Patents Assigned to Dexter Axle Company
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Patent number: 11959506Abstract: A spindle nut retainer is used with a spindle with a flat portion on its threaded end. The flat portion interrupts the threads on the threaded end. A washer with a mating flat portion is slidably mounted over the threaded end and a nut is removably threaded to the threaded end of the spindle against the washer to set the preload on bearings. The nut retainer overlays a plurality of the corners of the nut and engages the threaded portion of the spindle with tangs. A majority of the tangs are flexed or bent to remain in biased contact with the threads on the spindle. Some of the tangs are located over the flat portion and remain unbent. The tangs resist rotation of the nut by engagement with the flat portion where it meets the threads.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Dexter Axle Company LLCInventors: Timothy Allen Meckstroth, Ernest Martin, John Robert Jurek
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Patent number: 11926301Abstract: A vehicle weight sensing system particularly useful for trailers. An axle tube is mounted to the vehicle or trailer through its suspension members that may be leaf springs. A mounting block is affixed to the axle tube for mounting a strain gauge. The mounting block is fixed to the axle tube between the suspension members connected to the axle tube. The mounting block has a mounting surface opposite to the mating surface and a notch extends from the mating surface toward the mounting surface. The notch terminates between the mating surface and the mounting surface. The notch separates rigidified sections of the mounting block and the rigidified sections straddle the notch. The stain gauge measures strain in the axle and thereby generates a signal proportional to the weight on the trailer. The signal can be used to properly proportion a brake system on the trailer.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2021Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Dexter Axle Company LLCInventor: Samuel N. Lievore
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Patent number: 11603701Abstract: A door is assembled from a plurality of straight lengths of extrusion, with the lengths of extrusion mated with corners at the top and bottom. The top corners are curved and interference fit to terminal ends of the top and side extrusions. The top and side extrusions have an opening into a cavity. As assembled, a continuous screen groove extends through the corners from the top, bottom, and side extrusions. The door includes transverse extrusions having an enclosed cross-sectional profile that are affixed to the side extrusions with alignment ends. The bottom corners interference fit to terminal ends of bottom extrusions and side extrusions.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2021Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: Dexter Axle CompanyInventors: Randy A. Bickel, Grant J. Mikosz
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Publication number: 20220220796Abstract: A door is assembled from a plurality of straight lengths of extrusion, with the lengths of extrusion mated with corners at the top and bottom. The top corners are curved and interference fit to terminal ends of the top and side extrusions. The top and side extrusions have an opening into a cavity. As assembled, a continuous screen groove extends through the corners from the top, bottom, and side extrusions. The door includes transverse extrusions having an enclosed cross-sectional profile that are affixed to the side extrusions with alignment ends. The bottom corners interference fit to terminal ends of bottom extrusions and side extrusions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2021Publication date: July 14, 2022Applicant: Dexter Axle CompanyInventors: Randy A. Bickel, Grant J. Mikosz
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Publication number: 20220220996Abstract: A spindle nut retainer is used with a spindle with a flat portion on its threaded end. The flat portion interrupts the threads on the threaded end. A washer with a mating flat portion is slidably mounted over the threaded end and a nut is removably threaded to the threaded end of the spindle against the washer to set the preload on bearings. The nut retainer overlays a plurality of the corners of the nut and engages the threaded portion of the spindle with tangs. A majority of the tangs are flexed or bent to remain in biased contact with the threads on the spindle. Some of the tangs are located over the flat portion and remain unbent. The tangs resist rotation of the nut by engagement with the flat portion where it meets the threads.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2022Publication date: July 14, 2022Applicant: Dexter Axle Company, LLCInventors: Timothy Allen Meckstroth, Ernest Martin, John Robert Jurek
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Patent number: 11300152Abstract: A spindle nut retainer is used with a spindle with a flat portion on its threaded end. The flat portion interrupts the threads on the threaded end. A washer with a mating flat portion is slidably mounted over the threaded end and a nut is removably threaded to the threaded end of the spindle against the washer to set the preload on bearings. The nut retainer overlays a plurality of the corners of the nut and engages the threaded portion of the spindle with tangs. A majority of the tangs are flexed or bent to remain in biased contact with the threads on the spindle. Some of the tangs are located over the flat portion and remain unbent. The tangs resist rotation of the nut by engagement with the flat portion where it meets the threads.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Dexter Axle CompanyInventors: Timothy Allen Meckstroth, Ernest Martin, John Robert Jurek
