Horizontal And Transverse Pivot Axis Patents (Class 280/124.116)
  • Patent number: 11767067
    Abstract: A joint for mounting an elongate element to a structural element in a vehicle, comprising a first and a second clamping portion, tightening elements configured to tighten the first and second clamping portions towards each other so that when the elongate element is arranged between the first and second clamping portions, the elongate element becomes clamped, a first and a second support portion, wherein the first and second support portions are spaced from each other and extend from the first clamping portion to the second clamping portion, wherein when the elongate element is arranged between the first and second clamping portions and the tightening elements tighten the first and second clamping portions, then at least one of the first and second clamping portions is configured to press at least one of the support portions towards the other one so that the elongate element becomes laterally contacted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Anders Olsson, Larry Hiltunen, Jan Hendriks
  • Patent number: 11628701
    Abstract: The invention relates to a first leaf spring bracket having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis which is configured to be secured to a vehicle frame and which receives a rear end portion of a leaf spring so as to allow the leaf spring rear end portion to slide longitudinally relative to the first leaf spring bracket, characterized in that the first leaf spring bracket comprises an insert comprising an insert pad extending transversally and two perpendicular arms, the insert comprising a bottom surface and a top surface and being made of austempered ductile iron, and a bracket comprising a bracket pad extending transversally and two perpendicular arms, the bracket comprising a bottom surface and a top surface, the bottom surface of the bracket pad being configured to receive the top surface of the insert, the bracket being made of spheroidal graphite cast iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Venkatachalam Ramasamy, Ramachandran Sandrasekaran
  • Patent number: 11518439
    Abstract: A system for securing a pivoting bolt to a vehicle frame, on which, in a mounted state, a link element, is mounted pivotably, including a sleeve element for receiving the pivoting bolt, wherein a collar region is provided or formed on the sleeve element, wherein the collar region is configured in such a manner that, in a mounted state, the collar region interacts in a form-fitting manner with a vehicle-frame-side engagement region, including a protrusion or an indentation, in order to avoid twisting of the sleeve element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND GmbH
    Inventor: Dusan Backulja
  • Patent number: 11511821
    Abstract: A leaning vehicle includes a base member, an upper arm, a lower arm, a first support member, a second support member, a first wheel, a second wheel, and a steering operation member. The upper arm, the lower arm, the first support member, the second support member constitute a parallel link mechanism. The first wheel is movable integrally with the first support member in a turning direction of the base member. The second wheel is movable integrally with the second support member in the turning direction of the base member. According to turning of the base member by operating the steering operation member, all of the upper arm, the lower arm, the first support member, the second support member, the first wheel, and the second wheel turn around a turning center of the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ishii, Taro Iwamoto, Takeshi Nakajima, Kazuya Nagasaka
  • Patent number: 11325436
    Abstract: An air spring system for a commercial vehicle including an air spring device configured to be arranged in an interface region on a link, the air spring system configured such that, in the case of locking of the air spring device, an engagement element can be introduced into a receiving region, and, by way of an offset movement along an offset direction, the engagement element can be transferred from the receiving region into a positively locking region, in which the engagement element interacts in a positively locking manner with a positively locking element along a positively locking direction which differs from the offset direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Fäth, Stefan Wallmeier
  • Patent number: 11207934
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly includes an axle member, a pair of mounting brackets configured to couple to a vehicle frame, and a trailing arm arrangement that includes a first trailing arm portion having a first end pivotably coupled to one of the pair of mounting brackets, and a second end rotationally coupled with the axle member at a first position, a second trailing arm portion having a second end pivotably coupled to the other of the pair of mounting brackets, and a second end rotationally coupled with the axle member at a second position, and a first torsional member having a first end fixedly coupled to the first trailing arm portion and a second end fixedly secured to the axle member at a third position, the first torsional member configured to transmit torsion of the axle member to the first trailing arm portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy L. Schutt
  • Patent number: 11203241
