Patents Assigned to Link Mfg., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 6758648
    Abstract: A double-deck support suited for supporting and transporting multiple caskets, cots, stretchers, cremation trays or the like in a vehicle such as a van. A lower deck is secured to the floor of the vane and an upper deck is pivotally mounted above the lower deck and which may be moved between upper and lower positions with respect to the lower deck by means of a parallelogram-type connection controlled by electric actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Link Mfg., Ltd.
    Inventors: David L. Eekhoff, Joel D. Van Den Brink
  • Patent number: 6398243
    Abstract: An air suspension system mountable on the axle of a vehicle such as a pick-up truck. The suspension system includes an air spring, a pusher torque rod and a lever arm. The torque rod has one end pivotably affixed to the chassis and its other end affixed to the axle housing to control movement of the axle housing in an arcuate path. The lever arm has an end pivotably affixed to the chassis and its other shiftably and slidably supported on an axle bracket. The air spring is mounted on the lever arm to provide load support to the chassis. The shock absorbers for the vehicle are controlled from the same air pressure source as the air spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Link Mfg Ltd.
    Inventor: William E. Hedenberg
  • Patent number: 6311993
    Abstract: A lift axle is pivotally mounted to the frame of a vehicle for selectively providing additional flotation for the vehicle. A pair of frame brackets are secured to the frame members of the vehicle and have horizontally disposed mounting plate portions adjacent the lower ends thereof which have transversely extending bolt slots formed therein. First and second trailing arm mounting brackets are positioned below the first and second frame brackets, respectively, and have bolt openings provided in an upper mounting plate portion thereon to enable bolts to adjustably secure the trailing arm mounting brackets to the frame brackets. The lift axle suspension system is operatively connected to the mounting brackets. The connection of the first and second mounting brackets with respect to the first and second frame brackets permits the lift axle assembly to be mounted on frame members having varying distances therebetween and having varying frame thicknesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Link Mfg., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Hulstein, Philip L. Kats
  • Patent number: 6241452
    Abstract: A ramp for use with a service van having a side door step positioned inwardly of a side door. A base plate is secured to the side door step and has the upper end of an upper deck pivotally secured thereto. The upper end of a lower deck is pivotally secured to the lower end of the upper deck with the upper and lower deck is being selectively pivotally movable from a stored position inwardly of the side door of the van to an operative ramp position wherein the ramp extends downwardly and outwardly from the side door of the ramp. The ramp is removably secured to the base plate to enable the upper and lower decks to be removed therefrom. A keeper is provided which extends between the base plate and the lower deck to maintain the upper and lower decks in their stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Link Mfg., Ltd.
    Inventor: David L. Eekhoff
  • Patent number: 6168229
    Abstract: A cab suspension for a vehicle having a chassis supporting a cab with the cab being supported on the chassis at a forward location and at a rearward location so as to permit vertical movement of the rearward end of the cab relative to the chassis. Conventional forward support structures connect the forward end of the cab to the chassis. A rearward support structure or suspension unit connects the cab to the chassis at the rearward end of the cab to provide relative vertical movement therebetween. The structure comprises an elongated metal tube having its longitudinal axis disposed transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the chassis with the tube being secured to the chassis. The tube has an elongated, resilient rubber or elastomeric cartridge positioned therein which has an elongated torsion bar extending therethrough which is in engagement therewith so that the cartridge restricts rotational movement of the torsion bar with respect to the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Link Mfg., Ltd.
    Inventors: David S. Vander Kooi, Richard R. Schwanke
  • Patent number: 6135469
    Abstract: A tag axle which is pivotally mounted to the rear of a vehicle for selectively providing additional flotation for the vehicle. The tag axle includes first and second suspension arm mounts secured to the rearward ends of the frame members of the vehicle. First and second suspension arms are pivotally secured to the first and second mounts whereby the ground-engaging wheels at the rear of the tag axle may be pivotally moved between raised and lowered positions. The pivot connection between the suspension arms and the mounts enables the suspension arms to be pivotally secured thereto, regardless of the width of the frame members of the vehicle and regardless of the distance between the frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Link Mfg., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Hulstein, Philip L. Kats
  • Patent number: 5967597
    Abstract: A cab suspension for a vehicle having a chassis supporting a cab with the cab being supported on the chassis at a forward location and at a rearward location so as to permit vertical movement of the rearward end of the cab relative to the chassis. Conventional forward support structures connect the forward end of the cab to the chassis. A rearward support structure or suspension unit connects the cab to the chassis at the rearward end of the cab to provide relative vertical movement therebetween. The structure comprises an elongated metal tube having its longitudinal axis disposed transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the chassis with the tube being secured to the chassis. The tube has an elongated, resilient rubber or elastomeric cartridge positioned therein which has an elongated torsion bar extending therethrough which is in engagement therewith so that the cartridge restricts rotational movement of the torsion bar with respect to the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Link Mfg., Ltd.
    Inventors: David S. Vander Kooi, Richard R. Schwanke
  • Patent number: 5933889
    Abstract: A post tip is provided for a mortuary cot. The post tip comprises a cup-shaped member including a bottom portion and a cylindrical wall surface extending upwardly therefrom. An elongated bolt extends upwardly through the lower end of the cup-shaped member and extends through a deformable cylindrical plug. The upper end of the bolt is threadably received by a plug compression member. When the tip is installed on the cot post, the cylindrical wall surface of the cup-shaped member embraces the lower end of the cot post and the cylindrical plug is received in the interior of the cot post. Threadable rotation of the bolt causes the plug to be deformed and expanded outwardly into engagement with the interior wall surface of the cot post. The Delrin construction of the cup-shaped member ensures that the lower end of the cot post will not cut or wear therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Link Mfg., Ltd.
    Inventor: David L. Eekhoff