Link Mfg., Ltd.

Other

Gregory Wayne Hulstein

Joel D Van Den Brink

Philip L Kats

Tye B Davis

Michael S Wetter

Dennis Lynn Abele

Lift axle systems for use with trucks and other heavy duty vehicles are described herein. In some embodiments, lift axle systems configured in accordance with the present technology include upper and lower control arms on each side of the vehicle that operably couple an axle to a support system attached to the vehicle chassis. The upper control arm has a first end portion pivotally attached to a support system bracket at an upper bracket location, and a second end portion pivotally attached to the axle at an upper axle location. The lower control arm has a first end portion pivotally attached to the support system bracket at a lower bracket location, and a second end portion pivotally attached to the axle at a lower axle location. In some embodiments, the upper and lower bracket locations lie in a vertical plane that extends parallel to the vertical and longitudinal axes of the vehicle, and the upper axle location is spaced apart from the lower axle location in a lateral direction that extends parallel to the lateral axis of the vehicle.

Lift axle auxiliary suspension systems

Air damping systems for lift axles are described herein. In some embodiments, lift axle systems configured in accordance with the present technology can include one or more air springs for carrying vehicle sprung mass ('load springs') and one or more air springs (or, for example, air cylinders) for raising the lift axle ('lift springs'). One or more air lines can be connected between the load springs and the lift springs so that, in operation, compression and extension of the load springs in response to axle movement causes pressurized air to flow back and forth between the load springs and the lift springs. As a result, the lift springs provide an additional volume to receive the pressurized air and provide an opposing spring force to the suspension. Additionally, in some embodiments the air line or lines extending between the load springs and the lift springs can include an air flow restriction and/or other air damping feature. In operation, the air damping feature dampens the flow of air between the load springs and the lift springs to provide damping of the vehicle suspension without the additional costs or disadvantages often associated with conventional hydraulic shock absorbers.

Auxiliary suspension air damping systems and associated methods of manufacture and use

A lateral control rod for use in a vehicle cab suspension wherein the control rod has an attenuation assembly imposed therein between the ends thereof which reduces the transmission of vibration and shock therethrough.

Lateral control rod for a cab suspension system

A height control linkage for a vehicle cab suspension comprising elongated lower and upper linkage members, each of which has upper and lower ends. The lower linkage member has external, vertically spaced-apart, alternating ridges and grooves formed thereon for at least a portion thereof above its lower end. The lower end of the upper linkage member has a generally C-shaped cross-sectional portion defining a gap. The generally C-shaped portion of the upper linkage member has internal, vertically spaced-apart, alternating ridges and grooves which are complementary to the external ridges and grooves of the lower linkage member. The upper end of the lower linkage member is adapted to be vertically adjustably snap-fitted through the gap of the upper linkage member to connect the lower linkage member to the upper linkage member. A snap-clip is provided to maintain the linkage members in their connected relationship. Rotation of one of the linkage members with respect to the other linkage member does not result in a change in the length of the linkage. The linkage members and the snap-clip are preferably comprised of a molded plastic material. The linkage of this invention may be used to link components other than vehicle cab suspensions.

Height control linkage for a vehicle cab suspension

A lift axle is pivotally mounted to the frame of a vehicle for selectively providing additional flotation for the vehicle. A pair of frame brackets are secured to the frame members of the vehicle and have horizontally disposed mounting plate portions adjacent the lower ends thereof which have transversely extending bolt slots formed therein. First and second trailing arm mounting brackets are positioned below the first and second frame brackets, respectively, and have bolt openings provided in an upper mounting plate portion thereon to enable bolts to adjustably secure the trailing arm mounting brackets to the frame brackets. The lift axle suspension system is operatively connected to the mounting brackets. The connection of the first and second mounting brackets with respect to the first and second frame brackets permits the lift axle assembly to be mounted on frame members having varying distances therebetween and having varying frame thicknesses.

Lift axle suspension mounting system

A tag axle which is pivotally mounted to the rear of a vehicle for selectively providing additional flotation for the vehicle. The tag axle includes first and second suspension arm mounts secured to the rearward ends of the frame members of the vehicle. First and second suspension arms are pivotally secured to the first and second mounts whereby the ground-engaging wheels at the rear of the tag axle may be pivotally moved between raised and lowered positions. The pivot connection between the suspension arms and the mounts enables the suspension arms to be pivotally secured thereto, regardless of the width of the frame members of the vehicle and regardless of the distance between the frame members.

Growing community of inventors

Sioux Center, IA, United States of America

Gregory Wayne Hulstein