Abstract: A trailing beam suspension includes a mechanical adjustment mechanism for aligning the axle and wheels of a vehicle. The trailing beam is mounted to the vehicle frame by a pivot bolt passing through a hanger bracket and a conventional bushed connection. Opposing sides of the hanger bracket contain aligned curved apertures that receive the pivot bolt. The pivot bolt passes through pivot arms which are pivotally connected to the sides of the hanger bracket. The pivot arms are connected to a yoke to which an adjustment shaft is attached. Movement of the adjustment shaft moves the yoke fore and aft. The movement of the yoke pivots the pivot arms, thus moving the pivot bolt in a fore-and aft-direction. When the trailing beam has been aligned, the pivot connection is tightened, thus securing the trailing beam, axle, and wheels in the desired alignment.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly includes a hitch plate and a locking mechanism. The hitch plate includes a throat for receiving a kingpin of a trailer. The locking mechanism locks the kingpin in the throat and includes a pair of lock jaws whose lock jaw contact surface, which contacts the kingpin, is treated with an alloy obviating the need for a lubricant while maintaining the wear life of the pair of lock jaws.

Abstract: A thrust bearing for receiving thrust loads along the axis of a rotating shaft. The thrust bearing comprising a first bearing member having a race, a second bearing member having a race and ball bearings received in the races of the first and second bearing members for permitting relative rotating motion of the first and second bearing members. The second bearing member being formed to engage a rotating shaft to transmit axial forces between the shaft and the thrust bearing.

Abstract: A fifth wheel mounting assembly for mounting a fifth wheel hitch plate to a frame of a tractor that includes a pair of first support members adapted to be fixedly coupled to a pair of rails of a tractor, and each having a plurality of first apertures, and a pair of first mounting brackets each including a plurality of apertures that receive mounting hardware therein, wherein the mounting hardware extends through the plurality of apertures of the first mounting bracket and through the plurality of first apertures of the support members, thereby fixedly coupling the mounting brackets with the support members. Each mounting bracket further includes an inwardly exposed aperture adapted to receive a mounting pin therein for pivotally coupling a fifth wheel hitch plate to the mounting brackets, and a recess.

Abstract: The fifth wheel hitch lube plate of the present invention comprises a perforated support member having a plurality of perforations and a lubricious material molded around the perforated support member such that the lubricious material covers both the top and bottom surfaces of the perforated support member and extends through the perforations formed in the perforated support member. Preferably, the support member is a perforated metal plate and the lubricious material is nylon, graphite, or an ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene material. The problems associated with utilizing nylon (or similar materials) and bonding it to a support plate are overcome by forming the plurality of apertures in the support plate so that a mechanical cohesive bond is formed between the upper and lower surfaces of the support plate, thereby substantially increasing the lube plate strength, and shear strength, while decreasing the likelihood that the lube plate may buckle.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension comprising a frame (3) and a pair of levers (11) carried by the frame on opposite sides thereof. Each lever is pivotally mounted on the frame for swinging movement on an axis intermediate opposite ends of the lever transverse to the frame. The suspension includes a pair of beams (17, 19), one extending forward from one of the levers and the other extending forward from the other lever, each of the forwardly-extending beams having a pivotal connection with the respective lever forward of the lever axis and having a support for a forward axle. The suspension also includes a pair of beams, one extending rearward from the other lever, each of said rearwardly-extending beams having a pivotal connection with the respective lever rearward of the lever axis and having a support for a rearward axle.

Abstract: Landing gear for selectively supporting a semitrailer and a method of assembly of the landing gear is provided. The landing gear includes a leg having an upper section and a lower section telescopingly received in the upper section. A lead screw extends and retracts the upper and lower sections relative to each other upon rotation thereof. An input shaft applies a torque to the lead screw to drive rotation thereof, the input shaft being rotatable about a rotation axis and movable in translation along the rotation axis for shifting between a first position for low gear operation and a second position for high gear operation. An output shaft, axially aligned with the input shaft, has an output gear for transmitting torque to the lead screw. A gearing subassembly is received in the upper leg section and is configured to augment lift when the input shaft is in the first position and augment speed in the second position.

