Patents by Inventor Ashley Thomas Dudding
Ashley Thomas Dudding has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11565563Abstract: A suspension travel control system (1046) for a vehicle suspension is disclosed. The suspension travel control system includes a stop post (834) secured to the vehicle frame and a suspension travel control formation that includes a base (1042) and a body (1048). The stop post (834) is positioned in a space defined by the body (1048). The suspension travel control formation may be secured to the axle, the main support member or incorporated into the axle coupling assembly to provide a rebound and jounce stop as well as longitudinal redundancy in the event of the failure or loss of a longitudinal linkage.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2019Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Ashley Thomas Dudding, Jerry Michael Lovett, Richard John Aumann, Foster Kolbe Pyle, Matthew Edward Michael DiCianni
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Patent number: 11511582Abstract: A bushing is disclosed for pivotally mounting an end portion of an axle-supporting beam of a vehicle suspension system to a hanger bracket of the vehicle with a pair of wear pads positioned between sides of the end portion of the beam and the hanger bracket, where the pair of wear pads each has a central opening defined by an inner edge. The bushing includes a tubular body having a longitudinal axis, a first end portion, a second end portion and a beam support portion positioned between the first and second end portions. A first resilient wear pad retainer extends radially from the first end portion of the body and a second resilient wear pad retainer extends radially from the second end portion of the body.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2018Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Randy J. Zimmerman, Emmanuel Simeakis, Ashley Thomas Dudding
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Publication number: 20200282784Abstract: A bushing is disclosed for pivotally mounting an end portion of an axle-supporting beam of a vehicle suspension system to a hanger bracket of the vehicle with a pair of wear pads positioned between sides of the end portion of the beam and the hanger bracket, where the pair of wear pads each has a central opening defined by an inner edge. The bushing includes a tubular body having a longitudinal axis, a first end portion, a second end portion and a beam support portion positioned between the first and second end portions. A first resilient wear pad retainer extends radially from the first end portion of the body and a second resilient wear pad retainer extends radially from the second end portion of the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2018Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: Randy J. Zimmerman, Emmanuel Simeakis, Ashley Thomas Dudding
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Patent number: 10611206Abstract: An automatic air suspension control system is provided for use in combination with a vehicle having a non-driven rear axle, a driven rear axle, and an air suspension associated with the rear axles to apply a load to each of the rear axles. The air suspension control system is programmed to maintain the load applied to the non-driven rear axle at a level that is less than the load applied to the driven rear axle until the load applied to the driven rear axle is equal to a threshold amount. The threshold amount may be equal to the maximum load that may be legally applied to the driven rear axle or some lower level. There may be no load applied to the non-driven rear axle prior to the load on the driven rear axle reaching the threshold amount or may be a non-zero amount.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Jeffrey R. Zawacki, Michael J. Keeler, Ashley Thomas Dudding
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Publication number: 20190337347Abstract: A suspension travel control system for a vehicle suspension is disclosed. The suspension travel control system includes a stop post secured to the vehicle frame and a suspension travel control formation that includes a base and a body. The stop post is positioned in a space defined by the body. The suspension travel control formation may be secured to the axle, the main support member or incorporated into the axle coupling assembly to provide a rebound and jounce stop as well as longitudinal redundancy in the event of the failure or loss of a longitudinal linkage.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2018Publication date: November 7, 2019Inventors: Ashley Thomas Dudding, Jerry Michael Lovett, Richard John Aumann
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Patent number: 9796231Abstract: Energy storing suspension components for use in suspension systems for wheeled vehicles and trailers, and suspension systems incorporating such energy storing suspension components are disclosed. The energy storing suspension components include an axle seat portion, a first end, and a first limb extending between the axle seat portion and the first end. The axle seat portion includes first and second surfaces with at least one of the first and second surfaces having at least two spaced apart recesses that are spaced from a center of the axle seat portion, the recesses being configured to receive respective protrusions extending from at least one suspension component that is connected to the energy storing suspension component when coupled within an axle coupling assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2016Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: HENDRICKSON USA, L.L.C.Inventors: William Wilson, William Darcy Robertson, Ashley Thomas Dudding, Quang C. Nguyen
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Patent number: 9493048Abstract: An axle mounting assembly for coupling a vehicle axle to an energy storing suspension component. The assembly includes a mounting pad, and a longitudinally extending energy storing suspension component such as a leaf spring is vertically aligned with respect to the mounting pad. An axle seat bracket is vertically aligned with and spaced from the mounting pad. The axle is transversely mounted to the axle seat bracket which includes at least one horizontally aligned open passage that is aligned parallel to the axle and which receives a U-shaped fastener assembly for coupling the axle and axle seat bracket to the mounting pad.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2013Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Inventors: Damon Elwood Dilworth, Michael Paul Bloink, Ashley Thomas Dudding, Sammy C. Lumetta