    Abstract: The invention relates to a chassis for a utility vehicle, having a first J chassis element extending transversely with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction and a second chassis element (5) fixed to the outer side thereof, wherein the second chassis element (5) is supported against the outer side of the first chassis element via at least one roughened supporting area (11, 12). In order to avoid relative movements between the chassis elements connected by clamping forces in a utility vehicle chassis, the roughening comprises a surface structure produced by machining the supporting area (11, 12) in a blasting process and preferably a laser beam process. The invention further relates to specific individual parts of such a chassis, specifically an axle shell, an axle guide (5), and a brake carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: BPW Bergische Achsen KG
    Inventors: Kira Fink, Heinrich Picker, Manfred Michels
  • Patent number: 11179991
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle structure, a wheel assembly, a control arm that is connected to the wheel assembly and the vehicle structure by pivot joints, and an active suspension actuator that is connected to the control arm and to the vehicle structure. The vehicle also includes an air reservoir that includes a first port and an air spring that supports the vehicle structure with respect to the control arm and is able to compress and expand. The air spring includes an internal working volume, the air spring includes a second port that is in fluid communication with the internal working volume, and the second port is connected to the first port to allow exchange of air between the internal working volume of the air spring and the air reservoir in response to compression and expansion of the air spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Troy A. Carter
  • Patent number: 11118645
    Abstract: A spring seat attachment assembly for use with an axle/suspension system having at least one leaf spring and an axle, said attachment assembly including a band and a spring seat. The band may include a locator structure and is fixed to the axle and extends around a portion of the axle between 180 degrees and 360 degrees. The spring seat receives the leaf spring and is fixed to the band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Dane Gregg, Michael D. Oyster, Phillippi R. Pierce
  • Patent number: 10919355
    Abstract: A chassis system for commercial vehicles includes a trailing arm and a plunger piston which are connected or can be connected to one another via a connecting region, the connecting region having an adjusting device which includes an engagement element and a guide element, and it being possible for the engagement element to be moved relative to the guide element in such a way that a displacement, in particular a translational movement, of the plunger piston relative to the trailing arm is made possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND GmbH
    Inventor: Elmar Weber
  • Patent number: 10807430
    Abstract: An axle/suspension system (1) has an axle (5) supported from the frame of the vehicle by a pair of rigid longitudinal beams (4) pivoted to frame hangers (3). Air springs (7) and shock absorbers (8) connect between the rigid beams (4) and the frame above to control suspension movement. The axle/suspension system is particularly suited as a mid-lift axle on the tractor of a tractor-trailer vehicle. A characteristic feature is the pivotal connection (21) between each hanger (3) and beam (4), which is through a resilient bush (6) having a compliance ratio—being a ratio of the longitudinal spring rate to the vertical spring rate—of at least 10:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Hendrickson United Kingdom Ltd
    Inventors: Sathya Babu, Nathan Wilson, Gerhard Seck
  • Patent number: 10611411
    Abstract: A child drift car comprises a car frame, a wheel assembly, a seat, a driving mechanism and a direction control mechanism; the wheel assembly comprises a driving wheel assembly, and the driving wheel assembly comprises driving wheels, and an axle fixedly connected to the driving wheels; the driving mechanism comprises a driver and a transmission device; the direction control mechanism comprises a steering column, a steering wheel fixedly connected to the steering column, and a steering device separately connected to the steering column and the driving wheel assembly; the driving mechanism further comprises a main shaft rotatably disposed on the car frame along its own axis and driven by the transmission device to rotate, and the main shaft is connected to the axle through a universal joint. When the driving wheels turn, the speed of the driving wheels is not affected, and a higher drifting speed can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: GOODBABY CHILD PRODUCTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hui Cai, Guobao Tong
  • Patent number: 10611202
    Abstract: A universal wishbone trailing arm and methods are provided for coupling a wheel to a vehicle chassis. The universal wishbone trailing arm comprises a wheel hub that fastenably receives the wheel. A cylindrical axle support supports one or more roller bearings whereby the wheel hub is rotatable. A first swing arm and a second swing arm extend forwardly from a joined swing arm. The cylindrical axle support is coupled to a rear of the joined swing arm. A first chassis mount hingedly couples the first swing arm to the vehicle chassis. A second chassis mount hingedly couples the second swing arm to an articulated mount which is configured to couple the second swing arm to the vehicle chassis. The articulated mount cooperates with the first second swing arms to change camber of the wheel, such that a tracking of the wheels remains substantially unchanged during traveling over rough terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Inventors: Robby Gordon, Mike Niemiec
