Abstract: The invention relates to a FRP leaf spring suspension for an automobile including a FRP leaf spring body interposed between a hat-shaped retainer having flanges at its free ends and a U bolt seat having opposed flanges through a rubber pad at its longitudinally central portion. The FRP leaf spring body is fixed through a spring seat to an axle housing by a U bolt passing through mating holes formed in flanges of the retainer and the U bolt seat. A reinforcing fiber impregnated with resin is wound around a central portion of the FRP leaf spring body and is fixed thereto to form unevenness on a surface of the FRP leaf spring body, thereby distributing frictional force between the FRP leaf spring body and the rubber pad uniformly on the frictional contact surface of the FRP leaf spring body, and preventing stress concentration from being generated in the FRP leaf spring body.

Abstract: A beam axle is passed through 2 separated plates, one pair at each end. A stub axle also passes through the 2 plates at each end and is offset from the beam axle. The innovation is the location of a leaf spring between the plate and between the stub and beam axles. The spring is preferably jammed in position by opposing wedges. The springs are closer to the wheels than is possible in prior art constructions.

Abstract: An improved axle clamp is required, particularly for use with composite material leaf springs, to securely fix the position of the leaf spring relative to the axle or other wheel carrying member such as in the suspension system of an automotive vehicle. The present invention provides an axle clamp comprising a clamp base (1) and a wedge insert (2). The clamp base provides a platform portion (3) and substantially parallel side walls (4A, 4B) extending from the platform portion to form a channel adapted to receive the wedge insert. The inner surface of at least one side wall of the clamp base provides a channel-widening concavity (5A, 5B). The wedge insert has a platform portion (7) and substantially parallel side walls (9A, 9B) extending from the platform portion forming an inner channel adapted to jacket a mid-portion of the leaf spring (10).

Abstract: An anti-splay shim 50 and low friction liner 80 are incorporated in the center section 12 of a leaf spring assembly 10 for preventing splaying of the second stage leaf 36 with respect to the first stage leaves 22, 24 and 26. The anti-splay shim 50 has an upturned flange 50 which abuts edges of 62 and 64 of the first stage leaves 24 and 26 and a downward turned flange 58 which abuts an opposite facing edge 66 of the second stage leaf 36. In addition, a low friction liner 80 is interposed between a second stage leaf 36 and a spring seat 34 which is fixed to an axle 14. The low friction liner 80 minimizes torque transfer about a vertical axis from the axle 14 to the second stage leaf 36.

Abstract: A suspension (10) for multi-wheeled vehicles includes a pair of outer equalizing beams (18) rockably supported by trunnion assemblies (22, 26) for deflection in response to changes in the terrain over which the vehicle travels. The equalizing beams (18) mount a pair of axles (16) supporting ground-engaging wheels. At least one inner equalizing beam (20) is mounted to a trunnion assembly (24) with the inner equalizing beam (20) providing a support for mounting of two leaf spring assemblies (28, 30) between the outer equalizing beams (18). In one embodiment, a four-axle suspension includes two leaf spring assemblies (28, 30) on each side of the vehicle. Each leaf spring assembly (28, 30) is secured between one of the outer equalizing beams (18) and the inner equalizing beam (20). The leaf spring assemblies (28, 30) include an axle connection (34) for supporting an axle (14) and a ground-engaging wheel.

Abstract: A leaf spring suspension assembly (12) for a truck or trailer (18) includes a plurality of leaf springs (20) arranged in a vertical relationship. The leaf springs (20) are mounted to a vehicle through a trunnion assembly (28) which permits for flexure of the ends of the springs (20) to which wheels (16, 18) are attached. The ends of the leaf springs (20) are mounted in an axle connection (26) comprising a housing. The lower leaf (64) of the leaf spring assembly (20) is seated against a base plate (52) of the axle connection (26) and is restrained against movement relative thereto by pairs of pins (90) or cups (72) disposed between the spring (64) and the base plate (52). Cups (74) or pins are also disposed between adjacent springs of the leaf spring assembly (20) to restrain longitudinal movement therebetween.

Abstract: A combination traction bar chassis lift and suspension modifying device for four-wheel drive off road vehicles having leaf spring suspensions is provided comprising a longitudinally extending beam adapted to be clamped between the vehicle leaf spring and the axle of the vehicle for lifting the chassis of the vehicle. The beam comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending flexible leaf spring members. One end of the beam engages the vehicle leaf spring preventing wrap-up of the vehicle axle about the vehicle leaf spring during rapid acceleration or deceleration and stiffening the spring rate of the vehicle leaf spring during large suspension deflections. The beam is provided with means for engaging the vehicle leaf spring comprising a bifurcated member secured to the beam, the bifurcated member having first and second upstanding ends encompassing the sides of the vehicle leaf spring and first and second vertically spaced elastomer rollers for encompassing the top and bottom of the vehicle leaf spring.

