Abstract: A snowmobile includes a chassis, at least one ski steerably secured to a front of the chassis, and a skid frame having a rear suspension and one or more slide rails. The rear suspension includes a flexible, composite member affixed on a first end to the one or more slide rails and on a second end to the chassis, wherein the flexible, composite member includes a main body and a secondary body.

Abstract: A snowmobile includes a chassis, at least one ski, and a skid frame that includes one or more slide rails extending longitudinally, rear idler wheels, upper idler wheels, and a rear suspension. The rear suspension may further include a flexible, composite member, a rear shock connected between the one or more slide rails and the upper cross member, a rear shock link, a rear cross member connected between the one or more slide rails and a lower shock pivot member pivotally connected to the rear cross member. The rear shock is connected to a rear portion of the lower shock pivot member and the rear shock link is connected via a spherical pivot joint to a forward end of the lower shock pivot member. The flexible, composite member is coupled at a first end to the one or more slide rails and at a second end to the chassis.

Abstract: An axle suspension for a vehicle includes a spring assembly with a leaf spring and a connecting arm, wherein the leaf spring supports a vehicle axle and, on an end side, is pivotably connected to a vehicle structure and pivotably connected to the connecting arm. In order to provide an optimized axle suspension with two-stage suspension, the spring assembly in a region of the connecting arm has a first stop element and the vehicle structure has a second stop element, which stop elements under normal load of the vehicle are spaced apart from one another and, when a limit load is exceeded, contact one another, whereby at least one stop element is elastically deformable.

Abstract: A railcar bogie includes a cross beam, an axle box, a supporting member, a plate spring, and an axle beam. The axle box accommodates a bearing rotatably supporting a wheelset. The supporting member is provided at an upper portion of the axle box. The plate spring supports a car width direction end portion of the cross beam and extends in a car longitudinal direction, and the plate spring includes a car longitudinal direction end portion supported by the supporting member. The axle beam couples the axle box and the cross beam in the car longitudinal direction and is opposed to the plate spring in an upward/downward direction. An installation seat is provided at an upper surface of the axle beam and includes an installation surface on which a pushing-up device configured to push up a lower surface of the plate spring can be placed.

Abstract: A plate spring unit applied to a railcar bogie includes: a lower plate spring including both longitudinal direction end portions supported by the respective axle boxes from below, the lower plate spring being made of fiber-reinforced resin; an upper plate spring arranged above the lower plate spring with a gap and including a middle portion pressed from above by a pressing member provided at the cross beam, the upper plate spring being made of fiber-reinforced resin; a middle spacer sandwiched between a middle portion of the lower plate spring and the middle portion of the upper plate spring; and an end spacer sandwiched between the end portion of the lower plate spring and an end portion of the upper plate spring and allowing relative displacement between the end portion of the lower plate spring and the end portion of the upper plate spring in a longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A leaf spring vehicle suspension system includes a chassis rail. Also included is an axle. Further included is a first stage leaf spring operatively coupled at a first end and a second end to the chassis rail, the first stage leaf spring formed of a single steel spring plate and having a first length. Yet further included is a second stage leaf spring operatively coupled to the first stage leaf spring in a stacked arrangement proximate the axle, the second stage leaf spring formed of a composite material and having a second length that is less than the first length of the first stage leaf spring.

Abstract: A variable rate leaf spring vehicle suspension system includes a chassis rail. Also included is a leaf spring operatively coupled at a first end and a second end to the chassis rail, the leaf spring formed of a composite material. Further included is a first bumper operatively coupled to the leaf spring, the first bumper spaced from the chassis rail in a first condition of the leaf spring and configured to provide a first spring rate, and in contact with the chassis rail in a second condition of the leaf spring, contact between the first bumper and the chassis rail configured to provide a second spring rate of the leaf spring.

Abstract: A leaf spring device includes a main leaf made of a steel plate including an elastic section configured to generate elastic force when bent; and an eye section formed in an end portion of the elastic section, the elastic section and the eye section being tempered. There is also provided a method for manufacturing the leaf spring device. The eye section is formed by rolling the end of the elastic section into a circular form. The eye section is tempered at a higher temperature than the elastic section.

Abstract: A leaf spring suspension system for a vehicle includes a chassis rail. Also included is a leaf spring fixedly coupled proximate a first end and proximate a second end of the leaf spring to the chassis rail. Further included is a half leaf spring fixedly coupled to the chassis rail proximate a first end of the half leaf spring and fixedly coupled to a vehicle axle proximate a second end of the half leaf spring.

