Rotary Shaft Or Spindle Patents (Class 301/126)
  • Patent number: 9855796
    Abstract: Axle shaft assemblies for use with a vehicle include a shaft formed from a first material having a first modulus of elasticity for providing the shaft with a flexibility adapted to withstand side impacts and resist deformation. A first end member can be engaged with a first end of the shaft, and a second end member can be engaged with the second end of the shaft. The end members can be formed from a second material having a second modulus of elasticity greater than the first, such that the end members are adapted to withstand a rotational force. The end members can include splined connectors, hub flanges, and other similar components. The resulting axle shaft assembly can thereby include modular combinations of materials having low and high moduli of elasticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Mitchell Z. Dziekonski
  • Patent number: 9470506
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to sensor systems and methods for rapidly detecting a direction of rotation. In one embodiment, a sensor system is configured to identify positive and negative peaks of both speed and direction signals and to evaluate a sequential order of the peaks. A direction of rotation can be identified rapidly from the evaluation of the sequential order of peaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Bernhard Schaffer
  • Publication number: 20150084399
    Abstract: An axle shaft has radially outwardly extending drive fingers which drivingly engage drive slots in a wheel hub cover. The hub cover is rigidly secured to a wheel hub and maintains the axial position of the axle shaft. A shock absorber may be positioned between the drive fingers and the drive slots. The axle shaft may be formed from a hollow tube or a solid shaft by cutting an end portion of the shaft and deforming a cut section radially outwardly to form a drive finger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Sypris Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen W. Straub, Patrick T. Maled
  • Patent number: 8826542
    Abstract: In summary, the invention relates to a method for forming an end-side toothing arrangement of a roiling bearing, in particular a wheel bearing. The aim is to improve the uniformity of the end-side toothing arrangement and to allow a greater tooth depth. This is achieved by two method steps in that, in a first step before the reshaping of an end piece of a hub, a die is axially arranged on the rolling bearing in a preassembled state and, in a second step during the reshaping of the end piece and the shaping of the end-side toothing arrangement, the die radially delimits a radial recess of the rolling rivet collar as it forms. In addition, the die reduces or prevents radial widening of the inner ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Roland Langer, Peter Niebling, Sebastian Lorenz
  • Patent number: 8827015
    Abstract: A wheel assembly includes an attachment member with a spindle attachment interface and a brake attachment interface. A spindle is attached to the spindle attachment interface and a brake component is attached to the brake attachment interface. The spindle attachment interface is configured to be a detachable connection that allows the spindle to be selectively attached and detached from the wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Power, Gregory D. Pavuk, Sunil Shastri
  • Patent number: 8807580
    Abstract: A front axle assembly for a floater or other agricultural implement has a hollow shaft with pressed-in axle stubs for mounting the shaft to a pair of bearing assemblies. A pair of discs are mounted or otherwise secured to ends of the hollow shaft. The discs are angled inwardly from a position generally adjacent an inner end of the pressed-in axle stubs. The placement of the discs reduces stress applied to the hollow shaft during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Rex L. Ruppert, Greg Fischer
  • Publication number: 20140139013
    Abstract: Axle shaft assemblies for use with a vehicle include a shaft formed from a first material having a first modulus of elasticity for providing the shaft with a flexibility adapted to withstand side impacts and resist deformation. A first end member can be engaged with a first end of the shaft, and a second end member can be engaged with the second end of the shaft. The end members can be formed from a second material having a second modulus of elasticity greater than the first, such that the end members are adapted to withstand a rotational force. The end members can include splined connectors, hub flanges, and other similar components. The resulting axle shaft assembly can thereby include modular combinations of materials having low and high moduli of elasticity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventor: Mitchell Z. Dziekonski
  • Publication number: 20130333959
    Abstract: A steering axle is provided for agricultural vehicles having at least two drive motors for at least two land wheels on either side of the steering axle disposed next to one another substantially in the center between the land wheels. A mechanical drive train between the drive motor and the wheel hub is provided on both sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Sebastian Wagemann, Dirk Speckamp
  • Publication number: 20130200686
