A spring apparatus (10), including: a spring (12); an elongated object (18A) disposed within and along the spring (12); and a mode-changing assembly (16), for providing a first mode in which a portion (38) of the spring (12) being along the elongated object (18A) is not springy, and a second mode in which an entire of the spring (12) is springy.

A vehicle system is provided. The vehicle system includes a vehicle chassis with a plurality of elongated tubular members. The tubular members are structured to be configured in a configuration selected from. the group consisting of a coup, a convertible, a truck, a transport vehicle, or a bus.

A sulky apparatus for use behind self-propelled operator-controlled machines is provided. The apparatus includes a riding platform on which the operator stands, configured with a suspension system for absorption of shock and reduced impact on the body of the operator. The suspension system comprises one or more compression springs and is configured for dual adjustment, wherein the operator may adjust the spring tension directly by adjusting the compression of the spring coils or select pivot points on the sulky for control over the amount of load absorbed by the spring coils. The sulky apparatus may be connected to a self-propelled, operator-controlled machine by way of a boom system that attaches to the sulky apparatus at one end and the machine at the other. The sulky apparatus provides a significant benefit to the rider by way of suspension system capable of absorbing shocks to the rider, fitted within a limited space.

A coilover shock absorber includes a damper element and a coil spring, where the coilover shock absorber includes a first mount for the damper element and a second mount for the damper element, and where the coilover shock absorber includes a first seat for the coil spring and a second seat for the coil spring, where the first mount for the damper element is operatively separate from the first seat for the coil spring, where the second mount for the damper element is operatively separate from the second seat for the coil spring. The resulting inverted coilover shock absorber allows for separate load paths for the damper element and the coil spring to the chassis.

A suspension thrust bearing device for use with a suspension spring in an automotive suspension strut of a vehicle. The device includes an upper annular bearing member and a lower annular bearing member in relative rotation. The lower annular bearing member having a body provided with an embedded stiffening insert. The device further provides a damping element made of resilient material and interposed between the lower annular bearing member and the suspension spring. A radial flange of the damping element prevents separation from the lower side of the radial flange of the lower cap.

A suspension thrust bearing device for use with a suspension spring in an automotive suspension strut of a vehicle. The device includes a bearing having upper and lower annular bearing members in relative rotation, the lower annular bearing member, and a damping element. An axial stiffening insert in a hub of lower annular bearing member provides a lower end curved towards the interior of the device. Lower annular bearing member has at least one slender groove opening radially outwards and having a bottom end opening axially downwards, the damping element providing a portion fitted within the slender groove.

A suspension system for use in vehicles includes a heave spring and an anti-roll bar. The system architecture allows for the ride spring rate and the wheel spring rates to be decoupled, such that each can be independently tuned. Furthermore, the suspension system may be fully active, quasi-fully active, semi-active, or passive.

A vehicle height adjusting device which adjusts vehicle height between a vehicle body and a lower arm, may include a suspension spring provided between the vehicle body and the lower arm; a variable portion provided inside an internal diameter of the suspension spring, and whose length is variable by converting a rotary driving motion around an axial direction into an axial rectilinear motion; and a power portion which is provided on the vehicle body, and rotates the variable portion.

A spring plate for supporting a vehicle suspension spring, with a surface facing toward the vehicle suspension spring and with at least one support point, wherein the spring plate has a region which extends from the surface in the direction of the vehicle suspension spring and forms the support point, and wherein a sheet-metal element acting as a corrosion protection element is fastened to the extended region and is in contact with the vehicle suspension spring in all operating states.

The purpose of the present invention is to improve the driving stability of a vehicle in which a double wishbone type or multi-link type suspension is adopted. A double wishbone type suspension has a sliding bearing disposed between a coil spring provided coaxially with a shock absorber and an upper support for mounting the coil spring to the body of the vehicle along with the shock absorber, the sliding bearing permitting the coil spring and the upper support to rotate relative to each other. The sliding bearing permits the coil spring and the upper support to rotate relative to each other with torque lower than torque generated by the torsion of the coil spring caused by the load of the vehicle acting on a damper assembly.