Patents Assigned to Dallas Smith Corporation
  • Patent number: 9101519
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing wheelchair access to a vehicle, including a deployable wheelchair access assembly coupled to the vehicle and deployable to a position in which one end of the assembly is in contact with the ground. The wheelchair access assembly can include multiple panels. Some embodiments include a control system for adjusting the angular relationship of one panel relative to another panel. Yet other embodiments include a sensor for measuring the inclination of the deployed assembly relative to earth's gravity. In yet other embodiments the vehicle includes a sensor for measuring the inclination of the vehicle relative to earth's gravity, and a plurality of suspension actuators for changing the inclination of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Dallas Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Garrett J. Smith, Darren K. Back, Stephen A. Asztalos, Judson Smith
  • Publication number: 20140219756
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing wheelchair access to a vehicle, including a deployable wheelchair access assembly coupled to the vehicle and deployable to a position in which one end of the assembly is in contact with the ground. The wheelchair access assembly can include multiple panels. Some embodiments include a control system for adjusting the angular relationship of one panel relative to another panel. Yet other embodiments include a sensor for measuring the inclination of the deployed assembly relative to earth's gravity. In yet other embodiments the vehicle includes a sensor for measuring the inclination of the vehicle relative to earth's gravity, and a plurality of suspension actuators for changing the inclination of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: DALLAS SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Garrett J. Smith, Darren K. Back, Stephen A. Asztalos, Judson Smith
  • Publication number: 20140199144
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for converting an OEM ladder frame chassis. Various embodiments include modifying the front and rear suspensions to allow increased lowering of the payload section and cab sections, and further to incorporate a payload section having a lowered floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Dallas Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen A. Asztalos, Garrett J. Smith, Judson Smith
  • Publication number: 20130330157
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for converting an OEM ladder frame chassis. Various embodiments include modifying the front and rear suspensions to allow increased lowering of the payload section and cab sections, and further to incorporate a payload section having a lowered floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Dallas Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen A. Asztalos, Garrett J. Smith, Judson Smith
  • Patent number: 6428026
    Abstract: A wheel suspension system for a vehicle such as a truck trailer. Wheels of the suspension system are attached to stub axles supported by pivoting trailing arm wheel supports. The wheel supports are arranged on a sub-frame which can be slidingly coupled to the underneath of the trailer. Each wheel support is urged apart from the sub-frame by a spring such as an air spring. In one embodiment the air springs are pressurized under the control of an electronic controller. The rotational axes of the wheels are staggered or spaced apart, such that the rotational axes of the wheels on one side of the sub-frame are not coincident with the rotational axes of the wheels on the other side of the sub-frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Dallas Smith Corporation
    Inventor: E. Dallas Smith
  • Patent number: 6398251
    Abstract: A wheel suspension system including a wheel support pivotally attached to a vehicle frame at two, laterally-spaced locations, the wheel support being pivotal between an uppermost and a lowermost position. The wheel support is biased to a position intermediate of the uppermost and lowermost positions by a spring. The spring urges apart a spring support of the wheel support from the vehicle frame, the spring support being below the rotational axis of the wheel. The pivotal axes of the pivotal attachments are located below the rotational axis of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Dallas Smith Corporation
    Inventor: Earl Dallas Smith