    Abstract: In a wheel support device, a through-hole is formed so as to pass through a hub spindle in its axial direction, an outer ring shaft portion passed through the through-hole is formed in the outer ring, a first connecting portion of which the inner diameter gradually increases toward an axial outer side is formed in the inner periphery of the hub spindle, which defines the through-hole, a second connecting portion that is arranged radially inward of the first connecting portion and of which the outer diameter gradually increases toward the axial outer side is formed in the outer ring shaft portion so as to correspond to the first connecting portion, and the first connecting portion and the second connection portion have spline teeth that mesh with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: JTEKT CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20130181505
    Abstract: An axle housing assembly for a work vehicle is adapted to be mounted in the work vehicle, and includes an axle housing and a disc-shaped member. The axle housing has a recessed portion for press fitting on an end thereof. The recessed portion is opened to a vehicle outer side, the recessed portion having a constant inner diameter. The disc-shaped member is press-fitted into the recessed portion, an outer peripheral surface of the disc-shaped member having a single reference dimension. A first region of the outer peripheral surface is arranged on an inner side in a press fitting direction and processed at a first tight fit tolerance range with respect to the reference dimension. A second region of the outer peripheral surface is arranged outwards of the first region and processed at a second tight fit tolerance range less than the first tight fit tolerance range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ohnogi, Fumiaki Nakada
  • Patent number: 8398101
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a swing member, an axle tube, a cushion bracket, a protrusion, an axle, and a cushion member. The swing member is pivotable about a first axis. The axle tube is coupled with the swing member, the cushion bracket, and the protrusion. The axle is rotatable about a second axis. The cushion member includes lower and upper ends. The lower end is pivotally coupled with the cushion bracket and is pivotable about a third axis. The second and third axes reside in a first plane. The protrusion is located above the first plane and is spaced from the cushion member by a first distance having a minimum value. The lower end of the cushion member is spaced from the axle tube by a second distance having a minimum value. The minimum value of the first distance is less than the minimum value of the second distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Alexander, Yoshiaki Noda, Lee N. Bowers
  • Publication number: 20130048688
    Abstract: A self-aligning tractor axle mounted tank system for vertically mounting a tank to a tractor is provided comprising; an integrated hub and spindle, a housing connected to the spindle so that the spindle can rotate with respect to the housing, and at least one housing bracket connected to the housing and adapted to mount a tank frame assembly, wherein the housing bracket is configured to align the tank frame assembly with the housing during vertical mounting. Additionally, an integrated hub and spindle assembly is provided comprising; a spindle connected to a hub, and a bearing housing connected to the spindle so that the spindle can rotate with respect to the bearing housing. Furthermore, a process for mounting a self-aligning tank to the rear axle of a tractor is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventor: Ryan Brent Mulder
  • Publication number: 20120205966
    Abstract: A torque tube includes a ring gear having a first axial end, a second axial end opposite the first axial end, an inner surface including a plurality of teeth, and an outer surface with a mating portion formed adjacent to the first axial end of the ring gear. The torque tube also includes a barrel portion joined to the second axial end of the ring gear at a radial location inward from a radial location of the mating portion. The barrel portion extends axially away from the ring gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Bryan A. Witcher, Carlos A. Vallejo
  • Patent number: 7938222
    Abstract: An independently suspended, driven axle shaft set in which the axle shafts are asymmetric with respect to each other, wherein the asymmetry provides mitigation of powerhop. The asymmetric axle shafts are asymmetrically selected such that the relative torsional stiffness therebetween is different by a ratio substantially between about 1.4 to 1 and about 2.0 to 1. The asymmetry may be provided by any known modality that alters torsional stiffness and is compliant with operational load demands of the axle shafts, as for example the axle shafts having the same length, but differing cross-sectional diameters; or by the axle shafts having the same cross-sectional diameters, but differing lengths; or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David W. Mikels, Young-Jin Seo
  • Patent number: 7909127
    Abstract: A two piece wheel hub assembly includes a hub cartridge assembly and a vehicle-mounted carrier. The cartridge assembly can be readily attached to and removed from the carrier without removal of the carrier from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: AM General LLC
    Inventor: Ralf Pionke
  • Publication number: 20100244546
