Abstract: A system for automatically and simultaneously controlling one or more vehicle functions by detecting the direction of movement of and the distance traveled by the vehicle. The control system includes an electronic sensor mounted on a selected one of the vehicle axles adjacent to and facing an anti-lock braking system tone ring of a selected one of the wheel hubs mounted on the axle. The sensor is electrically connected to an electronic control unit, which in turn is electrically connected to a vehicle function actuation device such as a lift axle solenoid or back-up alarm actuation device. The sensor transmits direction and distance information to the electronic control unit based on the movements of a plurality of teeth formed on the tone ring. The control system is a stand-alone system that is free of interfacing with other vehicle systems, such as the anti-lock braking system.

Abstract: A flexible hose and a method for manufacturing the same includes a hose tube having a smooth exterior surface. The hose tube exterior surface has a fabric and cover laminated or wrapped thereon. The lead end of a single wire is helically wound about the hose tube on top of the cover. The wire in turn is at least partially encased by a rubber ridge preferably having a height greater than the thickness of the hose tube wall. The rubber ridge tapers in the direction of valleys formed between the ridges, and the resulting hose structure has improved flexibility by enabling the hose to flex at every valley, yet sufficient strength for heavy duty applications.

Abstract: An air-free, relatively lightweight lift assembly for an axle/suspension system of a highway/rail convertible semi-trailer, utilizes a transversely-oriented coil torsion spring having a relatively low spring rate. The torsion spring is captured between a stationary plate and a rotatable plate. A flexible link is pivotally attached at its upper end to the rotatable plate and at its lower end to the axle. This assembly results in a variable rate moment arm and continuously increasing leverage when the suspension air spring is overinflated to lower the system for transfer of the trailer from a highway tractor to a rail bogie, thus enabling use of a less robust air spring. The assembly conversely creates a decrease in leverage at the lifted rail transport position, to securely maintain the axle/suspension system in the rail position. For highway use, the lift assembly provides suspension damping without shock absorbers.

Abstract: A vent tube for hollow axles of heavy-duty vehicles such as semi-trailers releases built-up air pressure from the wheel hub and axle while preventing ingress of contaminants into the axle and hub. The vent tube includes a tubular portion preformed from a flexible material into a generally coiled configuration. The tubular portion is biased to the coiled state so that when stretched about the axle and released, it firmly grips the axle without the need for fasteners. One end of the tubular portion includes a fitting for plumbing into the axle and the opposite end includes a one-way check valve such as a duck bill. The vent tube is disposed in a protected location within the hollow beam of the vehicle suspension assembly, and on a relatively stress-free location of the axle within a window of an axle sleeve.

Abstract: A control system for a heavy-duty vehicle such as a dump-type straight truck includes a portable radio frequency transmitter and a radio frequency receiver. The radio frequency receiver is operatively connected to a vehicle device or assembly which performs a function such as operation of the vehicle dump bed or raising and lowering of the vehicle axle/suspension system, so that the function can be controlled from the cab of the vehicle by the radio frequency transmitter, and whereby the function occurs substantially instantaneously due to the use of radio frequency and eliminates the need for a custom hard-wired control system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sizing and separating particles of generally low-density materials includes a stand, a frame movably suspended on the stand by a plurality of suspension assemblies, and an elongated screen box mounted on the frame. The screen box receives material to be processed at an input end and includes openings at an output end for discharging processed material. The frame and screen box are disposed at an incline relative to a horizontal surface on which the stand rests, so that material travels downwardly in the screen box toward the output openings. A vibrator motor is mounted on the frame input end. The arrangement of the motor and suspensions results in imposition of a combination generally circular planar motion to the frame and screen box at the input end and a generally oblong linear reciprocating motion at the central portion and the output end of the apparatus.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for supporting an axle on a vehicle frame includes a pair of transversely spaced hangers mounted on and depending from the frame. Each one of a pair of longitudinally extending control arms is pivotally attached at one end of its ends to a respective one of the hangers, and at the other of its ends to a respective one of a pair of axle seats. The axle seats rigidly capture the transversely extending axle. A support member is attached to and extends longitudinally rearwardly from each of the axle seats for mounting an air spring and a shock absorber. Each of the air springs and shock absorbers extend upwardly from its respective support member and is attached to the frame. A generally rigid torque box is immovably attached at one of its ends to the frame, and at the other of its ends to the axle. The torque box is a hollow fabrication closed at each of its attachment ends by a mounting tube. A shaft having at least one bushing molded about the shaft is press fit into each of the tubes.

