Horstman Defence Systems Limited

Tim Holman

Robert D'Aubyn

A wheelmounted on a vehicle bodyby a suspension armcan be retained in a raised position by a retaining mechanism. The retaining mechanismcomprises a latching elementwhich can be disposed in a deployed position by a control element. When the control elementis moved to a position corresponding to the deployed position of the latching element, the latching elementis resiliently displaceable towards the vehicle body, to allow the suspension armto rise, for example when the wheelis driven over an obstacle. The latching elementcan then move to the deployed position to prevent lowering of the arm, so retaining the wheelin the raised position. All wheels of the vehicle may be moved to the raised position, so as to reduce the ride height of the vehicle.

Vehicle

A suspension unitcomprising a resilient arrangementis provided. The damping arrangementcomprises a chamber having a primary volume arranged to contain a primary fluid and jounce and rebound variable volumesarranged to contain jounce and rebound fluids respectively. A pistonis slidably disposed in the chamber so as to act on the primary fluid and jounce and rebound moveable membersseparate the primary fluid from jounce and rebound volumesrespectively. A jounce abutment memberis provided to limit the movement of the jounce moveable memberand a rebound abutment memberis provided to limit the movement of the rebound moveable member. When in use and the pistonis in a static position, the jounce moveable memberabuts the jounce abutment memberand the rebound moveable memberabuts the rebound abutmentmember over a range of temperatures. When used with a vehicle, the vehicle can maintain a constant ride hide at the static vehicle position over the temperatures range.

Suspension unit

A suspension unit is disclosed comprising: a hub; a bearing sleeveeccentrically mounted within the hub; a crank pinrotatably received within the bearing sleeve; and a connecting rod, a first endof which is connected for rotation with the crank pinover a connecting areathat comprises less than a complete circumference of the crank pin; the bearing sleevecomprising a slotthrough which the connecting rodextends from the firstend to a second end.

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Nailsea, United Kingdom

Tim Holman