    Abstract: An axle shaft is fabricated from two separate pieces. The axle shaft is comprised of an axle shaft body having a forged initial flange portion formed at one end. An axle shaft flange, fabricated by stamping or casting for example, is secured to the forged initial flange portion at a weld interface to form a finished axle shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Raymond A. Milio, Hugh David Pritchard, Antonio Coletta, Licinio Curti, Kenneth Kinfun Yu, Harry William Trost, Michael Vedder, Daniel James Crabtree, Jack R. McKenzie, David Gonska
  • Publication number: 20100052410
    Abstract: A wheel with a removable hub axle cartridge configured to be fitted into a shaped recess hollow or cavity of the wheel at the central hub position. The hub axle cartridge, adapted for use with a rear wheel includes a clutch mechanism and is configured for supporting drive gears, in addition to providing engagement with the body frame for a front wheel. The removable hub axle cartridge provides various advantages including a reduced wheel weight, the ability to stably stack, store and ship the wheels in smaller packages. The hub axle cartridge is reusable in case of wheel damage or with use of a different wheel type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Aleksandr Sherman, Sergey Zvonik
  • Publication number: 20090039700
    Abstract: A solid axle for the driving wheels of an automotive vehicle has axle tubes through which axle shafts extend. Each tube at its outboard end is fitted with a wheel end, including a housing that is secured firmly to the tube, a hub having a drive flange located beyond the housing and a spindle that projects into the housing, and an antifriction bearing located between the housing and the hub spindle. Each axle shaft at its outboard end has a drive spindle that emerges from shoulder. The drive spindle projects through the hub at the end of its axle shaft and beyond the hub is deformed outwardly over a surface of the hub in the provision of a formed end, so that the hub is captured between the shoulder and the formed end, thus unifying the axle shaft and wheel end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: The Timken Company
    Inventors: Mircea Gradu, Stuart W.J. Hamilton, Steven A. Roman, Praveen M. Pauskar
  • Publication number: 20080143174
    Abstract: A vehicle axle formed having a composite tubular member and a pair of metal sheaths spaced apart from one another at opposite ends of the composite tubular member. The composite tubular member has an outer wall surface and an interior elongated channel, with the interior channel having an inner wall surface. The composite tubular member also has a first end wall and a second end wall at opposite ends of the composite tubular member. Each of the metal sheaths has an outer surface, an inner surface, an inner end portion having an inner end portion edge, and an outer end portion having an outer end portion edge. Each metal sheath inner end portion has a transition area, with the transition area having a first area of changing thickness and a second area of a substantially constant thickness. Each of the metal sheaths has stabilization means formed in the outer surface thereof to accommodate a key, with the key when positioned in the stabilization means precluding the rotation of a wheel hub about the axle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: Jerald S. Burkett
  • Patent number: 7360951
    Abstract: The present invention involves a detachable half shaft assembly of a vehicle wheel end and has a shaft bell and a disc rotor. The detachable half shaft comprises a preloaded bearing assembly and a detachable body receiving the preloaded bearing assembly. The preloaded bearing assembly has an inner surface formed through inboard and outboard ends thereof. The detachable body has an inboard interface at an inboard end and an outboard interface at an outboard end. The inboard interface is configured for connecting to the shaft bell and the outboard is configured or connecting to the disc rotor. The detachable body has a bearing receiving portion defined by the stepped boss and a roll formed base. The bearing receiving portion radially receives the inner surface of the preloaded bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas C. Myers, Paul E. Beshears, Jr., Aaron A. Horne, Sr., James M. Story, Gunnar Ross
  • Publication number: 20080036290
    Abstract: An axle bearing apparatus includes a hub shaft for common use with a driving wheel bearing apparatus and a driven wheel bearing apparatus, the hub shaft including an axle-mounting flange formed at its outer end portion, and a cylindrical portion formed at an inner side of the flange and having a through hole formed in a center portion of the cylindrical portion, and a bearing portion press-fitted on the cylindrical portion of the hub shaft and including an inner ring, an outer ring and rolling elements disposed between the inner and outer rings. The hub shaft is used for the driven wheel bearing apparatus, and alternatively the through hole in the hub shaft is enlarged in diameter, and a spline are formed axially in an inner surface of the diameter-enlarged through hole, and the hub shaft thus processed is used for the driving wheel bearing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeru Inoue, Takumi Harada, Yutaka Koma
  • Patent number: 7185901
