US 11,752,820 B1
Alignment clip for leaf spring suspension
Allison Yard, Beverly Hills, MI (US); Matthew Gapinski, Franklin, TN (US); Yu Zhang, Mission Viejo, CA (US); Jeff Mazur, New Baltimore, MI (US); and Mike Bristol, Royal Oak, MI (US)
Assigned to Nissan North America, Inc., Franklin, TN (US)
Filed by Nissan North America, Inc., Franklin, TN (US)
Filed on Aug. 31, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/900,186.
Int. Cl. B60G 11/04 (2006.01); B60G 11/10 (2006.01)
CPC B60G 11/04 (2013.01) [B60G 11/10 (2013.01); B60G 2202/112 (2013.01); B60G 2204/121 (2013.01); B60G 2206/428 (2013.01); B60G 2800/162 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicle comprising:
a vehicle frame member;
an axle; and
a leaf spring suspension comprising:
a primary leaf spring having a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end being fastened to the vehicle frame member;
one or more secondary leaf springs stacked against the primary leaf spring;
an axle attachment structure securing the axle to the primary leaf spring and the one or more secondary leaf springs; and
a releasable alignment clip securing the primary leaf spring to the one or more secondary leaf springs, the releasable alignment clip being positioned between the first end and the axle attachment structure, the releasable alignment clip configured to release the primary leaf spring from the one or more secondary leaf springs responsive to movement of the axle toward the first end in excess of a threshold amount.