A vehicle wheel positioning and steering apparatus particularly useful for aerial work platforms comprises a support chassis and chassis support legs pivotally connected to the chassis. Steerable wheel assemblies are operably connected at ends of the support legs and powered actuators are operably connected to the chassis and legs for pivotally moving the legs and wheel assemblies relative to the chassis between transport and working positions. Variable length linear wheel steering actuators comprise one link of four bar parallelogram steering linkages between the chassis and wheel assemblies and the support legs each comprise second bars of the four bar parallelogram steering linkages.

A vehicle wheel positioning and steering apparatus particularly useful for aerial work platforms comprises a support chassis and chassis support legs pivotally connected to the chassis. Steerable wheel assemblies are operably connected at ends of the support legs and powered actuators are operably connected to the chassis and legs for pivotally moving the legs and wheel assemblies relative to the chassis between transport and working positions. Variable length linear wheel steering actuators comprise one link of four bar parallelogram steering linkages between the chassis and wheel assemblies and the support legs each comprise second bars of the four bar parallelogram steering linkages.

An isolation portion for a suspension member may include a substantially monolithic material configured to couple to a connected end of each of a first link and second link of the suspension member. The substantially monolithic material may be configured to dampen a vibration between the first link and the second link.

A utility vehicle includes a plurality of ground-engaging members, a frame, a powertrain assembly, a front suspension assembly, and a rear suspension assembly. A cargo bed may be supported by the frame at the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes an operator seat and at least one passenger seat positioned within an operator area. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes doors to enclose the operator area.

A utility vehicle includes a plurality of ground-engaging members, a frame, a powertrain assembly, a front suspension assembly, and a rear suspension assembly. A cargo bed may be supported by the frame at the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes an operator seat and at least one passenger seat positioned within an operator area. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes doors to enclose the operator area.

The application describes a device in the form of a robot for performing operations on ship hulls. The robot comprises magnetic wheels enabling the robot to adhere to ferrous hulls via magnetic forces and a suspension arrangement for supporting the wheels on a body of the robot and for allowing the robot to travel over uneven surfaces. The wheels include a first pair of wheels and a second pair of wheels, with the pairs of wheels spaced apart from one another along a length of the robot. The suspension arrangement comprises a suspension pivot mechanism allowing a line extending between the centers of the first pair of wheels to rotate relative to a line extending between the centers of the second pair of wheels, along with a camber pivot mechanism for each wheel, with the camber pivot mechanism allowing the axis of rotation of the wheel to rotate relative to the axes of rotation of the other wheels in order that the wheel can align its axis of rotation with the surface of the hull. The magnetic forces for attaching the wheel to the hull act to rotate the suspension pivot mechanism and camber pivot mechanisms. The robot can therefore maintain a secure contact with the hull as it travels over the hull.

The application describes a device in the form of a robot for performing operations on ship hulls. The robot comprises magnetic wheels enabling the robot to adhere to ferrous hulls via magnetic forces and a suspension arrangement for supporting the wheels on a body of the robot and for allowing the robot to travel over uneven surfaces. The wheels include a first pair of wheels and a second pair of wheels, with the pairs of wheels spaced apart from one another along a length of the robot. The suspension arrangement comprises a suspension pivot mechanism allowing a line extending between the centers of the first pair of wheels to rotate relative to a line extending between the centers of the second pair of wheels, along with a camber pivot mechanism for each wheel, with the camber pivot mechanism allowing the axis of rotation of the wheel to rotate relative to the axes of rotation of the other wheels in order that the wheel can align its axis of rotation with the surface of the hull. The magnetic forces for attaching the wheel to the hull act to rotate the suspension pivot mechanism and camber pivot mechanisms. The robot can therefore maintain a secure contact with the hull as it travels over the hull.

A coil spring for use in a link-motion-type suspension includes a lower end turn portion, an upper end turn portion, and an effective portion of a cylindrical shape between the lower end turn portion and the upper end turn portion. Further, the coil spring includes a bowing control portion including a taper portion formed in at least one end turn portion of the lower end turn portion and the upper end turn portion. The taper portion has a shape whose thickness is reduced from the middle of the end turn portion toward a distal end of a wire along its length, and bowing of the effective portion is suppressed by absorbing a change in the inclination of a spring seat by the taper portion.

A coil spring for use in a link-motion-type suspension includes a lower end turn portion, an upper end turn portion, and an effective portion of a cylindrical shape between the lower end turn portion and the upper end turn portion. Further, the coil spring includes a bowing control portion including a taper portion formed in at least one end turn portion of the lower end turn portion and the upper end turn portion. The taper portion has a shape whose thickness is reduced from the middle of the end turn portion toward a distal end of a wire along its length, and bowing of the effective portion is suppressed by absorbing a change in the inclination of a spring seat by the taper portion.

A component connection for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle, with a control arm having a mounting, in particular a rubber mounting, at least at one of its ends. An inner sleeve and a connection component, in particular a wheel carrier, are fixed to one another by a fixing element. The fixing element presses a first contact surface of the inner sleeve, in the axial direction, toward the connection component against an abutment surface of the connection component. The connection component has a supporting surface against which a second contact surface of the inner sleeve rests. Furthermore, the supporting surface is inclined relative to the abutment surface in such a manner that transverse forces occurring, in the radial direction in the area of the mounting, can be supported.