  • Patent number: 10589588
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a transverse link for a wheel suspension of a vehicle that includes at least one wheel-side attachment structure and at least one structure-side attachment structure. The wheel-side and structure-side structures are connected to each other by a connection structure which extends therebetween. The connection structure and/or at least one of the attachment structures is/are produced by a generative production method. At least one of the attachment structures is constructed as a generatively produced bushing which has an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve. The sleeves are connected to each other by a fold-like structure. The present disclosure further provides a method for producing such a transverse link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rainer Souschek, Raphael Koch, Daniel Mainz, Theo Kueppers
  • Patent number: 10562349
    Abstract: An axle unit, includes a control arm and a clamping unit that surround a tube region, wherein a first side of the control arm faces away from the tube region, and a second side of the control arm forms a boundary face on the control-arm side of the tube region, wherein the clamping unit can be brought into supporting abutment with the first side of the control arm and has a boundary face on the clamp side, which face defines the tube region, wherein the clamping unit has a first and second clamping parts each having a wedge portion, wherein the wedge portions are formed in such a way that a displacement of the clamping parts substantially in parallel with a clamping axis toward one another results in a narrowing of the tube region transversely to the clamping axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND GmbH
    Inventor: Christopher Nagel
  • Patent number: 10543728
    Abstract: There is provided an end plate that includes a through hole that causes an outer wall portion and an inner wall portion to communicate with each other, into which an intruding portion provided in a wheel-side member can intrude, a first press-formed portion formed by depressing in a peripheral edge of the through hole in the inner wall portion. The end plate includes a second press-formed portion arranged in a part of a peripheral edge on the side of a peripheral end of the inner wall portion, which is a remnant of a portion where the first press-formed portion is arranged in the inner wall portion, and formed therein with a protruding portion by protruding a part of the peripheral edge, and a screw hole formed by penetrating through the protruding portion in the second press-formed portion between the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: F-TECH INC.
    Inventors: Ryouta Sekiguchi, Masayuki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 10486482
    Abstract: The invention relates to an axle unit comprising an axle tube and a link element, wherein the axle tube substantially extends along a tube axis, wherein the link element has a joining portion with a first welding portion and a second welding portion, wherein the link element is arranged with its joining portion adjacent to the axle tube and substantially transversely with respect to the tube axis, wherein, in the first welding portion and in the second welding portion, a welded joint can be produced between the link element and the axle tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND GmbH
    Inventors: Roger Jansen, Gregory Galazin
  • Patent number: 10259282
    Abstract: A link assembly for a vehicle, comprising a longitudinal link which has an upper link element and a lower link element, and at least one bushing receptacle for receiving a bearing bushing, wherein the bushing receptacle is at least partially integrated in at least one of the link elements, or is connectable as a separate part to the upper link element and the lower link element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND GmbH
    Inventor: Roger Jansen
  • Patent number: 9944122
    Abstract: An axle suspension system and a method of manufacture. The axle suspension system may have an axle, an axle wrap, and a weld seam. The axle wrap may have first and second wrap portions that mechanically interlock with each other and that have overlapping ends that may receive a weld seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology LLC
    Inventor: Luis Gustavo Schuck
  • Patent number: 9944321
    Abstract: The invention relates to a front axle support for a motor vehicle, including side members and a crossmember interconnecting the side members, the crossmember being in the form of a hollow body and being provided with at least one attachment device for attaching a steering system housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Autotech Engineering Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Kai Haselhorst
  • Patent number: 9815495
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a wheel suspension 5 for a torsion beam axle 1, whereby a wheel mount 8 rotates about a virtual steering axle 18 as a result of a cornering force. According to the invention, it is further provided that a wheel mount bracket 6 with a yielding element 11 is coupled to the end 4 of a longitudinally extending swing arm 3 of the torsion beam axle 1, so that an additional steering in positive toe occurs as a result of a lateral force effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: Erik Schultz
  • Patent number: 9707999
