The Boler Company

Hendrickson Usa, L L.c.

Other

Watson & Chalin Manufacturing, Inc.

Hendrickson International Corporation

Michael John Gottschalk

Michael J Keeler

Ashley Thomas Dudding

Scott Allen Massa

Mark Dankow

Daniel Robert Adema

John Edward Ramsey

Jesse W Cervantez

Andrew J Westnedge

Matthew J Van Meter

Lawrence Edward Miller

Damon Delorenzis

Joseph M Ross

Richard R Steiner

Roger D Jable

Rodolfo Rosales

Scott Kohler

Christopher B Wall

Robert Steven Shea

Harold D Johnson

Kevin M Jablonski

Ervin K Van Denberg

Rodolfo Jr Rosales

Daniel R Adema

A steerable vehicle suspension can include an axle, at least one retractor having a length that decreases in response to a pressure increase applied to the retractor, and at least one wheel spindle. Resistance to rotation of the wheel spindle relative to the axle increases in response to the pressure increase applied to the retractor. A method of operating a steerable vehicle suspension of a vehicle can include allowing steering knuckles rotatably mounted at opposite ends of an axle to rotate relative to the axle while the vehicle moves forward, and applying an inwardly directed force simultaneously to each of the steering knuckles. Another steerable vehicle suspension can include two rotatably mounted steering knuckles, and two retractors connected to the steering knuckles. An inwardly directed force is applied by each retractor to a respective one of the steering knuckles in response to pressure applied to the retractors.

Steerable vehicle suspension with pneumatic retractors

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.

Damping convoluted air spring

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

Fabricated steering knuckles

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.

Vehicle cab suspension

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.

Fabricated vehicle axle

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.

Lift axle suspension systems incorporating compression coil springs

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.

Resilient tie rods and axle assemblies employing same

Axles and spindle assemblies for wheeled vehicles. More particularly, in at least one embodiment, this invention relates to a substantially curvilinear axle for wheeled vehicles, alone or in combination with a spindle assembly, having a substantially continuous radius of curvature extending from one end of the axle to the other. In at least one additional embodiment, this invention relates to fabricated spindle assemblies having gusset arms for mechanical attachment to axle ends.

Continuous radius axle and fabricated spindle assembly

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.

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. 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.

Self-steering axle suspension system having a rotary stabilizer

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.

Adjustable boss for steering knuckle and method of installing same

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.

Multi-piece axle and suspension

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 having a threaded surface for threading to a mating surface of a yoke arm, the threaded surface allowing the boss to be selectively positioned along an axis of a king pin in a non-finite number of incremental positions. In another embodiment, a steering knuckle boss having an outwardly threaded surface for threading to a mating surface of a yoke arm and having, optionally, an inner wall composed of, at least in part, a nickel-aluminum bronze alloy.

Growing community of inventors

Granville, OH, United States of America

Michael John Gottschalk