Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
280860500 | Auxiliary axle assembly (e.g., lift or tag axle) | 24 |
20090179396 | SELF-STEERING AXLE SUSPENSION SYSTEM HAVING A ROTARY STABILIZER MOUNTED AT A PIVOT JOINT ASSOCIATED WITH A TIE ROD - 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. | 07-16-2009 |
20090206570 | Tag axle operating system - An operating system for a tag axle having wheels with tires and air brakes wherein the tag axle is suspended from a motor vehicle and is raised and lowered by pivotal movement about a first axis by operation of parallel-arranged hydraulically-operated actuators and can also pivot about a second axis located equidistant from the tag axle wheels and laying in a plane at right angles to the first axis. The system comprises a closed gas circuit that is charged with a gas at a prescribed pressure and a hydraulic circuit that is adapted to delivery hydraulic fluid under pressure to the actuators to raise and establish the tag axle in an inactive condition and to lower and establish the tag axle in an active condition. The hydraulic circuit is adapted when the tag axle is in the active condition to establish a prescribed hydraulic operating pressure opposing the gas pressure and a resulting force on the tag axle forcing the tires to bear against a road surface and the tag axle to accept a predetermined load. A brake valve is adapted to allow air under pressure to be delivered to operate the air brakes while the prescribed hydraulic operating pressure is maintained and to prevent such delivery to thereby disable the air brakes when the prescribed hydraulic operating pressure is relieved. And the hydraulic circuit is adapted while the tag axle is in the active condition to relieve the prescribed hydraulic operating pressure and thereby relieve the force on the tag axle and disable the air brakes when the tag axle experiences a predetermined tilt angle when pivoting about the second axis. | 08-20-2009 |
20090283980 | AXLE LIFTING DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE - Axle lifting device for a vehicle, in particular for vehicle axles with pneumatic suspension, comprising a supporting element, a lifting element, and a lever element, the supporting element and the lever element being connectable to one another via the lifting element such that when the lifting element is actuated, the supporting element is supported on a frame element of the vehicle and the lever element exerts a preferably vertical force on an axle control arm of the vehicle in order to lift the axle control arm, and the lever element is mounted essentially in a stationary manner so as to be rotatable or pivotable with respect to a distal end of the axle control arm and/or the frame element, and the supporting element is rotatably or pivotably supported on the lever element. | 11-19-2009 |
20090322047 | Detachable Trailing Tag Axle - A vehicle designed to haul loads may be provided, which may be effectively extended and load hauling capacity increased with a detachable trailing tag axle that may include a framework with a front, a rear end, an axle attached to near the rear of the framework, wheels attached to the axle, and a mechanism near the front of the framework for stabilization when the tag axle assembly is standing alone. A holding mechanism near the front of the tag axle assembly may be used to attach the tag axle assembly to a portion of the vehicle chassis, such as a receiving mechanism at the rear of the vehicle chassis. | 12-31-2009 |
20090322048 | Tractor-trailer axle center height control method and apparatus - A tractor-trailer combination includes a semitrailer tractor having a front axle and at least one drive axle having a predefined nominal axle load, a semitrailer having a first axle and at least one second axle, and an axle load adjusting device, which has an axle center height drive for the first axle enabling the axle load acting on the drive axle to be changed by adjusting a center height of the first axle, that can automatically switch into a starting assistance mode in which the second-axle axle load is increased to a starting-assistance axle load that is always below a predefined maximum axle load. An axle center height controller is adapted to automatically detect actuation of an off-road starting sensing device, and increase the second-axle axle load to an off-road starting axle load that is greater than the maximum axle load if the off-road starting sensing device is actuated. | 12-31-2009 |
