Abstract: A landing gear assembly includes a leg assembly including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first and second portions of the leg assembly telescopingly engage one another, a gear assembly operably coupled to the first and second leg portions and configured to telescopingly move the first and second leg portions with respect to one another, the gear assembly including an input shaft, and a drive assembly coupled to the gear assembly comprising a gear arrangement configured to drive the drive shaft of the gear assembly at a first speed and at a second speed that is different than the first speed, an electric motor configured to drive the gear arrangement, and a battery configured to provide power to the motor.

Abstract: A locking mechanism configured to selectively secure a vehicle slider frame assembly to a vehicle frame assembly includes a locking member configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position, an actuator shaft operably coupled with the locking member such that turning the actuator shaft along a longitudinal axis of the actuator shaft moves the locking member between the locked and unlocked positions, the actuator shaft including a first portion and a second portion that telescopingly engage one another and are releasably secured to one another, and a spring member positioned over the actuator shaft and configured to bias the at least one locking member toward the locked position.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension arrangement includes a suspension slider assembly including first and second laterally spaced longitudinal frame members configured to be slidably coupled to a first vehicle frame member, first and second gusset members fixed to the first and second longitudinal frame members and each including a relief, a first lateral frame member extending between the first and second longitudinal frame members, the first lateral frame member having ends received within the reliefs, an axle member configured to support a pair of wheel assemblies, and a suspension assembly configured to support the suspension slider assembly from the axle member, the suspension assembly including a spring member positioned between the suspension slider assembly and the axle member.

Abstract: An automated trailer coupling arrangement includes a receiver member fixed to a towed vehicle and including pneumatic and electrical couplers, a shuttle member including pneumatic and electrical couplers, a control arm assembly supported on a towing vehicle and including a carrier member configured to operably couple and uncouple with the shuttle member, and an actuator coupled to the carrier member configured to move the carrier member between a first position where the carrier member is coupled with the shuttle member and the shuttle member is spaced from the receiver member, and a second position where the pneumatic and electrical couplers are respectively coupled and the carrier member is uncoupled and spaced from the shuttle member, wherein the control arm is configured to move a vertical and horizontal directions as the carrier member is moved between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension arrangement includes a suspension slider assembly including first and second laterally spaced longitudinal frame members configured to be slidably coupled to a first vehicle frame member, first and second gusset members fixed to the first and second longitudinal frame members and each including a relief, a first lateral frame member extending between the first and second longitudinal frame members, the first lateral frame member having ends received within the reliefs, an axle member configured to support a pair of wheel assemblies, and a suspension assembly configured to support the suspension slider assembly from the axle member, the suspension assembly including a spring member positioned between the suspension slider assembly and the axle member.

Abstract: A kingpin assembly includes a housing having a recess located therein, a kingpin having at least a portion located within the recess of the housing, wherein the kingpin is secured within the recess of the housing, and wherein the kingpin includes an axis extending along a length of the kingpin, and a sensor arrangement configured to sense a force exerted on the kingpin in a first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch safety sensor arrangement includes a vehicle body, a door coupled to the vehicle body, a latch arrangement and a sensor arrangement including a door sensor and configured to sense when the door is in the closed position, a latch sensor configured to sense when a latch member is in the engaged position, and a handle sensor configured to sense when a handle is in the closed position, and a controller operably coupled to the sensors and configured to provide feedback to the operator of at least one of (a) whether the door is in a closed position, the latch member is in an engaged position and the handle member is in a locked position, and (b) whether at least one of the door is in an open position, the latch member is in a disengaged position, and the handle member is in the an unlocked position.

Abstract: A landing gear assembly includes a leg assembly including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first and second portions of the leg assembly telescopingly engage one another, a gear assembly operably coupled to the first and second leg portions and configured to telescopingly move the first and second leg portions with respect to one another, the gear assembly including an input shaft, and a drive assembly coupled to the gear assembly comprising a gear arrangement configured to drive the drive shaft of the gear assembly at a first speed and at a second speed that is different than the first speed, an electric motor configured to drive the gear arrangement, and a battery configured to provide power to the motor.

Abstract: A landing gear assembly includes a leg assembly including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first and second portions of the leg assembly telescopingly engage one another, a gear assembly operably coupled to the first and second leg portions and configured to telescopingly move the first and second leg portions with respect to one another, the gear assembly including an input shaft, and a drive assembly coupled to the gear assembly comprising a gear arrangement configured to drive the drive shaft of the gear assembly at a first speed and at a second speed that is different than the first speed, an electric motor configured to drive the gear arrangement, and a battery configured to provide power to the motor.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch safety sensor arrangement includes a vehicle body, a door coupled to the vehicle body, a latch arrangement and a sensor arrangement including a door sensor and configured to sense when the door is in the closed position, a latch sensor configured to sense when a latch member is in the engaged position, and a handle sensor configured to sense when a handle is in the closed position, and a controller operably coupled to the sensors and configured to provide feedback to the operator of at least one of (a) whether the door is in a closed position, the latch member is in an engaged position and the handle member is in a locked position, and (b) whether at least one of the door is in an open position, the latch member is in a disengaged position, and the handle member is in the an unlocked position.

