Abstract: A mechanical fastener assembly is provided for joining two or more workpieces. The assembly includes a mechanical fastener and a slotted insert. The mechanical fastener has a shaft received within aligned bores of the workpieces. The slotted insert surrounds at least a portion of the shaft and has a body portion received within the aligned bores, while an enlarged head portion of the slotted insert is positioned outside of the bores. The mechanical fastener assembly may further include a retaining sleeve when the bores of the workpieces have different diameters. In such case, a midsection of the retaining sleeve is at least partially received within the bore having the smaller diameter, while an enlarged end section of the retaining sleeve is at least partially received within the bore having the greater diameter. The retaining sleeve may be used in combination with or independently of the slotted insert.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension having a frame attachment portion attached to a saddle, first and second bolster springs mounted to spring mounts on an outboard side of the saddle and mounted on walls of a spring mount on an outboard side of an equalizing beam, and third and fourth bolster springs mounted to walls of a spring mount on an inboard side of the saddle and mounted to spring mounts on an inboard side of the equalizing beam, wherein upwardly extending flanges on the bottom of the first and second bolster sprints are mounted to each other using a common fastener, and wherein upwardly extending flanges on the bottom of the third and fourth bolster springs are mounted to each other with a common fastener.

Abstract: An integrated brake component mounting bracket for a mechanical spring axle/suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle includes an axle seat that is disposed on and is rigidly connected to an axle of the vehicle. An air chamber mounting bracket is rigidly connected to the axle seat, and a cam shaft assembly mounting bracket is rigidly connected to the axle seat. A brake air chamber of a brake system is attached to the air chamber mounting bracket, and a cam shaft assembly of the brake system is mounted to the cam shaft assembly mounting bracket. The integrated brake component mounting bracket thus provides mounting of the brake air chamber and the cam shaft assembly on the axle seat, which reduces the number of components that are welded to the axle and enables the use of a thinner-wall axle, desirably reducing the weight and cost associated with the axle/suspension system.

Abstract: Leaf springs, and methods of manufacturing thereof, having first and second sections, spaced apart along the length of said leaf spring, said sections are through hardened and tempered to achieve, respectively different levels of finished through hardness, are disclosed.

Abstract: A mechanical fastener assembly is provided for joining two or more workpieces. The assembly includes a mechanical fastener and a slotted collar. The mechanical fastener has a shaft received within aligned bores of the workpieces, while the slotted collar surrounds at least a portion of the shaft and is also received within the aligned bores. Inserting and advancing the slotted collar into the aligned bores causes the slot of the slotted collar to at least partially close, thereby causing an inner surface of the slotted collar to engage at least a portion of the shaft of the mechanical fastener and an outer surface of the slotted collar to engage at least a portion of the aligned bores of the two workpieces. Such a mechanical fastener assembly can effectively transform a bolted joint into a stronger shear joint.

Abstract: An automatic air suspension control system is provided for use in combination with a vehicle having a liftable non-driven rear axle, a driven rear axle, a parking brake, and an air suspension associated with the rear axles to apply a load to the rear axles. The air suspension control system is programmed to determine whether the rear axles are subject to a load condition under which the non-driven rear axle is to be moved between lifted and deployed conditions. If the rear axles are subject to a load condition under which the non-driven rear axle is to be moved, the air suspension control system also determines whether the parking brake is engaged. If the parking brake is disengaged, then the air suspension control system causes the non-driven rear axle to be moved; otherwise, if the parking brake is engaged, then the non-driven rear axle is prevented from moving.

Abstract: A pneumatic control system for a heavy-duty vehicle includes an air supply in fluid communication with a height control valve and an air spring. An air lock valve is in fluid communication with the height control valve and the air spring, and is also in fluid communication with a blank cavity. The air lock valve includes an “air lock off” position and an “air lock on” position. When the air lock valve is in the “air lock off” position, fluid flows from the height control valve, through the air lock valve to the air spring. When the air lock valve is in the “air lock on” position, fluid communication between the air spring, the air lock valve and the height control valve is prevented and, instead, fluid flows from the air spring, through the air lock valve to the blank cavity.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a rotor of a disc brake system for heavy-duty vehicles. The rotor includes an inboard disc and an outboard disc. The outboard disc is spaced apart from the inboard disc, and a plurality of pins extends between and rigidly connects the inboard disc and the outboard disc. A sleeve includes an inboard end and an outboard end, and is disposed inside an inner perimeter of the outboard disc. A connecting member extends between and rigidly connects an inner perimeter of the inboard disc to the inboard end of the sleeve. The inboard disc attachment to the sleeve and the interconnecting pins cooperate to improve the resistance of the rotor to thermal stress created during braking, thereby increasing the performance and the life of the rotor.

