Abstract: Described herein is an axle assembly and method of fabrication thereof. The axle assembly includes an axle having a first geometric shape housed within an axle housing having a second geometric shape. A shock absorber is located between the axle and the axle housing. The shock absorber supports the axle within the axle housing and comprises a first material and comprises a multi-sided configuration. The first geometric shape and the second geometric shape comprising polygons.

Abstract: A suspension assembly having a frame hanger, a first control arm mounted between the frame hanger and an axle attachment member, a second control arm mounted to the frame hanger and to the axle attachment member, wherein the second arm extends from a centerline of the first control arm at an angle alpha such that the first control arm and the second control arm are not parallel to each other, wherein the centerline of the first control arm and the centerline of the second control arm extend to intersect at a point that is at a virtual center of rotation.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes a frame mounting bracket for mounting to the vehicle. First and second levers are pivotally mounted to the frame mounting bracket. First and second rubber torsion axle assemblies are rigidly mounted to the first and second levers, respectively. A control arm pivotally connects to the first lever and the second lever. The control arm, and the first and second levers are configured to rotate the first rubber torsion axle assembly and the second rubber torsion axle assembly simultaneously when a static or dynamic force is encountered by the suspension assembly. First and second spindle swing arms can be attached to the first and second torsion axle assemblies respectively with the first spindle swing arm extending forward of the first lever with respect to a direction the vehicle normal travels and the second swing arm can trail the second lever in a “push-pull” configuration.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes a frame mounting bracket for mounting to the vehicle. The suspension includes front and rear rubber torsion axle assemblies. Front and rear lever assemblies are respectively pivotally attached to the vehicle at front and rear lever pivot points. Outer housings of the rubber torsion axle assemblies are each respectively rigidly mounted to the front and rear lever assemblies. A rigid control arm is pivotally connected at one end to the front lever assembly at a front control arm pivot point and its other end is pivotally connected to the rear lever assembly at a rear control arm pivot point. When the suspension assembly encounters a force causing the front lever assembly to rotate in one direction about the front lever pivot point the rigid control arm causes the rear lever assembly to rotate about the rear lever pivot in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A device for damping vibrations acting on a tracked vehicle is provided, which has a front and rear track roller. Torsion springs are mounted along a vehicle pan. Alternatively, the torsion springs can be subdivided into smaller torsion springs. For the immediate track rollers, a further device is provided in which the long torsion springs which hitherto absorbed the torsion are divided into a plurality of smaller torsion springs and mounted not transversely with respect to the vehicle pan, but in a direction of travel with respect thereto. The torsion springs are functionally connected to one another via drive and/or transmission elements, and are accommodated outside an interior space. In this way, no further installation space is required transversely with respect to and below the vehicle pan, at most in the side region or within a small recess in the pan, a so-called pan niche.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes a frame mounting bracket for mounting to the vehicle. The suspension includes front and rear rubber torsion axle assemblies. Front and rear lever assemblies are respectively pivotally attached to the vehicle at front and rear lever pivot points. Outer housings of the rubber torsion axle assemblies are each respectively rigidly mounted to the front and rear lever assemblies. A rigid control arm is pivotally connected at one end to the front lever assembly at a front control arm pivot point and its other end is pivotally connected to the rear lever assembly at a rear control arm pivot point. When the suspension assembly encounters a force causing the front lever assembly to rotate in one direction about the front lever pivot point the rigid control arm causes the rear lever assembly to rotate about the rear lever pivot in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a triple torsion axle system and kit with various features to help reduce or prevent damage that otherwise may occur with large loads. For example, each axle assembly includes larger diameter caps on the ends of each torsion bar to prevent the bar from pulling out of its outer tube during high side loads. In another example, the outer end of the torsion bar has a rounded surface that is fixed to a swing arm so as to better equalize the stress around the weld joint. Additionally, the triple torsion axle is configured such that when the vehicle is unloaded, the middle axle assembly supports more weight than the two adjacent axle assemblies. However, when the vehicle is loaded, all three axle assemblies provide similar support to the vehicle.

Abstract: A multi-axle vehicle suspension system comprising a first torsion axle mounted to a first suspension pivot member, the first suspension pivot member pivotally coupled to a vehicle frame, a second torsion axle mounted to a second suspension pivot member, the second suspension pivot member pivotally coupled to the vehicle frame, a pivot member pivotally coupled to the vehicle frame, the first suspension pivot member pivotally coupled to the pivot member, and the second suspension pivot member pivotally coupled to the pivot member.

Abstract: A device for damping vibrations acting on a tracked vehicle is provided, which has a front and rear track roller. Torsion springs are mounted along a vehicle pan. Alternatively, the torsion springs can be subdivided into smaller torsion springs. For the immediate track rollers, a further device is provided in which the long torsion springs which hitherto absorbed the torsion are divided into a plurality of smaller torsion springs and mounted not transversely with respect to the vehicle pan, but in a direction of travel with respect thereto. The torsion springs are functionally connected to one another via drive and/or transmission elements, and are accommodated outside an interior space. In this way, no further installation space is required transversely with respect to and below the vehicle pan, at most in the side region or within a small recess in the pan, a so-called pan niche.

