Patent ID: 6135471
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: B60G

Abstract:
An apparatus for use in a suspension system for a steerable vehicle wheel, said apparatus comprising:a torsion bar having a fixed end portion held against movement relative to a frame of the vehicle, a movable end portion connected with a support member for the steerable vehicle wheel, and an intermediate portion disposed between said fixed and movable end portions, said movable end portion of said torsion bar being movable up and down relative to said fixed end portion of said torsion bar to resiliently twist said torsion bar about a longitudinal central axis of said intermediate portion of said torsion bar during operation of the vehicle;a retainer extending around said intermediate portion of said torsion bar, said intermediate portion of said torsion bar being held by said retainer to resist movement of said intermediate portion of said torsion bar in a direction transverse to the longitudinal central axis of said intermediate portion of said torsion bar, said retainer being ineffective to hold said intermediate portion of said retainer against rotation about the longitudinal central axis of said torsion bar; anda strut having a first end portion connected with said movable end portion of said torsion bar, said strut having a second end portion pivotally connected with the frame of the vehicle, said second end portion of said strut being pivotal about an axis extending parallel to the longitudinal central axis of said intermediate portion of said torsion bar.