A body mount comprises a first support member adapted to engage a body of a vehicle and a second support member adapted to engage a frame of the vehicle. The second support member includes a tubular portion disposed radially inward of a second support surface. A first elastomeric spring interconnects an inner tube and the second support member. The first elastomeric spring is positioned within the tubular portion. A hydraulic damping system is disposed on a side of the second support surface opposite the first support member and includes a housing coupled to the second support member. Second, third and fourth elastomeric springs are positioned within the housing. The second elastomeric spring and the third elastomeric spring are spaced apart by a first track. The third elastomeric spring and the fourth elastomeric spring are spaced apart by a second track.

A joint is connected between floors of a vehicle that are movable relative to each other. The joint includes a plurality of hinged segments to accommodate vertical and longitudinal relative motion between the floors. At least one of the hinged segments includes a flat, walkable surface aligned with the floors.

A joint is connected between floors of a vehicle that are movable relative to each other. The joint includes a plurality of hinged segments to accommodate vertical and longitudinal relative motion between the floors. At least one of the hinged segments includes a flat, walkable surface aligned with the floors.

Suspension systems and grounds maintenance vehicles incorporating the same are disclosed. The suspension system may include biasing elements or springs that may be adjusted to vary the preload and thus change the spring and dampening characteristics of the suspension system. In some embodiments, the system may include an adjustment mechanism that permits simultaneous adjustment of two springs via a single action. In other embodiments, features adapted to assist an operator with mounting/dismounting the vehicle are disclosed.

Suspension systems and grounds maintenance vehicles incorporating the same are disclosed. The suspension system may include biasing elements or springs that may be adjusted to vary the preload and thus change the spring and dampening characteristics of the suspension system. In some embodiments, the system may include an adjustment mechanism that permits simultaneous adjustment of two springs via a single action. In other embodiments, features adapted to assist an operator with mounting/dismounting the vehicle are disclosed.

A modular saddle mount and modified frame cross member for reducing vibration in heavy equipment cabs preferably includes a heavy equipment modified frame cross member, two modular saddle mounts and at least two vibration isolators. The modified frame cross member includes a frame cross member, two sets of opposed mounting blocks and two cutout filler plates. The two cutout filler plates are secured in first and second cutouts. Each opposed mounting block is secured to an outside of the frame cross member. The modular saddle mount preferably includes a saddle base member and a pair of fastening inserts. A fastening cutout is formed in each end of the saddle base member. The pair of fastening inserts are retained on an inside surface of the saddle base member at opposing ends thereof. At least one isolator opening is formed through the base saddle member to receive a vibration isolator.

A spring supported tray for mitigating a dominant frequency imparted thereto is provided. The spring supported tray includes a tray including a topside and underside, and configured to support an object on the topside, and N springs supporting the tray, N being a positive integer. A first end of each of the N springs is disposed at the underside of the tray. A second end of each of the N springs is disposed so as to receive vibrational motion imparted to the second end of each of the N springs f.sub.dom a source of the vibrational motion, the vibrational motion having a dominant undesired frequency f.sub.dom. Each of the N springs has a spring constant k defined by the equation:

[00001]$k=\frac{f_n^{2}4{\pi }^{2}w}{Ng}$

where w denotes the collective weight of the tray and the object, g denotes the force of gravity, and f.sub.n denotes a natural frequency of the spring supported tray supporting the object, wherein f.sub.n is a lower frequency than the dominant undesired frequency f.sub.dom.

A vibration damping device for a vehicle includes a subframe to which a vibration of a wheel is transmitted, a plurality of mounts arranged between the subframe and a vehicle body and configured such that stiffness of each mount in a prescribed direction changes according to an excitation current supplied thereto, and a controller configured to control the excitation current supplied to each mount, wherein the controller is configured to set a target elastic center of the subframe, and individually calculate the excitation current supplied to each mount so as to match an actual elastic center of the subframe with the target elastic center.

A vibration damping device for a vehicle includes a subframe to which a vibration of a wheel is transmitted, a plurality of mounts arranged between the subframe and a vehicle body and configured such that stiffness of each mount in a prescribed direction changes according to an excitation current supplied thereto, and a controller configured to control the excitation current supplied to each mount, wherein the controller is configured to set a target elastic center of the subframe, and individually calculate the excitation current supplied to each mount so as to match an actual elastic center of the subframe with the target elastic center.

An apparatus for facilitating occupant safety in a vehicle having a vehicle frame includes a releasable occupant retainer for retaining at least one occupant, the retainer including an occupant seat, a retainer support, and at least one occupant retainer impact absorber coupled between the occupant seat and the retainer support. The apparatus includes a retainer mount configured to be coupled to the vehicle frame, the retainer mount including a mount support and at least one releasable connector coupled to the mount support and releasably coupled to the retainer support of the occupant retainer, the at least one releasable connector configured to release the retainer support upon a severe collision event.