Patents by Inventor Joseph A Bounds

Joseph A Bounds 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).

  • Publication number: 20130069323
    Abstract: A method for operating a ride height control device, which includes at least one air spring, of a vehicle body of a vehicle, by providing a setpoint ride height predefined for a journey, and by setting, at the beginning, during or immediately before the end of the journey, the ride height of the vehicle body at least once to a ride height which deviates from the setpoint ride height predefined for the journey.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas Naber, Joseph Bounds
  • Patent number: 8306696
    Abstract: A method and system for positioning a vehicle chassis in approximate alignment with a predetermined datum are provided. The vehicle includes a first longitudinal end adapted to be pivotally connected to a substantially fixed point and a second longitudinal end including at least one axle and an operatively associated two-corner fluid suspension system. According to the method, the fluid suspension system controls the alignment of the vehicle chassis to be aligned with an artificial horizon represented as the predetermined datum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Driveright Holdings, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Holbrook, Joseph A. Bounds
  • Patent number: 7957865
    Abstract: A suspension system for use on a vehicle having two or more rear axles. The suspension system includes a plurality of gas springs and plurality of height sensors capable of outputting signals having a relation to distances between the respective ends of the respective first and second rear axles and the sprung mass of the vehicle. A control system adapted to selectively inflate or deflate respective ones of the plurality of gas springs to thereby adjust a leveled orientation of the sprung mass. The control system includes a controller that is adapted to determine a rear axle vertical offset and a rear axle articulation offset. The controller is adapted to determine whether conditions are appropriate for adjusting the suspension system by comparing the rear axle vertical offset and/or the rear axle articulation offset to a corresponding vertical offset threshold and/or an articulation offset threshold. A method is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Driveright Holdings, Ltd.
    Inventors: Graham R Brookes, Joseph A Bounds, Gregory A Holbrook
  • Publication number: 20110115140
    Abstract: A gas spring and gas damper assembly includes a first end member, a second end member and a flexible wall that at least partially defines a first spring chamber therebetween. A damping chamber wall at least partially defines a damping chamber. A damper piston is received within the damping chamber and is operatively connected between the first and second end members and within the first spring chamber. A suspension system that includes a gas spring and gas damper assembly as well as a method of assembly are also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: FIRESTONE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Pradipta N. Moulik, Joseph A. Bounds, Graham R. Brookers
  • Publication number: 20110093239
    Abstract: Disclosed are vehicle weight sensing methods and systems. According to one aspect of this disclosure, provided is a method of characterizing a vehicle to determine gross axle weights by accessing a computer readable database which correlates a plurality of pressures associated with fluid suspension members incorporated into the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Gregory A. Holbrook, Joseph A. Bounds
  • Publication number: 20100030425
    Abstract: A method and system for positioning a vehicle chassis in approximate alignment with a predetermined datum are provided. The vehicle includes a first longitudinal end adapted to be pivotally connected to a substantially fixed point and a second longitudinal end including at least one axle and an operatively associated two-corner fluid suspension system. According to the method, the fluid suspension system controls the alignment of the vehicle chassis to be aligned with an artificial horizon represented as the predetermined datum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: FIRESTONE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory A. Holbrook, Joseph A. Bounds
  • Publication number: 20080290617
    Abstract: A method of operating a gas suspension system includes generating a first quantity of gas having a storage pressure and transferring the first quantity of gas into the pressurized gas storage device such that a second quantity of gas having approximately the storage pressure remains in a transfer pathway. The method also includes determining that a condition exists for venting gas from the gas spring assembly and placing the second quantity of gas into fluid communication with a quantity of gas having said spring pressure. The method further includes waiting until an approximately equilibrium pressure has been reached, and then actuating a third control device to exhaust at least a portion of the gas from the suspension system. A gas suspension system adapted to perform the method is also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventor: Joseph A. Bounds
  • Publication number: 20080228352
    Abstract: A suspension system for use on a vehicle having two or more rear axles. The suspension system includes a plurality of gas springs and plurality of height sensors capable of outputting signals having a relation to distances between the respective ends of the respective first and second rear axles and the sprung mass of the vehicle. A control system adapted to selectively inflate or deflate respective ones of the plurality of gas springs to thereby adjust a leveled orientation of the sprung mass. The control system includes a controller that is adapted to determine a rear axle vertical offset and a rear axle articulation offset. The controller is adapted to determine whether conditions are appropriate for adjusting the suspension system by comparing the rear axle vertical offset and/or the rear axle articulation offset to a corresponding vertical offset threshold and/or an articulation offset threshold. A method is also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: BFS DIVERSIFIED PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Graham R Brookes, Joseph A Bounds, Gregory A Holbrook