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Publication number: 20160311283Abstract: Energy storing suspension components for use in suspension systems for wheeled vehicles and trailers, and suspension systems incorporating such energy storing suspension components are disclosed. The energy storing suspension components include an axle seat portion, a first end, and a first limb extending between the axle seat portion and the first end. The axle seat portion includes first and second surfaces with at least one of the first and second surfaces having at least two spaced apart recesses that are spaced from a center of the axle seat portion, the recesses being configured to receive respective protrusions extending from at least one suspension component that is connected to the energy storing suspension component when coupled within an axle coupling assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2016Publication date: October 27, 2016Inventors: William Wilson, William Darcy Robertson, Ashley Thomas Dudding, Quang C. Nguyen
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Patent number: 9415654Abstract: Energy storing suspension components for use in suspension systems for wheeled vehicles and trailers, and suspension systems incorporating such energy storing suspension components are disclosed. The energy storing suspension components include an axle seat portion, a first end, and a first limb extending between the axle seat portion and the first end. The axle seat portion includes first and second surfaces with at least one of the first and second surfaces having at least two spaced apart recesses that are spaced from a center of the axle seat portion, the recesses being configured to receive respective protrusions extending from at least one suspension component that is connected to the energy storing suspension component when coupled within an axle coupling assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2015Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: William Wilson, William Darcy Robertson, Ashley Thomas Dudding, Quang C. Nguyen
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Publication number: 20150329099Abstract: An automatic air suspension control system is provided for use in combination with a vehicle having a non-driven rear axle, a driven rear axle, and an air suspension associated with the rear axles to apply a load to each of the rear axles. The air suspension control system is programmed to maintain the load applied to the non-driven rear axle at a level that is less than the load applied to the driven rear axle until the load applied to the driven rear axle is equal to a threshold amount. The threshold amount may be equal to the maximum load that may be legally applied to the driven rear axle or some lower level. There may be no load applied to the non-driven rear axle prior to the load on the driven rear axle reaching the threshold amount or may be a non-zero amount.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2014Publication date: November 19, 2015Applicant: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Jeffrey R. Zawacki, Michael J. Keeler, Ashley Thomas Dudding
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Publication number: 20150165851Abstract: An axle mounting assembly for coupling a vehicle axle to an energy storing suspension component. The assembly includes a mounting pad, and a longitudinally extending energy storing suspension component such as a leaf spring is vertically aligned with respect to the mounting pad. An axle seat bracket is vertically aligned with and spaced from the mounting pad. The axle is transversely mounted to the axle seat bracket which includes at least one horizontally aligned open passage that is aligned parallel to the axle and which receives a U-shaped fastener assembly for coupling the axle and axle seat bracket to the mounting pad.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2013Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: Damon Elwood Dilworth, MIchael Paul Bloink, Ashley Thomas Dudding, Sammy C. Lumetta
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Patent number: 9050870Abstract: Energy storing suspension components for use in suspension systems for wheeled vehicles and trailers, and suspension systems incorporating such energy storing suspension components are disclosed. The energy storing suspension components include an axle seat portion, a first end, and a first limb extending between the axle seat portion and the first end. The axle seat portion includes first and second surfaces with at least one of the first and second surfaces having at least two spaced apart recesses that are spaced from a center of the axle seat portion, the recesses being configured to receive respective protrusions extending from at least one suspension component that is connected to the energy storing suspension component when coupled within an axle coupling assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: HENDRICKSON USA, L.L.C.Inventors: William Wilson, William Darcy Robertson, Ashley Thomas Dudding, Quang C. Nguyen
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Publication number: 20150145227Abstract: Energy storing suspension components for use in suspension systems for wheeled vehicles and trailers, and suspension systems incorporating such energy storing suspension components are disclosed. The energy storing suspension components include an axle seat portion, a first end, and a first limb extending between the axle seat portion and the first end. The axle seat portion includes first and second surfaces with at least one of the first and second surfaces having at least two spaced apart recesses that are spaced from a center of the axle seat portion, the recesses being configured to receive respective protrusions extending from at least one suspension component that is connected to the energy storing suspension component when coupled within an axle coupling assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2015Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: William Wilson, William Darcy Robertson, Ashley Thomas Dudding, Quang C. Nguyen