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Publication number: 20220017050Abstract: A vehicle weight sensing system particularly useful for trailers. An axle tube is mounted to the vehicle or trailer through its suspension members that may be leaf springs. A mounting block is affixed to the axle tube for mounting a strain gauge. The mounting block is fixed to the axle tube between the suspension members connected to the axle tube. The mounting block has a mounting surface opposite to the mating surface and a notch extends from the mating surface toward the mounting surface. The notch terminates between the mating surface and the mounting surface. The notch separates rigidified sections of the mounting block and the rigidified sections straddle the notch. The stain gauge measures strain in the axle and thereby generates a signal proportional to the weight on the trailer. The signal can be used to properly proportion a brake system on the trailer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Applicant: Dexter Axle CompanyInventor: Samuel N. Lievore
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Patent number: 11130479Abstract: A vehicle weight sensing system is particularly useful for trailers. An axle tube is mounted to the vehicle or trailer through its suspension members that may be leaf springs. A mounting block is affixed to the axle tube for mounting a strain gauge. The mounting block is fixed to the axle tube between the suspension members connected to the axle tube. The mounting block has a mounting surface opposite to the mating surface and a notch extends from the mating surface toward the mounting surface. The notch terminates between the mating surface and the mounting surface. The notch separates rigidified sections of the mounting block and the rigidified sections straddle the notch. The stain gauge measures strain in the axle and thereby generates a signal proportional to the weight on the trailer. The signal can be used to properly proportion a brake system on the trailer.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2019Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: Dexter Axle CompanyInventor: Samuel Neil Lievore
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Patent number: 11066051Abstract: A drum braking system having a spindle and backing plate affixed thereto. The system includes a drum rotating on the spindle. The drum has an inside surface with integral notches that are machined or cast into the drum. When the brakes are applied, brake shoes are actuated to contact the inside surface to create drag between the drum and the spindle. A sensor is fixed with respect to the spindle or backing plate that detects the notches when the drum rotates about the spindle. A portion of the inside surface with the integral notches is shared with the brake shoes so that applying the brakes prevents buildup that could contact the sensor. The sensor is positioned radially to reduce the effect of drum endplay on detecting of the notches.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Dexter Axle CompanyInventors: Steven Ray Bollinger, Markus Cloyd Carrison, Samuel Neil Lievore
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Publication number: 20210207643Abstract: A spindle nut retainer is used with a spindle with a flat portion on its threaded end. The flat portion interrupts the threads on the threaded end. A washer with a mating flat portion is slidably mounted over the threaded end and a nut is removably threaded to the threaded end of the spindle against the washer to set the preload on bearings. The nut retainer overlays a plurality of the corners of the nut and engages the threaded portion of the spindle with tangs. A majority of the tangs are flexed or bent to remain in biased contact with the threads on the spindle. Some of the tangs are located over the flat portion and remain unbent. The tangs resist rotation of the nut by engagement with the flat portion where it meets the threads.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2020Publication date: July 8, 2021Applicant: DEXTER AXLE COMPANYInventors: Timothy Allen Meckstroth, Ernest Martin, John Robert Jurek
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Publication number: 20210078364Abstract: A cap is provided for covering the threaded end of a removable spindle, having a cover with thread engaging tabs extending from a reservoir basin. The tabs include surface projections for retaining the cap to the spindle threads. The tabs are formed to fit within available slots of a slotted hex nut connected to the spindle. The cap includes a separately formed skirt or guard to make flexible surface contact with the torsion arm or spindle supporting structure. The skirt can include a sacrificial anode region to provide cathodic protection for the spindle threads and spindle retention nut. The skirt is removable from the cap so that the cap can be reused with a new skirt. The cap is formed to be used with existing spindle assemblies and to be reusable.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2019Publication date: March 18, 2021Applicant: Dexter Axle CompanyInventors: Samuel Neil Lievore, Markus Cloyd Carrison
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Patent number: 10889275Abstract: Detectable indicia are provided on the interior circumferential rim of the brake hub-drum adjacent to, and spaced apart from, the backing plate of the brake. A sensor is mounted on the backing plate to detect wheel speed and/or other operating conditions detectable from the motion and/or relative location or condition of those indicia. The number of indicia used and the indicia spacing along the interior circumferential rim is selected as needed for a given type of sensor and/or a given application. In the case of a speed sensor, the indicia can be a series of notches in the rim along the entire interior circumferential rim, resembling a series of “teeth” into that rim. The width of those teeth can be formed wide enough to accommodate movement of the hub-drum relative to the backing plate and/or the sensor, without loss of system functionality, according to the sensing tolerances of a given sensor being used in a given application.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2018Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: Dexter Axle CompanyInventors: Steven R. Bollinger, Markus C. Carrison, Samuel N. Lievore
