Abstract: A wheel end assembly is provided which facilitates maintenance of the wheel end assembly, and further provides a more secure bearing housing. The spindle is caused to rotate with the drive axle, and is in turn connected to drive a wheel hub. In other features, a housing mounts a bearing cup structure which surrounds the spindle, and has a piloting land for positioning a brake torque plate or a spider, along with the bearing cup. A tone wheel is sandwiched between two nuts, and is caused to rotate with the spindle. The tone wheel includes a tab extending into an opening on the washer such that the washer rotates with the tone wheel. The overall assembly facilitates maintenance and assembly, and provides a more secure environment for the bearing structure.

Abstract: A wheel end assembly is provided which facilitates maintenance of the wheel end assembly, and further provides a more secure bearing housing. The spindle is caused to rotate with the drive axle, and is in turn connected to drive a wheel hub. In other features, a housing mounts a bearing cup structure which surrounds the spindle, and has a piloting land for positioning a brake torque plate or a spider, along with the bearing cup. A tone wheel is sandwiched between two nuts, and is caused to rotate with the spindle. The tone wheel includes a tab extending into an opening on the washer such that the washer rotates with the tone wheel. The overall assembly facilitates maintenance and assembly, and provides a more secure environment for the bearing structure.

Abstract: A housing body of an axle housing is produced by: bending widthwise opposite portions of a sheet material having a substantially developed shape of the axle housing, bending inwards edge portions adjacent to widthwise opposite sides of the sheet material, and forming two longitudinally opposite end portions of the sheet material into a tubular shape. Further, a generally rhombic opening is formed in a longitudinally middle portion of the sheet material. The axle housing is produced by mounting a generally rhombic cover plate onto the housing body so as to cover the opening.

Abstract: A structure for a housing for an axle assembly and method for manufacturing same is disclosed. The composite spring seat has the following considerations; heat resistance (i.e., heat deflection temperatures in excess of about 500° F. and arc resistance in excess of 180° F.); high tensile and flexural strength properties in a broad temperature range (i.e., 41 ksi and 82 ksi respectively at 23° C.); and good impact properties (i.e., 41 ft/lb). The composite spring seat provides reduced weight (i.e. 15 lbs. to 6 lbs.), roughly half the manufacturing costs associated with the convention steel forging, and reduced noise transmitted by the composite material.

Abstract: A drive axle assembly includes a stationary member and a rotating member spaced apart from said stationary member to form a gap. A fluid bearing is formed between the stationary and rotating members by filling the gap with a fluid. The fluid creates a bearing surface between the stationary and rotating members. The fluid is pressurized to provide radial and thrust load support for the rotating member as it rotates with respect to the stationary member.

Abstract: A wheel end is provided where the spindle is an integral cast and machined trumpet-shaped arm made from high strength ductile iron, and a seal retainer is provided to locate and protect the inner wheel bearing and wheel end from debris. The trumpet-shaped arm is formed with a long parabolic radius machined with a reasonable surface finish to reduce or significantly eliminate stress concentrations. The mating cast iron seal retainer is employed to provide proper location for the inner wheel bearing and to transfer axial loads of the bearing to the spindle shoulder. In addition, the seal retainer retains the inner half of the seal face and provides a sealing surface to prevent escape of the axle wheel end oil. In this design, the outside diameter of the seal retainer is made to fit inside the wheel hub bore where it is protected from rocks, stumps, other debris, etc.

Abstract: A full floating inverted axle assembly having a removable axle shaft. A hub assembly includes an inner race rigidly connected to a wheel body and rotatably connected to an outer race which is in turn rigidly connected to an axle housing to enable rotation of the wheel body relative to the axle housing. A driving member is disposed within the axle housing for driving the inner race and wheel body. A removable axle shaft forms a detachable connection between the driving shaft and inner race. The removable axle shaft is externally removable from the entire axle assembly when the hub assembly is connected to the axle housing. Such an arrangement facilitates a disconnect between the driving member and inner race thereby allowing the wheel body to freely rotate, such as during towing, without having to remove the hub assembly. A brake torque member may be disposed between the inner race and axle housing to allow customized brake arrangements.

