Abstract: A damping convoluted air spring for use in vehicle axle/suspension systems includes a top plate, a bottom plate, and a bellows. The bellows includes a first lobe, a second lobe, and a third lobe operatively connected to one another. The first lobe being in fluid communication with the second lobe. The second lobe being in fluid communication with said third lobe. The first lobe operatively mounted on the top plate. The third lobe operatively mounted on the bottom plate. The second lobe includes a fixed volume under pressure to provide damping to the air spring during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A steering knuckle (18) is provided for use in association with a vehicle steering assembly (10). The steering knuckle (10) includes a knuckle body (20) having a generally vertical face (26) and an upper yolk arm (22) having a generally vertical face (54). The generally vertical faces (26, 54) of the steering knuckle body (20) and the upper yolk arm (22) are connected to each other. The generally vertical face (54) of the upper yolk arm (22) includes a camshaft bore (62) extending therethrough and configured to receive a camshaft (64). The generally vertical face of the knuckle body may be welded to a spindle (24), with a portion of the spindle being cut away to allow for a complete circular weld between the knuckle body and the spindle.

Abstract: A damping convoluted air spring for use in vehicle axle/suspension systems includes a top plate, a bottom plate, and a bellows. The bellows includes a first lobe, a second lobe, and a third lobe operatively connected to one another. The first lobe being in fluid communication with the second lobe. The second lobe being in fluid communication with said third lobe. The first lobe operatively mounted on the top plate. The third lobe operatively mounted on the bottom plate. The second lobe includes a fixed volume under pressure to provide damping to the air spring during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle cab suspension is provided with a body having a mounting member positioned at least partially within the body. One or more resilient members connect the body to the mounting member and are placed in a compressed condition between the body and the mounting member when the vehicle cab suspension is in an unloaded condition. The body may be formed of first and second body pieces, each of which may be provided with upper and/or lower projections to restrict movement of the resilient members during use.

Abstract: A vehicle axle body is provided for incorporation into a vehicle axle. The vehicle axle body may be comprised of first and second axle body pieces. The first axle body piece may define at least a portion of a lower surface of the vehicle axle body and at least a portion of one of a front surface and a rear surface of the vehicle axle body. The second axle body piece is secured to the first axle body piece and may define at least a portion of an upper surface of the vehicle axle body and at least a portion of the other one of the front surface and the rear surface of the vehicle axle body. The thickness of the first and second axle body pieces may be different. Suspension component supports may be integrally formed with the upper and/or bottom surfaces of the axle body.

Abstract: A steering knuckle (18) is provided for use in association with a vehicle steering assembly (10). The steering knuckle (10) includes a knuckle body (20) having a generally vertical face (26) and an upper yolk arm (22) having a generally vertical face (54). The generally vertical faces (26, 54) of the steering knuckle body (20) and the upper yolk arm (22) are connected to each other. The generally vertical face (54) of the upper yolk arm (22) includes a camshaft bore (62) extending therethrough and configured to receive a camshaft (64). The generally vertical face of the knuckle body may be welded to a spindle (24), with a portion of the spindle being cut away to allow for a complete circular weld between the knuckle body and the spindle.

Abstract: A lift axle suspension system is provided with a frame bracket member connectable to a vehicle frame, an upper control arm, and a lower control arm. Each control arm has a first end and a second end, with the first end of each control arm being pivotally connected to the frame bracket member. The suspension system also includes an axle connecting member connectable to an axle, with the second end of each control arm being pivotally connected to the axle connecting member. A compression coil spring having a first end connected to the lower control arm and a second end connected to the upper control arm serves as a lift mechanism for lifting and lowering the axle connected to the axle connecting member. The compression coil spring may encircle at least a portion of and be substantially coaxial with the lower control arm.

Abstract: A vehicle cab suspension is provided with a body having a mounting member positioned at least partially within the body. One or more resilient members connect the body to the mounting member and are placed in a compressed condition between the body and the mounting member when the vehicle cab suspension is in an unloaded condition. The body may be formed of first and second body pieces, each of which may be provided with upper and/or lower projections to restrict movement of the resilient members during use.

Abstract: A lift axle suspension system is provided with a frame bracket member connectable to a vehicle frame, an upper control arm, and a lower control arm. Each control arm has a first end and a second end, with the first end of each control arm being pivotally connected to the frame bracket member. The suspension system also includes an axle connecting member connectable to an axle, with the second end of each control arm being pivotally connected to the axle connecting member. A compression coil spring having a first end connected to the lower control arm and a second end connected to the upper control arm serves as a lift mechanism for lifting and lowering the axle connected to the axle connecting member. The compression coil spring may encircle at least a portion of and be substantially coaxial with the lower control arm.