    Abstract: A steering unit includes a guide unit and a support unit having a second fastening section fixed to a first fastening section of the guide unit and a load-bearing section accommodating a spring unit, a second plane is oriented orthogonally with respect to a width of the second fastening section, the load-bearing section is asymmetrical with respect to the second plane, the guide unit extends predominantly along a first plane, wherein, in an assembled state, the first plane is oriented to the second plane, wherein the first plane is oriented orthogonally with respect to a pivot axis of a pivotable mounting of the guide unit in a bearing section, wherein, in a mounted state, at least one fastening structure is arranged in the first plane, and wherein the first plane runs centrally through the bearing section of the guide unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf Spielmann
  • Patent number: 9662949
    Abstract: The invention relates to a longitudinal control arm for connection of an axle tube to a vehicle frame, the longitudinal control arm extending along a longitudinal direction and comprising an arrangement section on a frame side and at least one arrangement section on an axle tube side, a centerline of the arrangement section on the axle tube side being offset by an offset from a centerline of the arrangement section on the frame side when seen at an angle to the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Spielmann, Matthias Hoppe
  • Patent number: 9656527
    Abstract: A lower arm bracket is provided. A portion of the lower arm bracket is an upper panel that includes a first surface wall, a second surface wall, a third surface wall, a first coupling surface wall connecting the first surface wall and the second surface wall together, and a first vertical wall extending toward the vehicle lower side from a position including an end portion in the length direction of the first coupling surface wall. A portion of the lower arm bracket is configured by a lower panel that includes a fourth surface wall, a fifth surface wall, a sixth surface wall, a third coupling surface wall connecting the fourth surface wall and the fifth surface wall together, and a second vertical wall extending toward the vehicle upper side from a position including an end portion in the length direction of the third coupling surface wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuji Morishige
  • Patent number: 9655267
    Abstract: A retractable display configured as a plurality of interlinked display subassemblies or panels, a transport box having a lid configured to enclose the display system, the box or subassemblies having a rack system configured to support the plurality of linked display subassemblies in the transport box, a lift mechanism configured to assemble and disassemble the plurality of releasably interlinked display subassemblies into a seamless display, and an alignment system configured to align one display subassembly with a neighboring display subassembly and thus, functions as a rugged self-contained transport box of a plurality of interlinked display subassemblies capable of automated assembly into a seamless display larger than its transport box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: NanoLumens Acquisition, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Craig Cope, Douglas Andrew Price, Drew Fredrick Meincke
  • Patent number: 9352627
    Abstract: A suspension assembly includes an axle member, a first trailing beam assembly and a second trailing beam assembly. The first trailing beam assembly and the second trailing beam assembly each include a first end operably coupled to a vehicle frame and a second end that includes a downwardly opening recess, wherein the recess includes an outer periphery, the axle member is positioned within the recess, and wherein a weld extends about the entire periphery of the recess, thereby securing the trailing beams to the axle member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Galazin, Ed Hammer, Bill Broene, Greg Thorwall, Roger L. Jansen, III
  • Patent number: 9333826
    Abstract: An axle suspension system and a method of manufacture. The axle suspension system may include a trailing arm assembly disposed on an axle wrap. The trailing arm assembly may include a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion may have a lower intermediate wall. The upper portion may be fixedly disposed on the lower portion and may have an upper intermediate wall. The lower intermediate wall and upper intermediate wall may be spaced apart from the axle wrap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Steven George Saieg, Craig Allen Holt
  • Patent number: 9233589
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for increasing a range of adjustment of a suspension system. The apparatus includes a cam bolt having an internal cam feature and external cam feature that together allow for increased range of adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Northstar Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Shawn Christopher Miller
  • Patent number: 9212717
    Abstract: A gas spring assembly (200) with a flexible wall (206) being a rolling lobe (240) with an end member (204) including a side wall (238) and a plurality of corrugations disposed along the side wall. A cover (246) can be secured across a cavity (248) formed in the gas spring end member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company LLC
    Inventors: Paul P. Koeske, Stephen C. Street
  • Patent number: 9180749