Abstract: A torsion beam suspension includes a pair of lateral trailing members, each of which has a front end portion pivotally supported by a vehicle body and also has a rear end portion adapted to suspend wheels. The suspension also includes a torsion beam adapted to have an open face, in which a vehicle front side or a vehicle rear side thereof is opened, and arranged to extend in a lateral direction of a vehicle. Intermediate portions of the pair of trailing members are respectively bonded to corresponding end portions of the torsion beam. On an inner side wall of each of the trailing members, a patch member connecting a corresponding one of the trailing members to the torsion beam is disposed.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a semi-active suspension including suspension dampers controllably adjustable in accordance with electronic stability control commands and ride and handling commands. Vehicle steering response states, turning direction states and vehicle dynamics states are binary coded in respective state variables and suspension control calibrations are binary coded in calibration words. Integrity and security of state variables and calibration words are ensured in efficient binary digit resource allocation schemes.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a pair of equalizing beams, two pairs of axle housings each having a lower portion connected to opposite ends of the equalizing beams, two pairs of linkage arms operably connected to an upper portion of each of the axle housings and with a vehicle frame, and a pair of air cylinders operably connected to the equalizing beams at a point located between the ends of the beams and with the vehicle frame. The system further includes a torsional beam extending between the first and second air cylinders, wherein the torsional beam provides the operable connection between the first cylinder and the point of the first equalizing beam located between the ends of the first equalizing beam, and the operable connection between the second cylinder and the point of the second equalizing beam located between the ends of the second equalizing beam.

Abstract: An equalizer bar itself serving as a suspension device of a track-type vehicle has spring effects imparted through torsional deformation relative to vertical oscillatory movements of track frames. Arm portions are fixed in directions opposite to each other in two ends of an equalizer bar main body. Free end portions of the arm portions are individually supported in the track frames to be rotatable in directions opposite to each other. The track frames are therefore regulated in the magnitudes of oscillatory movements according to the spring effects of the equalizer bar main body, whereby travel-time oscillations, oscillatory movements, and/or the like of the vehicle body are sufficiently restrained.

Abstract: A stabilizer bar apparatus for use in a suspension of a motor vehicle includes a hollow tubular member (22) having first and second arms (24,26) disposed at opposite ends of a center section (28). The center section is adapted to be rotatably attached to a chassis and the first and second arms are adapted to attach to first and second wheel suspensions, respectively. A first radial protrusion (38) is circumferentially formed on an outer surface of the hollow tubular member and extends radially outward from the outer surface to a first predetermined height sufficient to retain the stabilizer bar under lateral loading. Additionally, a stress dispersing formation is (46) formed on an inner surface of the hollow tubular member opposite the first radial protrusion so as to disperse stress that would otherwise concentrate in the hollow tubular member adjacent to the first radial protrusion.

Abstract: Apparatus for carrying fishing equipment which includes a support member or brace, first and second load bearing members or shelves, a mechanism for connecting load bearing member and concurrently collapsing and opening same relative to the support member, and a mechanism for receiving fishing rods on the apparatus. The apparatus is provided with at least one wheel rotatably mounted thereon. The first shelf is rotatably mounted on the brace. The second shelf is rotatably mounted on the brace above the first shelf. The collapsing mechanism connects the first shelf to the second shelf and provides for concurrent collapsing and opening of the first and second shelves relative to the brace. The mechanism for receiving fishing rods on the apparatus includes at least one rod holder mounted on the shelves.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle includes an articulated frame formed by front and rear frame sections which are pivotally joined. A hydraulic motor is coupled to a front pair of wheels rotatably mounted to the front frame section. An oscillating axle assembly which includes a rear pair of wheels is pivotally mounted to the rear frame section for rotation about an axis oriented parallel to the longitudinal extent of the vehicle. The rear pair of wheels are coupled to the front pair of wheels through a drive assembly. A transverse torsion bar is rotatably mounted to the rear frame section. A pair of torsion arms are rigidly mounted to opposite ends of the torsion bar and extend rearwardly toward the oscillating axle assembly. A pair of links are pivotally coupled to the torsion arms via a pair of pivot mounts. Further pivot mounts pivotally couple opposite ends of the links to opposite ends of the oscillating axle assembly.

Abstract: An axle assembly for a vehicle includes a chassis (1) and at least two wheels (2, 3) suitable for coming into contact with ground (4). A unit beam (5) associates the two wheels with the chassis and holds them in two substantially parallel planes (6, 7). A point (10) situated substantially between the two ends (11, 12) of the beam is prevented from rotating relative to the chassis. Two arms (13, 14) are fixed substantially at one of their ends to the end of respective beams. The two wheels are rotatably mounted to the opposite ends of the arms. The two portions (36, 37) of the beam (8) situated on opposite sides of the point situated between the two ends of the beam are made of a material such that each of them has anisotropic torsion elasticity (42, 43) in the opposite direction to the other.

Abstract: An adjustable stabilizer bar for a vehicle comprises a primary torsional reaction segment, means for operatively connecting the primary reaction segment with the suspension of vehicle roadwheels such that the primary reaction segment will be torsionally loaded during jounce and rebound motion of the roadwheels, and means for selectively modifying the torque reactive capacity of the primary reaction segment. The torque reactive capacity of the primary reaction segment may be modified in response to manual or automatic controls.

Abstract: An improved road wheel mounting structure. The mounting device comprises a orsion bar fastened a one end to a vehicle hull. The outboard end of the torsion bar is rotatably supported within a sleeve and is connected to a hub. The hub is fastened to a road wheel arm by means of a plurality of the fasteners in such a manner that normal motion of the road wheel causes a rotation of the torsion bar. But an explosive force applied to the road wheel would rupture the fasteners before a significant bending motion is applied to the torsion bar.

Abstract: A torsion type tandem axle suspension (10) comprising a rocking beam assembly (34) rotatably mounted to each end of a container tube (62) which is mounted to a vehicle frame (12) by means of brackets is provided. Each rocking beam assembly comprises a first rocking beam (36) splined at one end to the outer end of torsion rod (42) and a second rocking beam (38) splined at one end to the outer end of a torsion tube (44). The torsion rods are telescopically received in the torsion tubes and splined at their inner ends to the torsion tubes. The torsion tubes are rotatably received in the container tubes.