543,859. Motor vehicles ; spring suspensions; vibration-dampers hinges and pivots. FIRESTONE TYRE & RUBBER CO., Ltd. Oct. 7, 1939, No. 27425. Convention date, Oct. 24, 1938. [Classes 108 (ii) and 108 (iii)] [Also in Groups XXV and XXXI] In vehicle suspensions, for example coiled spring or pneumatic suspensions, longitudinal torque rods or tubes 36 connecting the frame 38 and running gear have frictional connection with the frame which permits limited universal relative movement of the connected parts. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3 bellows members 44 are arranged between the rods 36 and the frame 38. A transverse stabilizer rod 50 has its ends pivotally connected to the axle casing 41 and the frame respectively. This arrangement is as described in Specification 543,837. Various frictional devices for connecting the ends of the rods 36 to the frame are described. Fig. 4 shows an arrangement in which arcuate blocks 116 of friction material having spherical outer surfaces and backed by rubber 115 are fixed by metal plates 106 to a spindle 109 splined to a bushing 110 in the end of a rod 36. The blocks are separated by wedge-shaped members 114. A housing 104 whose inner surface engages the blocks 116 is fixed to the frame of the vehicle. A resilient rubber gasket 112 surrounds the spindle at the centre aperture of the housing. As shown in Fig. 6, the inner spherical surface of a housing 120 fixed to a rod 36 is engaged by friction material 130 with a rubber backing attached to a shell 129 fixed on a spindle 126 mounted in a bracket 43. A rubber bushing 134 under strong compression holds the friction material in engagement with the housing. Fig. 8 shows a similar arrangement in which the friction material is held in engagement with the housing 137 by a spring 150, the pressure of which can be regulated by screws 153, adjusted from outside the cover of the housing. Lubricant is supplied to the friction material by a wick 146 in a recess in the spindle. A similar arrangement is described in which an annular block of rubber takes the place of the spring. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 10, friction material with rubber backing is fixed to both faces of a hemispherical shell 169 mounted on a spindle 166. The outer friction material engages the inner surface of a housing 176 and the inner friction material engages the outer spherical surface of a member 181 having a cushioned connection to the cover 177 of the housing and moving therewith. A spring 182 bears against the member 181 and against a ring 179 which retains a rubber gasket 178 in position. Fig. 19 shows an arrangement in which a torque tube 221 surrounding the driving shaft 230 is provided at its forward end adjacent a universal joint 232 with a friction device adapted to resist torque and thrust reactions. The flared end 235 of a sleeve 234, which is screwed to the tube 221, is provided on both surfaces with layers of rubber and friction material 237, which engage outer and inner shells 243, 245 fixed to the frame and the vehicle. The friction material used in the several devices described may be a fabric, such as cotton duck or webbing, impregnated with a suspension of graphite in castor or other oil or in glycerine, with a layer of rubber vulcanized on one side. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 comprises also the subject-matter of Specification 543,837. It also describes an arrangement for connecting a rod 36, Fig. 6 (Cancelled) and Fig. 7 (Cancelled), to a bracket 43 on the frame. Discs 74 of friction material are fixed with intermediate discs 73 of metal and rings 72 of rubber to rings 70 fixed by arms 69 on a spindle 66, which is splined to a bushing 65 in the bracket 43. The arm 36 is fixed to a housing 78 whose inner faces engage the discs 74 of friction material. Rubber bushings 79 under compression are arranged between the spindle 66 and the housing 78 at the centre of the latter. A modified form of this device is described in which the metal and rubber rings and the friction material have recesses and projections serving to lock there parts together. Fig.. 41 (Cancelled) shows the application of a friction device to an ordinary shock absorber. A disc 353 on a spindle 351 projecting from a shock-absorber 350 is engaged by friction material with a rubber backing attached to plates 359, 360, above and below the disc. Shocks communicated from the unsprung part of the vehicle by linkage uncluding an arm 355 are absorbed by the friction material and the normal operation of the shock -absorbers. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.