Patents Assigned to Transportation Technologies, Inc.
  • Patent number: 12485980
    Abstract: A suspension assembly and method of use is provided. The suspension is for an axle on a trailer or other vehicle. The suspension assembly has a cross support member connected with or integrally formed with a hanger bracket at the first end of the cross support member. A trailing beam is connected to the hanger bracket. The trailing beam and a mount are coupled with a load air bag and a lift air bag, with the bags located on each respective side of a pivot axis for the trailing beam. This establishes a teeter-totter configuration of the suspension assembly allowing independent wheel travel side-to-side of the suspension assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2025
    Assignee: TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ervin K. VanDenberg, Lyle Edward Turkson, David H. Croston
  • Publication number: 20250289522
    Abstract: A suspension assembly and method of use is provided. The suspension is for an axle on a trailer or other vehicle. The suspension assembly has a cross support member connected with or integrally formed with a hanger bracket at the first end of the cross support member. A trailing beam is connected to the hanger bracket. The trailing beam and a mount are coupled with a load air bag and a lift air bag, with the bags located on each respective side of a pivot axis for the trailing beam. This establishes a teeter-totter configuration of the suspension assembly allowing independent wheel travel side-to-side of the suspension assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2024
    Publication date: September 18, 2025
    Applicant: Transportation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ervin K. VanDenberg, Lyle Edward Turkson, David H. Croston
  • Patent number: 12227046
    Abstract: A suspension assembly and method of use is provided. The suspension is for an axle on a trailer or other vehicle. The suspension assembly has a cross support member connected with or integrally formed with a hanger bracket at the first end of the cross support member. A trailing beam is connected to the hanger bracket. The trailing beam and a mount are coupled with a load air bag and a lift air bag, with the bags located on each respective side of a pivot axis for the trailing beam. This establishes a teeter-totter configuration of the suspension assembly allowing independent wheel travel side-to-side of the suspension assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Transportation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ervin K. VanDenberg, Lyle Edward Turkson, David H. Croston
  • Patent number: 12214639
    Abstract: A suspension assembly and method of use is provided. The suspension is for an axle on a trailer or other vehicle. The suspension assembly has a cross support member connected with or integrally formed with a hanger bracket at the first end of the cross support member. A trailing beam is connected to the hanger bracket. The trailing beam and a mount are coupled with a load air bag and a lift air bag, with the bags located on each respective side of a pivot axis for the trailing beam. This establishes a teeter-totter configuration of the suspension assembly allowing independent wheel travel side-to-side of the suspension assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Transportation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ervin K. VanDenberg, Lyle Edward Turkson, David H. Croston
  • Patent number: 9085209
    Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes a frame mounting bracket for mounting to the vehicle. First and second levers are pivotally mounted to the frame mounting bracket. First and second rubber torsion axle assemblies are rigidly mounted to the first and second levers, respectively. A control arm pivotally connects to the first lever and the second lever. The control arm, and the first and second levers are configured to rotate the first rubber torsion axle assembly and the second rubber torsion axle assembly simultaneously when a static or dynamic force is encountered by the suspension assembly. First and second spindle swing arms can be attached to the first and second torsion axle assemblies respectively with the first spindle swing arm extending forward of the first lever with respect to a direction the vehicle normal travels and the second swing arm can trail the second lever in a “push-pull” configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Transportation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ervin K. VanDenberg, David H. Croston, Michael K. Powers
  • Patent number: 9039034
    Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes a frame mounting bracket for mounting to the vehicle. The suspension includes front and rear rubber torsion axle assemblies. Front and rear lever assemblies are respectively pivotally attached to the vehicle at front and rear lever pivot points. Outer housings of the rubber torsion axle assemblies are each respectively rigidly mounted to the front and rear lever assemblies. A rigid control arm is pivotally connected at one end to the front lever assembly at a front control arm pivot point and its other end is pivotally connected to the rear lever assembly at a rear control arm pivot point. When the suspension assembly encounters a force causing the front lever assembly to rotate in one direction about the front lever pivot point the rigid control arm causes the rear lever assembly to rotate about the rear lever pivot in an opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Transportation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ervin K. VanDenberg, David H. Croston, Michael K. Powers
  • Patent number: 8727363
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a vehicle including an elongated central torsion axle shaft of a rubber torsion axle assembly, a torsion axle shaft pivot point about which the torsion axle shaft pivots, a spring and an elongated spindle swing arm. The spring has a first end and a second end and the first end of the spring is connected to a fixed point relative to a vehicle frame. The spindle swing arm has a second end with the first end connected to the torsion axle shaft with the second end of the spindle swing arm connected to the second end of the spring. The spring can set the torsion axle shaft to a predetermined position, such as at or near a no-load position, when only static forces are present. This provides for a torsion axle with a greater range of movement and significantly improves its lifespan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Transportation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ervin K. VanDenberg, David H. Croston
  • Patent number: 8720922
    Abstract: A suspension system for use with a vehicle including an axle tube, an internal tube and a locking structure. The axle tube is adapted to be attached to the vehicle. The internal tube assembly has an inner member with a first end and a second end. A locking structure is formed integrally at the second end with the inner member. The locking structure has a locking shape that allows the internal tube assembly to be inserted into the axle tube when the locking structure is rotated to a non-operational position. The internal tube assembly is prevented from being removed from the axle tube when the internal tube assembly rotates between jounce and rebound positions when the suspension system is operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Transportation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ervin K. VanDenberg, David H. Croston
  • Patent number: 5068583
    Abstract: A shifter (10) comprises control electronics (20) which eliminate mechanical switches, providing increased reliability. The shift mechanics include a double-spring (28,30) disposed between a spring guide (32). The springs are compressed responsive to a driving screw (36) under control of a bidirectional motor (12). The motor (12) is controlled by the control electronics (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: Transportation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary E. Gresham, Burnis H. Tucker