Patents by Inventor Doug Thole

Doug Thole 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).

  • Patent number: 9688327
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly includes providing an axle assembly having a first end including a first mounting structure and a second end, providing a first bearing block and a second bearing block, forming a first aperture in the first bearing block and a second aperture in the second bearing block, attaching the first and second bearing blocks to the first mounting structure subsequent to forming the first and second apertures; and providing a first spindle assembly coupled to the first mounting structure by a first spherical bearing located within the first aperture and a second spherical bearing located within the second aperture, wherein a first kingpin assembly extends through the first and second spherical bearings, thereby coupling the first spindle with the first mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Conaway, Daniel R. Dykstra, Marc Johnson, Doug Thole, Boyd Freeman
  • Publication number: 20160318567
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly includes providing an axle assembly having a first end including a first mounting structure and a second end, providing a first bearing block and a second bearing block, forming a first aperture in the first bearing block and a second aperture in the second bearing block, attaching the first and second bearing blocks to the first mounting structure subsequent to forming the first and second apertures; and providing a first spindle assembly coupled to the first mounting structure by a first spherical bearing located within the first aperture and a second spherical bearing located within the second aperture, wherein a first kingpin assembly extends through the first and second spherical bearings, thereby coupling the first spindle with the first mounting structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Conaway, Daniel R. Dykstra, Marc Johnson, Doug Thole, Boyd Freeman
  • Patent number: 9481416
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly includes providing an axle assembly having a first end including a first mounting structure and a second end, providing a first bearing block and a second bearing block, forming a first aperture in the first bearing block and a second aperture in the second bearing block, attaching the first and second bearing blocks to the first mounting structure subsequent to forming the first and second apertures; and providing a first spindle assembly coupled to the first mounting structure by a first spherical bearing located within the first aperture and a second spherical bearing located within the second aperture, wherein a first kingpin assembly extends through the first and second spherical bearings, thereby coupling the first spindle with the first mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Conaway, Daniel R. Dykstra, Marc Johnson, Doug Thole, Boyd Freeman
  • Patent number: 9290221
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly includes an axle member movable between a first position and a second position, mounting brackets adapted to couple to a vehicle frame assembly, trailing arms pivotably coupled to mounting brackets and pivotably coupled to the axle member, a lift arrangement including a pair of diaphragm chambers each having a push plate and a flexible bladder, the push plate of the diaphragm chamber dividing the associated diaphragm chamber into a first compartment and a second compartment, the first compartment of each diaphragm chamber being adjustably pressurized to move the push plate of the associated diaphragm chamber, and at least one push rod defining a single longitudinal axis and connected to each push plate such that pressurization of the diaphragm chambers cause a translational movement of the at least one push rod, thereby causing the axle member to move between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Conaway, Daniel R. Dykstra, Marc Johnson, Doug Thole, Boyd Freeman
  • Publication number: 20150151801
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly includes providing an axle assembly having a first end including a first mounting structure and a second end, providing a first bearing block and a second bearing block, forming a first aperture in the first bearing block and a second aperture in the second bearing block, attaching the first and second bearing blocks to the first mounting structure subsequent to forming the first and second apertures; and providing a first spindle assembly coupled to the first mounting structure by a first spherical bearing located within the first aperture and a second spherical bearing located within the second aperture, wherein a first kingpin assembly extends through the first and second spherical bearings, thereby coupling the first spindle with the first mounting structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Richard Conaway, Daniel R. Dykstra, Marc Johnson, Doug Thole, Boyd Freeman
  • Patent number: 8967639
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly includes first and second mounting brackets each adapted to couple to a vehicle frame assembly, first and second trailing arms each having a first end pivotably coupled to the mounting brackets, and a second end located outboard of the first end of the associated trailing arm; an axle member having a first end and a second end; an integrated first mounting arrangement and an integrated second mounting arrangement coupled to the associated ends of the axle member, wherein the mounting arrangements pivotably couple the second end of the associated trailing arm to one of the ends of the axle member, and wherein the mounting arrangements couple one of the ends of the axle member to the spindle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Conaway, Daniel R. Dykstra, Marc Johnson, Doug Thole, Boyd Freeman
  • Publication number: 20140210174
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly includes first and second mounting brackets each adapted to couple to a vehicle frame assembly, first and second trailing arms each having a first end pivotably coupled to the mounting brackets, and a second end located outboard of the first end of the associated trailing arm; an axle member having a first end and a second end; an integrated first mounting arrangement and an integrated second mounting arrangement coupled to the associated ends of the axle member, wherein the mounting arrangements pivotably couple the second end of the associated trailing arm to one of the ends of the axle member, and wherein the mounting arrangements couple one of the ends of the axle member to the spindle assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Conaway, Daniel R. Dykstra, Marc Johnson, Doug Thole, Boyd Freeman
  • Publication number: 20140210173
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly includes an axle member movable between a first position and a second position, mounting brackets adapted to couple to a vehicle frame assembly, trailing arms pivotably coupled to mounting brackets and pivotably coupled to the axle member, a lift arrangement including a pair of diaphragm chambers each having a push plate and a flexible bladder, the push plate of the diaphragm chamber dividing the associated diaphragm chamber into a first compartment and a second compartment, the first compartment of each diaphragm chamber being adjustably pressurized to move the push plate of the associated diaphragm chamber, and at least one push rod defining a single longitudinal axis and connected to each push plate such that pressurization of the diaphragm chambers cause a translational movement of the at least one push rod, thereby causing the axle member to move between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Conaway, Daniel R. Dykstra, Marc Johnson, Doug Thole, Boyd Freeman
  • Patent number: 7281764
    Abstract: The chair includes seat and back assemblies interconnected in a four-bar linkage. The chair further includes a tension mechanism comprising a coil spring projecting forwardly from a base and an adjustment linkage which is connected to said coil spring and to a front link of said four-bar linkage. A back linkage end of said adjustment linkage being axially movable along an axis of said coil spring and a front linkage end being vertically movable along said front link to adjust displacement of said adjustment linkage during rearward pivoting of said front link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventor: Doug Thole
  • Publication number: 20040160101
    Abstract: The chair includes seat and back assemblies interconnected in a four-bar linkage. The chair further includes a tension mechanism comprising a coil spring projecting forwardly from a base and an adjustment linkage which is connected to said coil spring and to a front link of said four-bar linkage. A back linkage end of said adjustment linkage being axially movable along an axis of said coil spring and a front linkage end being vertically movable along said front link to adjust displacement of said adjustment linkage during rearward pivoting of said front link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventor: Doug Thole
  • Publication number: 20030132653
    Abstract: The chair includes seat and back assemblies interconnected in a four-bar linkage. The chair further includes a tension mechanism comprising a coil spring projecting forwardly from a base and an adjustment linkage which is connected to said coil spring and to a front link of said four-bar linkage. A back linkage end of said adjustment linkage being axially movable along an axis of said coil spring and a front linkage end being vertically movable along said front link to adjust displacement of said adjustment linkage during rearward pivoting of said front link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventor: Doug Thole