摘要 |
An elongate member with a composite construction has a pair of spring portions connected by an intermediate beam portion. The elongate member is connected to a uni-body or other vehicle frame so that it extends horizontally in a transverse direction across the frame. The spring portions may be tapered so that they are flexible and resilient when a predetermined set of wheel loads are applied to the outer ends thereof. The intermediate beam portion is dimensioned and configured to provide a rigid structural element that may be used to provide additional lateral strength for the uni-body frame. A wheel assembly is connected to the outer end of each of the spring portions and a shock absorber connects each wheel assembly to the uni-body frame to damp up and down motion of the corresponding wheel.
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