Patent ID: 7712754

Claim:
A leaf spring assembly for a vehicle having a frame and an axle, the leaf spring assembly, comprising: (a) a trailing arm having first and second ends, the first end adapted to be coupled to the frame to define a trailing arm attachment point; (b) a first leaf spring disposed beneath the trailing arm and the full length of the trailing arm being disposed in sliding relationship with the first leaf spring, the first leaf spring having a width defining a lateral direction and first and second ends defining a longitudinal direction, the first end of the first leaf spring being concentrically wound with the first end of the trailing arm in a manner that provides space therebetween, the second end of the first leaf spring adapted to be coupled to the frame by an attachment mechanism, wherein the attachment mechanism permits movement of the first leaf spring in the longitudinal direction while restraining movement of the first leaf spring in the lateral direction; and (c) a restraint located in proximity to the trailing arm attachment point and configured to permit movement of the leaf spring relative to the trailing arm in the longitudinal direction and restraining motion of the leaf spring relative to the trailing arm in the lateral direction.