Patents by Inventor Jerome Lim Cortez
Jerome Lim Cortez 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: 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: 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
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Patent number: 8038163Abstract: A leading or trailing arm vehicle suspension system comprised of a fabricated vehicle axle and a fully integrated beam casting providing bending stiffness to control axle windup and longitudinal stiffness to control axle position is disclosed. The beam casting is attached to the vehicle axle with a thru-bolt connection. The beam casting includes rack and pinion mounting attachment holes and also includes other built-in features providing efficient transfer of loads into the vehicle axle.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2010Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Ashley Thomas Dudding, Rodolfo Rosales, Jr., Jerome Lim Cortez, Jerry Michael Lovett
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Patent number: 8029008Abstract: A vehicle leaf spring suspension having a low spring rate is disclosed. The suspension has an axle seat secured to a vehicle axle. The leaf spring is clamped at its spring seat area to the axle seat at the clamp group mounting surface of the axle seat and with certain of the disclosed axle seats, can be clamped such that the spring seat area is asymmetrically positioned with respect to the vehicle axle centerline. Also, an active clamp group arrangement can be used to utilize the entire physical length of the leaf spring.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2006Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Jerome Lim Cortez, Jason Steby Thomas, Ashley Thomas Dudding, William Wilson, Gregory Lewis McClain, Brent Collyer
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Patent number: 7862058Abstract: A fabricated vehicle axle is provided with a single piece main body having an inverted U-shaped configuration. The ends of the main body are curved upwardly to define a pair of gooseneck portions. A first king pin fixture having a king pin bore is secured to one of the gooseneck portions, while a second king pin fixture having a king pin bore is secured to the other gooseneck portion. A bottom plate is secured to the main body and has ends extending beyond the gooseneck portions to provide seats for the king pin fixtures.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2008Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Hendrickson USA L.L.C.Inventors: John Stephen Bubulka, Ashley Thomas Dudding, Jerome Lim Cortez
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Publication number: 20100187789Abstract: A leading or trailing arm vehicle suspension system comprised of a fabricated vehicle axle and a fully integrated beam casting providing bending stiffness to control axle windup and longitudinal stiffness to control axle position is disclosed. The beam casting is attached to the vehicle axle with a thru-bolt connection. The beam casting includes rack and pinion mounting attachment holes and also includes other built-in features providing efficient transfer of loads into the vehicle axle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2010Publication date: July 29, 2010Applicant: HENDRICKSON USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Ashley Thomas Dudding, Rodolfo Rosales, JR., Jerome Lim Cortez, Jerry Michael Lovett
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Patent number: 7748726Abstract: A leading or trailing arm vehicle suspension system comprised of a fabricated vehicle axle and an arm assembly. The arm assembly includes an axle bracket attached to the axle and a leading or trailing arm attached to the axle bracket. The arm provides bending stiffness to control axle windup and longitudinal stiffness to control axle position is disclosed. The axle bracket is attached to the vehicle axle with a through-bolt connection. The axle bracket or the arm includes rack and pinion mounting attachment holes and also includes other built-in features providing efficient transfer of loads into the vehicle axle.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2007Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Ashley Thomas Dudding, Jason Sleby Thomas, Rodolfo Rosales, Jr., Jerome Lim Cortez, Jerry Michael Lovett, Damon Elwood Dilworth
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Patent number: 7744105Abstract: A clamp assembly of a vehicle leaf spring suspension is disclosed. The clamp assembly has an axle bracket secured to a vehicle axle and a top cap secured to the axle bracket by mechanical fasteners to define an axle seat. The axle bracket and top cap may include interlocking keys and keyways to cooperate with the mechanical fasteners in transmitting the load from the vehicle axle. A spring seat of the leaf spring is received within the axle seat and is tapered. The tapered spring seat, when combined with a deformable liner in the axle seat, effectively eliminates the inactive portion of the leaf spring to increase the effective length of the spring and minimize the spring rate.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2008Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Ashley Thomas Dudding, William Wilson, Brent Collyer, Jerome Lim Cortez, Patrick Williams
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Patent number: 7690660Abstract: A leading or trailing arm vehicle suspension system comprised of a fabricated vehicle axle and a fully integrated beam casting providing bending stiffness to control axle windup and longitudinal stiffness to control axle position is disclosed. The beam casting is attached to the vehicle axle with a thru-bolt connection. The beam casting includes rack and pinion mounting attachment holes and also includes other built-in features providing efficient transfer of loads into the vehicle axle.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2007Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Ashley Thomas Dudding, Rodolfo Rosales, Jr., Jerome Lim Cortez, Jerry Michael Lovett
