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:
Apr. 27, 2004
Filed:
May. 07, 2002
Jay D. White, Massillon, OH (US);
The Boler Company, Itasca, IL (US);
Abstract
A vent tube for hollow axles of heavy-duty vehicles such as semi-trailers releases built-up air pressure from the wheel hub and axle while preventing ingress of contaminants into the axle and hub. The vent tube includes a tubular portion preformed from a flexible material into a generally coiled configuration. The tubular portion is biased to the coiled state so that when stretched about the axle and released, it firmly grips the axle without the need for fasteners. One end of the tubular portion includes a fitting for plumbing into the axle and the opposite end includes a one-way check valve such as a duck bill. The vent tube is disposed in a protected location within the hollow beam of the vehicle suspension assembly, and on a relatively stress-free location of the axle within a window of an axle sleeve.