(19)

(11)

EP 1 150 875 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 07.11.2001 Bulletin 2001/45 (21) Application number: 99965325.6 (22) Date of filing: 20.12.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B62D 1/18, F16F 15/03 (86) International application number: PCT/US9930/431 (87) International publication number: WO 0037/298 (29.06.2000 Gazette 2000/26)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 21.12.1998 US 113084 P 09.11.1999 US 164438 P (71) Applicant: Douglas Autotech Corp. Bronson, MI 49028 (US)	(72) Inventors: SHA, Subin Coldwater, MI 49036 (US) SPENCER, Joseph, C. Coldwater, MI 49036 (US) BOWERMAN, Brian, C. Quincy, MI 49082 (US) (74) Representative: Hackett, Sean James  Marks & Clerk,Alpha Tower,Suffolk Street Queensway Birmingham B1 1TT Birmingham B1 1TT (GB)