Abstract: A spring seat is provided for incorporation into a vehicle suspension system having an axle and a leaf spring. The spring seat includes a seat portion and a spring mounting portion associated with an upper end of the seat portion. The spring mounting portion is configured to accommodate a portion of the leaf spring and includes an upper surface. The upper surface defines a plurality of bores, with at least one of the bores being internally threaded and receiving at least a portion of an externally threaded mechanical fastener. Alternatively (or additionally), the axle may include a body, with at least one of the bores of the spring mounting portion of the spring seat being at least partially positioned directly above the body of the axle.

Abstract: A vehicle tire inflation system includes an air supply source in fluid communication with multiple tires of the vehicle. A pneumatic conduit extends between and is in fluid communication with the air supply source and the tires. Means are fluidly connected to the pneumatic conduit for enabling selective inflation and deflation of the tires. The means include a first pneumatic circuit for inflation of the tires, and a second pneumatic circuit for deflation of the tires. The second pneumatic circuit is discrete from the first pneumatic circuit and is common to more than one of the tires. The means provides controlled deflation of the tires in the second pneumatic circuit based upon a predetermined condition, preventing deflation of the tires until the vehicle is parked, or limiting the deflation of the tires, which in turn enables the tire inflation system to accommodate a desirable increased pressure in the tires.

Abstract: Energy storing suspension components for use in suspension systems for wheeled vehicles and trailers, and suspension systems incorporating such energy storing suspension components are disclosed. The energy storing suspension components include an axle seat portion, a first end, and a first limb extending between the axle seat portion and the first end. The axle seat portion includes first and second surfaces with at least one of the first and second surfaces having at least two spaced apart recesses that are spaced from a center of the axle seat portion, the recesses being configured to receive respective protrusions extending from at least one suspension component that is connected to the energy storing suspension component when coupled within an axle coupling assembly.

Abstract: A pin assembly for a retractable pin mechanism of a slider box of a heavy-duty vehicle includes a pin guide attached to the slider box. A pin is connected to a retraction mechanism and engages the pin guide. The pin includes an integral inboard and outboard stop. The integral inboard and outboard stops of the pin limit movement of the pin with respect to the pin guide and serve as a positive stop for the pin during retraction and extension of the pin when the retraction mechanism is activated or deactivated by the operator of the vehicle.

Abstract: A frame hanger having a frame attachment portion having a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface, a first control arm mounting portion positioned beneath the frame attachment portion, wherein a first plurality of elongated longitudinally extending slots extend through the first mounting surface of the frame attachment portion, and wherein a second plurality of elongated longitudinally extending slots extend through the second mounting surface of the frame attachment portion.

Abstract: An integrated brake component mounting bracket for a mechanical spring axle/suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle includes an axle seat that is disposed on and is rigidly connected to an axle of the vehicle. An air chamber mounting bracket is rigidly connected to the axle seat, and a cam shaft assembly mounting bracket is rigidly connected to the axle seat. A brake air chamber of a brake system is attached to the air chamber mounting bracket, and a cam shaft assembly of the brake system is mounted to the cam shaft assembly mounting bracket. The integrated brake component mounting bracket thus provides mounting of the brake air chamber and the cam shaft assembly on the axle seat, which reduces the number of components that are welded to the axle and enables the use of a thinner-wall axle, desirably reducing the weight and cost associated with the axle/suspension system.

Abstract: A suspension assembly having a frame hanger, a first control arm mounted between the frame hanger and an axle attachment member, a second control arm mounted to the frame hanger and to the axle attachment member, wherein the second arm extends from a centerline of the first control arm at an angle alpha such that the first control arm and the second control arm are not parallel to each other, wherein the centerline of the first control arm and the centerline of the second control arm extend to intersect at a point that is at a virtual center of rotation.

Abstract: An outboard sealing system cooperates with components of a heavy-duty vehicle wheel end assembly to retain lubricant in the assembly. The sealing system includes a seal that is disposed axially between an outboard bearing and a hubcap of a wheel end assembly. The seal also extends radially between an axle spindle nut and a surface of a bore formed in the hub of the wheel end assembly. The seal forms a barrier between the outboard bearing and the hubcap to reduce a flow of lubricant from a hub cavity into the hubcap. The sealing system retains lubricant in the wheel end assembly, prevents contaminants from entering the wheel end assembly, and retains the relative position of the outboard bearing in the hub during servicing. The sealing system preferably includes an additional barrier that reduces corrosion at the interface of the hubcap and an outboard face of the hub.