    Abstract: A golf cart spindle to allow mounting of a larger wheel and tire combination on a golf cart. The spindle having a spindle body which includes a top end and a bottom end, the spindle body including a bolt channel between the top end and bottom end of the spindle body, the spindle body sized to fit existing front spindle supports of the golf cart as a replacement to the production spindle. The spindle having a spindle leg extending from the spindle body, the spindle leg having a spindle end attached to the spindle body; the spindle leg having an axle end. The spindle having an axle extending from the axle end of the spindle leg. Whereby, the spindle leg extends from the spindle body such that the axle end and the axle is positioned forward and lower than the original position of the axle of the production spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Steven J. Stimely
  • Patent number: 7152708
    Abstract: A frangible telescopic propeller shaft includes an elongated hollow cylindrical body, a reduced diameter intermediate portion along a length of the body, and at least one spin-formed transition area between the intermediate portion and the body. The transition area includes a frangible feature wherein at least a part of the cylindrical body lies over the intermediate portion such that, in response to a sufficient axial force, the frangible feature fractures to telescope the body over the intermediate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig A. Campbell
  • Patent number: 6876311
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a telemetry assembly for a spindle. The telemetry assembly includes a wireless transmitter coupled to the spindle to rotate therewith and a receiving antenna wirelessly coupled to the transmitter. A guiding system having a central aperture and coupled to the wireless transmitter and the receiving antenna guides rotation of the wireless transmitter relative to the receiving antenna. If desired, the telemetry assembly can be used in a telemetry system including a hub adapter mountable to the spindle and a transducer mountable to the hub adapter. Furthermore, an angular positioning device and a wireless power coupling can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Jodi L. Sommerfeld, Richard A. Meyer, Brett A. Larson, Douglas J. Olson
  • Patent number: 6869151
    Abstract: A knuckle-supported wheelend assembly includes a shaft having a contoured peripheral surface portion proximate to an outboard end featuring a minimum radius and a maximum radius, and a hub mounted on the shaft's contoured surface portion via a complementary, contoured central bore. The nontapered contoured hub-shaft interface includes a slight twist or jog to reduce backlash and to permit a relative shortening of the length of axial hub-shaft engagement to as little as about 45% of the maximum radius, thereby advantageously reducing scrub radius for a given wheel-tire combination. By eliminating any required taper of the contoured interface, the hub's inboard face firmly abuts the machined face of the inner race of a knuckle-mounted, shaft-supporting bearing assembly to achieve reduced assembly runout. The hub's wheel-mounting face and integral annular friction surfaces are each machined with reference to the inboard hub face to ensure a high degree of parallelism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas C. Myers, Hui Hugh Wang, Karl-Heinz Simons
  • Patent number: 6572199
    Abstract: A flanged axle shaft assembly includes a shaft having a tubular wall and an open end, a flange hub having a central opening fitted over the shaft and secured to the open end, and an end wedge secured in the open end and urging the shaft wall into compressive engagement with the flange hub opening to provide for transmission of forces between the shaft and the flange hub. In a preferred method of assembly, the shaft is formed with a flared inner end stop against which the hub flange is mounted about the shaft. Forcing the end wedge into the shaft inner end expands the shaft wall into a characterized, such as splined, surface of the hub central opening to provide a high torque mechanical driving connection. The hub flange and a head of the end wedge are preferably also laser welded to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Steve W Creek, Tim P Raleigh
  • Patent number: 6296321
    Abstract: A compact and light weight axle unit with good durability and reliability for driving a vehicle wheel is provided wherein the splined bore 28 of the hub 6a is engaged with the splined shaft 30 of the drive shaft member 29, and a stop ring 35 is held between the outer engagement groove 25 on the inner peripheral surface of the splined bore 28 and the inner engagement groove 24 on the outer peripheral surface of the splined shaft 30 to prevent the splined shaft 30 from being removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasumasa Mizukoshi, Hideo Ouchi, Takeo Ohkuma
  • Patent number: 6286909
    Abstract: A compact and light weight axle unit with good durability and reliability for driving a vehicle wheel is provided wherein the splined bore 28 of the hub 6a is engaged with the splined shaft 30 of the drive shaft member 29, and a stop ring 35 is held between the outer engagement groove 25 on the inner peripheral surface of the splined bore 28 and the inner engagement groove 24 on the outer peripheral surface of the splined shaft 30 to prevent the splined shaft 30 from being removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasumasa Mizukoshi, Hideo Ouchi, Takeo Ohkuma
  • Patent number: 6224167