    Abstract: A twist beam axle for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle. The twist beam axle has two trailing arms and a torsional profile having prismatic-shaped end sections with a noncircular cross-section. One trailing arm is connected to one torsional profile end section in each case. The trailing arms have a receiving recess having a shape corresponding to that of the outer surface of the torsional profile end section. An inwardly pressed plug is disposed in the interior of each torsional profile end section. The twist beam axle ensures permanent transfers high bending moments and torques between the trailing arms and the torsional profile without a welded joint. Different classes of materials can be used for the torsional profile and trailing arms, or can be connected to one another. The twist beam axle generally makes it possible to use large-volume, thin-walled and, therefore, weight-saving torsional profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Benjamin Baumer, Christoph Elbers, Jens Eismann, Dirk Adamczyk
  • Patent number: 9132713
    Abstract: A torsion beam is configured in an arch shape and comprised of an open cross-section member including an arch lower-half portion and an arch upper-half portion. A sectional shape of the arch lower-half portion in a cross section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the arch lower-half portion is configured to be substantially horizontal when a vehicle is in a standard state, and a central portion, in the vehicle width direction, of the torsion beam is configured such that a front edge portion of the arch lower-half portion and a front edge portion of the arch upper-half portion are located substantially at the same position in a vehicle longitudinal direction when the vehicle is in a full-rebound state. Thereby, the rigidity and the productivity can be endured, attaining low floor-level of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Akaki, Takashi Nishi, Yuki Kusaka, Hiroshi Tanaka, Toshiyuki Manabe
  • Patent number: 9102206
    Abstract: An axle suspension system for a vehicle. The axle suspension system may have a cam bracket that may be disposed on an exterior surface of an axle. The cam bracket may extend through a weld window of an axle wrap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Steven George Saieg, Craig Allen Holt
  • Patent number: 9050875
    Abstract: An underslung trailing arm suspension assembly is disclosed for use on heavy duty low clearance trailers having a unique beam configuration to provide clearance for a transversely mounted air brake actuator connected directly to a disc brake housing. The suspension beam includes a unique plate mounted near an axle seat below an air spring mounting plate providing clearance for a disk brake actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Ridewell Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Holt, Craig Baird, Bruce Barton
  • Publication number: 20150145228
    Abstract: An axle attachment includes a guide element having a guide-side attachment region that is curved in a concave manner and a guide-side fixing region adjoining the guide-side attachment region along the curvature line, and a clamping element having a clamping-side attachment region that is curved in a concave manner and that is arranged opposite the guide-side attachment region, and a clamping-side fixing region. A fixing element engages into a guide-side fixing region and into an opposing clamping-side fixing region and forces the regions against each other in order to fix an axle body to the axle attachment in a force-fitting manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: SAF-HOLLAND, GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Hock
  • Publication number: 20150130157
    Abstract: The invention relates to an axle/suspension system that includes a composite beam and separately pultruded axle connection and bushing end brackets. The composite beam has an internal support with vertical stitching to minimize delamination, which is lightweight and maintains rigidity of the beam while still maintaining flexibility. The beam includes a pair of ends. The axle connection bracket is connected to one end of the beam and captures the axle. The bushing end bracket is connected to the other end of the beam and is connected to a hanger of the heavy-duty vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: John E. Ramsey
  • Patent number: 9004512
    Abstract: A shear spring having a base plate having a flat upper surface, and an upper plate having a V-shaped upper surface opposite the base plate adapted to mate with a corresponding V-shaped surface positioned on a side wall of a spring mount, the upper plate having a flat lower surface parallel to the flat upper surface of the base, and an elastomeric material positioned between the flat upper surface of the base plate and the flat lower surface of the upper plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Shawn D. Noble, Matthew J. Van Meter, Monica J. Kaltreider, Hormoz Kerendian, Ashley T. Dudding
  • Patent number: 9004504
    Abstract: A wheel 4 mounted on a vehicle body 2 by a suspension arm 6 can be retained in a raised position by a retaining mechanism 10. The retaining mechanism 10 comprises a latching element 12 which can be disposed in a deployed position by a control element 14. When the control element 14 is moved to a position corresponding to the deployed position of the latching element 12, the latching element 12 is resiliently displaceable towards the vehicle body 2, to allow the suspension arm 6 to rise, for example when the wheel 4 is driven over an obstacle. The latching element 12 can then move to the deployed position to prevent lowering of the arm 6, so retaining the wheel 4 in the raised position. All wheels of the vehicle may be moved to the raised position, so as to reduce the ride height of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Horstman Defence Systems Limited
