Patent ID: 6062549
Filing Date: 2000-05-16
Classification: B60G,F16F

Abstract:
In a suspension system for a vehicle having a chassis and an axle, wherein a main leaf spring is positioned below and secured at its midpoint to the axle and at its opposite ends to the chassis, a stabiliser leaf spring is positioned above the axle and having its midpoint in engagement with the axle and secured at its opposite ends to the main leaf spring by a pair of yokes, with opposite portions of the main leaf spring extending through the yokes, the yokes each including a pair of spaced straps secured together by an upper bolt and a lower bolt, the opposite ends of the stabiliser leaf spring being pivotally secured to the upper bolts and the opposite portions of the main leaf spring being positioned above the lower bolts, the improvement comprising a spacer on each lower bolt and a rotatable sleeve on each spacer for maintaining a sufficient spacing between the straps of each yoke and permitting free translational movement of the opposite portions of the main leaf spring relative to and through the yokes during overloading of the suspension system to provide stabilization of the effects of the overloading by the stabiliser leaf spring and prevent failure of the suspension system.