Importance

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Abstract

A suspension assembly is provided for a vehicle including a frame. A lower control arm having first and second opposing portions is pivotally connected to the frame at the first portion. A knuckle is supported on the second portion of the lower control arm with a wheel supported on the knuckle. A strut having a lower end is connected to the knuckle and an upper end of the strut is connected to the frame at an upper connection. The upper connection generally constrains the upper end of the strut against vertical movement while permitting limited lateral movement of the upper end relative to the frame. In one embodiment, a linkage assembly including a first link is operatively connected between the lower control arm and the frame. A second link interconnects the upper end of the strut and the first link portion for moving the upper end laterally in the upper connection in response to vertical movement of the lower control arm. In a second embodiment, an adjustable linkage assembly including a first adjustable linkage is interconnected between the upper end and the frame. A second adjustable linkage is interconnected between the lower control arm and the frame and changes length in response to vertical movement of the lower control arm. A link interconnects the first and second adjustable linkages for communicating the change in length of the second adjustable linkage to the first adjustable linkage for moving the upper end laterally in the upper connection in response to vertical movement of the lower control arm.

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First Claim