Abstract: The fifth wheel hitch lube plate (30) of the present invention comprises a perforated support member (40) having a plurality of perforations (50) and a lubricious material (42) molded around the perforated support member such that the lubricious material covers both the top and bottom surfaces of the perforated support member and extends through the perforations formed in the perforated support member. Preferably, the support member is a perforated metal plate and the lubricious material is nylon, graphite, or an ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene material. The problems associated with utilizing nylon (or similar materials) and bonding it to a support plate are overcome by forming the plurality of apertures in the support plate so that a mechanical cohesive bond is formed between the upper and lower surfaces of the support plate, thereby substantially increasing the lube plate strength, and shear strength, while decreasing the likelihood that the lube plate may buckle.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system comprising a frame and a pair of levers carried by the frame. Each lever is pivotally mounted for swinging movement on an axis extending transverse to the frame. A pair of forward-extending beams and rearward-extending beams have pivot connections with a respective lever and support a forward and rearward axle. Two forward springs and two rearward springs are each interposed between the beams and the frame. A pair of torque arms is carried by the frame forward of the forward-extending beams. Each torque arm has a first pivot connection with a respective beam and a second pivot connection with the frame forward of the first pivot connection with the beam. The torque arms function to restrict pivotal movement of the beams about their respective pivot connections with the levers thereby to reduce torsional forces applied to the forward axle.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a pair of equalizing beams, two pairs of axle housings each having a lower portion connected to opposite ends of the equalizing beams, two pairs of linkage arms operably connected to an upper portion of each of the axle housings and with a vehicle frame, and a pair of air cylinders operably connected to the equalizing beams at a point located between the ends of the beams and with the vehicle frame. The system further includes a torsional beam extending between the first and second air cylinders, wherein the torsional beam provides the operable connection between the first cylinder and the point of the first equalizing beam located between the ends of the first equalizing beam, and the operable connection between the second cylinder and the point of the second equalizing beam located between the ends of the second equalizing beam.

Abstract: A trailing arm suspension (10, 210, 310, 410) comprising a trailing arm (20, 220, 320, 420) having one portion pivotally connected to a frame bracket (22) extending from a vehicle frame (16) and another portion connected to the vehicle frame by an air spring (26) for resisting the rotational forces of the trailing arm. The trailing arm preferably comprises opposing side plates (56, 58) connected by multiple sleeves (94), which are preferably the inner sleeves of bushed connectors (24, 30, 36, 38). Mechanical fasteners (92) extend through the sleeves to compressively mount the side plates to the sleeves to form a rigid beam. An axle adapter (28) and a torque tube adapter (34) are also positioned between the opposing plates. Each of the frame bracket, axle adapter, and torque tube adapter are connected to the trailing arm side plates through a bushed connector to permit the articulation of the trailing arm and whose inner sleeve is used to connect side plates.

Abstract: A suspension (10) adapted to mount on a vehicle frame having a pair of spaced frame rails (14). The suspension (10) comprises a pair of trailing arm assemblies (12) that carry an axle (16). Each trailing arm assembly comprises a frame bracket (24) adapted to be mounted to one of the frame rails (14) and a spring beam (20) pivotally mounted at one end to the frame bracket (24) for pivotal movement about a pivot axis (23) and adapted to carry an axle (16) at another end. A spring (26) is disposed between the spring beam other end and the corresponding frame rail to resist the rotational movement of the trailing arm toward the frame. An axle seat (62) is integrally formed in the spring beam (20) for mounting the axle (16) thereto. The spring beam (20) has a pivot axis center line and the axle seat has a center line, which is located outboard of the pivot axis center line.

Abstract: A sensing system employs multiple sensors utilizing mounting structure integrated into a fifth wheel hitch and which is protected from the environment, is capable of accurately measuring forces along longitudinal and vertical axes for providing information as to roll, pitch, yaw, and drawbar load and which utilizes sensors which provide output signals for display and control. In one embodiment, a fifth wheel includes mounting boxes formed on an undersurface thereof on opposite sides of the kingpin receiving slot and a force-sensing unit mounted within each of said mounting boxes. Each force-sensing unit includes a vertical sensor positioned fore and aft of the vertical hitch axis and forward and aft horizontal force sensors.