Abstract: In a steering drive axle, particularly for agricultural tractors, the transverse transmission members (16-20) which bring the drive from a central differential (12) to the wheel hubs (13a) comprise a half-shaft portion (18) having a first end connected to a universal joint (17) at the output from the differential (12), and a second end connected to a constant-velocity joint (19) fixed for rotation with a respective hub (13a). The half-shaft portion (18) is mounted for rotating on a support (22) connected (23) to articulated suspension members (14, 15) in a manner such as to support the outer end of the half-shaft portion (18) and the inner end of the constant-velocity joint (19).

Abstract: In a wheel support arrangement of a vehicle drive axle with a hollow axle housing having outer ends on which wheel hubs are rotatably supported by bearings transmitting the wheel loads directly to the axle housing and drive shafts extending through the axle housings and having at their ends outside the axle housing drive shaft flanges connected to the hubs and brake discs or drums mounted on the inner ends of the wheel hubs, the wheel hubs and the outer bearing race ring have essentially the same axial length and the drive shaft flanges and the brake disc or drum flanges have inner diameters smaller than the outer diameter of the outer bearing race ring so as to firmly engage the outer bearing race ring between the drive shaft and the brake disc or drum flanges.

Abstract: A technique and related assembly for repairing axles such as large heavy duty axles for semitrailers and vehicles are disclosed. A single replacement spindle is utilized in conjunction with one of several sleeve components for the repair. The technique enables a wide array of axles to be easily repaired with a relatively small selection of components.

Abstract: A skid steer wheel mechanism including wheel axles rotatably disposed through axle housings which are securely mounted to the body or frame of the skid steer, and also including hub members which are cylinders with annular flanges centrally-disposed about the circumference of the hub members, and which is balanced upon pairs of bearings to equally distribute the weight and substantially abnormal wear to the bearings during the use thereof, each pair of bearings being spaced-apart inside the cylinder. The hub members are coupled to the wheel axles with disc-shaped coupler members having an internally-splined slot centrally-disposed in one side thereof and being adapted to receivably engage an end portion of the wheel axle.

Abstract: A wheel hub assembly that has a hub retained within a rotatable inner race of a bearing. The bearing is non-rotatably mounted by a portion of it's outer race within the bore of a bearing housing. This bearing housing has threaded holes on a diameter within its' face to accept bolts by attachment to an axle housing end support. Non-rotatably mounted within the bearing housing is a lip seal to prevent contaminants from entering the bearing. On the face of the hub is a groove on a diameter for accepting an o-ring sealing member to furnish a barrier between the face of the hub and the drive axle preventing loss of differential lubrication. Bolts are threaded through the hub on a diameter within its face for securing a wheel and engaging a drive axle, whereby the support of the wheel is not dependent upon the drive axle.

Abstract: A jounce stop apparatus for use in a motor vehicle includes a resilient jounce bumper (36) attached to a frame member and a jounce bumper barrier (50) attached to an axle housing (12) for receiving the resilient jounce bumper and thereby limiting upward travel of the axle housing. The jounce bumper barrier includes a first portion (54) for attaching the jounce bumper barrier to the axle housing. Second, third and fourth portions (58, 62, 72) are arranged to generally form a U-shape. The third portion (62) includes an impact face (68) for receiving the jounce bumper during extreme upward travel of the axle housing relative to the frame.

Abstract: A wheel axle mounting structure including an axle holder fastened to a mounting frame at a bottom side of a sole plate of a roller skate by a bolt and a pair of cushions and a pair of ring caps and having a holder base holding an axle, two wheels mounted on two opposite ends of the axle and a guard frame fastened to the axle to protect the holder base of the axle holder, wherein the guard frame has two end caps with coupling means respectively and detachably coupled to the two opposite ends of the axle, the end caps having a respective outside flange respectively disposed in contact with the wheels and serving as cushion means.

