| Patent Number |
Title Of Patent |
Date Issued |
| 7322436 |
Automatic axle traction control |
January 29, 2008 |
| An automatic axle engagement system utilizes wheel speed sensors, engine control, and braking control to provide optimal engagement of a front drive axle to provide all wheel drive under poor driving conditions. The system includes a transfer case that is coupled to a power source and |
| 7204339 |
Vehicle wheel end assembly with wheel adapter |
April 17, 2007 |
| A wheel end assembly includes an output shaft that is directly mountable to a wheel adapter to drive a vehicle wheel. A gear assembly is coupled to the output shaft to transfer driving force from an input to the output shaft. The gear assembly includes an output gear that is directly cou |
| 7047838 |
Transfer case assembly having multiple gear mounting locations |
May 23, 2006 |
| A transfer case assembly includes an input gear, an idler gear, and an output gear. The idler gear is mounted on an idler shaft, which is rotatably supported by a bearing retained within a carrier. The carrier fits within an arcuate slot. The arcuate slot defines a multiple of idler |
| 7011185 |
Low cost brake sensor |
March 14, 2006 |
| A low cost brake sensor incorporates a sensor portion extending through one of the rivet holes in the backing plate of the brake pad. A locking sleeve snaps onto the sensor portion and secures the sensor to the backing plate. Preferably, the locking sleeve has a lip which snaps into |
| 7000743 |
Brake shoe assembly having a corrosion reducing lining |
February 21, 2006 |
| A brake shoe assembly provides a plurality of drain openings located through a brake shoe table which correspond with drain openings in a brake lining. The aligned drain openings provide an unobstructed moisture escape path from an inner surface of the brake shoe table to minimize mo |
| 6945522 |
Multi-rate torsion bar independent suspension spring |
September 20, 2005 |
| A torsion bar suspension assembly is provided that includes a control arm supported by a frame. The torsion bar extends along a longitudinal axis having a first end portion connected to the control arm and a second end portion engaging the frame. A contact arm is connected to the torsion |
| 6935788 |
Method and device for adjusting bearing assembly for a wheel hub |
August 30, 2005 |
| A wheel hub assembly including first and second bearing assemblies positioned on opposite sides of a spacer. The spacer includes at least one opening to allow lubricant to flow through the spacer. The spacer includes a first section deformable such that an overall length of the spacer is |
| 6929084 |
Suspension module for use with an independent suspension including semi-trailing arms with airba |
August 16, 2005 |
| A suspension module for use with an independent suspension system includes a subframe having a pair of subframe rails and a bridge supported therebetween. A pair of semi-trailing arms are pivotally attached to the subframe rails. Each semi-trailing arm includes an airbag support onto |
| 6893046 |
Independent suspension undercarriage module for a low floor vehicle |
May 17, 2005 |
| An independent suspension undercarriage module includes a first subframe segment and a second subframe segment. The subframe is manufactured of a composite material to provide a truss-like structural unibody which is mounted as a unit to the underside of a low floor vehicle through a |
| 6883235 |
Cast integral ring gear and differential case |
April 26, 2005 |
| An apparatus and method of forming a differential assembly is provided that includes the steps of providing a ring gear, which is preferably produced by a precision forging process. The differential case is cast about a portion of the ring gear to secure the ring gear to the differential |
| 6871723 |
Independent suspension system for a low floor vehicle |
March 29, 2005 |
| A first and second hub assembly supported by an independent suspension system allows the independent articulation of each hub assembly. An input gear box includes a reduction gear set that drives a reduction gear set at each hub assembly. The input gear box is mounted offset from the fir |
| 6871683 |
Hub cap filter for tire inflation system |
March 29, 2005 |
| A vehicle tire inflation system includes an axle assembly with an axle housing having an air supply conduit. Air is provided to the air supply conduit from an air tank mounted on the vehicle. The axle includes least one wheel hub rotatably supported on the axle housing by bearings. A hub |
| 6857645 |
Suspension seat and axle coupling |
February 22, 2005 |
| A suspension assembly is provided that includes a first suspension member such as a rear axle housing having first and second opposing sides. The housing includes spaced apart corners. First and second seats are respectively adjacent to the first and second opposing sides. Each of the |
| 6834748 |
Liningless brake assembly with dampers |
December 28, 2004 |
| A vehicle brake assembly utilizes a damping mechanism to eliminate brake linings. The brake assembly includes a fixed base plate and an actuation plate rotatable relative to the base plate. The base plate includes a plurality of orientation slots and the actuation plate includes a pl |
| 6820883 |
Vehicle suspension including dock height holding device |
November 23, 2004 |
| A vehicle suspension includes a dock height holding device. First and second jounce bumper portions preferably each include a surface configuration that faces generally toward the oppositely facing jounce bumper portion. By moving at least one of the jounce bumper portions between fi |
| 6793035 |
Semi-independent swing arm suspension system for a low floor vehicle |
September 21, 2004 |
| A suspension system includes a swing arm which pivots about a pivot axis. A hub assembly, hub gear box and input gear box are mounted to an independently pivoting swing arm. The pivot axis is located closer to the ground than a rotational axis defined by the hub assemblies and the input |
| 6786509 |
Vehicle suspension with a dock height holding device |
September 7, 2004 |
