Abstract

Spring-cushioning mechanism for a wheel of a vehicle having a frame, said wheel being mounted on an arm which is swingingly mounted on the frame of the vehicle. A lever is mounted adjacent one end thereof to the frame of the vehicle: a rigid strut extends between an intermediate portion of the arm and and the other end of the lever and is pivotally connected at the respective ends thereof to the arm and lever. A springing and damping member is pivoted at one end thereof to a portion of the arm between the pivotal mounting of the arm on the frame and the pivotal connection to the arm of the strut. The mechanism includes a toggle composed of first and second links pivotally connected together at the first ends of the links, the first ends of the links being also pivotally connected to the other end of the springing and damping member. A pivot connects the second end of the first link to the vehicle frame, and a pivot connects the second end of the second link to a portion of the lever intermediate the length thereof. The toggle imposes a variable torque on the lever, and thus a variable thrust upon the rigid strut.