Patents Assigned to Ridewell Corporation
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Patent number: 10683046Abstract: Provided is a tandem lift auxiliary axle suspension assembly for vehicles which can be selectively raised and lowered to adjust the overall vehicle weight to axle ratio. A tandem wheel mount is connected with a pair of torsion rods to a hanger depending from the vehicle frame. An air spring mounted between the beam and the frame dampen axle movement during use. A lift spring is mounted between the hanger and the torsion rods, or other components of the assembly to selectively raise and lower the tandem axles for ground engagement as needed to decrease the weight to axle ratio.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2018Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: RIDEWELL CORPORATIONInventors: Bruce Barton, Matthew Koontz
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Patent number: 9352628Abstract: A suspension system with an axle lift system for use on vehicles is described, the axle lift system having control arms with an offset lift air bag configuration. The suspension system includes offset control arms and an off-axis lift air bag. The off-axis lift air bag is disposed away from and sometimes at an angle to the axis of the control arms.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2015Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: RIDEWELL CORPORATIONInventors: Bruce Barton, Matthew Koontz
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Patent number: 9050875Abstract: An underslung trailing arm suspension assembly is disclosed for use on heavy duty low clearance trailers having a unique beam configuration to provide clearance for a transversely mounted air brake actuator connected directly to a disc brake housing. The suspension beam includes a unique plate mounted near an axle seat below an air spring mounting plate providing clearance for a disk brake actuator.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2014Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Ridewell CorporationInventors: Mark Holt, Craig Baird, Bruce Barton
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Patent number: 8955858Abstract: A traction assist system for a vehicle having a tandem-axle system includes a drive axle and a non-drive axle attached to a suspension beam on opposite sides of a pivot about which the suspension beam is rotatable. A device selectively applies a force to the suspension beam on the side of the pivot at which the drive axle is attached, such that the suspension beam tends to rotate to provide a downward force on the drive axle. The device can also apply the downward force directly to the drive axle.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2013Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Ridewell CorporationInventors: Matthew Koontz, William Mattocks, Jason Dillard
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Publication number: 20140167378Abstract: A traction assist system for a vehicle having a tandem-axle system includes a drive axle and a non-drive axle attached to a suspension beam on opposite sides of a pivot about which the suspension beam is rotatable. A device selectively applies a force to the suspension beam on the side of the pivot at which the drive axle is attached, such that the suspension beam tends to rotate to provide a downward force on the drive axle. The device can also apply the downward force directly to the drive axle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2013Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: Ridewell CorporationInventors: Matthew Koontz, William Mattocks, Jason Dillard
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Patent number: 8459400Abstract: A force steer axle assembly is disclosed for providing redundant fail-safe steering control to an axle. The assembly includes a centering cylinder for maintaining the axle in a centered position and for steering the axle as directed. The assembly further includes a hydraulic control system for providing centering and steering actuation to the cylinder, and an electrical control system for receiving user input and controlling the hydraulic system.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2011Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Ridewell CorporationInventor: Jason Dillard
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Patent number: 7740255Abstract: A suspension beam with a captured axle is described, including a top and bottom plate, a pivot mount, and a spring mount, and side plates. Optional embodiments include an axle sleeve, multiple top and bottom plates, a u-shaped member in place of the side plates. The pivot mount includes a bush housing and a bush housing clamp. The side walls may be recessed, flush or outboard with respect to the top and bottom plates. The top and bottom plates are directly attached to the axle or axle sleeve, and to the pivot mount.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2007Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Ridewell CorporationInventor: Mark Holt
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Patent number: 7607670Abstract: Provided are wedging and clamping mechanisms for securing an axle to a suspension member. The suspension member has a integral axle shell for seating the axle to be attached. An axle wedging shell is provided which mates to the axle shell via aligning angled grooves and flanges which, as the flanges are forced into the grooves, creates a significant clamping force trapping the axle in place. The orientation and placement of angled grooves and flanges varies through several embodiments. Some embodiments alternately use a retention plate. Adhesive may be applied to the axle and the inner surfaces of the axle shell and wedge member to limit axle twist or rotation.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2006Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Ridewell CorporationInventors: John Raidel, II, Bruce Barton, Mark Holt