    Abstract: An axle assembly for supporting wheels is provided that has a spindle defining an axis of rotation with a threaded end portion. A hub assembly is supported by the spindle and is adapted to support the wheels. A bearing assembly is arranged adjacent to the threaded end portion and is interposed between the spindle and the hub assembly for permitting low friction rotation of the hub assembly relative to the spindle about the axis. An end nut is secured to the threaded end portion of the spindle for retaining the bearing assembly and the hub assembly on the spindle. A washer is interposed between said bearing assembly and the end nut wherein the washer secures the end nut to the spindle for preventing rotation of the end nut about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew John Riley
  • Patent number: 6059378
    Abstract: A flange and shaft for a two-piece forged axle and method for forging same. The flange includes a hub formed concentric about a longitudinal axis wherein the hub defines an inner annular face, an outer annular face, and a bore extending therebetween. The bore includes a first tapered surface diverging from the longitudinal axis. The flange further includes an annular ring coaxial and integral with the hub as well as a locking arrangement integral with the tapered surface for mechanically coupling the flange for rotation with a shaft. Additional embodiments of the present invention include a two-piece axle having a flange generally configured as described above and a cylindrical shaft disposed in the bore of the flange. The shaft includes a first end portion having a first radial upset engaging a first locking arrangement on the flange to couple the flange for rotation with the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Impact Forge, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Dougherty, Terry M. McInerney, Robert J. Stevens
  • Patent number: 6024417
    Abstract: A filter is disposed in the interior cavity of each of the axle spindle sections of a non-drive axle for a heavy duty tractor-trailer, which utilizes internally vented wheel end assemblies. Each filter provides for sufficient air flow from the wheel end assembly cavity into the axle cavity to enable internal venting of any expanding gas from the wheel end assembly cavity into the axle cavity, thereby preventing excessive pressure build-up in the wheel end assembly and possible reduction of the life expectancy of the wheel end assembly main seal. Depending on the filter embodiment employed, the filter prevents or at least lessens the likelihood of migration of contaminates such as oxide scale from the axle cavity into the wheel end assembly cavity, thereby preventing or lessening the likelihood that such contaminates will cause premature wear of the wheel end assembly bearings or main seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: The Boler Company.
    Inventors: Ronald Lee Jones, II, Jay Dudley White, Theodore Frank Yurek
  • Patent number: 5997105
    Abstract: A swift wheel locking device for a golf cart includes a wheel axle and a bracket member. The wheel axle has a small diameter portion with an annular groove for a locking member to lock or unlock the wheel axle with a solid portion of the bracket member by means of a control member movably fitted in and on the solid portion and extending a little out of a cap covering on the solid portion and keeping the locking member and the control member in place in and on the bracket member. A press portion of the control member extending out of the cap can be pressed to lock and unlock swiftly the locking member with and from the wheel axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Sports World Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fang-Li Wu
  • Patent number: 5992943
    Abstract: A wheel mount for a wheel comprises a spindle, a hub for surrounding the spindle and a bearing assembly interposed between the spindle and the hub. The spindle extends from an end of an axle of a vehicle and has a generally decreasing diameter from its proximal end to its distal end. The spindle is provided with a pair of lands near the ends of the spindle for receiving bearings, and has bearing retainers near the respective ends also, the distal retainer being removably attached. These inboard and outboard bearing retainers define an axial bearing space. The hub has a central aperture with an inboard land and an outboard land provided on an internal surface of the central aperture, also for receiving bearings. The bearing assembly comprises an inboard bearing and an outboard bearing in spaced apart relationship within the axial bearing space. The inboard bearing has an internal diameter larger than the internal diameter of the outboard bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: James H Sheets, Paul R. Pollock, David G. Moses
  • Patent number: 5711393
    Abstract: A drive axle assembly has a gear housing, axle tubes extending outwardly of the gear housing, and an axle shaft disposed in each axle tube with an external wheel hub at a protruding end of the axle shaft. Each axle shaft is rotatably supported in a flanged end collar at a remote end of the axle tube by a bearing assembly that is mounted on the axle shaft and retained in the end collar by a screw cap. The drive axle assembly includes a brake member mounted externally on the end collar in juxtaposition to an external shaped flange of the end collar. The screw cap clamps the brake member against the external flange to locate the brake member on the axle tube in an axial direction and to nonrotatably couple the brake member to the axle tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Garrett W. Gage
