A top mount housing, suitable for an assembly including a jounce bumper and a damper mount, comprises a central annular portion having an upper portion, a lower cylindrical inner portion, and a central longitudinal axis. In embodiments, the lower cylindrical inner portion is configured to receive a portion of a jounce bumper, a lower lip portion extends from or is adjacent to the lower cylindrical inner portion, the lower cylindrical inner portion has a vertical length in the direction of the central longitudinal axis, and the lower lip portion is formed to extend radially inwardly at an angle from an imaginary line that is perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. Methods for making a top mount and a top mount assembly are also disclosed.

There is provided a control arm comprising a shell-like shell of a first material and a reinforcement of a plastic material, wherein the reinforcement has a flex-element which protrudes therefrom and which can be supported or guided by means of a vehicle structure in order in the event of jounce and/or rebound of the suspension to produce a resilient action equivalent to a conventional spring.

There is provided a control arm comprising a shell-like shell of a first material and a reinforcement of a plastic material, wherein the reinforcement has a flex-element which protrudes therefrom and which can be supported or guided by means of a vehicle structure in order in the event of jounce and/or rebound of the suspension to produce a resilient action equivalent to a conventional spring.

An additional spring for a shock absorber of a motor vehicle and a damper bearing for a shock absorber of a motor vehicle. In this case, the additional spring includes a first spring body which has a central hole for guiding through a piston rod of the shock absorber. The first spring body is formed spherical on an end face. The damper bearing according to the invention comprises a cylindrical receptacle space in which the first spring body of the additional spring is retained at least in certain regions, and is distinguished in that the receptacle space has a spherically formed base surface formed corresponding to the end face of the first spring body.

An additional spring for a shock absorber of a motor vehicle and a damper bearing for a shock absorber of a motor vehicle. In this case, the additional spring includes a first spring body which has a central hole for guiding through a piston rod of the shock absorber. The first spring body is formed spherical on an end face. The damper bearing according to the invention comprises a cylindrical receptacle space in which the first spring body of the additional spring is retained at least in certain regions, and is distinguished in that the receptacle space has a spherically formed base surface formed corresponding to the end face of the first spring body.

The invention provides a vehicle suspension system, comprising a jounce bumper made of elastomeric thermoplastic material, having improved design to maximize energy absorption.

The invention provides a vehicle suspension system, comprising a jounce bumper made of elastomeric thermoplastic material, having improved design to maximize energy absorption.

A vehicle suspension system includes a suspension arm connected to a vehicle frame or body. A wheel is supported by the suspension arm and a shock absorber is connected between the vehicle frame or body and the suspension arm. The shock absorber includes a first mounting fitting having a first connecting structure, a second mounting fitting having a second connecting structure and a monolithic elastomeric body molded around the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure.

The invention disclosed herein comprises a vehicle having improved suspension systems for wheels, motorized wheels and the seat of the user. The wheel suspension system includes a sleeve housing a non-round core snugly surrounded by an elastomeric shock-absorption material. Since both ends of the sleeve have downstanding arms forming the forks supporting a caster axle, irregularities in the terrain encountered by the caster exert torsion upon the core; embedding the core in elastomeric material dampens the shock. The suspension system for the wheel assembly (including any motorized drive shaft) essentially includes pivot-mounting the wheel assembly (wheel-motor) beneath the chassis frame, so that irregularities in the terrain encountered by the drive wheel cause the wheel assembly to flex inwardly (for bumps) or outwardly (for holes); in the resting position there is an elastomeric bumper or compression spring horizontally mounted adjacent to a stop-plate on the pivoting cradle carrying the wheel assembly (or wheel-motor), so that further inward flexion is dampened. The seat suspension system includes elastomeric bumpers essentially acting as fulcrums, to dampen shock by absorbing it directly and by cantilevering the seat for further shock absorption.

The invention disclosed herein comprises a vehicle having improved suspension systems for wheels, motorized wheels and the seat of the user. The wheel suspension system includes a sleeve housing a non-round core snugly surrounded by an elastomeric shock-absorption material. Since both ends of the sleeve have downstanding arms forming the forks supporting a caster axle, irregularities in the terrain encountered by the caster exert torsion upon the core; embedding the core in elastomeric material dampens the shock. The suspension system for the wheel assembly (including any motorized drive shaft) essentially includes pivot-mounting the wheel assembly (wheel-motor) beneath the chassis frame, so that irregularities in the terrain encountered by the drive wheel cause the wheel assembly to flex inwardly (for bumps) or outwardly (for holes); in the resting position there is an elastomeric bumper or compression spring horizontally mounted adjacent to a stop-plate on the pivoting cradle carrying the wheel assembly (or wheel-motor), so that further inward flexion is dampened. The seat suspension system includes elastomeric bumpers essentially acting as fulcrums, to dampen shock by absorbing it directly and by cantilevering the seat for further shock absorption.