Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a trailer of a tractor semitrailer has a supporting element that is telescopically adjustable by way of a gear shifting mechanism having a gear input shaft running vertically onto a spindle. In this way, the supporting element has an especially compact construction and can be installed very easily. The gear shift also has a free floating gear between two shift positions and can be shifted very conveniently.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved vehicle suspension system. More particularly, the present invention relates to an independent suspension system for light and medium duty trailers which utilizes a flexible bladder mounted between the vehicle frame and the axle. The flexible bladder is housed within a casing to control the flow of air into the bladder and to provide for flexible movement of the axle relative to the vehicle frame. In the preferred embodiment, the flexible bladder is a traditional break-chamber housing and multiple break-chamber housings may be utilized to increase the load-carrying capacity of the trailer.

Abstract: A landing gear assembly for a semitrailer includes a pair of legs that may be simultaneously raised or lowered by turning a single crank. Each of the legs is configured to be able to be mounted in either an inboard or outboard configuration. This is achieved by providing both sides of each leg with no protrusions that extend beyond the space provided in the mounting bracket and the mounting hole used to connect the landing gear to the semitrailer. The gear assembly of the landing gear includes a unique floor base that receives and supports the input shaft. A cover is used to support the input ends of the input shaft and the output shaft. The cover is connected to the input side of the upper tube of the leg and allows the gear assembly to be easily assembled within the perimeter of the upper leg.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system having a central beam pivotally mounted to hanger brackets at one end and rigidly attached to an axle at another end along substantially the entire length of the axle. The hanger brackets being mounted to the vehicle frame. The vehicle suspension system further including an air spring positioned intermediate the central beam and the vehicle frame. The air spring is fastened with fasteners to a support plate attached to the vehicle frame. The fasteners extend into the air spring. The air spring may also be fastened with similar fasteners to the central beam. A supplemental support plate may also be provided inside of the air spring for sandwiching the air spring between the supplemental support plate and the support plate and/or the supplemental support plate and the central beam. One or more of the fasteners may be an air inlet/outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a trailer of a tractor semitrailer has a supporting element that is telescopically adjustable by way of a gear shifting mechanism having a gear input shaft running vertically onto a spindle. In this way, the supporting element has an especially compact construction and can be installed very easily. The gear shift also has a free floating gear between two shift positions and can be shifted very conveniently.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved vehicle suspension system. More particularly, the present invention relates to an independent suspension system for light and medium duty trailers which utilizes a flexible bladder mounted between the vehicle frame and the axle. The flexible bladder is housed within a casing to control the flow of air into the bladder and to provide for flexible movement of the axle relative to the vehicle frame. In the preferred embodiment, the flexible bladder is a traditional break-chamber housing and multiple break-chamber housings may be utilized to increase the load-carrying capacity of the trailer.

Abstract: A landing gear assembly for a semitrailer includes a pair of legs that may be simultaneously raised or lowered by turning a single crank. Each of the legs is configured to be able to be mounted in either an inboard or outboard configuration. This is achieved by providing both sides of each leg with no protrusions that extend beyond the space provided in the mounting bracket and the mounting hole used to connect the landing gear to the semitrailer. The gear assembly of the landing gear includes a unique floor base that receives and supports the input shaft. A cover is used to support the input ends of the input shaft and the output shaft. The cover is connected to the input side of the upper tube of the leg and allows the gear assembly to be easily assembled within the perimeter of the upper leg.

Abstract: A pivot assembly for use in a vehicle suspension system includes a bushing having a constant cross sectional configuration and having a cylindrical hole formed therein. The bushing is positioned within a bushing seat, which is non-complimentary shaped with respect to the bushing and provides cavities for around the bushing so to permit defined deflection of the bushing under load.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved vehicle suspension system. More particularly, the present invention relates to an independent suspension system for light and medium duty trailers which utilizes a flexible bladder mounted between the vehicle frame and the axle. The flexible bladder is housed within a casing to control the flow of air into the bladder and to provide for flexible movement of the axle relative to the vehicle frame. In the preferred embodiment, the flexible bladder is a traditional break-chamber housing and multiple break-chamber housings may be utilized to increase the load-carrying capacity of the trailer.