Abstract: A kingpin assembly includes a housing having a recess located therein, a kingpin having at least a portion located within the recess of the housing, wherein the kingpin is secured within the recess of the housing, and wherein the kingpin includes an axis extending along a length of the kingpin, and a sensor arrangement configured to sense a force exerted on the kingpin in a first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An automated trailer coupling arrangement includes a receiver member supported on a towed vehicle and including pneumatic and electrical couplers, a shuttle member including pneumatic and electrical couplers configured to couple to pneumatic and electrical supply sources and a control arm assembly supported on a towing vehicle and including a carrier member configured to operably couple and uncouple with the shuttle member, and an actuator coupled to the carrier member configured to move the carrier between a first position where the carrier member is coupled with the shuttle member and the shuttle member is spaced from the receiver member, and a second position where the second pneumatic coupler is coupled with the first pneumatic coupler and the second electrical coupler is coupled with the first electrical coupler and the carrier is uncoupled and spaced from the shuttle member.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension arrangement includes a suspension slider assembly including first and second laterally spaced longitudinal frame members configured to be slidably coupled to a first vehicle frame member, first and second gusset members fixed to the first and second longitudinal frame members and each including a relief, a first lateral frame member extending between the first and second longitudinal frame members, the first lateral frame member having ends received within the reliefs, an axle member configured to support a pair of wheel assemblies, and a suspension assembly configured to support the suspension slider assembly from the axle member, the suspension assembly including a spring member positioned between the suspension slider assembly and the axle member.

Abstract: A landing leg assembly for a heavy duty commercial vehicle includes a first leg member defining an interior space, a second leg member telescopingly engaging the first leg member and movable between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the first leg member, a gear assembly at least partially located within the interior space of the first leg member and operably coupled to the second leg member and configured to receive an input from a user to move the first leg member between the retracted and extended positions, the gear assembly including a shaft member and a gear member fixed for rotation with the shaft member, and an integral, single-piece bearing member including a bore that rotatably receives the shaft member, wherein the bearing member comprises a powdered metal and is directly welded to the first leg member.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension position adjustment arrangement including a frame member having a plurality of apertures, and a trailing arm having a first end pivotally coupled to a slide member and a second end biased away from the frame member. A locking pin movable between an unlocked position where the locking pin is withdrawn from one of the apertures and the slide member is free to slide along the frame member, and a locked position where the locking pin engages one of the apertures preventing the slide member from sliding along the frame member, and a plurality of sensors spaced along the frame member, wherein a single sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to sense both the locking condition of the locking pin and the location of the locking pin along the frame member.

Abstract: A storage arrangement for lines from a tractor truck to a trailer including at least one of an electrical line, a first pneumatic line and a second pneumatic line includes a housing member configured to be secured to the truck, a first receiver connected to the housing and configured to couple to a select one of the electrical and pneumatic lines and a control arrangement operably coupled to the first receiver such that upon coupling of the select one of the lines with the first receiver the control arrangement allows an operator to unlock a kingpin from a fifth wheel hitch plate assembly, wherein the control arrangement prevents the operator from unlocking the kingpin from the fifth wheel hitch plate assembly prior to the select one of the lines being coupled with the first receiver.

Abstract: A load cell to measure displacements transferred by a fifth wheel to the load cell includes an elongated mounting base portion configured to attach to a support structure of a tractor, a coupling portion configured to pivotally support a fifth wheel, a middle portion disposed above the elongated mounting base portion and below the coupling portion, the middle portion including a hollow interior section with an opening into the hollow interior section, and a post extending from the elongated mounting base portion and protruding into the hollow interior section of the middle portion.

Abstract: A storage arrangement for lines from a tractor truck to a trailer including at least one of an electrical line, a first pneumatic line and a second pneumatic line includes a housing member configured to be secured to the truck, a first receiver connected to the housing and configured to couple to a select one of the electrical and pneumatic lines and a control arrangement operably coupled to the first receiver such that upon coupling of the select one of the lines with the first receiver the control arrangement allows an operator to unlock a kingpin from a fifth wheel hitch plate assembly, wherein the control arrangement prevents the operator from unlocking the kingpin from the fifth wheel hitch plate assembly prior to the select one of the lines being coupled with the first receiver.

Abstract: A vehicle electrical power supply arrangement includes a towing vehicle, a primary power supply source position within the towed vehicle, a towed vehicle operably coupled to the towing vehicle for towing behind the towing vehicle, wherein the towed vehicle is configured to be electrically coupled and uncoupled from the towing vehicle, an auxiliary power supply source positioned within the towed vehicle and configured to store an electronic charge, a sensor arrangement attached to the towed vehicle and configured to monitor a vehicle operating parameter, and an electronic control unit operably coupled to the sensor arrangement, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to receive an electrical charge from at least one of the primary power source and the auxiliary power source when the towed vehicle is electrically coupled to the towing vehicle, and from the auxiliary power source when the towed vehicle is electrically uncoupled from the towing vehicle.