20100019464 | Tag Axle Pivot Mount - An arrangement for pivotally coupling an auxiliary axle frame to a vehicle chassis includes a pair of support brackets, each fastened to one of two opposite longitudinal rails of the chassis. Each bracket is coupled to its associated rail with a set of threaded fasteners extended through aligned openings in the bracket and rail. Each fastener is tightened to a predetermined level of tensile force, after which its movable components are welded together to positively and permanently set the fastener. Each bracket extends behind the chassis to support a rotational coupling device including a pin rotatable about a transverse axis. Opposite arms of the tag axle frame support clevis type coupling features at their forward ends. Each clevis type feature is integrally coupled to one of the pins. An actuator used to pivot the tag axle frame can be coupled to the chassis and frame through similar rotational coupling devices and clevis type features. | 01-28-2010 |
20100052279 | Mechanically-Driven Flip Axle Assembly And Method Of Making - A trailer assembly includes a trailer frame that supports a load to be carried. One or more axles have laterally-spaced wheels and are affixed to the trailer frame. A flip axle assembly is provided including one or more axles having laterally-spaced wheels. The flip axle assembly is hingeably mounted to the trailer frame, so as to be rotated from engagement with a road surface and onto the trailer frame. A drive system is provided that rotates the flip axle assembly between the trailer frame and engagement with the road surface. | 03-04-2010 |
20100133771 | DUMP TRUCK TAG AXLE SUSPENSION CONTROL - Dump truck tag axle suspension control. A method of controlling a tag axle suspension includes activating a pusher suspension lift switch; and engaging a steer lock on the tag axle suspension, thereby preventing steering of the tag axle suspension, in response to the lift switch activating step. Another method includes activating a switch to thereby begin operation of a hydraulic pump; and engaging a steer lock of the tag axle suspension, in response to the switch activating step. Yet another method includes applying pressure to a bed lift actuator; sensing the pressure applied to the bed lift actuator; and applying pressure to a tag suspension load actuator, thereby transmitting a load from a frame to a tag axle via the load actuator, in response to the sensed pressure applied to the bed lift actuator reaching a predetermined level. | 06-03-2010 |
20100140892 | SPRING BEAM SUSPENSION SYSTEM - A spring beam suspension system includes a hanger; a flexible spring beam extending between the hanger and an axle; and a generally U-shaped pivot bracket secured to the spring beam, the pivot bracket including opposing legs which are pivotably attached to the hanger. Another spring beam suspension system includes a lift actuator which lifts the axle by applying a biasing force to a portion of the spring beam which extends forward from the hanger. Yet another suspension system has a bushing secured in the hanger, whereby the beam pivots relative to the bushing. | 06-10-2010 |
20100201092 | TAG AXLE ATTACHMENT FOR AN OFF ROAD AGRICULTURAL APPLICATOR VEHICLE - The present invention provides a tag axle attachment for an off-road agricultural vehicle. The tag axle attachment allows agricultural vehicles to meet roadway weight restrictions imposed by the federal and state governments while also allowing the vehicle to perform optimally in the field. The tag axle is assembled such that it can be hydraulically lowered into a deployed position when the agricultural vehicle is on the roadway and hydraulically raised into a stowed position when the agricultural vehicle is in the field. The tag axle assembly is mounted to the chassis rails of an agricultural vehicle and positioned to fit between the chassis rails when stowed and minimizes the load per axle of the vehicle when deployed. | 08-12-2010 |
20110057406 | STEERABLE AND LIFTABLE INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION SYSTEM - A liftable independent suspension system which may also be steerable. In a described embodiment, a liftable suspension system for use on a vehicle includes wheel spindles positioned to extend outwardly at each respective lateral side of the vehicle. The spindles are displaceable independent of each other. An actuator is operable to raise at least one of the spindles, so that a tire rotatably connected to the spindle is liftable out of engagement with a road surface when the actuator raises the spindle. | 03-10-2011 |