Abstract: The invention provides a leaf spring system which supports a leaf spring assembly using attachment mechanisms which allows normal operation of the leaf spring assembly while providing support through a resilient deformable reinforcing spring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle provided with a sprung mass, including a vehicle frame, at least one axle provided with first and second ends, and a suspension system provided with a mechanical springs and leveling springs. The mechanical springs connect the axle ends to the frame and are provided with a spring rate in a rebound direction that is greater than or substantially equal to a spring rate in a jounce direction. The leveling springs are configured to support the sprung mass at one or more sprung mass load points, whereby the first and second mechanical springs may become substantially unloaded by the sprung mass of the vehicle at the one or more sprung mass load points.

Abstract: A leaf spring assembly, which may be attached to, for example, an axle or suspended components a vehicle, includes a leaf having a first end and a second end on opposing sides of a center point. The leaf is the only leaf in the leaf spring assembly. The leaf spring assembly also includes a first bumper and a second bumper spaced from the first bumper. The first bumper contacts the leaf upon a first displacement of the leaf spring assembly. The second bumper also contacts the leaf upon the first displacement of the leaf spring assembly.

Abstract: A load assistance device for increasing a vehicle's ability to carry loads by stabilizing a multi-leaf vehicle spring connected to the axle of the vehicle including a unitary length of metallic spring material adapted to be connected directly to the multiple-leaf type vehicle spring at opposite ends thereof forwardly and rearwardly of the axle connection. The length of spring material has a raised area at generally the midpoint thereof spaced from the uppermost leaf of the vehicle spring when mounted thereto and a plurality of springs of varying lengths mounted between the unitary length of spring material and the vehicle spring configured similarly thereto. The plurality of springs also have a raised area conforming to the raised area of the length of spring material forming space between the uppermost leaf of the vehicle spring and the lowermost one of the plurality of springs when coupled to the vehicle spring.

Abstract: A vehicle spring stabilizer has a leaf spring with a connector pivotally secured to each end eye thereof, the connector in the form of a rigid yoke to embrace a vehicle spring assembly and having anti-friction structure in the form of a sleeve on a spacer mounted on a bolt connecting the arms of the yoke.

Abstract: A leaf spring suspension device for stabilizing a multi-leaf type vehicle spring connected to the axle of the vehicle including a unitary length of metallic spring material adapted to be connected directly to the multiple-leaf type vehicle spring at opposite ends thereof forwardly and rearwardly of the axle connection. The length of spring material has a raised area at generally the midpoint thereof spaced from the uppermost leaf of the vehicle spring when mounted thereto and a plurality of springs of varying lengths mounted between the unitary length of spring material and the vehicle spring configured similarly thereto. The plurality of springs also have a raised area conforming to the raised area of the length of spring material forming space between the uppermost leaf of the vehicle spring and the lowermost one of the plurality of springs when coupled to the vehicle spring.

Abstract: Rubber shock absorber systems for use between the frame and equalizer bar of a construction vehicle usually fail to withstand high temperature environments. A metallic spring assembly is provided which is capable of high flexibility and durability. The spring assembly includes a first arcuate spring member and a second arcuate spring member adjacent to and inverted from the first spring member. First and second arcuate plate members are positioned against the first and second spring members respectively, and have a larger bend radius so that a clearance is created therebetween. A bolt with a plate nut threaded thereon is provided to connect the spring assembly and to provide a preload. During compressive loading, opposing end portions of the first and second spring portions are deformed to provide an energy absorbing system. The flexibility and durability of the spring assembly is controlled by the bend radius, thickness, and length of the plate members.

Abstract: A leaf spring assembly for the suspension of an axle of a vehicle, particularly a trailer, has a plurality of superposed steel plates, the ends of the longest of the plates being adapted or formed into means, preferably hooks, for mounting the leaf spring assembly into hangers affixed to the vehicle and the midpoint of the shortest of the plates having its lower surface adapted for being affixed to the axle. The leaf spring assembly is characterized by having a ratio of the horizontal distance between the centerlines of the hooks and the vertical distance between the tops of the hooks and the lower surface of the leaf spring assembly, such ratio being greater than about 6.0:1 and, most preferably, greater than 8.0:1. The leaf spring is further characterized by having a ratio of the length of the longest of the plates to the width of the plate of at least 20.0:1, with the width of all plates being essentially identical. The preferred leaf spring assembly comprises at least four such plates.