Abstract: A trailing arm axle/suspension system includes rigid or spring beams for mounting the axle directly to the beam without any or minimal, respectively, additional mounting hardware or structure. An axle mounting plate is formed as part of the preassembled rigid beam or attached to the spring beam, and is formed with a recess that can range from significantly smaller than to generally the same size as the smallest axle which will be seated therein. The axle is extruded into the recess to eliminate clearance and create intimate contact between the axle and the axle mounting plate. The force typically deforms the axle from its normal cross-sectional shape, such as round, into a generally oval or elliptical cross-sectional shape. Such clearance-free intimate contact also creates a constant preload or compression between the axle and the axle mounting plate in the recess area.

Abstract: A stop assembly for predetermining the maximum downward travel distance or rebound of a vehicle axle/suspension system includes an adjustment cam. A chain for heavy-duty applications, or a woven nylon strap for lighter-duty applications, is immovably attached at its lowermost end to each suspension assembly beam of the axle/suspension system. An uppermost end of the chain is immovably attached to the cam, which in turn is pivotally captured in a bracket assembly immovably attached to the vehicle frame. An easily accessible adjustment bolt passes through the bracket assembly and bears on the cam, so that upon rotation of the bolt using a wrench or similar tool, the chain, and in turn the suspension assembly beam and the axle captured in the beam, can be selectively vertically repositioned by the pivoting cam to predetermine the maximum system rebound during vehicle operation.

Abstract: A protective floor mat for use in supporting a chair on a floor comprises a mat base for contact with the floor, and a graphic layer having a decorative pattern. A first adhesive material is disposed between and interconnects the mat base and the graphic layer. The floor mat also comprises a transparent upper protective layer for contact by the chair. A second adhesive material is disposed between and interconnects the upper protective layer and the graphic layer. Because the graphic layer covers the mat base, the mat base may be made from regrind or reprocessed plastic material. The graphic layer is visible through the transparent protective layer.

Abstract: A movable subframe or slider for a semi-trailer is modified to provide a storage bay between the slider and semi-trailer for accommodating a walk ramp and its carrier hardware. A reinforced elongated spacer cap is mounted on the uppermost surface of each main member and associated cross members of the slider. The spaced-apart parallel caps provide sufficient clearance between the bottom surface of the trailer body and the uppermost surface of the slider cross members, for mounting a walk ramp and its carrier hardware on the underside of the trailer body. The pins and coil springs of the retractable locking pin mechanism of the slider are relocated upwardly into the spacers. Rail guides and low frictions strips also are relocated from the slider main members to the spacer caps. This relocation enables the modified slider to be mounted on standard body rails of a semi-trailer, which are mounted on and depend from the underside of the trailer body.

Abstract: A cam shaft support and enclosure assembly includes a tube formed with a flat on its inboard end. An outboard end of the tube is supported on a spider which in turn is mounted on an axle of a heavy duty vehicle. A bushing is mounted in each of the tube ends, and a shaft is rotatably mounted in and passes completely through the bushings and sealed and lubricated tube. An S-cam is integrally formed on an exposed outboard end of the shaft and the exposed inboard end of the shaft is formed with splines for meshingly engaging a slack adjuster of the vehicle brake system. A support plate formed with a generally D-shaped keyhole is mounted on the suspension beam, and is slip-fittingly engaged by the correspondingly shaped and sized inboard end of the tube. The weld-free keyhole connection of the tube and plate enables the plate to react rotation of the tube without the possibility of fatigue or failure of a weld.