20130009372 | WHEELCHAIR ATTACHMENT WITH SELECTIVELY DEPLOYABLE SECONDARY FRONT WHEELS - An attachment for a wheelchair includes a secondary front-wheel pair that is movable from a disengaged up position, to a deployed down position, and back again. In the disengaged up position, the secondary front wheels are up off the ground, so the primary front wheels of the wheelchair are in contact with the ground and thereby being used. In the deployed down position, the secondary front wheels are down in contact with the ground and are thereby being used, so the primary front wheels are now removed from contact with the ground and are no longer in use. In typical embodiments, the secondary front wheels are relatively larger wheels for traversing rough terrain, the primary front wheels are relatively smaller wheels for traversing smooth terrain, and the secondary front wheels move between the disengaged up position and the deployed down position in a pivoting motion. | 01-10-2013 |
20140070507 | Lift Axle Suspension Systems Incorporating Compression Coil Springs - 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. | 03-13-2014 |
20140191484 | Wheel Attachment - An apparatus for adding a propulsion wheel to a land based vehicle. When the apparatus is attached to a land based vehicle the apparatus is operationally configured to bias a propulsion wheel attached thereto to a position of engagement with a travel surface supporting the land based vehicle thereon. | 07-10-2014 |
20140210173 | Auxiliary Axle and Suspension Assembly - A vehicle suspension assembly includes an axle member movable between a first position and a second position, mounting brackets adapted to couple to a vehicle frame assembly, trailing arms pivotably coupled to mounting brackets and pivotably coupled to the axle member, a lift arrangement including a pair of diaphragm chambers each having a push plate and a flexible bladder, the push plate of the diaphragm chamber dividing the associated diaphragm chamber into a first compartment and a second compartment, the first compartment of each diaphragm chamber being adjustably pressurized to move the push plate of the associated diaphragm chamber, and at least one push rod defining a single longitudinal axis and connected to each push plate such that pressurization of the diaphragm chambers cause a translational movement of the at least one push rod, thereby causing the axle member to move between the first and second positions. | 07-31-2014 |
20140210174 | Auxiliary Axle and Suspension Assembly - A vehicle suspension assembly includes first and second mounting brackets each adapted to couple to a vehicle frame assembly, first and second trailing arms each having a first end pivotably coupled to the mounting brackets, and a second end located outboard of the first end of the associated trailing arm; an axle member having a first end and a second end; an integrated first mounting arrangement and an integrated second mounting arrangement coupled to the associated ends of the axle member, wherein the mounting arrangements pivotably couple the second end of the associated trailing arm to one of the ends of the axle member, and wherein the mounting arrangements couple one of the ends of the axle member to the spindle assembly. | 07-31-2014 |
20140232080 | AXLE LIFT ASSEMBLY - An axle lift assembly includes a beam slidably coupled with and extending on a longitudinal extent of a vehicle frame. A trailing arm has a first end pivotably coupled with the beam. An axle is rotatably coupled with an intermediate portion of the trailing arm. An air spring is disposed between a second end of the trailing arm and the beam for absorbing an upward force from the axle. A support bracket extends down from the beam proximate the first end of the trailing arm. A pneumatic actuator is disposed between the support bracket and the trailing arm for raising the axle from a deployed position to a retracted position that substantially eliminates the upward force on the air spring from the axle. | 08-21-2014 |
20140375005 | CASTER SWITCH UNIT FOR CARRY-AND-TRANSPORT DEVICE - A carry-and-transport device includes a caster unit and a straight-wheel unit. A control unit which has a sleeve and the sleeve is located corresponding to the straight-wheel unit of the carry-and-transport device. A movable frame is connected to the sleeve and has an auxiliary caster unit connected to the lower end thereof. The auxiliary caster unit normally located above the ground and does not contact the ground. A switch unit is connected to the top of the movable frame so as to control the movable frame to move upward and downward. When the carry-and-transport device turns or makes a U-turn, the auxiliary caster unit touches the ground by operation of the control unit so as to reduce the turning radius of the carry-and-transport device. | 12-25-2014 |