Abstract: A lift axle suspension system is provided with a frame bracket member connectable to a vehicle frame, an upper control arm, and a lower control arm. Each control arm has a first end and a second end, with the first end of each control arm being pivotally connected to the frame bracket member. The suspension system also includes an axle connecting member connectable to an axle, with the second end of each control arm being pivotally connected to the axle connecting member. A compression coil spring having a first end connected to the lower control arm and a second end connected to the upper control arm serves as a lift mechanism for lifting and lowering the axle connected to the axle connecting member. The compression coil spring may encircle at least a portion of and be substantially coaxial with the lower control arm.

Abstract: A vehicle axle body is provided for incorporation into a vehicle axle. The vehicle axle body may be comprised of first and second axle body pieces. The first axle body piece may define at least a portion of a lower surface of the vehicle axle body and at least a portion of one of a front surface and a rear surface of the vehicle axle body. The second axle body piece is secured to the first axle body piece and may define at least a portion of an upper surface of the vehicle axle body and at least a portion of the other one of the front surface and the rear surface of the vehicle axle body. The thickness of the first and second axle body pieces may be different. Suspension component supports may be integrally formed with the upper and/or bottom surfaces of the axle body.

Abstract: A lift axle suspension system is provided with a frame bracket member connectable to a vehicle frame, an upper control arm, and a lower control arm. Each control arm has a first end and a second end, with the first end of each control arm being pivotally connected to the frame bracket member. The suspension system also includes an axle connecting member connectable to an axle, with the second end of each control arm being pivotally connected to the axle connecting member. A compression coil spring having a first end connected to the lower control arm and a second end connected to the upper control arm serves as a lift mechanism for lifting and lowering the axle connected to the axle connecting member. The compression coil spring may encircle at least a portion of and be substantially coaxial with the lower control arm.

Abstract: A tie rod for a vehicle axle assembly is constructed using substantially compliant, flexible, and/or resilient material. Such a resilient tie rod may be provided with a rectangular or otherwise non-circular cross-section. Such a resilient tie rod may be used in combination with an axle assembly of the type having an axle and a steering knuckle rotatably associated with each end of the axle. The tie rod may be rotatably or non-rotatably secured to the steering knuckles.

Abstract: A tie rod for a vehicle axle assembly is constructed using substantially compliant, flexible, and/or resilient material. Such a resilient tie rod may be provided with a rectangular or otherwise non-circular cross-section. Such a resilient tie rod may be used in combination with an axle assembly of the type having an axle and a steering knuckle rotatably associated with each end of the axle. The tie rod may be rotatably or non-rotatably secured to the steering knuckles.

Abstract: A self-steering axle suspension system utilizing a rotary damper coaxially aligned with and acting directly about the king pin centerline on one side of the vehicle is disclosed. Alternatively, the rotary damper may be mounted at, and axially aligned with, a pivot joint joining a steering knuckle with the tie rod. When used as such, the rotary damper constitutes a rotary stabilizer. The rotary stabilizer is used to control the steerability of the self-steering axle suspension system and has a self-centering axle mechanism incorporated therein.

Abstract: A self-steering axle suspension system utilizing a rotary damper coaxially aligned with and acting directly about the king pin centerline on one side of the vehicle is disclosed. When used as such, the rotary damper constitutes a rotary stabilizer. The rotary stabilizer is used to control the steerability of the self-steering axle suspension system and has a self-centering axle mechanism incorporated therein.

Abstract: A self-steering axle suspension system utilizing a rotary damper coaxially aligned with and acting directly about the king pin centerline on one side of the vehicle is disclosed. Alternatively, the rotary damper may be mounted at, and axially aligned with, a pivot joint joining a steering knuckle with the tie rod. When used as such, the rotary damper constitutes a rotary stabilizer. The rotary stabilizer is used to control the steerability of the self-steering axle suspension system and has a self-centering axle mechanism incorporated therein.

Abstract: A multi-piece steering knuckle having at least one boss which is adjustable in position along an axis of a king pin. More particularly, a steering knuckle including at least one boss which can be assembled, employing unique methodology, to minimize space tolerances between the steering knuckle boss and an axle. In preferred embodiments, a steering knuckle boss which can be installed by press-fit methods to be selectively positioned in a desired position along an axis of a king pin in a non-finite number of incremental positions. In another embodiment, a steering knuckle boss having, optionally, an inner wall composed of, at least in part, a nickel-aluminum bronze alloy.

Abstract: A multi-piece axle employing assembly hardware for forming a rigid axle structure which, in addition, connects the multi-piece axle to a suspension, thereby eliminating conventional axle seats. More specifically, a multi-piece axle having dual function hardware for simultaneously assembling the axle into a single rigid member as well as assembling a suspension portion thereto.

Abstract: A self-steering axle suspension system utilizing a rotary damper coaxially aligned with and acting directly about the king pin centerline on one side of the vehicle is disclosed. When used as such, the rotary damper constitutes a rotary stabilizer. The rotary stabilizer is used to control the steerability of the self-steering axle suspension system and has a self-centering axle mechanism incorporated therein.