Abstract: A vehicle tire inflation system including an axle, an axle housing having an axle cavity, and a single port extending through the axle housing. A y-fitting is coupled to the port, the y-fitting having a first passageway and a second passageway. At least one conduit extends in the axle cavity and fluidly couples the first passageway to the axle ends, wherein the second passageway is configured to vent a fluid in the axle cavity to exterior the axle. A y-connector may be positioned in the axle housing to distribute pressurized air received from the conduit to each of the axle ends.

Abstract: An automatic onboard drive axle tire inflation system configured for use in vehicles having an articulating joint, including but not limited to drive axles that include a steerable axle and a vertically movable wheel such as used in independent suspension systems. Various embodiments of the invention deliver pressurized air from an inner axle to an outer axle, such as through a CV joint, which embodiments can withstand the significant heating generated by braking systems. One preferred embodiment includes a flexible tube extending from an inner drive axle to an outer drive axle, wherein the tube maintains a seal there between, and articulates in one or both drive axles to accommodate the varying distance and angle therebetween during the steering of the associated wheel. The system can be employed in any vehicle including an automobile, truck and tractor.

Abstract: A sealing body disposed about a rotating drive axle and forming an air chamber thereabout. The drive axle is provided with an air conduit extending therein and communicating air from the air chamber to the center of the drive axle and for delivery to tires via the wheel at the center of the axle flange. The sealing body includes an air conduit in communication with the air chamber, and is configured to secure to remain stationary about the drive axle axially rotating therein. The sealing body is typically disposed between the drive axle splines and the wheel and forms an air seal thereabout. The sealing body may comprise of a plurality of parts when the splines have a greater diameter than the remainder of the drive axle, but may also comprise of a unitary body configured to be axially disposed over the splines when the splines have a diameter consistent with the drive axle.

Abstract: An automatic onboard drive axle tire inflation system configured for use in vehicles having an articulating joint, including but not limited to drive axles that include a steerable axle and a vertically movable wheel such as used in independent suspension systems. Various embodiments of the invention deliver pressurized air from an inner axle to an outer axle, such as through a CV joint, which embodiments can withstand the significant heating generated by braking systems. One preferred embodiment includes a flexible tube extending from an inner drive axle to an outer drive axle, wherein the tube maintains a seal there between, and articulates in one or both drive axles to accommodate the varying distance and angle therebetween during the steering of the associated wheel. The system can be employed in any vehicle including an automobile, truck and tractor.

Abstract: A sealing body disposed about a rotating drive axle and forming an air chamber thereabout. The drive axle is provided with an air conduit extending therein and communicating air from the air chamber to the center of the drive axle and for delivery to tires via the wheel at the center of the axle flange. The sealing body includes an air conduit in communication with the air chamber, and is configured to secure to remain stationary about the drive axle axially rotating therein. The sealing body is typically disposed between the drive axle splines and the wheel and forms an air seal thereabout. The sealing body may comprise of a plurality of parts when the splines have a greater diameter than the remainder of the drive axle, but may also comprise of a unitary body configured to be axially disposed over the splines when the splines have a diameter consistent with the drive axle.

Abstract: A valve stem assembly for use with a pneumatic tire includes a stem, a first quick couple connector and a second quick couple connector. The first quick couple connector is attached to the stem. The first quick couple connector includes a first valve therein. The second quick couple connector is detachably coupled with the first quick couple connector. The second quick couple connector opens the first valve when the first quick couple connector and the second quick couple connector are coupled together. The second quick couple connector includes a second valve therein.

Abstract: A vehicle air supply system (200) providing pressurized air from an axle (12) of a vehicle to rotating tires to maintain a desired pneumatic pressure. The air supply system is adapted to be sealingly disposed within the hollow axle of the vehicle, having a rotary union (RU) disposed therein protecting the rotary union from external conditions such as oil leaks or brake shavings. The air supply system includes an axle plug assembly (300) which is seated within the hollow axle (12), and then having resilient members expanded therewithin to provide an air tight seal. The axle plug assembly includes a slidable piston member (260) is axially movable within a plug assembly bolt (282) to facilitate adapting the device to vehicles having different axle lengths. A graphite seal (250) is provided to minimize the friction between a rotating shaft coupled to the oil cap (202), and the stationary axle plug assembly.

Abstract: A variable-sized ball hitch assembly for connecting a vehicle with a trailer hitch. The variable-sized ball hitch assembly includes a body, with a first ball and a second ball that are connected together by a stem, each ball having a different diameter. Each ball has a respective outermost end surface. A central axis extends longitudinally through each ball and through the stem. The stem has a cross-sectional dimension which is somewhat less than the diameter of the first ball and the diameter of the second ball. The body has at least one elongate bore which is substantially concentric with the central axis of the body and extends inwardly from the respective outermost end surfaces of the first ball and the second ball. The body is selectively oriented upon the first end of an elongate shaft so as to present one of the two differently sized balls to the vehicle hitch. The second end of the elongate shaft is inserted into and affixed to the trailer hitch.

Abstract: A ball hitch and lock assembly is described in which a hitch ball member is connected to the top of a threaded shaft or bolt, the lower end of which is received into a notch of a locking mechanism. A removable locking pin within the locking mechanism extends from one side of the notch, through a bore in the shaft, and into the other side of the notch. The lower end of the shaft received within the notch includes two opposed flats, with each flat being disposed at a respective one of the two opposing ends of the shaft bore. The flats are separated by a distance less than the diameter of the shaft enabling the lower end of the shaft to be snugly received within the notch such that each of the flats interfaces with a respective side of the notch. The shaft threads above the flats extend beyond the width of the notch to prevent the introduction of a cutting instrument for the locking pin.

Abstract: An air inflation system for attachment to rotating wheels having outwardly directed studs for inflating a tire thereon. An elongate support is threadably attached to a stud on the wheel for supporting the support. An adjustable arm is rotatably connected to the support and in turn supports a rotatable air coupling. An air supply line is connected to the coupling and an outlet line from the coupling supplies air to a tire on the wheel.

Abstract: An air inflation system for tires on a vehicle having at least one driven axle in which the axle includes a longitudinal extending air passageway connected to each tire at the end of the axle and a rotatable air coupling connected between an air line and the air passageway. The coupling includes a stationary tubular sleeve surrounding the axle and first and second seals, respectively, at opposite ends of the sleeve in which the seals rotate with the axle and sealingly engage the axle. The seals are biased into engagement with the sleeve. Preferably, the ends of the sleeve and the coacting seals include beveled sealing surfaces.

Abstract: An air control system which is connected to the conventional air supply on a truck is continuously connected to the truck tires and provides equal pressure to all of the tires through a regulator. The air connection between the regulator and each tire is through a rotatable joint in the truck axles for allowing rotation of the wheels while connected to the air control system.