US 11,987,315 B2
Methods and apparatus for selective stiffness of vehicle suspension
Mario Galasso, Sandy Hook, CT (US); and Wesley E. Allinger, Santa Cruz, CA (US)
Assigned to Fox Factory, Inc., Duluth, GA (US)
Filed by Fox Factory, Inc., Duluth, GA (US)
Filed on Feb. 12, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/175,077.
Application 15/436,423 is a division of application No. 13/748,788, filed on Jan. 24, 2013, granted, now 9,604,693, issued on Mar. 28, 2017.
Application 17/175,077 is a continuation of application No. 16/593,325, filed on Oct. 4, 2019, granted, now 10,919,596.
Application 16/593,325 is a continuation of application No. 15/436,423, filed on Feb. 17, 2017, granted, now 10,435,106, issued on Oct. 8, 2019.
Application 13/748,788 is a continuation of application No. 12/623,788, filed on Nov. 23, 2009, granted, now 8,366,130, issued on Feb. 5, 2013.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/117,466, filed on Nov. 24, 2008.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/117,090, filed on Nov. 21, 2008.
Prior Publication US 2021/0163094 A1, Jun. 3, 2021
Int. Cl. B62K 25/08 (2006.01); B62K 21/02 (2006.01); B62K 25/04 (2006.01)
CPC B62K 25/08 (2013.01) [B62K 21/02 (2013.01); B62K 2025/048 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A suspension for a vehicle comprising:
a strut assembly including a first and a second longitudinal reinforcement member, said first longitudinal reinforcement member disposed within and slidable relative to said second longitudinal reinforcement member, wherein said first longitudinal reinforcement member and said second longitudinal reinforcement member comprise a stanchion and a slider respectively;
said first longitudinal reinforcement member and said second longitudinal reinforcement member rotatable relative to each another between a first rotation position in which said strut assembly has a first rotation position stiffness in a plane substantially coincident with a fore/aft direction and an up/down direction relative to said vehicle and a second rotation position in which said strut assembly has a second rotation position stiffness in said plane, said second rotation position stiffness less than said first rotation position stiffness;
wherein one of said first longitudinal reinforcement member and said second longitudinal reinforcement member comprises a portion having a non-circular shape with a major dimension greater than a minor dimension;
said first longitudinal reinforcement member and said second longitudinal reinforcement member having an arrangement together wherein said major dimension is substantially aligned with said plane, wherein, in use, said arrangement results in an arrangement stiffness;
said suspension further comprising a mounting device for selectively retaining said first longitudinal reinforcement member and said second longitudinal reinforcement member in said first rotation position; and
a bushing having an inner surface substantially conforming to said non-circular shape, and an outer surface of substantially circular shape, wherein said outer surface, said stanchion or a slider is mountable on a vehicle via said mounting device.