Let P and Q be bounded posets. In this note, a lemma is introduced tha
t provides a set of sufficient conditions for the proper part of P bei
ng homotopy equivalent to the suspension of the proper part of Q. An a
pplication of this lemma is a unified proof of the sphericity of the h
igher Bruhat orders under both inclusion order (which is a known resul
t and single step inclusion order (which was not known so far). (C) 19
97 Academic Press.