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Publication number: 20200290579Abstract: A vehicle weight sensing system is particularly useful for trailers. An axle tube is mounted to the vehicle or trailer through its suspension members that may be leaf springs. A mounting block is affixed to the axle tube for mounting a strain gauge. The mounting block is fixed to the axle tube between the suspension members connected to the axle tube. The mounting block has a mounting surface opposite to the mating surface and a notch extends from the mating surface toward the mounting surface. The notch terminates between the mating surface and the mounting surface. The notch separates rigidified sections of the mounting block and the rigidified sections straddle the notch. The stain gauge measures strain in the axle and thereby generates a signal proportional to the weight on the trailer. The signal can be used to properly proportion a brake system on the trailer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2019Publication date: September 17, 2020Applicant: Dexter Axle CompanyInventor: Samuel Neil Lievore
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Publication number: 20200122692Abstract: A drum braking system having a spindle and backing plate affixed thereto. The system includes a drum rotating on the spindle. The drum has an inside surface with integral notches that are machined or cast into the drum. When the brakes are applied, brake shoes are actuated to contact the inside surface to create drag between the drum and the spindle. A sensor is fixed with respect to the spindle or backing plate that detects the notches when the drum rotates about the spindle. A portion of the inside surface with the integral notches is shared with the brake shoes so that applying the brakes prevents buildup that could contact the sensor. The sensor is positioned radially to reduce the effect of drum endplay on detecting of the notches.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Applicant: Dexter Axle CompanyInventors: Steven Ray Bollinger, Markus Cloyd Carrison, Samuel Neil Lievore
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Patent number: 8641079Abstract: A multi-axle vehicle suspension system comprising a first torsion axle mounted to a first suspension pivot member, the first suspension pivot member pivotally coupled to a vehicle frame, a second torsion axle mounted to a second suspension pivot member, the second suspension pivot member pivotally coupled to the vehicle frame, a pivot member pivotally coupled to the vehicle frame, the first suspension pivot member pivotally coupled to the pivot member, and the second suspension pivot member pivotally coupled to the pivot member.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2011Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Dexter Axle CompanyInventors: William Dunlap, Ronnie L. Tharp
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Patent number: 7775544Abstract: A pin box assembly comprising a first portion, a second portion, a connective member disposed between the first portion and the second portion, the first portion comprising a torque portion, the torque portion comprising a bar disposed within a tube and at least one resilient member disposed between the bar and the tube, the bar fixedly connected to the first portion, the tube fixedly connected to the second portion, the resilient member compressible between the bar and the tube upon rotation of the bar with respect to the tube, a connective member fixedly connected to the tube and to the second portion, and a hitch member connected to the first portion for engaging a hitch on a towing vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2007Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Dexter Axle CompanyInventor: Philip M. Bouwkamp
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Patent number: 7753400Abstract: A multi-axle leaf spring suspension having a compliant equalizer. The leaf springs are mounted one behind the other on each side of the vehicle. Adjacent ends of the leaf springs are pivotally attached to the compliant equalizer. The compliant equalizer is pivotally mounted to a vehicle frame. The compliant equalizer comprises a pair of arms that are pivotally connected to each other in a scissor-like fashion. One end of each arm is pivotally connected to the end of a leaf spring. The other end of each arm is cooperatively arranged to contain and compress a spring member between them. The compliant equalizer reduces the magnitude of shocks that would be other wise transmitted to the suspension and frame by absorbing them through compression of the spring member.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2005Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: Dexter Axle CompanyInventors: William Dunlap, James C. Tuthill, Terry L. Trindle
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Patent number: D619064Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2009Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Dexter Axle CompanyInventor: James C. Tuthill
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Patent number: D894026Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Dexter Axle CompanyInventor: Samuel Neil Lievore
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Patent number: D992718Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Dexter Axle Company LLCInventors: Grant J. Mikosz, Randy A. Bickel