Abstract: A suspension having a frame attachment portion having an opening with a spring mount positioned therein, and a first shear spring positioned between a wall of the spring mount and a side wall of the opening, and a second shear spring positioned between another wall of the spring mount and another wall of the opening. The first spring mount comprises an inboard part and an outboard part with a first through-hole positioned therein adapted to allow passage of a first connecting rod therethrough, wherein the first connecting rod connects the inboard and outboard parts together, and wherein the first shear spring is compressed between a wall of the spring mount and a wall of the opening, and wherein the second shear spring is compressed between a wall of the spring mount and a wall of the opening.

Abstract: A shear spring having a base plate having a flat upper surface, and an upper plate having a V-shaped upper surface opposite the base plate adapted to mate with a corresponding V-shaped surface positioned on a side wall of a spring mount, the upper plate having a flat lower surface parallel to the flat upper surface of the base, and an elastomeric material positioned between the flat upper surface of the base plate and the flat lower surface of the upper plate.

Abstract: A suspension having a frame attachment portion having an opening with a spring mount positioned therein, and a first shear spring positioned between a wall of the spring mount and a side wall of the opening, and a second shear spring positioned between another wall of the spring mount and another wall of the opening. The first spring mount comprises an inboard part and an outboard part with a first through-hole positioned therein adapted to allow passage of a first connecting rod therethrough, wherein the first connecting rod connects the inboard and outboard parts together, and wherein the first shear spring is compressed between a wall of the spring mount and a wall of the opening, and wherein the second shear spring is compressed between a wall of the spring mount and a wall of the opening.

Abstract: A tie-plate comprising a lower mounting flange that is removably attachable to a first frame hanger and to a second frame hanger, wherein the lower mounting flange includes a first set of attachment holes that correspond to a set of attachment holes at the first frame hanger, wherein the lower mounting flange includes a second set of attachment holes that correspond to a set of attachment holes at the second frame hanger, an extending member having a first end that extends at an angle from the lower mounting flange; and an upper mounting flange extending from a second end of the extending member, wherein the upper mounting flange has one or more mounting holes adapted for attachment of the tie-plate to an undercarriage of a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension including a spring module and a spring mount positioned within an opening in the spring module with two shear springs on either side of the spring mount, wherein the spring mount includes an inboard part and an outboard part, and a through-hole positioned in the inboard or outboard part to allow passage of a threaded connecting rod therethrough that has been tightened to draw the inboard part of the first spring mount together with the outboard part of the first spring mount, and to compress the first shear spring between a first side wall of the spring mount and a first side wall of the opening, and also to compress a second shear spring between a second side wall of the spring mount and a second side wall of the opening.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension including a frame attachment portion attached to spring module having an opening defined by two side walls, a top wall and a bottom wall, and a spring mount positioned within the opening with two shear springs on either side of the spring mount, wherein the spring mount includes an inboard part and an outboard part separate from the inboard part, and a through-hole positioned in at least one of the inboard or inboard parts to allow passage of a threaded connecting rod therethrough, wherein the connecting rod has been tightened to draw the inboard part of the first spring mount together with the outboard part of the first spring mount, and to compress the first shear spring between the first side wall of the spring mount and the first side wall of the opening, and also to compress the second shear spring between the second side wall of the spring mount and the second side wall of the opening of the spring module.

Abstract: An elastomeric spring suspension is described for supporting a longitudinally extending vehicle frame rail above first and second axles forming a tandem axle configuration. The suspension includes a frame hanger assembly mounted to the vehicle frame rail. The frame hanger assembly has two full spring modules, each of which includes two shear springs, a progressive spring rate load cushion having a pyramidal shape with a flattened top surface and a spring mount for mounting the springs. A saddle assembly is connected to the spring mount, and an equalizing beam is connected to the saddle assembly and further connected to the axles. The spring rate for the suspension increases almost linearly as a function of sprung load, resembling a pneumatic suspension. Accordingly, the suspension exhibits excellent ride quality, without sacrificing roll stability.

