The invention relates to a load sensor arrangement (100) for installation on a vehicle axle (106) of a vehicle (108). The load sensor arrangement (100) comprises: a non-invasive load sensor (102) for measuring a load subjected to the vehicle axle (106) and a sensor holder (110). The sensor holder (110) comprises a sensor holding portion (112) and a mounting portion (114). The mounting portion (114) is adapted for attachment to the vehicle axle (106), and the sensor holding portion (112) is adapted for holding the load sensor (102) in a position for direct measuring on the vehicle axle (106). The load sensor arrangement (100) comprises an attachment element (118) for releasable connection of said load sensor (102) to said sensor holding portion (112). The invention further relates to a vehicle axle arrangement, a vehicle, a method of installing a non-invasive load sensor on a vehicle axle, and the use of a load sensor arrangement.

The invention relates to a load sensor arrangement (100) for installation on a vehicle axle (106) of a vehicle (108). The load sensor arrangement (100) comprises: a non-invasive load sensor (102) for measuring a load subjected to the vehicle axle (106) and a sensor holder (110). The sensor holder (110) comprises a sensor holding portion (112) and a mounting portion (114). The mounting portion (114) is adapted for attachment to the vehicle axle (106), and the sensor holding portion (112) is adapted for holding the load sensor (102) in a position for direct measuring on the vehicle axle (106). The load sensor arrangement (100) comprises an attachment element (118) for releasable connection of said load sensor (102) to said sensor holding portion (112). The invention further relates to a vehicle axle arrangement, a vehicle, a method of installing a non-invasive load sensor on a vehicle axle, and the use of a load sensor arrangement.

This axle beam is provided with a pair of horizontal plate sections separated vertically from and facing each other; and a vertical plate section extending vertically so as to connect intermediate sections, in a front-rear direction, of the pair of horizontal plate sections. The horizontal plate section on the upper side has a forwardly extending upper front plate section and a rearwardly extending upper rear plate section, and the horizontal plate section on the lower side has a forwardly extending lower front plate section and a rearwardly extending lower rear plate section. One of the upper front plate section, the upper rear plate section, the lower front plate section, and the lower rear plate section is set to have a smaller length in the front-rear direction than the other three plate sections, and among the other three plate sections, the two plate sections which are separated vertically from and facing each other are set to have substantially the same length in the front-rear direction.

A suspension for a wheeled vehicle include an axle with a mid-section and an end comprising an upper portion and a lower portion defining a space therebetween, a leaf spring having forward and rear ends attached to vehicle structure and a mid-section retained in the space and secured between the upper and lower portions, and a closure element attached to the axle end and at least partially closing an outboard end of the space. The upper and lower axle portions may be formed integrally with the axle mid-section or may be a separately-formed component secured to the axle. The space tapers from a greater vertical dimension at the outboard end thereof to a smaller vertical dimension at an inboard end thereof, and the leaf spring mid-section is wedged into the space. An intermediate element is disposed between the mid-section and at least one of the upper and lower axle portions.

A suspension for a wheeled vehicle include an axle with a mid-section and an end comprising an upper portion and a lower portion defining a space therebetween, a leaf spring having forward and rear ends attached to vehicle structure and a mid-section retained in the space and secured between the upper and lower portions, and a closure element attached to the axle end and at least partially closing an outboard end of the space. The upper and lower axle portions may be formed integrally with the axle mid-section or may be a separately-formed component secured to the axle. The space tapers from a greater vertical dimension at the outboard end thereof to a smaller vertical dimension at an inboard end thereof, and the leaf spring mid-section is wedged into the space. An intermediate element is disposed between the mid-section and at least one of the upper and lower axle portions.

A suspension system includes a leaf spring, an actuator attached to the leaf spring, and an axle mount attached to the actuator. The actuator is disposed vertically between the leaf spring and the axle mount and is actuatable to change a distance between the leaf spring and the axle mount.

A suspension system includes a leaf spring, an actuator attached to the leaf spring, and an axle mount attached to the actuator. The actuator is disposed vertically between the leaf spring and the axle mount and is actuatable to change a distance between the leaf spring and the axle mount.

A suspension interconnection assembly comprises first and second saddle brackets and a fastener. Each saddle bracket comprises a base, a pair of arms spaced apart and have the base disposed therebetween, and a pair of shoulders. Each shoulder is disposed between the base and a respective arm. Each shoulder has a first beveled surface. The pair of shoulders cooperates with the base and the pair of arms to at least partially define a U-shaped pocket. The U-shaped pockets of each saddle bracket are sized to partially receive an axle housing. The fastener interconnects the saddle brackets to couple the saddle brackets and a spring to the axle housing. The beveled surfaces of each saddle bracket are adapted to operatively engage the peripheral wall. The pairs of arms of each saddle bracket are adapted to operatively engage one another after the beveled surfaces operatively engage the peripheral wall.

A suspension interconnection assembly comprises first and second saddle brackets and a fastener. Each saddle bracket comprises a base, a pair of arms spaced apart and have the base disposed therebetween, and a pair of shoulders. Each shoulder is disposed between the base and a respective arm. Each shoulder has a first beveled surface. The pair of shoulders cooperates with the base and the pair of arms to at least partially define a U-shaped pocket. The U-shaped pockets of each saddle bracket are sized to partially receive an axle housing. The fastener interconnects the saddle brackets to couple the saddle brackets and a spring to the axle housing. The beveled surfaces of each saddle bracket are adapted to operatively engage the peripheral wall. The pairs of arms of each saddle bracket are adapted to operatively engage one another after the beveled surfaces operatively engage the peripheral wall.

A utility cart includes a suspension having an integral perch bracket having a plurality of legs structured to straddle an axle of the utility cart, and can include an opening into which a spring pin (e.g. a pin of a leaf spring) can be inserted. The perch bracket can alternatively include a brake cable attachment feature located on an end of the bracket. In one form the end can extend from one leg and be folded toward an opposing leg. The perch bracket can be cut from sheet stock of material, and stamped into final or near final form. In one embodiment a threaded nut can be attached to the legs of the perch bracket.