    Inventors: Tim Holman, Robert D'Aubyn
  • Patent number: 8998229
    Abstract: An axle bearing suspension system and method has a pair of elongated beams having an upper section and lower section with T-shaped cross sections. The T-shaped cross sections are welded together to form beams having an I-beam cross section. The beams have attachment portions which are preferably arc shaped cylindrical portions for fixing the beams to the axle with the upper section being welded to an upper part of the axle and the lower section being welded to a lower part of the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventors: John Michel, Neil Kenneth Haslam, Phillip David Schnurr
  • Patent number: 8991839
    Abstract: An axle suspension system for a vehicle. The axle suspension system may include a trailing arm assembly that may have a shock absorber passage. A shock absorber may extend through the shock absorber passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Steven George Saieg, Craig Allen Holt
  • Patent number: 8967644
    Abstract: A support assembly for receiving a vehicle wheel suspension and adapted for mounting to a vehicle structure, is disclosed that includes: a transverse body (3, 203, 303) having opposite ends; a left hand anchoring strut (9, 209, 309) extending downwardly from the transverse body (3, 203, 303) to define a distal left hand lower end; a right hand anchoring strut (7, 207, 307) extending downwardly from the transverse body (3, 203, 303) to define a distal right hand lower end. Separately attached left hand and right hand external reinforcing elements (31, 33; 231, 233, 333) each extend from an adjacent one of the opposite ends of the transverse body (3, 203, 303) to a connecting area (35, 37; 235, 335, 337) adjacent the respective one of the left and right hand distal lower ends of the downwardly extending anchoring struts (7, 9; 207, 209, 307, 309).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Daf Trucks N.V.
    Inventors: Albertus Clemens Maria Van Der Knaap, Jasper Joshua Backx
  • Patent number: 8967646
    Abstract: An axle suspension for a vehicle axle guided by a trailing arm and also, furthermore, an axle lift for a vehicle axle are proposed. The axle lift includes a force element (11), a pressure transmission means (18, 20) which is movable towards an axle link (5) of the vehicle axle by actuation of the force element, and a bracket (12). The bracket (12) is provided with a supporting means (10) for the force element (11) and the pressure reaction forces acting on the latter and, in addition, for the fastening to a support (2) is provided with a bracket part (31), on which a plug-in or hook connection (36A) for engagement in the support (2) is formed. With the aim of being able to fit the bracket (12) in a fixed basic setting on the support (2) with just a few actions, it is proposed that the bracket part (31), at a distance from the plug-in or hook connection (36A) thereof, is provided with at least one further connecting means (33), which is designed for engagement in the support (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: BPW Bergische Achsen KG
    Inventors: Michael Schwarz, Arthur Neumann, Swen Gmeiner, Manfred Michels, Bianca Luckau
  • Patent number: 8967638
    Abstract: A lift axle suspension system is provided with a frame bracket member connectable to a vehicle frame, an upper control arm, and a lower control arm. Each control arm has a first end and a second end, with the first end of each control arm being pivotally connected to the frame bracket member. The suspension system also includes an axle connecting member connectable to an axle, with the second end of each control arm being pivotally connected to the axle connecting member. A compression coil spring having a first end connected to the lower control arm and a second end connected to the upper control arm serves as a lift mechanism for lifting and lowering the axle connected to the axle connecting member. The compression coil spring may encircle at least a portion of and be substantially coaxial with the lower control arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael J. Gottschalk
  • Patent number: 8967631
    Abstract: Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide an air assist suspension, for use in a wide range of vehicles and implements having multiple axles (such as agricultural equipment). The air assist suspension uses one or more air bags (e.g., fluid-filled bladders, containers, pistons, and the like) to assist in adjusting the loading of the implement with respect to the multiple axles. In one embodiment, the air assist suspension also uses one or more rocker assemblies, coupled to the air bag(s) and coupled to the axles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Papé Machinery
    Inventors: Dennis R. Solbrack, Christopher E. Wood
  • Patent number: 8955860
    Abstract: A suspension assembly includes a pair of frame brackets adapted to couple to a vehicle frame, an axle assembly, a torsional member having reliefs located proximate each end thereof, and a pair of trailing arms each operably coupled to the axle assembly, and pivotably coupled to one of the frame brackets by an associated bushing assembly, wherein each bushing assembly includes a pin member and a flexibly resilient bushing member extending about at least a portion of the pin member, and wherein the pin member of each bushing assembly extends into one of the reliefs of the torsional member, and wherein each pin member is secured to one of the frame brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: SAF-Holland, Inc.
