodies creating a rubber spring axle inside the hollow torsion rod there is also a steel torsion which is internally biased. The steel torsion rod is adjustably connected to the axle tube on one end and a wheel swing lever on the other end. The hollow torsion rod is also connected to the wheel swing lever. This allows for less spring action with increasing loads and a soft deflection of the wheel swing lever.

Abstract: A high-capacity elastomeric combination journal-thrust bearing comprises at least one encapsulated lobe. The encapsulated lobe comprises an outer tubular member having a first ring joined along substantially all of its outer periphery to the inner periphery of the outer tubular member at a first end and having a second ring joined along substantially all of its outer periphery to the inner periphery of the outer tubular member at a second end. The encapsulated lobe further comprises an inner tubular member having the same longitudinal axis of the outer tubular member, and having a third ring joined along substantially all of its inner periphery to the outer periphery of the inner tubular member, spaced between the first and second rings. An elastomer separates and joins the rings to each other and to the tubular members, and the tubular members to each other. As the radial distance from the longitudinal axis increases, the thickness of the elastomer increases.

Abstract: A nonlinear torsional spring includes an inner torsion member and an outer torsion member. The inner torsion member includes a central axis and has first and second axial ends and the outer torsion member is fixedly secured to the inner member adjacent the first end thereof and extends along the inner member toward the second end. At least one projection and groove are provided in the arrangement for causing the inner member and the outer member to contact one another along the length of the inner member at a position progressively nearer the second end thereof as torque is applied to one of the inner and outer members. The spring may be used as a stabilizer bar in a vehicle and the like or employed in a machine as a nonlinear torsional spring element.

Abstract: In a rear suspension comprising left and right trailing arms which are pivoted on the vehicle body at the front ends for vertical swinging motion by way of rubber bushings, and a torsion beam connecting the trailing arms, nonlinear toe characteristics of the outer rear wheel are obtained by mounting the trailing arms so that the pivotal axes thereof intersect on the front side of the line joining the rubber bushings on the front ends thereof, and selecting the elastic characteristics of the rubber bushings in the direction perpendicular to the pivotal axis of the corresponding trailing arm in the horizontal plane including the pivotal axis.

Abstract: A bushing assembly for use in a suspension of an automotive vehicle. The bushing assembly is comprised of inner and outer cylinder members which are coaxial and spaced from each other. An elastic member and a rigid sleeve member are disposed between the inner and outer cylinder members. A sliding member is disposed between the inner cylinder member and the rigid sleeve member in order to reduce torsion spring effect of the elastic member. The sliding member is prevented from its axial displacement upon contacting with a radially outwardly extending retainer section formed in the inner cylinder member. Additionally, a generally cap-shaped seal rubber is provided to accomplish seal between the end section of the rigid sleeve member and the end section of the inner cylinder member.

Abstract: There is provided a counterbalance assembly for use in combination with a rotatable robotic arm and the like in a robotic manipulator, where the robotic arm is rotated about an axis by a torque-producing device having a relatively stationary base. The assembly further includes a torsional spring comprising a pair of concentric tubes connected to each other by rubber, with one tube connected to the arm and the other tube connected to the base. In general, any torque created by the influence of gravity acting on the robotic arm, as it is rotated, is counterpoised by torsional wind-up in the spring due to proportional resistance of the rubber to torsional shear. This spring/arm combination thereby reduces the load on the torque-producing device.

Abstract: A fixing structure is provided for a motorcycle including a swing arm by which an axle having at either end thereof a drive wheel and a torque damping mechanism fixed thereto respectively is rotatably supported substantially at the central part thereof. The fixing structure fixes a driven sprocket to a transversely inner part of an outside constituting member of the torque damping mechanism. The fixing structure includes a plurality of fixing lugs projectingly formed at predetermined intervals on the outer circumference of the outside constituting member, and a plurality of fixing lugs projectingly formed with a predetermined width on the inner circumference of the driven sprocket to be fixedly fastened in a detachable manner with the fixing lugs of the outside constituting member, respectively.

Abstract: An improved shock isolating mount is designed for securing a body part of vehicle to a support. The shock mount comprises a two-part spool that includes: a spacer formed from an annular flange integral with a tube, the tube projecting through apertures in mating elastically resilient bodies and a support part of a vehicle body part disposed between them; a thimble, formed from a flange integral with a tube designed such that the thimble tube can telescope into the spacer tube. The thimble tube is formed into a polygon shape at the tube shoulder adjacent the thimble flange and the spacer tube is formed in a matching polygon shape such that the thimble tube shoulder can mate with the spacer tube to prevent relative rotation of the thimble and spacer. The thimble tube has an enlarged end which is engaged by a plurality of inward protrusions mounted in the spacer tube to prevent the spacer and thimble assembly from accidental disengagement.

Abstract: A suspension rubber bushing pivot installation for automobiles and the like incorporates an upsetting washer and expedients associated therewith in the bushing proper which coact under tightening of a fastener bolt to enhance the rattle-free frictional engagement of the latter with its supporting chassis bracket.