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Patent number: 7513517Abstract: The present invention provides a bar pin attachment for bush assembly. The assembly comprises a longitudinally extending control arm, a bush eye clamp, and a hanger bracket. The control arm has a bush end, a mid-region, an axle mount formed opposite of the bush end. A bush, having an integral bar pin molded laterally therethrough, is inserted in the bush eye and retained therein. The hanger bracket is attached to, and depends from, the chassis and includes two spaced-apart, downward oriented flanges between which the bush eye clamp is positioned. The bush end is pivotally attached to the hanger by fastening the bar pin ends directly to each adjacent hanger flange.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2006Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: Ridewell CorporationInventors: Bruce Barton, William Mattocks, Craig Baird, Mark Holt
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Patent number: 7481441Abstract: Provided is a slotted axle assembly for a vehicle suspension system. The slotted axle assembly includes an axle beam extending laterally between two axle connectors. Each axle connector is slotted for mating with an end of the axle beam. When assembled, each end of the axle beam surrounds or encapsulates an axle connector. A kingpin housing is inserted into each axle connector for receiving and retaining a king pin. Also, a bottom plate is attached to the axle beam and the two axle connectors. The slotted axle assembly may include a plurality of brackets, braces and channels, to include one or more damper brackets, air spring mating channels, and control arm brackets. Components of the slotted axle assembly may be welded together, or an alternate method of mechanical fastening may be employed.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2005Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Ridewell CorporationInventor: David Kirkham
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Patent number: 7392996Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for establishing a caster angle of a vehicle suspension system. The apparatus includes two air reservoirs, each reservoir having an extendable piston rod. The air reservoirs are juxtaposed, and are pivotally connected to a single bell crank. In particular, the bell crank is pivotally connected to each piston rod, and to a control arm of the vehicle suspension system for establishing the caster angle. Concerted pressurizing and exhausting of the air reservoirs extends and retracts the piston rods, causing the bell crank to rotate. Rotation of the bell crank induces movement of the control arm which translates into a rotation of an axle to a desired caster angle. In one embodiment, one air reservoir is a multi-chamber reservoir capable of doubling the force used to extend the piston rod, rotate the bell crank and adjust the caster angle.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2005Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Ridewell CorporationInventor: William Mattocks
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Patent number: 7114735Abstract: A parallelogram suspension assembly for a vehicle with a brake port through the axle seat for positioning of brake components to maximize overall suspension clearance.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2003Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Ridewell CorporationInventor: William Mattocks
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Patent number: 6843490Abstract: The present invention provides a suspension beam and bush attachment assembly. The assembly comprises a longitudinally extending control arm, a bush eye clamp, and a mounting bracket. The control arm has a bush end, a mid-region, an axle mount formed opposite of the bush end, and one or more fastener bore. The bush eye clamp is transversely mounted to the bush end of the control arm and has a center bore configured for receiving a bush therein and an axial slot biasing the bushing eye clamp open for bush insertion. To securely position the bush within the bush eye clamp, the mounting bracket is affixed to the bushing eye clamp and has one or more fastener bores substantially aligned with the one or more fastener bores of the control arm such that securing a fastener through each of the bores of the bracket and control arm couples the bracket to the control arm and biases the axial slot into a substantially closed position to contact and compress a perimeter of the bush with the bush eye clamp.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2002Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: Ridewell CorporationInventors: John Raidel, II, Bruce Barton, Jason Klein, Emmitt Scammahorn
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Patent number: 6659479Abstract: A suspension hanger assembly for receiving the bush end of a control arm is provided for adjusting axle alignment, without vertical displacement, and includes spaced-apart sides; each having aligned bores for a spindle, a bush pin and a fastening bolt. Two cams, having openings for the spindle, bush pin and fastening bolt, are aligned with the bracket bores. The bush pin bore of the bracket is horizontally elongated limiting vertical displacement of the bush pin. The fastening bolt opening of each cam is arcuate-shaped which allows cam actuation in an eccentric pattern. As the cam is moved, the bush pin moves horizontally respective to the bracket. The control arm bush is secured via the bush pin and fastening bolt. The control arm is fixed to the axle and horizontal movement of the control arm within the hanger bracket results in linear movement of that axle respective to the vehicle chassis.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Ridewell CorporationInventors: John Raidel, II, Emmitt A. Scammahorn, William Chaffin
