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.

A leaf spring suspension system for a vehicle includes a chassis rail. Also included is a pivot block operatively coupled to the chassis rail and rotatable relative to the chassis rail. Further included is a leaf spring operatively coupled to the pivot block proximate an end of the leaf spring. Yet further included is a half leaf spring operatively coupled to the pivot block proximate a first end of the half leaf spring and operatively coupled to a vehicle axle proximate a second end of the half leaf spring.

A leaf spring suspension system for a vehicle includes a chassis rail. Also included is a pivot block operatively coupled to the chassis rail and rotatable relative to the chassis rail. Further included is a leaf spring operatively coupled to the pivot block proximate an end of the leaf spring. Yet further included is a half leaf spring operatively coupled to the pivot block proximate a first end of the half leaf spring and operatively coupled to a vehicle axle proximate a second end of the half leaf spring.

A leaf spring assembly for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle including a leaf spring resiliently supporting of a wheel carrier on a vehicle body of the motor vehicle. The leaf spring has a first end portion, and a diametrically or longitudinally, opposite second end portion fastened, pivotably mounted, to the vehicle. The leaf spring includes a suspension portion extending between the two end portions. The leaf spring includes two spring leaves held pressed one against the other by a first clamp in the suspension portion and are held pressed one against the other by a second clamp distanced or longitudinally spaced from the first clamp. The position of the second clamp, its position on the leaf spring, is variable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the leaf spring.

A leaf spring assembly for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle including a leaf spring resiliently supporting of a wheel carrier on a vehicle body of the motor vehicle. The leaf spring has a first end portion, and a diametrically or longitudinally, opposite second end portion fastened, pivotably mounted, to the vehicle. The leaf spring includes a suspension portion extending between the two end portions. The leaf spring includes two spring leaves held pressed one against the other by a first clamp in the suspension portion and are held pressed one against the other by a second clamp distanced or longitudinally spaced from the first clamp. The position of the second clamp, its position on the leaf spring, is variable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the leaf spring.

A vehicle weight sensing system is particularly useful for trailers. An axle tube is mounted to the vehicle or trailer through its suspension members that may be leaf springs. A mounting block is affixed to the axle tube for mounting a strain gauge. The mounting block is fixed to the axle tube between the suspension members connected to the axle tube. The mounting block has a mounting surface opposite to the mating surface and a notch extends from the mating surface toward the mounting surface. The notch terminates between the mating surface and the mounting surface. The notch separates rigidified sections of the mounting block and the rigidified sections straddle the notch. The stain gauge measures strain in the axle and thereby generates a signal proportional to the weight on the trailer. The signal can be used to properly proportion a brake system on the trailer.

A vehicle weight sensing system is particularly useful for trailers. An axle tube is mounted to the vehicle or trailer through its suspension members that may be leaf springs. A mounting block is affixed to the axle tube for mounting a strain gauge. The mounting block is fixed to the axle tube between the suspension members connected to the axle tube. The mounting block has a mounting surface opposite to the mating surface and a notch extends from the mating surface toward the mounting surface. The notch terminates between the mating surface and the mounting surface. The notch separates rigidified sections of the mounting block and the rigidified sections straddle the notch. The stain gauge measures strain in the axle and thereby generates a signal proportional to the weight on the trailer. The signal can be used to properly proportion a brake system on the trailer.

A suspension interconnection assembly for a vehicle adapted to move along a surface of the ground includes an axle housing and a spring seat. The spring seat includes a pocket defined by a U-shaped saddle having a bottom wall that extends between a first leg and a second leg. The first and second legs include claw portions that are adapted to engage an upper portion of the axle housing. Welds secure the first and second claw portions to the axle housing so that areas of the axle housing adjacent the welds are in a state of residual tensile stress based on forming. The position of the welds provides a stress cancelling effect upon application of the load to the axle housing in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the ground.

A suspension interconnection assembly for a vehicle adapted to move along a surface of the ground includes an axle housing and a spring seat. The spring seat includes a pocket defined by a U-shaped saddle having a bottom wall that extends between a first leg and a second leg. The first and second legs include claw portions that are adapted to engage an upper portion of the axle housing. Welds secure the first and second claw portions to the axle housing so that areas of the axle housing adjacent the welds are in a state of residual tensile stress based on forming. The position of the welds provides a stress cancelling effect upon application of the load to the axle housing in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the ground.

A vehicle driving apparatus can handle a variety of car ranks and ensures reliability of a vehicle motor. The apparatus includes an axle housing, to which a differential-side housing of a driving unit housing is linked and integrally accommodating drive shafts of driving wheels. A first support allows elastically linking a first rotary support shaft linked to a vehicle body of the vehicle to the axle housing and the axle housing to swing around the first rotary support shaft as the center of rotation so that the axle housing is supported by the vehicle body. A second support allows a second rotary support shaft linked to the vehicle body to be elastically linked to a motor-side housing of the driving unit housing and the motor-side housing to swing around the second rotary support shaft as the center of rotation so that the motor-side housing is supported by the vehicle body.