Abstract: A spring seat attachment assembly for use with an axle/suspension system having at least one leaf spring and an axle, said attachment assembly including a band and a spring seat. The band may include a locator structure and is fixed to the axle and extends around a portion of the axle between 180 degrees and 360 degrees. The spring seat receives the leaf spring and is fixed to the band.

Abstract: A brake component mounting structure for a thin-wall axle of a heavy-duty vehicle including a mounting plate and a brake component bracket. The brake component bracket is attached to and extends from the mounting plate. The mounting plate has at least one continuous edge attached by a continuous weld to the axle.

Abstract: A spring seat attachment assembly for use with an axle/suspension system having at least one leaf spring and an axle, said attachment assembly including a band and a spring seat. The band may include a locator structure and is fixed to the axle and extends around a portion of the axle between 180 degrees and 360 degrees. The spring seat receives the leaf spring and is fixed to the band.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spring seat for a mechanical spring axle/suspension system that includes continuous window welds and facilitates the use of a thin-wall axle, thereby saving weight and cost. The seat secures at least one mechanical spring of the axle/suspension system to an axle of the axle/suspension system. The spring seat comprises at least one body configured to seat on the axle, and the body forms at least one window when disposed on the axle. The body is rigidly attached to the axle by a continuous weld formed in the window. The spring seat is free of a line weld between the body and the axle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spring seat for a mechanical spring axle/suspension system that includes continuous window welds and facilitates the use of a thin-wall axle, thereby saving weight and cost. The seat secures at least one mechanical spring of the axle/suspension system to an axle of the axle/suspension system. The spring seat comprises at least one body configured to seat on the axle, and the body forms at least one window when disposed on the axle. The body is rigidly attached to the axle by a continuous weld formed in the window. The spring seat is free of a line weld between the body and the axle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a brake component mounting bracket for an axle/suspension system that includes a continuous window weld to join the bracket to the axle, which enables the use of a thin-wall axle, desirably reducing the weight and the cost associated with the axle/suspension system. The axle brake bracket secures a cam shaft assembly and a brake assembly to an axle of the axle/suspension system. The bracket comprises an axle portion configured to seat on the axle. At least one window is formed in the axle portion, and the axle portion is rigidly connected to the axle by a continuous weld formed in the window. The axle brake bracket is free of a line weld between the axle portion and the axle.

Abstract: A pneumatic proportioning system for heavy-duty vehicle air springs includes an air supply, a height control valve and a solenoid valve in fluid communication with one another and with the air springs of at least one axle/suspension systems of a heavy-duty vehicle. A proportioning means is in fluid communication with the air supply, with the height control valve, with the solenoid valve, with the air springs and with atmosphere and operates to proportion loads between the air springs of the axle/suspension systems when the solenoid valve is activated during operation of the heavy-duty vehicle.

Abstract: A frame for a heavy-duty vehicle includes a pail of spaced-apart, parallel, elongated, and longitudinally-extending main members. At least a pair of transverse cross members extend between and are attached to the main members, and each one of at least a pair of hangers is attached to and depends from a respective one of the main members and/or the cross members. A component is disposed between each one of the hangers and its respective main member, or alternatively is incorporated into the hangers, for absorbing the energy that is created by an extreme event during vehicle operation, to reduce the possibility of damage to the main members and/or the cross members caused by movement of at least one of the hangers during the extreme event.

Abstract: A frame or subframe for a tractor-trailer for supporting one or more axle/suspension systems includes a pair of spaced-apart, parallel, elongated, and longitudinally extending main members. At least one cross member structure extends between and is connected to the longitudinal main members using structural nodes. A bonding adhesive, or other suitable means of attachment, connects the cross member structure and the structural nodes to one another and to the main members. The structural nodes distribute loads encountered during vehicle operation generally over a relatively large area thereby generally reducing the concentration of such loadings at the connections, and assist in generally evenly distributing loads between the cross member structure and the main members to effectively react lateral, longitudinal, vertical, and racking loads. The combination of greater load distribution and reduced loading concentrations allows the structure to be constructed from lighter weight materials.

Abstract: A pneumatic proportioning system for heavy-duty vehicle air springs includes an air supply, a height control valve and a solenoid valve in fluid communication with one another and with the air springs of at least one axle/suspension systems of a heavy-duty vehicle. A proportioning means is in fluid communication with the air supply, with the height control valve, with the solenoid valve, with the air springs and with atmosphere and operates to proportion loads between the air springs of the axle/suspension systems when the solenoid valve is activated during operation of the heavy-duty vehicle.