Suspension arrangement for a vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle suspension arrangement for a vehicle having a chassis rail and a transverse axle arranged substantially orthogonal to the chassis rail is provided. The vehicle suspension arrangement includes a coil spring having a predetermined resilience characteristic, a first end for coupling to the chassis rail of the vehicle at a primary coupling, and a second end disposed axially distal from the first end for coupling to the transverse axle. The vehicle suspension arrangement also includes a secondary leaf spring having a plan view longitudinal configuration, a first end for pivotally coupling to the chassis rail of the vehicle at a secondary pivot coupling, and a second end for coupling to the transverse axle. The entire length of the plan view longitudinal configuration of said secondary leaf spring extends in a single substantially linear direction that is arranged to be angularly displaced with respect to the chassis rail.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vehicle suspension arrangement for a vehicle having a chassis rail and a transverse axle arranged substantially orthogonal to the chassis rail, the vehicle suspension arrangement comprising:
 a coil spring having a predetermined resilience characteristic, a first end for coupling to the chassis rail of the vehicle at a primary coupling, and a second end disposed axially distal from the first end for coupling to the transverse axle; and   a secondary leaf spring having a plan view longitudinal configuration, a first end for pivotally coupling to the chassis rail of the vehicle at a secondary pivot coupling, and a second end for coupling to the transverse axle;   wherein the entire length of the plan view longitudinal configuration of said secondary leaf spring extends in a single substantially linear direction that is arranged to be angularly displaced with respect to the chassis rail.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle suspension arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein there is further provided a pivot coupling arrangement disposed intermediate of the second end of said coil spring and the transverse axle. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle suspension arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein there is further provided a fulcrum for communicating with said secondary leaf spring at a fulcrum point in a region of said secondary leaf spring intermediate of said first and second ends of the secondary leaf spring.