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Patent number: 8827289Abstract: An axle mounting assembly for coupling a vehicle axle to an energy storing suspension component. The assembly includes a mounting pad, and a longitudinally extending energy storing suspension component such as a leaf spring is vertically aligned with respect to the mounting pad. An axle seat bracket is vertically aligned with and spaced from the mounting pad. The axle is transversely mounted to the axle seat bracket which includes at least one horizontally aligned open passage that is aligned parallel to the axle and which receives a U-shaped fastener assembly for coupling the axle and axle seat bracket to the mounting pad.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Damon Elwood Dilworth, Michael Paul Bloink, Ashley Thomas Dudding, Sammy C. Lumetta
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Publication number: 20130320644Abstract: Energy storing suspension components for use in suspension systems for wheeled vehicles and trailers, and suspension systems incorporating such energy storing suspension components are disclosed. The energy storing suspension components include an axle seat portion, a first end, and a first limb extending between the axle seat portion and the first end. The axle seat portion includes first and second surfaces with at least one of the first and second surfaces having at least two spaced apart recesses that are spaced from a center of the axle seat portion, the recesses being configured to receive respective protrusions extending from at least one suspension component that is connected to the energy storing suspension component when coupled within an axle coupling assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: HENDRICKSON USA, L.L.C.Inventors: William Wilson, William Darcy Robertson, Ashley Thomas Dudding, Quang C. Nguyen
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Patent number: 8544961Abstract: A fabricated vehicle axle is provided with a main body defined by the combination of a channel having an inverted U-shaped configuration and a bottom plate. The ends of the main body are curved upwardly to define a pair of gooseneck portions. Axle head sections are formed at the ends of the axle and are closed off by end extensions extending from the front and rear walls of the channel and a cover flap extension extending from the top wall of the channel. A head plate is inserted within the space between the cover flap and the top edges of the end extensions. King pin bolt holes are machined at each axle head section into the cover flaps, head plates and each end of the bottom plate to permit a king pin to be installed therein.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2010Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: John Stephen Bubulka, Ashley Thomas Dudding, Jerome Lim Cortez, Brian Scott Wiltjer
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Patent number: 8192106Abstract: A lightweight heavy duty bushing assembly for use in a vehicle suspension system and being low cost and having a high assembly tolerance is disclosed. A metal bar pin is press fit into a bushing formed from a metal sleeve bonded to an elastomeric housing. The metal sleeve is deformable such that exact tolerances of the metal sleeve and the bar pin are not required. The metal bar pin has extended ends with a hole in each end for attachment of the metal bar pin to vehicle suspension components, mounting brackets, or to the vehicle frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2010Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Hendrickson USA, LLC.Inventors: Richard Gregory Vogler, Michael Brannigan, Ashley Thomas Dudding, Christopher Wayne Forrest
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Patent number: 8177246Abstract: Axle seats are disclosed for incorporation into vehicle suspensions of the type having a laterally extending axle and a longitudinally extending leaf spring. The axle seat includes a seat portion, a clamp group mounting surface, and an air spring mounting flange. A sidewall of the axle seat connects the seat portion to the clamp group mounting surface and the air spring mounting flange. The clamp group mounting surface and air spring mounting flange are configured to be positioned at different heights when the seat portion is connected to an axle. A second sidewall and air spring mounting flange may be provided, in which case the air spring mounting flanges may be spaced apart to provide an area through which a leaf spring may extend.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2011Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Jerome Lim Cortez, Jason Steby Thomas, Ashley Thomas Dudding, William Wilson, Greg Lewis McClain, Brent Collyer
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Publication number: 20120056469Abstract: A fabricated vehicle axle is provided with a main body defined by the combination of a channel having an inverted U-shaped configuration and a bottom plate. The ends of the main body are curved upwardly to define a pair of gooseneck portions. Axle head sections are formed at the ends of the axle and are closed off by end extensions extending from the front and rear walls of the channel and a cover flap extension extending from the top wall of the channel. A head plate is inserted within the space between the cover flap and the top edges of the end extensions. King pin bolt holes are machined at each axle head section into the cover flaps, head plates and each end of the bottom plate to permit a king pin to be installed therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2010Publication date: March 8, 2012Inventors: John Stephen Bubulka, Ashley Thomas Dudding, Jerome Lim Cortez, Brian Scott Wiltjer
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Publication number: 20120032412Abstract: Axle seats are disclosed for incorporation into vehicle suspensions of the type having a laterally extending axle and a longitudinally extending leaf spring. The axle seat includes a seat portion, a clamp group mounting surface, and an air spring mounting flange. A sidewall of the axle seat connects the seat portion to the clamp group mounting surface and the air spring mounting flange. The clamp group mounting surface and air spring mounting flange are configured to be positioned at different heights when the seat portion is connected to an axle. A second sidewall and air spring mounting flange may be provided, in which case the air spring mounting flanges may be spaced apart to provide an area through which a leaf spring may extend.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Inventors: Jerome Lim Cortez, Jason Steby Thomas, Ashley Thomas Dudding, William Wilson, Greg Lewis McClain, Brent Collyer