Abstract: A vehicle brake assembly including a brake element which is movable between a first position, wherein the brake element is closed, and a second position, wherein the brake element is open, an actuator shaft having an actuator located along the length thereof and adapted to actuate the brake element from the first position to the second position, and an integral, single-piece brake spider that includes a first portion operably coupled with an axle, a second portion operably coupled to the brake element and a third portion that receives the actuator shaft therein, wherein the third portion extends along a majority of the length of the actuator shaft.

Abstract: A trailing beam suspension includes a mechanical adjustment mechanism for aligning the axle and wheels of a vehicle. The trailing beam is mounted to the vehicle frame by a pivot bolt passing through a hanger bracket and a conventional bushed connection. Opposing sides of the hanger bracket contain aligned curved apertures that receive the pivot bolt. The pivot bolt passes through pivot arms which are pivotally connected to the sides of the hanger bracket. The pivot arms are connected to a yoke to which an adjustment shaft is attached. Movement of the adjustment shaft moves the yoke fore and aft. The movement of the yoke pivots the pivot arms, thus moving the pivot bolt in a fore-and aft-direction. When the trailing beam has been aligned, the pivot connection is tightened, thus securing the trailing beam, axle, and wheels in the desired alignment.

Abstract: A suspension (10) adapted to mount on a vehicle frame having a pair of spaced frame rails (14). The suspension (10) comprises a pair of trailing arm assemblies (12) that carry an axle (16). Each trailing arm assembly comprises a frame bracket (24) adapted to be mounted to one of the frame rails (14) and a spring beam (20) pivotally mounted at one end to the frame bracket (24) for pivotal movement about a pivot axis (23) and adapted to carry an axle (16) at another end. A spring (26) is disposed between the spring beam other end and the corresponding frame rail to resist the rotational movement of the trailing arm toward the frame. An axle seat (62) is integrally formed in the spring beam (20) for mounting the axle (16) thereto. The spring beam (20) has a pivot axis center line and the axle seat has a center line, which is located outboard of the pivot axis center line.

Abstract: A trailing arm suspension (10) with a height control valve (70) in combination with an anti-creep device (12) having an automatic reset mechanism (90) that pressurizes the air spring of the trailing arm suspension until the rotatable arm (60) of the anti-creep device (12) is free to rotate from an extended position to a retracted position, even if the ride height is set too low. The automatic reset mechanism (90) adjusts the trailer height to prevent the binding of the trailing arm suspension and the anti-creep device when the height control valve (70) is improperly adjusted.

Abstract: A suspension (10) adapted to mount on a vehicle frame having a pair of spaced frame rails (14). The suspension (10) comprises a pair of trailing arm assemblies (12) that carry an axle (16). Each trailing arm assembly comprises a frame bracket (24) adapted to be mounted to one of the frame rails (14) and a spring beam (20) pivotaly mounted at one end to the frame bracket (24) for pivotal movement about a pivot axis (23) and adapted to carry an axle (16) at another end. A spring (26) is disposed between the spring beam other end and the corresponding frame rail to resist the rotational movement of the trailing arm toward the frame. An axle seat (62) is integrally formed in the spring beam (20) for mounting the axle (16) thereto. The spring beam (20) has a pivot axis center line and the axle seat has a center line, which is located outboard of the pivot axis center line.

Abstract: An anti-creep device for a trailer includes a support arm adapted to be mounted to a trailer frame proximate a trailer axle for rotational movement between a retracted position and an extended position. An actuator is associated with the support arm for rotating the arm at least to the extended position to thereby lock the frame at a selected height when the frame is raised with respect to the axle. A sensor switch is mounted to the frame in the vicinity of the support arm for sensing the position of the support arm and an indicator is operably connected to the sensor for indicating when the support arm is in the extended position.

Abstract: An anti-creep device for use with an air spring of a tractor-trailer is shown. The anti-creep device includes a support member which is mounted inside the air spring for movement between a blocking position and an articulating position. In the articulating position, the full range of compression between the top plate and piston of the air spring can be exercised. In the blocking position, the support member limits the downward movement of the top plate relative to the piston. Therefore, the support member limits downward movement of the frame rail of the trailer with respect to the axle and trailing arm. The support member can comprise a pivotable plate, a bladder filled with an incompressible fluid, a vertically telescoping arm or upper and lower bumpers rotatable into and out of vertical alignment.

Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling delivery and exhaust of pressurized air to and from an air spring. The valve assembly comprises a body having a pair of valve bores with a coaxially open end, and a port in communication with the valve bore. The port is adapted to receive an air connection with an air spring. An actuator shaft, having a first end and a second end, is disposed coaxially in the valve bore for reciprocal movement between an actuating position and a rest position, and is biased toward the rest position. A valve block fixes within the valve bore and has an internal end and an external end. A coaxial bore extends from the internal end to the external end and slidably receives the actuator shaft second end. A stop chamber is disposed between the external end and the internal end. The valve block has a seat on the external end at the coaxial bore. An air passage communicates with the port and the coaxial bore.

Abstract: A frame bracket for mounting a trailing arm to a trailer frame in a trailing arm suspension system comprising a U-shaped frame having a front wall and two side walls, a combined stiffener and gusset having a stiffening portion extending between the U-shaped frame side walls, and a gusset portion extending outwardly from at least one of the U-shaped frame side walls and adapted to mount to the trailer frame to provide additional stiffening, and an attachment flange curving inwardly from an upper edge of at least one of the front and side walls of the U-shaped frame; whereby a weld may be placed between the attachment flange and the trailer frame which is substantially in line with the at least one front or side wall having the attachment flange.

Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling the delivery and exhaustion of pressurized air to and from an air spring. The valve assembly comprises a body having a valve bore with a coaxially open end, and a port in communication with the valve bore. The port is adapted to receive an air connection with an air spring. An actuator shaft, having a first end and a second end, is disposed coaxially in the valve bore for reciprocal movement between an actuating position and a rest position, and is biased toward the rest position. A valve block fixes within the valve bore and has an internal end and an external end. A coaxial bore extends from the internal end to the external end and slidably receives the actuator shaft second end. A stop chamber is disposed between the external end and the internal end. The valve block has a seat on the external end at the coaxial bore. An air passage communicates with the port and the coaxial bore.

Abstract: A dump valve for selectively placing the inlet port of a height control valve into communication with a source of pressurized air or atmosphere. The dump valve comprises a body having a control bore, an opposing pilot bore, an exhaust bore intersecting the control bore, and a connection bore intersecting the control bore. The connecting bore has means for fluidly connecting the connection bore to the inlet bore of a height control valve. A valve seal disposed within the control bore for reciprocal movement therein selectively places the connection port in communication with either the supply port or the exhaust port. A piston axially disposed in the pilot bore for reciprocal movement therein controls the movement of the valve seal in response to the selective application of pressure to the pilot bore.

Abstract: An axle bracket for mounting a vehicle suspension system to an axle for ground-engaging wheels. The axle bracket incorporates a wrapper plate complementary to the surface of the axle. The sides of the wrapper plate extend to approximately the midpoint of the axle and is welded thereto. The wrapper plate may incorporate one or more fingers on the ends thereof. In addition to fingers, one or more notches may be incorporated on the end of the wrapper plate. The wrapper plate is welded to the axle such that the weld is tapered toward the end of the finger and may wrap around the end of the finger. The finger and notch configuration and tapered weld create an axle bracket able to withstand the torsional and shear forces as well as driving or breaking torque incidental to the operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: An improved connection is provided for mounting a trailing arm air suspension to the subframe of a slider suspension. A beam is welded to the bottom of a pair of frame rails, and a hanger bracket is welded to the bottom of the beam. One or more gussets is mounted to the beam to strengthen the connections between the hanger bracket and the beam and the beam and the frame rail. The connection also includes a support bracket for the air spring. The support bracket includes upper and lower flanges, with the lower flange mounting an upper end of the air spring and being mounted to the bottom of the frame rail. The upper flange extends acutely upwardly from the lower flange and is connected to an upper portion of the frame rail.