Abstract: Rollers used in the past have usually been cushioned by the attachment system. The present cushioned roller includes the cushioned member being an integral part of the roller. For example, the unique roller includes a pair of individual shell portions positioned at the ends of a shaft. The shaft and a collar which is mounted to a chassis includes a cushioning member positioned therebetween the shaft and the collar. The pair of individual shell portions are separately rotatable about the shaft and the rollers are isolated from the chassis and the rollers can osculate about the chassis. Thus, the roller is free to isolate about the chassis and each of the pair of individual shell portions are in contact with each of the inner portion and the outer portion of the inner surface of the belts. Furthermore, impact loads are absorbed by the cushioning member and increase the longevity of the roller and provide a better ride for the operator.

Abstract: A modular axle assembly incorporates a separate bearing support plate which is received at an open end of an axle housing. The separate bearing support plate supports the bearing at the open end, and is received within the open end of the axle housing. In the prior art, the large helical cover typically also provided the bearing support. The use of the separate bearing support plate allows the modular assembly of the axle assembly and further facilitates repair. In another feature of this invention, a threaded adjustment member is associated with both the bearing at the open end of the differential, and also with the bearing at the other end of the differential. The threaded adjustment members allow the control of gear positioning and the pre-load on the bearings such that precise positioning and pre-load adjustment are easily obtainable.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a vehicle front-drive axle assembly having a front differential including a housing supporting left hand and right hand one-piece assemblies. Each of the left hand and right hand assemblies extend outwardly from the housing, and include an axle tube having a first end coupled to the housing and a second end having an integral yoke member. The one-piece assemblies further have integral bracket assemblies having outwardly extending mounting portions for mounting of vehicle suspension components and for securing the axle assembly to the vehicle. Each of the left hand and right hand one-piece assemblies are manufactured by suitable casting procedures, providing an assembly which has greater structural integrity than when multiple components are welded together, and which reduces cost and simplifies assembly into the vehicle.

Abstract: A rear axle assembly has a rotatable rear axle extending lengthwise within an elongated rear axle tube. A wheel hub is mounted on the axle for rotation as a unit therewith. A bearing supports the wheel hub for rotation. The inner race of the bearing is rigidly connected to the wheel hub. The outer race of the bearing is rigidly connected to the axle tube.

Abstract: A structure for a housing for an axle assembly and method for manufacturing same is disclosed. The housing includes a tube which is formed by casting. The tube is cast having a brake flange, a spring seat, a shock absorber pad, and an outer end for mounting wheel bearings, all of which are integrally formed therewith. The tube is generally hollow and cylindrical in shape, but is formed having an outer circumferential surface which is generally circular in shape and an inner circumferential surface which is generally oval in shape. Thus, the wall thickness of the tube is not uniform about the circumference thereof. Rather, the wall thicknesses of the upper and lower portions of the tube are somewhat greater than the wall thicknesses of the side portions thereof. The wall thicknesses of the upper and lower portions of the tube are sized to accommodate vertically oriented loads induced therein which are generally larger than horizontally oriented loads which are normally encountered in use.

Abstract: A banjo-type axle housing includes a hollow central member having a pair of hollow tubes extending outwardly therefrom. Forwardly and rearwardly facing openings are formed in the central member, each having triangularly shaped side portions located adjacent to the tubes. In a first embodiment, a pair of triangularly shaped support plates are disposed within the side portions and secured to the central member so as to completely close them. In a second embodiment, a pair of modified baffle plates are provided, each including a central baffle portion having an opening formed therethrough and a pair of triangularly shaped side portions formed integrally with the central baffle portion. The side portions are bent so as to extend generally perpendicular relative to the central baffle portion. The modified baffle plates are secured to the central member of the axle housing and perform the functions of the separate baffle plates and side portions of the first axle housing.