An air spring for a heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system comprising a piston, a bellows, and an intermediate chamber integrally formed with the bellows. The bellows has an upper portion, a top plate, and a bellows chamber and is connected to the piston by a band, a bead-in-groove connection, and/or a bayonet connection. The upper portion is reinforced to prevent the bellows chamber from increasing in volume. The intermediate chamber has an optimally sized top plate and a support structure and extends from the piston into the bellows chamber. The intermediate top plate is formed with means for restricted fluid communication between the bellows chamber and the intermediate chamber. The means for restricted fluid communication is not obstructed when it contacts the bellows top plate during jounce events. The support structure is optimized in relation to the top plate.

An air spring for a heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system comprising a piston, a bellows, and an intermediate chamber integrally formed with the bellows. The bellows has an upper portion, a top plate, and a bellows chamber and is connected to the piston by a band, a bead-in-groove connection, and/or a bayonet connection. The upper portion is reinforced to prevent the bellows chamber from increasing in volume. The intermediate chamber has an optimally sized top plate and a support structure and extends from the piston into the bellows chamber. The intermediate top plate is formed with means for restricted fluid communication between the bellows chamber and the intermediate chamber. The means for restricted fluid communication is not obstructed when it contacts the bellows top plate during jounce events. The support structure is optimized in relation to the top plate.

A coil air spring combination (13) in this case includes a coil (11) and airbag (12) and an airbag protective sleeve (13) fitted over the airbag. The sleeve may be made from an inextensible fabric with tapered elastic ends so that the sleeve can fit over the airbag for installation.

A coil air spring combination (13) in this case includes a coil (11) and airbag (12) and an airbag protective sleeve (13) fitted over the airbag. The sleeve may be made from an inextensible fabric with tapered elastic ends so that the sleeve can fit over the airbag for installation.

A shock-absorbing front fork assembly of a motorcycle includes a front fork, a pressure buffering cylinder and a control valve disposed between the front fork and the pressure buffering cylinder and electrically connected with a brake system to control the communication between the front fork and the pressure buffering cylinder according to the operation of the brake system. When the brake system is not actuated, the control valve is open to make the front fork communicate with the pressure buffering cylinder, thereby making the spring supporting force relatively smaller. When the brake system is actuated, the control valve is close to make the front fork not communicate with the pressure buffering cylinder, thereby making the spring supporting force relatively larger. Therefore, the spring supporting force is adjusted by the brake operation, that raises the riding comfort and safety.

A suspension system for a vehicle and method for operating the same includes a shock absorber housing having a longitudinal axis, a spring disposed around the shock absorber housing and a retainer collar disposed around the shock absorber housing. An actuator coupled to the retainer housing moves at least a portion of the retainer housing to move the spring in a direction corresponding the longitudinal axis.

A suspension system for a vehicle and method for operating the same includes a shock absorber housing having a longitudinal axis, a spring disposed around the shock absorber housing and a retainer collar disposed around the shock absorber housing. An actuator coupled to the retainer housing moves at least a portion of the retainer housing to move the spring in a direction corresponding the longitudinal axis.

A suspension structure of a utility vehicle includes: a shock absorber; a knuckle; and an upper arm and a lower arm which connects the knuckle to a vehicle body frame of the utility vehicle, wherein a recessed portion which is recessed downward is formed on the upper arm, and a lower end of the shock absorber is supported by the recessed portion.

A suspension structure of a utility vehicle includes: a shock absorber; a knuckle; and an upper arm and a lower arm which connects the knuckle to a vehicle body frame of the utility vehicle, wherein a recessed portion which is recessed downward is formed on the upper arm, and a lower end of the shock absorber is supported by the recessed portion.

The present invention relates to crawler vehicles and more particular to track chain suspension mechanisms, which provide for a smooth and levelled operation of the vehicle. The track chain suspension mechanism of the present invention is characterized in having a first and a second track frame, the first frame being suspended to the vehicle by means of a suspension shaft pivotally and slidable mounted to a suspension frame, the second track frame pivotally connected to the vehicle by means of a drive shaft mounted to a drive frame and wherein said first and second track frame pivotally connected to one another by means of a pivot shaft. In its application for concrete path laying machines the track chain suspension mechanism is further characterized in comprising only one idler at the front of the first track frame.