    Inventor: Marc Johnson
  • Publication number: 20150028556
    Abstract: A frame hanger having a frame bracket adapted for connection to a vehicle frame rail, a spring box attached to the frame bracket, a gusset attached to the frame bracket and positioned within the spring box to form a first spring module and a second spring module, said spring box comprising a bottom wall, a top wall, and an outer side wall of the first spring module, and said spring box comprising a bottom wall a top wall and an outer side wall of the second spring module, and said gusset forming an inner side wall of the first spring module and an inner side wall of the second spring module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Shawn D. Noble, Matthew J. Van Meter, Monica J. Kaltreider, Douglas A. Sanford
  • Patent number: 8919789
    Abstract: A combine harvester has a suspension axle assembly supporting the rear end of the chassis of the harvester. Side frames of the chassis direct loading down to a transverse axle through a pair of suspension devices interposed between the side frames and the axle. The suspension devices are resilient and expandable to cushion the chassis and to provide changes in the fore-and-aft attitude of the combine. The suspension devices may be independently operated to tilt the axle relative to the chassis, and provision is made for shifting the axle longitudinally, side-to-side of the chassis to facilitate turning of the steerable rear ground wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Darren J. Nelson, Nicholas H Williams, Mark L. Cozine
  • Patent number: 8919793
    Abstract: A trailer suspension system has an axle, a pair of frame hanger brackets, dual trailing arm beams, and a spring. The pair of frame hanger brackets are mounted spaced apart underneath the trailer. The dual trailing arm beams are connected rigidly to the axle at one end and resiliently connected to a respective one of the frame hanger brackets with a pivot means bushing at the other end. The spring intermediate the trailing arm beam and the trailer to support the trailer load. Wherein, the axle connection center is the center of the patch that connects the axle to the longitudinal trailing arm beam, thereby reducing the stress on the axle as well as increasing the stability of the suspension system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cush Corporation
    Inventors: Jason M. Klein, Kevin C. Schlack
  • Publication number: 20140375014
    Abstract: A suspension assembly includes an axle member, a first trailing beam assembly and a second trailing beam assembly. The first trailing beam assembly and the second trailing beam assembly each include a first end operably coupled to a vehicle frame and a second end that includes a downwardly opening recess, wherein the recess includes an outer periphery, the axle member is positioned within the recess, and wherein a weld extends about the entire periphery of the recess, thereby securing the trailing beams to the axle member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Greg Galazin, Ed Hammer, Bill Broene, Greg Thorwall, Roger L. Jansen, III
  • Patent number: 8915507
    Abstract: A rigid axle with direct air suspension, preferably for a commercial vehicle. The rigid axle includes an axle body, trailing arms, air springs and vibration dampers. The rigid axle is characterized in that a contact point of the vibration damper, on the axle side, is arranged on the trailing arm. The arrangement of the vibration damper parallel to the direction in which the axle is deflected provides both space and weight savings, without the necessity of arranging elaborately constructed and weight-increasing additional devices in the area of the axle body or the chassis and allows light and slim vibration dampers to be used, and eliminates undesirable horizontally-acting force components of the damping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Eike Helm
  • Patent number: 8910960
    Abstract: A suspension arrangement for interconnecting a frame and an axle in a vehicle includes a control arm having an upper beam and a lower beam, each beam having a first end and a second end, the first end of each beam being pivotally connectable to a vehicle frame at a common pivot point, and the second end of each beam being connected to a bushing arrangement mountable to the vehicle axle, the bushing arrangement having an upper portion connected to the upper beam and a lower portion connected to the lower beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur N. Fowler, Gregory Kiselis, Michael A. Brown