Abstract: A low molecular weight polyether oligomer is modified with a salt during chain extending reaction of the polyether oligomer to form electrostatic dissipative polymer products such as polyurethanes, polyether amide block copolymers and polyether-ester block copolymers. The reaction product polymers exhibit relatively low surface and volume resistivities, and static decay times which are not too fast or too slow, yet are free of excessive amounts of extractable anions, particularly chlorine, nitrate, phosphate and sulfate. The electrostatic dissipative polymers can be blended with a variety of base polymers to form plastic alloys, which in turn can be utilized to form articles useful in the manufacture of electrostatic sensitive electronic devices.

Abstract: A compatibilized blend of a thermoplastic elastomer and a polyolefin. The compatibilizer is a thermoplastic polyurethane formed by the reaction of a substantially hydrocarbon intermediate such as a polybutadiene polyol, a diisocyanate such as MDI, and an amine or diol chain extender such as neopentyl glycol. The compatibilizer has high amounts of soft segments therein and imparts improved properties to blends of a thermoplastic elastomer and polyolefin such as good impact resistance, good tensile strength, good tear resistance, and good delamination resistance.

Abstract: An air-ride beam-type axle suspension system for tractor-trailers and other heavy-duty wheeled vehicles having a brake chamber of an air brake assembly mounted on the beam, wherein the beam is tapered. Specifically, each beam of the axle suspension system tapers from a narrower width at its end that is pivotally attached to a frame rail of the trailer, to a wider width at its opposite end. The tapered beam provides easier mounting of the suspension system on existing trailer frame rails and incorporation of a reduced-size pivot bushing at the narrower end of the beam, and optimizes the weight of the axle suspension system.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polyether polyurethane having good rebound resilience and low hysteresis properties is prepared by the reaction of a diisocyanate with a hydroxyl terminated polyether having a weight average molecular weight of at least 1,400 and a glycol chain extender. The polyether contains alkylene oxide repeat units having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms and the chain extender glycol has from 2 to 16 carbon atoms. The amount of the chain extender glycol is from about 0.25 to about 2 moles per mole of the polyether.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medium density chlorinated polyvinyl chloride foam and the method of preparing such a foam using a blend of chemical blowing agents. The foam having a specific gravity in the range of about 0.3 to about 1.5 comprises chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, a blend of decomposition type blowing agents, a tin stabilizer, a optional impact modifier and a optional high molecular weight process aid.

Abstract: A primer composition for adhering a topcoat to a flexible plastic substrate includes a blend of acrylic and urethane resins, and pigments dispersed in a water based solvent system. About 10 to about 20 percent of the resins are polyurethene by weight, the balance of the resins consisting essentially of acrylic polymers. The composition consists of from about 15 to 30 percent resins, and from about 20 to about 35 percent pigments by weight, and has a total solids content of from about 35 to about 70 percent. The water based solvent system is primarily water, but contains water-miscible organic components which provide for rapid drying, and good coalescing and film forming properties, while minimizing volatile organic content. The compositions dry rapidly at ambient conditions upon application to flexible plastic substrates to provide a continuous, flexible film which exhibits excellent adhesion with the substrate and with subsequently applied topcoats.

Abstract: A method for polymerizing predominantly one or more acrylate and/or vinyl acetate monomers in the presence of a latex results in high solids dispersions of polymer particles with lower viscosities than traditionally observed. A significant wt. % of added monomers can be present in large particles, having nonspherical shapes. Some of the original latex particles are retained during the polymerization and these increase the solids content and lower the viscosity by packing in the interstices between large particles. The total polymer solids content can easily be varied from 70 to 92 or more wt. % which are higher than achieved in any previously reported aqueous polymerizations. The viscosities at very high solids contents become paste-like but the materials still are stable to storage and further handling without breaking the dispersion into an agglomerated polymer portion and released water. The dispersions are useful to form sealants, membranes, etc., either with or without other additives.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes an apparatus for laying an adhesive strip along the peripheral edges of a glass sheet positioned on a work table with a view to forming a double-glazed insulated glass panel. The apparatus comprises a handle with a housing mounted at one end thereof and includes therein a series of rollers for positioning and laying the adhesive strip on the glass sheet. A third roller, whose axis is perpendicular to the axis of each of the strip-laying rollers, applies pressure to the strip being laid.