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. 16, 2013
Filed:
Mar. 09, 2011
Brett L. Muckelrath, North Canton, OH (US);
Donald R. Hester, East Canton, OH (US);
Sri Satya Teja Kakarla, Canton, OH (US);
James J. Patterson, North Canton, OH (US);
Brian R. Anderson, Canton, OH (US);
R. Scott Fulton, Hudson, OH (US);
Keith D. Mccomsey, Hinckley, OH (US);
Brian R. Morris, Uniontown, OH (US);
Brett L. Muckelrath, North Canton, OH (US);
Donald R. Hester, East Canton, OH (US);
Sri Satya Teja Kakarla, Canton, OH (US);
James J. Patterson, North Canton, OH (US);
Brian R. Anderson, Canton, OH (US);
R. Scott Fulton, Hudson, OH (US);
Keith D. McComsey, Hinckley, OH (US);
Brian R. Morris, Uniontown, OH (US);
Hendrickson USA, L.L.C., Itasca, IL (US);
Abstract
An air-ride beam-type axle/suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle with a gross axle weight rating of greater than 23,000 lbs./axle includes a pair of transversely spaced beams. Each one of the beams includes inboard and outboard sidewalls. A large diameter axle extends between and is rigidly connected to the beams via a pair of axle-to-beam connections. Each one of the axle-to-beam connections includes a sleeve having an increased thickness rigidly connected to the axle and the beam. Each sleeve is formed with at least a front and a rear window located between the beam sidewalls. The inboard and/or outboard edges of the sleeve windows are spaced relatively far from the beam sidewalls. The sleeve windows are asymmetrically angled with respect to the horizontal centerline of the axle at design ride height. The axle/suspension system reduces weight while maintaining desired stiffness and durability of the axle/suspension system.