Abstract: A modular suspension (10) adapted to mount on a vehicle frame having a pair of spaced C-shaped frame rails (12). The modular suspension comprises a pair of trailing arm assemblies (14) connected by a cross beam (50) and a trailing arm connection. Each of the trailing arm assemblies comprises a frame bracket (18) adapted to be mounted to one of the frame rails and a trailing arm (16) having one portion pivotally mounted to the frame bracket for pivotal movement about a pivot axis. The trailing arm connection (42, 52) extends between and is coupled to a portion of the trailing arms rearward of the pivot axis. The cross beam extends between and connects to the frame brackets such that a rail opening (56) having a shape for slidably receiving at least a portion of one of the frame rails is formed between each of the frame brackets and the cross beam.

Abstract: A trailing arm suspension (10) with a height control valve (70) in combination with an anti-creep device (12) having an automatic reset mechanism (90) that pressurizes the air spring of the trailing arm suspension until the rotatable arm (60) of the anti-creep device (12) is free to rotate from an extended position to a retracted position, even if the ride height is set too low. The automatic reset mechanism (90) adjusts the trailer height to prevent the binding of the trailing arm suspension and the anti-creep device when the height control valve (70) is improperly adjusted.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system comprising a frame and a pair of levers carried by the frame. Each lever is pivotally mounted for swinging movement on an axis extending transverse to the frame. A pair of forward-extending beams and rearward-extending beams have pivot connections with a respective lever and support a forward and rearward axle. Two forward springs and two rearward springs are each interposed between the beams and the frame. A pair of torque arms is carried by the frame forward of the forward-extending beams. Each torque arm has a first pivot connection with a respective beam and a second pivot connection with the frame forward of the first pivot connection with the beam. The torque arms function to restrict pivotal movement of the beams about their respective pivot connections with the levers thereby to reduce torsional forces applied to the forward axle.

Abstract: Landing gear for selectively supporting a semitrailer and a method of assembly of the landing gear is provided. The landing gear includes a leg having an upper section and a lower section telescopingly received in the upper section. A lead screw extends and retracts the upper and lower sections relative to each other upon rotation thereof. An input shaft applies a torque to the lead screw to drive rotation thereof, the input shaft being rotatable about a rotation axis and movable in translation along the rotation axis for shifting between a first position for low gear operation and a second position for high gear operation. An output shaft, axially aligned with the input shaft, has an output gear for transmitting torque to the lead screw. A gearing subassembly is received in the upper leg section and is configured to augment lift when the input shaft is in the first position and augment speed in the second position.

Abstract: A vehicle trailing arm suspension has an axle mounted to a pair of trailing arms through axle-mounting assemblies that include one or two beam-axle connectors mounted to one of the arms through a bushed connection and connected to the axle through a collar that receives the axle. An elastomeric layer is positioned between the axle and the collar for articulation. Each beam-axle connector can include an arcuate plate at the other end thereof and through which the beam-axle connector is mounted to the axle through welding or a compression mounting. The compression mounting includes a hollow wrapper band under tension sufficient to compress the axle to prevent movement of the axle with respect to the wrapper band under ordinary service conditions. A radius tower can also be mounted to an axle through the hollow wrapper band.

Abstract: An electronic system that includes a trailer sensor, a lock sensor and a control circuit determine whether a trailer hitch assembly is properly coupled to a trailer. The trailer sensor senses the position of the trailer relative to the trailer hitch assembly and the lock sensor senses the position of the locking mechanism. The control circuit is coupled to the trailer sensor and the lock sensor and masks an output of the lock sensor for a first predetermined stabilization period after the control circuit initially determines that the trailer hitch assembly is properly coupled to the trailer.

Abstract: Vibration dampening assembly alone and in vehicle trailing arm suspension has a link member, a shock absorber and a lever member. The link member has a first end pivotally interconnected with either of the trailing arm or the vehicle frame at a first support pivot. A lever member is pivotally interconnected with the link member second end at a link pivot intermediate the first and second ends of the lever member. A shock absorber has a first end of pivotally interconnected with the lever member second end at a shock pivot and has a second end pivotally interconnected with the other of the trailing arm or the vehicle frame at a second support pivot spaced from said first support pivot. The lever member is pivotally interconnected with either the trailing arm or the vehicle frame at a main pivot connection located at the first end of the lever member.