Abstract: An elastomeric spring suspension is described for supporting a longitudinally extending vehicle frame rail above first and second axles forming a tandem axle configuration. The suspension includes a frame hanger assembly mounted to the vehicle frame rail. The frame hanger assembly has two full spring modules, each of which includes two elastomeric shear springs, an elastomeric progressive spring rate load cushion having a pyramidal shape with a flattened top surface and a spring mount for mounting the springs. A saddle assembly is connected to the spring mount, and an equalizing beam is connected to the saddle assembly and further connected to the axles. The spring rate for the suspension increases almost linearly as a function of sprung load, resembling a pneumatic suspension. Accordingly, the suspension exhibits excellent ride quality, without sacrificing roll stability.

Abstract: A suspension for a tracked vehicle includes a bogie wheel assembly which has a pair of bogie wheels mounted to a walking beam. The walking beam is coupled to a body of the vehicle by a transversely-extending arm. The arm may be coupled to the body by a spherical bearing which permits angular rotation in at least two directions. The walking beam is connected to the body by shear members arranged in an inverted-V configuration. The shear members may be elastomeric springs.

Abstract: An elastomeric spring suspension is described for supporting a longitudinally extending vehicle frame rail above first and second axles forming a tandem axle configuration. The suspension includes a frame hanger assembly mounted to the vehicle frame rail. The frame hanger assembly has two full spring modules, each of which includes two shear springs, a progressive spring rate load cushion having a pyramidal shape with a flattened top surface and a spring mount for mounting the springs. A saddle assembly is connected to the spring mount, and an equalizing beam is connected to the saddle assembly and further connected to the axles. The spring rate for the suspension increases almost linearly as a function of sprung load, resembling a pneumatic suspension. Accordingly, the suspension exhibits excellent ride quality, without sacrificing roll stability.

Abstract: An elastomeric spring suspension is described for supporting a longitudinally extending vehicle frame rail above first and second axles forming a tandem axle configuration. The suspension includes a frame hanger assembly mounted to the vehicle frame rail The frame hanger assembly has two full spring modules, each of which includes two elastomeric shear springs, an elastomeric progressive spring rate load cushion having a pyramidal shape with a flattened top surface and a spring mount for mounting the springs. A saddle assembly is connected to the spring mount, and an equalizing beam is connected to the saddle assembly and further connected to the axles. The spring rate for the suspension increases almost linearly as a function of sprung load, resembling a pneumatic suspension. Accordingly, the suspension exhibits excellent ride quality, without sacrificing roll stability.

Abstract: A motortricycle with oscillation mechanism including left and right suspension arms respectively swingably mounted onto a vehicle body frame, rear wheels mounted respectively onto the outer portions of the left and right suspension arms. An oscillation mechanism permitting leftward and rightward oscillation of the vehicle body frame relative to the side of the suspension arms is provided between the suspension arms and the vehicle body frame, and an engine for driving the left and right rear wheels is mounted onto the vehicle body frame. Since the engine of the motortricycle is mounted on the vehicle body frame rather than on the suspension arms, weight on the suspension arms can be largely reduced, and the riding comfort can be further enhanced.

Abstract: A suspension for a tracked vehicle includes a bogie wheel assembly which has a pair of bogie wheels mounted to a walking beam. The walking beam is coupled to a body of the vehicle by a transversely-extending arm. The arm may be coupled to the body by a spherical bearing which permits angular rotation in at least two directions. The walking beam is connected to the body by shear members arranged in an inverted-V configuration. The shear members may be elastomeric springs.

Abstract: A suspension bar assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a suspension bar having a bushing, a bushing retainer that exerts radially and axially compressive forces onto the bushing such that the bushing is in frictional engagement with the suspension bar, thereby preventing relative movement of the bushing and the suspension bar, and a mounting bracket that is adapted to connect the suspension bar to the automotive vehicle. A method of inducing a pre-load onto a bushing that supports a bar includes: providing a bar, placing a bushing onto the bar, placing a bushing retainer onto the bushing, and compressing the bushing axially and radially within the bushing retainer.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension for connecting a vehicle frame rail to a first vehicle axle and for connecting the vehicle frame rail to a second vehicle axle includes a fabricated equalizing beam connected to the first and second vehicle axles, a split bolster spring assembly connected to the equalizing beam, a fabricated saddle connected to the split bolster spring assembly, and a modular shear plate connected to the saddle and to the vehicle frame rail. The modular shear plate permits use of a universal saddle for mounting to a variety of vehicle frame configurations.