Multimatic Inc.

Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Other

Laurence James Holt

Anthony Colard

Alex Allmandinger

Damian O'Flynn

Bernrd Marcus

Stephen Lewis Bruford

Charles Gregory Bambenek

Jeff A Firzlaff

Thomas Alexander Sparrow

Robert Howell

Andrew Tomlin

Paul Lavoie

Peter David Twissell

Michael John Robert Gricks

Jeffrey Alan Laidman

Julian Sole

Motor vehicle, toy replica and/or other replica

A selectively switchable dual rate vehicle suspension system comprising a pushrod actuated inboard spring configuration, conventionally oriented between the unsprung mass and the sprung mass of one corner of the vehicle, comprising a torsion bar spring of a first predetermined rate, K1, and a coil spring of a second predetermined rate, K2, arranged in series so as to provide a total combined spring rate KT. A lockout actuator is arranged in parallel with the coil spring and configured so that in a first mode it allows the coil spring to move freely and in a second mode prevents motion of the coil spring such that when the lockout actuator is in a first, unlocked, mode the overall vehicle suspension spring rate is defined by the series equation 1/KT=1/K1+1/K2, and when the lockout actuator is in a second, locked, mode the overall vehicle suspension spring rate is substantially higher as defined by KT=K1, thus selectively providing both a low rate, optimal ride comfort setting and a high rate, optimal handling setting.

Dual rate vehicle suspension system

A hydraulic damper assembly includes a main body, a shaft assembly and a main piston operatively configured to define an upper portion and a lower portion within the main body. A hydraulic damper spool valve is adapted to provide a single path, variable hydraulic flow restriction between the upper portion and lower portion of the main body. The hydraulic damper spool valve is configured with an array of precisely shaped flow apertures that are proportionally opened and closed by a pair of valve spools in response to the pressure differential across the main piston. The damper's pressure-flow operating characteristic is simply and predictably dictated by the geometric configuration of the shaped flow apertures. The precisely defined open area of the shaped flow apertures provides a mathematically predictable hydraulic flow restriction that operates predominately in a turbulent regime resulting in insensitivity to hydraulic fluid viscosity and consequently temperature change.

Hydraulic damper spool valve

An auxiliary hydraulic system for vehicles, in particular pick-up trucks, is configured to supply hydraulic fluid under pressure to both on-board and off-board auxiliary equipment such as snow plows, dump boxes and wood splitters. The auxiliary hydraulic system includes a multi-piston fluid pump with electrically selectable poppet valves and an associated microprocessor control that facilitates variable output so that a desired proportional flow can be supplied to the auxiliary equipment. The system also provides a switchable valve arrangement for directional control and an arrangement of fluid distribution pipes and detachable couplings so that a range of different auxiliary equipment can be quickly and simply connected to the system. A simple user interface is also included so that the operator can command the auxiliary equipment from either within or in close proximity to the vehicle.

Vehicle auxiliary hydraulic system

A structural attachment system for a cargo management system is fully integrated into the cargo bed side walls of a pick-up truck so that the only feature that is different than a standard pick-up is an array of holes along the top of the cargo bed side walls. The cargo management system also includes a wide range of different pick-up truck cargo bed mounted accessories that incorporate structural hooks that are adapted to be retained and released by the structural attachment system. Additionally, the structural attachment system provides a single point, simple method of retention and release via an actuation handle at the rear most point of the pick-up truck cargo bed. The configuration of the structural attachment system allows significant structural retention forces to be transferred from the accessories into the pick-up truck cargo bed side walls via the structural hooks.

Cargo management system for pick-up trucks

A vehicle suspension system () is configured so as to contain all of the suspension motion control elements completely within the volume of the road wheel () while remotely locating the energy storage device () and damping device (). An upright () comprises the spindle (), brake caliper (), and structure to hold a main strut shaft () parallel to a secondary strut shaft (). The suspension's motion is controlled by the shafts which slide relative to the sprung part of the vehicle (). The main strut shaft () includes a pumping piston (). The fluid () displaced by the pumping piston () flows through a hydraulic connection () to a remote suspension module () mounted to the sprung part of the vehicle. The remote suspension module () hydraulically transmits the wheel motion to the remote energy storage device () and damping device (). A steering arm () rotating around the main strut shaft () is configured to allow both struts (and) to slide through it, thus eliminating bump steer.

In-wheel suspension system with remote spring and damper means

A hydraulic valve includes a main body, a valve body, a piston, a valve sleeve, a spool and a resilient energy storage member. The valve body and the piston are disposed within the main body. The valve body defines a first chamber, a second chamber, and a cylindrical passage connecting the first chamber and the second chamber. The valve sleeve is moveably disposed in the cylindrical passage. The spool is moveably disposed within the bore of the valve sleeve. The resilient energy storage member may be disposed between the valve sleeve and valve spool. The resilient energy storage member is compressed as pressure is induced in one of the first chamber or the second chamber such that the valve sleeve and the spool move relative to one another so that at least a portion of the shaped aperture is exposed to the first chamber or second chamber to allow a proportional amount of hydraulic fluid to flow between the first chamber and the second chamber.

A pivotable grab handle device is movable between a stowed position, which is positioned against the main tailgate structure, and a deployed position that projects upwardly above the top surface of a lowered main tailgate structure. The grab handle device is mounted on a retainer bracket that is affixed to the top surface of the lowered main tailgate structure. The grab handle incorporates a spring-loaded latch mechanism that is cooperable with the pivot bracket when in the stowed position and cooperable with a striker plate mounted below the top surface of the main tailgate structure to fix the grab handle in the deployed position. A release lever projecting outwardly of the grab handle permits a retraction of the latch member to release the grab handle from either the pivot bracket or the striker plate to allow pivotal movement of the grab handle into the desired position.

Grab handle with spring-loaded striker for pick-up trucks

An automotive hinge facilitates substantially rotary motion of a closure panel relative to a fixed body structure by means of a single resilient member configured to carry all required structural and operational loadings.

Growing community of inventors

Uxbridge, Canada

Laurence James Holt