The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 16, 2003
Filed:
Mar. 16, 2001
James Eckelberry, Canton, OH (US);
John K. Ma, Rochester, MI (US);
Frank A. Maly, Jr., Beverly Hills, MI (US);
Joseph Melekian, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Steven R. Miller, Clarkston, MI (US);
Nancy L. Saxon, Oakland Township, MI (US);
Rajesh J. Somnay, Troy, MI (US);
Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC, Troy, MI (US);
Abstract
A mechanism is disclosed for controlling the vertical position of the transport trailer floor of a heavy trailer bearing vehicle having a pivoting air spring suspension system such that the transport trailer floor maintains a fixed position level to an adjacent dock platform when parked for loading or unloading. The mechanism comprises various embodiments of a locking system that disables the pivotal movement of selected pivoting suspension elements in any one of a plurality of possible fixed positions such that the transport trailer floor, when parked, resists downwardly imposed forces and maintains a fixed elevation equal to the elevation of an adjacent loading dock platform.