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Patent number: 5667240Abstract: An air spring suspension system for vehicle axles reduces the dynamic force on the system's air springs during braking and acceleration of the vehicle and thereby prevents the diving of the vehicle chassis toward the road surface on application of the vehicle's brakes or acceleration of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1995Date of Patent: September 16, 1997Assignee: Ridewell CorporationInventor: James L. Mitchell
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Patent number: 5375871Abstract: A vehicle suspension system comprises a beam mounted for pivoting movement to a hanger and securely to a vehicle axle where the beam is constructed with a laterally widening base as it extends longitudinally from the pivot mounting to the vehicle axle and with an axle shell securing the beam to the axle where the shell connection to the axle reduces stress on the vehicle axle.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1993Date of Patent: December 27, 1994Assignee: Ridewell CorporationInventors: James L. Mitchell, Jason M. Klein
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Patent number: 5018756Abstract: A suspension system incorporating upper and lower torque rods pivotally connected between a hanger and an axle seat. The upper torque rod is preferably a hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly, the length of which is adjustable between extended and retracted conditions. In the extended condition, the upper torque rod pivots the axle to a forward pitch at which it is self-steering when the vehicle is driven forward. In the retracted condition, the upper torque rod pivots the axle to a negative pitch condition in which it is self-steering when the vehicle is operated in reverse. The hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly can be operated by the driver such as when the gears are shifted between forward and reverse. A lift spring is mounted between a plate on the hanger and a plate on the lower torque rod. The lift spring is positioned within a pocket defined on the hanger.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1989Date of Patent: May 28, 1991Assignee: Ridewell CorporationInventor: James L. Mitchell
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Patent number: 5015004Abstract: An elevating, reversible self-steering suspension system incorporates upper and lower torque rods pivotally connected between a hanger assembly and an axle seat assembly. The upper torque rod of the parallelogram linkage is pivotally connected at one end to the axle seat assembly, and is pivotally connected at its opposite end to a pivot lever that, in turn, is pivotally connected to the hanger assembly. An end of the pivot lever opposite its pivot connection to the hanger assembly is connected to a selectively extended and retracted piston cylinder assembly. By extending the piston rod from the piston and cylinder assembly, the pivot lever is rotated relative to the hanger assembly, and the upper torque rod connecting the pivot lever to the axle seat causes the axle seat to be displaced. The displacement of the axle seat adjusts the orientation of a vehicle axle supported by the axle seat to a negative caster.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1989Date of Patent: May 14, 1991Assignee: Ridewell CorporationInventor: James L. Mitchell
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Patent number: 5013063Abstract: An air ride suspension system for a vehicle comprises a hanger that is suspended from the vehicle chassis, a bolster beam that is pivotally connected with the hanger, a first spring positioned between a first end of a bolster beam and the hanger, a second spring posiitoned between a second end of the bolster beam and the vehicle chassis, where the vertical load borne by the vehicle is transferred through the first and second springs to the bolster beam and the vehicle axle and substantially none of the vertical load is borne by the pivot bushings providing the pivot connection between the hanger and bolster beam.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1989Date of Patent: May 7, 1991Assignee: Ridewell CorporationInventor: Mitchell James L.
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Patent number: 4886092Abstract: A leveling valve responsive to changes in vertical distance between a vehicle chassis and its axle. A valve body has an internal chamber with which a supply port communicates for delivering air from a pressurized air tank. One or more delivery ports extend through the valve body in communication with the chamber, each for connection to an air spring. An exhaust port also communicates with the chamber. A piston is reciprocable within the chamber between a normal position in which the valve is closed, a second position in which the valve is open communicating the supply port with one or more delivery ports, and a third position in which the supply port is normally closed by the air source pressure but a passage communicates the one or more delivery ports with the exhaust port. The piston has a passage through it that is used in the third position. Reciprocation of the piston is controlled by a guide having a transverse slot in which a camming pin projects.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1988Date of Patent: December 12, 1989Assignee: Ridewell CorporationInventor: Abraham Barzelay