20150014951 | AXLE LIFT SYSTEM - An axle lift system for a trailer may include: a moving block coupled to an axle of the trailer; a fixed block coupled to a frame of the trailer; a winch; and a cable, the cable communicating with the moving block, the fixed block, and the winch, the axle lift system configured to move the axle upon operation of the winch. In the event of a flat (or excessively low-pressure) tire, the operator can quickly and easily activate the axle lift system to raise an axle associated with the flat tire off the ground. | 01-15-2015 |
20150042057 | AXLE LIFT ASSEMBLY - An axle lift assembly includes a vehicle configured to support a load. A slide assembly has a member that is movable along a longitudinal extent of the vehicle. The slide assembly is operable to secure the member relative to the vehicle at a select position along the longitudinal extent of the vehicle. A swing arm has a first end pivotally coupled with the member and an opposing second end biased away from the vehicle. The swing arm is configured to support a wheel assembly with a tire for contacting a ground surface. An actuator is operably interconnecting the member and the swing arm for raising the wheel assembly toward the vehicle to lift the tire away from the ground surface. The slide assembly and the actuator are operable to respectively adjust longitudinal and vertical positions of the wheel assembly relative to the vehicle for accommodating a condition of the load. | 02-12-2015 |
20150298518 | INDEPENDENT REAR SUSPENSION WITH LIFTING DEVICE - An independent suspension and an independent suspension arrangement for a liftable rear axle of a heavy vehicle are provided. The independent suspension includes a lower wishbone and an upper wishbone hingedly suspended in a support assembly and a hub carrier, and an air bellows and a lifting bellows, where the air bellows is arranged outside of a plane defined by the web of a main frame beam and the lifting bellows is arranged inside of a plane defined by the web of a main frame beam. The independent suspension arrangement includes a left wheel suspension, a right wheel suspension and at least one sub-frame assembly extending between the left and right wheel suspensions, where the left and right wheel suspensions are mounted directly to the sub-frame assembly. | 10-22-2015 |
20150336436 | LIFT SUSPENSION SYSTEM WITH OFFSET CONTROL ARMS - A suspension system with an axle lift system for use on vehicles is described, the axle lift system having control arms with an offset lift air bag configuration. The suspension system includes offset control arms and an off-axis lift air bag. The off-axis lift air bag is disposed away from and sometimes at an angle to the axis of the control arms. | 11-26-2015 |
20160046163 | TAG AXLE SUSPENSION SYSTEM WITH TIRE AT LOWEST POINT WHEN LIFTED - A tag axle suspension system can include a tire and at least one hanger bracket pivotable relative to a vehicle frame to deployed and lifted configurations. In the lifted configuration, the tire can be a lowest component of the suspension system, and can be a first component to engage a road surface. A tag axle suspension system can include an air spring and a travel limit device that limits compression of the air spring in a lifted configuration of a hanger bracket. A tag axle suspension system can include an axle, a suspension arm pivotably connected between a hanger bracket and the axle, and a travel limit device that limits displacement of the suspension arm in a lifted configuration of the hanger bracket. The travel limit device can limit displacement of the axle toward an air spring support in the lifted configuration of the hanger bracket. | 02-18-2016 |
20160129745 | PUSHER AXLE SUSPENSION SYSTEM HAVING SINGLE AIR SPRING - A pusher axle suspension system having a single air spring includes a pair of frames having mounting brackets integrally formed at lower front portions of the pair of frames, respectively. A link arm includes a front end connected to each mounting bracket of the pair of frames by a mounting bush. Axle sheets are disposed at lower portions of the pair of frames, respectively, to support a pusher axle. The axle sheets are connected to a rear end of the link arm by a hinge. A composite air spring is provided between a rear end of the axle sheet and a bottom surface of the pair of frames. The composite air spring moves the axle sheet upward or downward to adjust a height of the pusher axle and to absorb vibration due to a road surface during traveling. | 05-12-2016 |