Abstract: An improved connection between the two steering posts and the steering skis at the forward end of a snowmobile which includes for each post and each ski a downwardly convexed leaf spring connected at its front and rear ends to the ski and bracket structure that connects the intermediate portion of the spring to the post. The bracket structure includes a pair of brackets, one of which is connected to a forward portion of the spring and the other of which is connected to a rearward portion of the spring so as to have a relatively long length of spring between the two portions. The two brackets have vertical walls that are disposed side-by-side and extend upwardly to be connected to a horizontal trunnion mounted or fixed to the lower end of the post.

Abstract: An arrangement for attaching a spring assembly to an axle housing 1 in vehicles. At least two housing brackets 10, 11 are rigidly mounted on the front and the rear of an axle housing 1 for supporting a spring retaining seating 30 which is contacting the housing brackets 10, 11 from above or from below. U-bolts 32 are used to clamp a spring assembly against the seating 30 and to clamp the seating 30 against the housing brackets 10, 11. Each housing bracket 10, 11 has a baseplate 12 welded to the axle housing 1 and also has at least one supporting portion 15 that projects from the baseplate 12 and is provided with support planes 16, 17 for the spring retaining seating 30.

Abstract: A tandem axle leaf spring suspension in which the structure for pivotally interconnecting each equalizer member to its associated mounting bracket comprises a cylindrical wall member disposed between the mounting bracket plates and two end disks between each end of the cylindrical wall member and the adjacent bracket plate, the cylindrical wall member having a plurality of annularly spaced recesses formed in the opposite end portions thereof defining a plurality of annularly spaced axially extending projections at each end portion thereof and each end disk having a plurality of annularly spaced recesses formed in the exterior periphery thereof defining a plurality of annularly spaced radially extending projections. Each of the end disks is mounted with the radial projections thereof engaged within recesses within the associated end portion of the cylindrical wall member and with the recesses thereof receiving the associated axially extending projections of the cylindrical wall member.

Abstract: An axle suspension assembly for vehicles has a trailing arm which is connected to the axle by means of a locator plate that is welded to the axle housing and heat shrunk on to the arm, the plate and the clamping pad that engages the opposite side of the arm having relieved faces that serve to minimize localized stress concentrations during high load conditions.

Abstract: In a driven vehicle having a drive assembly including a drive shaft, a differential, a rear universal joint coupling the drive shaft to the differential, the drive shaft being characterized by an original angle with respect to the horizontal axis of the differential, a rear axle, a rear axle housing, and rear suspension springs in connection therewith, support blocks for differentially displacing the axle and the housing from the suspension means and restoring substantially the original angle of the drive shaft relative to the differential and to the axle housing while elevating the rear body of the vehicle for maintaining increased rear vehicle road clearance and optimum effectiveness of the drive assembly operation. The support blocks, interposed between the suspension spring and the housing, have top and bottom surfaces oppositely congruent to the bottom surface of the suspension means and the upper surface of the housing, respectively.

Abstract: An axle suspension with a unitary bracket attachable to a vehicle frame, the bracket having three sets of depending rails, between the first two of which a torque beam is pivoted with members at its other end for connection to an axle, and between the second and third rail sets a lift beam is pivoted to lie alongside the torque beam, the lift beam having members for connection to the axle; a hydraulic piston motor connected between the bracket and the lift beam; and a leaf spring bearing at one of its ends on the axle opposite to the piston motor; bearing at its middle on the bracket to receive vehicle load, and shackle members for supporting its other end.

Abstract: A spring suspension system for mounting a spring member to an axle assembly and vehicle body.A bracket member adapted to receive and secure the end portion of the spring member is pivotally mounted to the vehicle body and clamping means are provided for securing the spring to the axle assembly.

Abstract: A bracket is provided for mounting an integral power steering unit on the axle of a vehicle wherein the forces of reaction of the unit are accommodated. The bracket is provided with a base mounting plate having at least one locating pin cooperating with the pad on the axle for mounting of the spring. The pin has a locational interference fit with the apertures in both the plate and the pad. U-bolts clamp together the plate, the pad and the spring of the vehicle. Locking means is provided to positively resist pivoting of the mounting bracket about the pin under the powerful reaction forces of the power steering gear unit. Preferably, this locking means takes the form of four spaced set screws mounted on depending skirts at the front and rear of the mounting plate at the spring mounting pad. In an alternative embodiment, this locking means may take the form of one or more additional interference fitting pins extending through the bracket and the mounting pad.

Abstract: A wheeled vehicle includes a wheel carrying axle upon which the weight of the vehicle and its load is carried through the intermediary of a spring. The spring is coupled to the axle by means of a mounting unit which includes a pair of spaced mounting plates and also a pair of spaced supporting plates which are disposed in spaced relationship relative to the mounting plates. Interposed between the support plates and mounting plates are sensing elements and the support plates and mounting plates are clamped together by means of bolts. The upper sensing elements are subjected to the clamping force together with the weight of the vehicle and its load, whilst the lower sensing elements are only subjected to the clamping force. The sensing elements are connected into a bridge circuit.