  • Patent number: 5553927
    Abstract: An axle assembly for a motor vehicle of the type including a rigid drive axle and a rigid axle tube extending between a drive axle differential to the axle wheel end. The axle tube features a radial flange defining an outboard facing bearing retention shoulder. A bearing carrier unit is bolted onto the axle tube flange to trap the bearing outer race. The axle shaft engages the bearing inner race which is trapped between a flange on the axle shaft and a nut threaded onto the axle. This wheel and system provides improved wheel run-out characteristics which are advantageous for disk brake applications and facilitates the use of anti-lock braking system wheel speed sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: The Budd Company
    Inventor: Vince Mastrangelo
  • Patent number: 5281004
    Abstract: Each of a number of wheel hubs of a modified mini stock racing car is removably affixed to a corresponding one of a number of brake rotors in coaxial relation with its corresponding axle. Each of the wheel hubs has a hollow cylindrical base portion coaxially positioned around the corresponding axle on the side of the corresponding brake rotor closer to the corresponding end of the corresponding axle than the opposite side of the brake rotor. The base portion has a first end and a spaced opposite second end axially farther from the corresponding brake rotor than the first end. A number of equiangularly spaced ears extend radially from the second end of the base portion of the hub for equal radial distances and a plurality of equiangularly spaced gussets equal in number to the ears extend radially from the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Inventor: Raymond O'Leary, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5100247
    Abstract: A wheel bearing for wheels of motor vehicles comprises a bearing or ball roller bearing which is connected with a wheel carrier and, in a holding manner, receives a wheel hub fastened by a clamping device. The wheel hub is axially supported on the ball bearing and extends by via a tube-shaped projection to a first bearing ball in the bearing where a clamping bolt, which is axially supported on the ball bearing, stands opposite the wheel hub. This clamping bolt, by a bearing sleeve, extends to the tube-shaped projection and receives it in a torsion-proof manner by way of a centric pin. This results in the advantages that the assembly or the clamping takes place only from the exterior side of the vehicle and, in the case of a demounting, the hub part can easily be pulled out of the ball bearing after the loosening of the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche, AG
    Inventor: Hans-Juergen Woehler
  • Patent number: 5031967
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for mounting a wheel hub (1) on a stub axle (2) of a non-driven wheel in a motor vehicle. The device comprises an outside bearing (5) in the vicinity of the outside free end of the stub axle (2) and an inside bearing (6) in the vicinity of the inside end of the stub axle (2) joined to a steering knuckle (3) or the like. According to the invention, the outside bearing (5) is an anti-friction bearing mounted between the interior surface of the wheel hub (1) and the stub axle (2) for absorbing both radial loads and axial loads, and the inside bearing (6) is an anti-friction bearing mounted between the exterior surface of the wheel hub (1) and the steering knuckle (3) or the like for absorbing only radial loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventor: Nicolas Svensson
  • Patent number: 5029946
    Abstract: A releasable wheel assembly for golf cart includes a bracket member attached to lower end of a leg member of a golf cart, a wheel set having a wheel rotatably mounting on an axle mechanism having an axle laterally extending into the bracket member and a locking member extending transversely into the bracket member and being slidably secured therein by means of a rivet for releasable engagement with the axle to secure the wheel set to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Union Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gordon Liao
  • Patent number: 4869556
    Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint of an axle shaft assembly has a drive hub which receives a splined shaft in an extension which projects from a drive bell. The splined shaft is held in the drive hub in such a position that it can be pushed further into the drive hub after removal of a locking ring. This makes it possible to shorten the axle shaft assembly for the purpose of mounting by an additional amount in comparison to prior-art axle shaft assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Theodor Gees
  • Patent number: 4729455
    Abstract: The invention provides a wheel assembly consisting of first and second spaced apart coaxial wheels. The wheel are mounted on a support structure such that they can rotate relative to one another. A first brake rotor is non-rotatably connected to the first wheel, and a second brake rotor is non-rotatably connected to the second wheel. A brake stator is operable on each rotor to oppose rotation of the two brake rotors simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Assignee: Urban Transportation Development Corporation Ltd.