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Publication number: 20100038877Abstract: A vehicle leaf spring suspension having a low spring rate is disclosed. The suspension has an axle seat secured to a vehicle axle. The leaf spring is clamped at its spring seat area to the axle seat at the clamp group mounting surface of the axle seat and with certain of the disclosed axle seats, can be clamped such that the spring seat area is asymmetrically positioned with respect to the vehicle axle centerline. Also, an active clamp group arrangement can be used to utilize the entire physical length of the leaf spring.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2006Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: HENDRICKSON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONInventors: Jerome Lim Cortez, Jason Steby Thomas, Ashley Thomas Dudding, William Wilson, Gregory Lewis McClain, Brent Collyer
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Publication number: 20090256328Abstract: A clamp assembly of a vehicle leaf spring suspension is disclosed. The clamp assembly has an axle bracket secured to a vehicle axle and a top cap secured to the axle bracket by mechanical fasteners to define an axle seat. The axle bracket and top cap may include interlocking keys and keyways to cooperate with the mechanical fasteners in transmitting the load from the vehicle axle. A spring seat of the leaf spring is received within the axle seat and is tapered. The tapered spring seat, when combined with a deformable liner in the axle seat, effectively eliminates the inactive portion of the leaf spring to increase the effective length of the spring and minimize the spring rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2008Publication date: October 15, 2009Inventors: Ashley Thomas Dudding, William Wilson, Brent Collyer, Jerome Lim Cortez, Patrick Williams
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Publication number: 20090230760Abstract: A fabricated vehicle axle is provided with a single piece main body having an inverted U-shaped configuration. The ends of the main body are curved upwardly to define a pair of gooseneck portions. A first king pin fixture having a king pin bore is secured to one of the gooseneck portions, while a second king pin fixture having a king pin bore is secured to the other gooseneck portion. A bottom plate is secured to the main body and has ends extending beyond the gooseneck portions to provide seats for the king pin fixtures.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2008Publication date: September 17, 2009Inventors: John Stephen Bubulka, Ashley Thomas Dudding, Jerome Lim Cortez
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Patent number: 7516968Abstract: A four-point wishbone-shaped linkage is disclosed for use in a suspension system. The wishbone-shaped linkage includes a base and two limbs extending away from the base creating a large mouth open area between the limbs and base. The base includes a bar and bushing assembly extending laterally therethrough. Also disclosed are suspension systems incorporating the four-point wishbone-shaped linkage. The suspension system connects an axle to a vehicle chassis having a first frame member and a second frame member extending longitudinally on opposite sides of the chassis, respectively. The first and second frame hangers are mounted to the first and second frame member, respectively, a cross member connects the first and second frame hangers and the wishbone-shaped linkage is pivotally connected to the axle seats mounted to the axle and to the cross member. The suspension system also can include air springs, shock absorbers and torque rods.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2005Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Jerome Lim Cortez, Rodolfo Rosales
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Publication number: 20080252031Abstract: A leading or trailing arm vehicle suspension system comprised of a fabricated vehicle axle and an arm assembly. The arm assembly includes an axle bracket attached to the axle and a leading or trailing arm attached to the axle bracket. The arm provides bending stiffness to control axle windup and longitudinal stiffness to control axle position is disclosed. The axle bracket is attached to the vehicle axle with a through-bolt connection. The axle bracket or the arm includes rack and pinion mounting attachment holes and also includes other built-in features providing efficient transfer of loads into the vehicle axle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2007Publication date: October 16, 2008Inventors: Ashley Thomas Dudding, Jason Steby Thomas, Rodolfo Rosales, Jerome Lim Cortez, Jerry Michael Lovett, Damon Elwood Dilworth
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Publication number: 20080238015Abstract: A leading or trailing arm vehicle suspension system comprised of a fabricated vehicle axle and a fully integrated beam casting providing bending stiffness to control axle windup and longitudinal stiffness to control axle position is disclosed. The beam casting is attached to the vehicle axle with a thru-bolt connection. The beam casting includes rack and pinion mounting attachment holes and also includes other built-in features providing efficient transfer of loads into the vehicle axle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2007Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventors: Ashley Thomas Duddling, Rodolfo Rosales, Jerome Lim Cortez, Jerry Michael Lovett
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Patent number: 7229088Abstract: A shackle assembly is shown to include a shackle bracket, wear pads, a shackle stop, shackle plates and elastomer bushings. The shackle bracket includes legs forming portions thereof, which serve as contact surfaces for the wear pads and the shackle plates. By providing conical and lateral stiffness, the shackle bracket legs allow for the use of a more versatile elastomer bushing. The elastomer bushing preferably includes voids vertically separated with respect to each other and the elastomer layer preferably is in the form of a bowtie-shaped configuration, which enhances vertical, conical and torsional performance. A first redundancy feature is in the form of a shackle stop secured between the shackle plates. The shackle stop provides longitudinal control of the axle in the event the opposite limb of the leaf spring is broken, the vehicle is generally traveling in a given direction and the vehicle is subject to deceleration.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2004Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Ashley Thomas Dudding, Gonzalo Luna Astudillo, Jerome Lim Cortez