The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 30, 2002
Filed:
May. 24, 2000
Joe Fader, Brighton, MI (US);
Mark Clements, Lapeer, MI (US);
Chris Keeney, Troy, MI (US);
Steve Yollick, Troy, MI (US);
Jim Hawkins, Madison, AL (US);
Meritor Light Vehicle Technology, LLC, Troy, MI (US);
Abstract
A suspension system includes a torsion bar having at least one adjuster arm. The adjuster arms extend radially from the torsion bar to contact respective stop members when the torsion bar is subjected to a predetermined torsion. When an adjuster arm contacts a stop, a portion of the torsion bar is rotationally fixed and the effective length of the torsion bar is reduced. By reducing the effective length of the torsion bar, the effective spring, rate of the torsion bar is increased. The present invention therefore provides a suspension system for a vehicle which can enhance riding comfort and handling by modifying the effective length of the torsion bar to achieve multiple spring constants with a single constant diameter torsion bar.