Dual-rate leaf spring suspension for a vehicle

A vehicle suspension, comprising:

• a leaf spring having a first end pivotably connected to vehicle structure;
• a shackle pivotably connecting a second end of the leaf spring to the vehicle structure;
• and
• an elastically deformable stop attached to the vehicle structure adjacent the shackle and spaced from the shackle when a suspension loading is below a limit load, suspension loading above the limit load causing the shackle to contact and deform the stop, wherein the stop tapers along a vehicle longitudinal axis from a relatively larger cross section adjacent to the vehicle structure to a relatively smaller cross section adjacent to the shackle.

A vehicle comprising:

• a longitudinally-oriented leaf spring having a first end pivotably connected to vehicle structure;
• a shackle pivotably connected between a second end of the leaf spring and the vehicle structure to permit movement of the second end of the leaf spring along a vehicle longitudinal axis during suspension compression;
• and
• an elastically deformable stop attached to the vehicle structure adjacent the shackle, movement of the shackle caused by suspension compression causing the shackle to rotate into contact with the stop, wherein the stop tapers along the vehicle longitudinal axis from a relatively larger cross section adjacent to the vehicle structure to a relatively smaller cross section adjacent to the shackle.