Abstract: A landing gear assembly for a semitrailer includes a pair of legs that may be simultaneously raised or lowered by turning a single crank. Each of the legs is configured to be able to be mounted in either an inboard or outboard configuration. This is achieved by providing both sides of each leg with no protrusions that extend beyond the space provided in the mounting bracket and the mounting hole used to connect the landing gear to the semitrailer. The gear assembly of the landing gear includes a unique floor base that receives and supports the input shaft. A cover is used to support the input ends of the input shaft and the output shaft. The cover is connected to the input side of the upper tube of the leg and allows the gear assembly to be easily assembled within the perimeter of the upper leg.

Abstract: A landing gear for semitrailers includes a two-speed single reduction gear assembly having fewer, smaller, and simpler parts, resulting in a compact single reduction gear assembly and cost efficient landing gear unit with a unique clutch-shifting mechanism to provide for shifting from one ratio to another. The single reduction gear assembly is disposed on and about vertically offset input and output shafts further resulting in an easy to crank and shift landing gear unit capable of achieving standard crank handle turn to vertical leg travel distance ratios. The low gear or low speed ratio of the landing gear unit can be varied within a broad range during manufacture, if desired, generally without increasing the overall size or complexity of the two-speed single reduction gear assembly. The landing gear can further include a universal mounting feature and is durable and simple to use.

Abstract: A landing gear for semitrailers includes a two-speed single reduction gear assembly having fewer, smaller, and simpler parts, resulting in a compact single reduction gear assembly and cost efficient landing gear unit with a unique clutch-shifting mechanism to provide for shifting from one ratio to another. The single reduction gear assembly is disposed on and about vertically offset input and output shafts further resulting in an easy to crank and shift landing gear unit capable of achieving standard crank handle turn to vertical leg travel distance ratios. The low gear or low speed ratio of the landing gear unit can be varied within a broad range during manufacture, if desired, generally without increasing the overall size or complexity of the two-speed single reduction gear assembly. The landing gear can further include a universal mounting feature and is durable and simple to use.

Abstract: A lightweight structure for a flatbed trailer having a cellular stiffening structure formed from a plurality of vertically arranged partitions which form a multiplicity of polygonal cells is disclosed. The cellular structure has the advantage of providing a strong lightweight structure which efficiently transmits load forces from the floor structure to the base upon which the wheels, suspension system, kingpin and landing gear are mounted. The resulting trailer has about a 4000 pound weight advantage over conventional steel frame trailers and about a 2500 pound weight advantage over conventional aluminum frame trailers, which translates directly into increased payload capacity as the trailer of the invention is capable of carrying loads up to the maximum legal weight limits in most states.

Abstract: A landing gear for semitrailers includes a two speed double reduction gear assembly having fewer, smaller, and simpler parts, resulting in a compact double reduction gear assembly housed in a relatively small gear box or entirely within one of the landing gear legs, which is a cost efficient landing gear unit with a unique clutch-shifting mechanism to provide for shifting from one ratio to another. The double reduction gear assembly is disposed on and about in-line input and output shafts further resulting in an easy to crank and shift landing gear unit capable of achieving standard crank handle turn to vertical leg travel distance ratios. The low gear or low speed ratio of the landing gear unit can be varied within a broad range during manufacture, if desired, generally without increasing the overall size or complexity of the two speed double reduction gear assembly. The landing gear can further include a universal mounting feature and is durable and simple to use.

Abstract: A landing gear for semitrailers includes a two speed double reduction gear assembly having fewer, smaller, and simpler parts, resulting in a compact double reduction gear assembly and cost efficient landing gear unit with a unique clutch-shifting mechanism to provide for shifting from one ratio to another. The double reduction gear assembly is disposed on and about in-line input and output shafts further resulting in an easy to crank and shift landing gear unit capable of achieving standard crank handle turn to vertical leg travel distance ratios. The low gear or low speed ratio of the landing gear unit can be varied within a broad range during manufacture, if desired, generally without increasing the overall size or complexity of the two speed double reduction gear assembly. The landing gear can further include a universal mounting feature and is durable and simple to use.