Abstract: A suspension system in which a relatively lightweight stiff beam connects the axle to the frame via a connection at one end with a resilient link that allows vertical motion of the end of the stiff beam and transverse motion of the stiff beam to reduce the lateral loads between the axle and the beam and between the beam and the frame rail connection to enable the suspension to be made of fewer and lighter weight components for improved payloads. In the preferred embodiment, the connection between the stiff beam and the frame rail is a C-shape spring allowing the forward connection of a horizontal fore aft link to be moved farther forward to give an increased clearance to the wheel, thereby reducing potential interference between the wheel and the horizontal link and bushing assembly at its forward end.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a lightweight dual-stage tapered leaf spring assembly for use in heavy-duty trailer suspension applications. The dual-leaf tapered leaf spring assembly has a main or first tapered leaf defining a first stage rate and a second tapered leaf operable to define a second stage rate. The first and second leafs are formed to include a tapered thickness profile which closely approximates a true modified parabolic taper. The "approximated" modified parabolic profiles for each of the main and second leafs are adapted to provide a smooth non-linear transition between the first and second stage rates.

Abstract: A leaf spring for the suspension of a rigid wheel axle (10) in an automotive vehicle, is pivotally but not laterally displaceably connected at a first end (15) thereof to the vehicle and is pivotally connected at a second end (16) thereof also to the vehicle. A center part (14) of the spring is connected rigidly to the wheel axle (10). The spring (6) between the first spring-end (15) and the center part (14) of the spring is straight or downwardly concave. The spring (6) between the center part (14) of the spring and the second end (16) of the spring has a double-curve configuration and, seen from the side, has a downwardly convex part (19) located nearest the center part (14) and a downwardly concave part (20) located nearest that second end (16) of the spring and adjoining the downwardly convex part (19).

Abstract: Selectively engagable auxiliary leaf springs (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 the auxiliary leaf springs (142) is pivotally attached and the other end (138b) is rigidly affixed in cantilever fashion. Actuators (56, 139 or 159) are employed to selectively enable or increase load supporting of the auxiliary leaf springs.

Abstract: Selectively engagable auxiliary leaf springs (38) for vertically supporting a vehicle chassis (32) on an axle assembly (22) in parallel with main suspension springs (34). Forward and rear ends (38b,38a) of the auxiliary leaf springs are pivotally attached to the vehicle chassis and the axle assembly, and pivotal movement of the forward ends (38b) is inhibited or prevented by engagement of actuator assemblies (56 or 100 or 170) to engage the axuiliary leaf springs. A control system automatically engages the actuator assemblies in response to load added to the vehicle and/or vehicle steering movement and/or rapid vehicle acceleration.

Abstract: A vehicle spring suspension system comprising a primary spring and a secondary spring attached to the primary spring for aiding the primary spring to restore vehicle height and to carry increasing loads placed on or in the vehicle. The secondary spring is connected at one end by an assembly which can have serveral different arrangments for varying the load supporting function of the secondary spring on the primary spring, depending on the need for more or less load carrying cooperation between the primary and secondary springs.

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 vehicle suspension system is provided with dual offset cantilevered leaf springs. A forward and a rearward extending leaf spring are both mounted to a vehicle axle in a longitudinally overlapping transversely offset manner. The forward and rearward springs are also connected at their extended ends to a structural frame member of the vehicle. The longitudinally overlapped mounting of forward and rearward extending springs allows the deflection per given load of the suspension system to be increased while at the same time minimizing the overall length of the spring suspension system. The transverse offset of the spring may provide for a decreased turning radius by allowing greater clearance between the wheel and suspension system.

Abstract: An upwardly biasing back-to-back, quarter-elliptic, diverging pair of leaf springs are employed as the lifting mechanism in a lift axle suspension system for wheeled vehicles. The springs normally bias the lift axle off of the road surface. By inflation of air bags, the wheels are lowered into engagement with the road surface against the normal upward bias of the leaf springs. Release of the air automatically retracts the wheels to their riding, lift position.

Abstract: A device supported by a vehicle frame for engagement with a leaf spring, attached to the rear axle of the vehicle, to increase the resistance afforded by the spring in supporting the rear part of the vehicle frame and the load carried thereby.