Pivot assembly for tandem suspension

An elastomeric assembly for a vehicle suspension comprising a bracket and a balancer, the elastomeric assembly comprising:

• a) an outer surface for engaging the bracket;
• b) an inner surface for engaging the balancer and operable to allow the balancer to rotate with respect thereto;
• c) an elastomeric element extending between the outer surface and the inner surface for absorbing vibrations, the elastomeric element comprising:
• i) a pair of opposing lateral faces, each lateral face comprising a plurality of sides;
• ii) a slot for allowing a deformation of the elastomeric element in response to a tension load imparted by the balancer, the slot being provided on one of the opposing faces of the pair, the slot extending longitudinally along one of the plurality of sides;
• and
• iii) a groove for preventing bulging of the elastomeric element in response to a compression load imparted by the balancer, the groove being provided on one of the opposing faces of the pair and extending along another of the plurality of sides.

A balancer for a vehicle suspension comprising a chassis and a leaf spring, the leaf spring having an extremity, the balancer comprising:

• a) first and second plates;
• b) an open area formed between the first and second plates;
• c) an engaging member provided within the open area for engaging the extremity of the leaf spring;
• and
• d) first and second pins extending outwardly from the first and second plates, respectively, the pins defining an axis of rotation about which the balancer is rotatable with respect to the chassis, the axis of rotation spanning the open area, the pins being offset from the engaging member.

A kit for a pivot assembly for a tandem suspension, the tandem suspension comprising a chassis, front and rear axles, and front and rear leaf springs for connecting a respective one of the front and rear axles to the chassis, each leaf spring having an extremity mounted to the chassis via a bracket, the kit including for each of the front and rear leaf springs:

• a) a balancer comprising:
• i) an engaging member for engaging the extremity of the corresponding leaf spring;
• and
• ii) a pin extending outwardly from the balancer and offset from the engaging member;
• b) an elastomeric assembly operable to allow the balancer to rotate about the bracket and comprising:
• i) an inner surface for receiving the pin;
• ii) an outer surface for engaging the bracket;
• and
• iii) an elastomeric element for absorbing vibrations and operable to extend between the outer surface and the inner surface, wherein the pin is rotatable with respect to the elastomeric element or the elastomeric element is rotatable with respect to the bracket;
• wherein the kit further comprises a connector for linking the respective balancers of the front and rear leaf springs for load distribution therebetween.