    Inventor: Colin C. May
  • Patent number: 4700763
    Abstract: A novel inflation/deflation system for the pneumatic tires of a vehicle, and particularly of an aircraft, is described, which comprises a housing on the vehicle, such as in the form of a fixed axle housing, on which the tire and wheel are mounted for rotation, and defining a cavity coaxial with the axis of rotation of the wheel for housing the valve and related components; a manifold within the housing defines a manifold chamber containing and supporting an axially movable poppet valve; a remotely controllable solenoid is mounted within the axle housing coaxially with the manifold and poppet valve, the plunger of the solenoid being operatively connected to the poppet valve for axial movement of the poppet valve between open and closed positions in response to operation of the solenoid, whereby pressurized air may be selectively supplied from a pneumatic source to the manifold and to the tire through pneumatic lines connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Donald E. Williams
  • Patent number: 4632202
    Abstract: Spindle support arms in certain motor vehicles incorporate housings in which a drive spindle is rotatably positioned by inner and outer roller bearings rotatably positioned in bearing races. The housings are provided with lubrication passageways, such as drilled openings extending from the exterior of the housing through at least one of the bearing races to enable lubrication to be applied directly to the roller bearings in the bearing races.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Inventor: Gerald S. Narbut
  • Patent number: 4632415
    Abstract: A hub and fork ends of bicycle includes a pair of annular bearings each fixed within an annular bearing shell fixed on the fork end and each composed of an outer race and an inner race formed by engaging a first ring with a second ring, a hub formed with several grooves and a spindle formed with several lengthy extensions corresponding to the grooves on the hub so that after passing the spindle through the two bearings and the hub, the hub with a bike wheel can be instantly mounted on the front fork of a bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Inventor: Wang San Hai
  • Patent number: 4627667
    Abstract: There is disclosed a vehicle suspension unit in the form of a swivel bearing for an axle unit and comprising a wheel bearing assembly, a shock absorber leg connection and a hollow connecting element between the bearing housing and the shock absorber leg connection. The shock absorber leg connection comprises a substantially closed sleeve which receives the shock absorber leg, and a threaded fastener which extends transversely through the sleeve and, upon tightening, causes the sleeve to exert a clamping action around the shock absorber leg. The unit is formed as a one-piece casting, or from pressed sheet metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: Georg Fischer AG
    Inventors: Fritz Mahnig, Gunter Schulte
  • Patent number: 4564243
    Abstract: The invention refers to a hub bearing unit for vehicles, trailers and the like incorporating two rows (4) of rolling bodies with a common outer ring (5). On the outer race ring (5) is arranged a flange (6) for mounting the unit and arranged symmetrically relative to the rows of rolling bodies (4). The flange (6) is provided with attachments holes (7) and lugs (8) adjacent these, whereby the side surfaces of the lugs (8) are in level with the side (10) of the outer race ring (5), which shall engage the attachment surface of the vehicle, the trailer or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1986
    Assignee: SKF Nova AB
    Inventor: Sture L. Asberg
  • Patent number: 4557526
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for a boat trailer which prevents water from entering the trailer's axle housing when the axle housing is submerged in water during loading or unloading of a boat from the trailer. The system includes a quantity of lubricating oil maintained in the axle housing by seals interposed between the trailers wheel axle and the axle housing and an elongated, hollow tubular member having one end in communication with said lubricating oil and the other end vented to the atmosphere when the axle housing is submerged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Inventor: George O. Smith
  • Patent number: 4556258
    Abstract: A clutch actuator provides a mechanism by which a wheel may be selectively clutched to an axle for rotation therewith. In a preferred form, the actuator is employed in a wheelchair. An axle flange is fixed to each of a pair of rear axles, and an actuator is fixed to reach rear wheel hub for providing selective operative connection between each rear wheel and respective axle flange. Each actuator includes a housing having a detent. A coupling sleeve is axially movable within the housing and includes a bore registrable with the detent. A spring loaded plunger includes a cam disposed for axial movement within the coupling sleeve, and a ball carried within the bore is releasably retained in the detent by the cam of the plunger. The sleeve includes a transversely extending end disposed for engaging the axle flange for clutching the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Gunnar H. Janson
  • Patent number: 4437536
    Abstract: A support assembly for a motor vehicle wheel having an outer ring provided with a flange for fixing to a suspension strut for the wheel, an inner ring with a fixing flange for the wheel, and rolling elements which roll between the two rings, in which the inner ring is mounted on a shaft and is provided with oppositely directed conical surfaces cooperating with a conical surface formed on a shoulder of the shaft coaxially with respect to a cylindrical surface formed on the shaft itself and with a conical surface of a ring fitted over the cylindrical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1984
    Assignee: RIV-SKF Officine
    Inventors: Franco Colanzi, Vittorio Donn
  • Patent number: RE37390
    Abstract: A releasable wheel assembly for golf cart includes a bracket member attached to lower end of a leg member of a golf cart, a wheel set having a wheel rotatably mounting on an axle mechanism having an axle laterally extending into the bracket member and a locking member extending transversely into the bracket member and being slidably secured therein by means of a rivet for releasable engagement with the axle to secure the wheel set to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventors: Gordon Liao, Alex Cheng