| A vehicle suspension assembly includes a height holding device that is at least partially supported within an air spring of the suspension assembly. The height holding device includes a hydraulic ram. A moveable portion of the hydraulic ram moves between a first position where a minimum |
| 6772865 |
Brake shoe retainer clip |
August 10, 2004 |
| A retainer clip is used to maintain proper shoe contact and orientation for a cam actuated brake assembly. The cam actuated brake assembly includes a pair of brake shoes each having an anchor end and an actuation end. Each brake shoe is pivotally mounted at the anchor end to a brake spid |
| 6761237 |
Quick connect/disconnect driveline assembly |
July 13, 2004 |
| A driveline assembly includes a shaft that is rotatably supported on a bearing assembly within a drive axle. The shaft has a first mount portion with a threaded exterior surface and a second mount portion with a splined exterior surface. A retaining ring is threaded onto the first mount |
| 6759963 |
Wheel bearing temperature indicator |
July 6, 2004 |
| A temperature indicator is mounted within a wheel hub to generate a warning signal when a wheel end component overheats. The temperature indicator comprises a thermal battery that is activated only when the wheel end component exceed a predetermined temperature. Once activated the batter |
| 6755093 |
Planetary drive assembly with idlers for low floor vehicle |
June 29, 2004 |
| A drive axle assembly for a low floor vehicle utilizes a single input gear assembly to drive a pair of laterally spaced wheel ends. The input gear assembly is positioned next to one of the wheel ends so that the vehicle floor can be lowered to facilitate passenger access to the vehicle. |
| 6752410 |
Independent suspension for low profile vehicles |
June 22, 2004 |
| An independent suspension module includes a plurality of control members that are positioned to allow the suspension module to be used on low profile vehicles such as low floor buses. The suspension module includes a plurality of control members that couple a support member to the vehicl |
| 6745470 |
Vehicle with large planar composite panels |
June 8, 2004 |
| A vehicle trailer includes large side panels that are attached to a trailer superstructure. A method and apparatus for making the panels includes forming composite panels that are lightweight and economical to manufacture. In one embodiment, the superstructure has grooves for receivi |
| 6744004 |
Method for welding a differential housing |
June 1, 2004 |
| A method of welding an axle housing surface to a blank surface includes generated heat in one of the two components. Heat is generated from at least one of these surfaces at their interface sufficient to weld them together. The surfaces are then applied together. |
| 6725983 |
Shock absorber with air pressure adjustable damping |
April 27, 2004 |
| A vehicle suspension assembly includes a shock absorber that provides variable damping dependent on the load conditions of the vehicle. A central rod of the shock absorber includes a central bore that is fluidly coupled with air pressure within air springs of the suspension assembly. |
| 6719315 |
Trailer suspension slider energy absorbing device |
April 13, 2004 |
| A trailer suspension slider is provided that includes a suspension bogey. A trailer is supported on the suspension bogey and is longitudinally movable between a plurality of position relative to the suspension bogey. The trailer includes a stop bar to prevent the bogey from sliding out f |
| 6719028 |
Wheel end assembly with spindle sleeve |
April 13, 2004 |
| A vehicle wheel end assembly includes a sleeve member that allows air to be vented from the wheel end while significantly reducing venting of lubricating fluid. The wheel end includes a hub that is driven by a gear assembly. Lubricating fluid is stored within the hub to lubricate the gea |
| 6705965 |
Carrier assembly for drive axle |
March 16, 2004 |
| A carrier assembly for a drive axle includes an pinion and ring gear input that is operably coupled to a differential assembly. The differential assembly includes first and second case halves that attach to each other at an interface to define a case split line and a differential gear |
| 6698553 |
Disc brake chamber adapter |
March 2, 2004 |
| A vehicle brake assembly includes a disc that rotates about a lateral axis. A caliper is mounted to a non-rotating vehicle structure and supports a pair of brake pads that are positioned on opposing sides of the disc. An air chamber provides an actuation force for the brake assembly. A f |
| 6695738 |
Inverted portal axle rotating spindle wheel end |
February 24, 2004 |
| An offset axle assembly includes a two-piece gear case. A first section of the gear case includes a drive gear assembly and the second section includes a driven gear attached to a shaft supported within the second section of the gear case. Attached to the end of the shaft is a hub. The |
| 6695351 |
Internal bulkhead for spring seat reinforcement |
February 24, 2004 |
| A vehicle chassis having a hollow structural member is provided with an opening at an end. A cavity extends from the opening and is defined by interior walls. The hollow structural member may be an axle or a portion of a frame. A bulkhead is arranged in the cavity transverse to the i |
| 6685569 |
Vibration absorbing universal joint |
February 3, 2004 |
| An universal joint dissipates shock and reduces torsional vibration to the elements of the universal joint. An elastomeric material, such as a polyurethane, is introduced between the bores of the yokes of the joint and the respective adjacent bearing cups that are mounted on the shafts o |
| 6676227 |
Metallic debris extractor |
January 13, 2004 |
| An axle end plug employs a magnet which attracts ferrous metallic debris from a cavity in a trailer axle wheel end. The axle end plug includes a vent hole which is substantially aligned with an aperture in the magnet. The vent hole vents the cavity in the trailer axle wheel end to the |
| 6676143 |
Modular suspension arm assembly |
January 13, 2004 |
| A heavy-duty vehicle suspension assembly is provided that includes an axle assembly having opposing suspension arm mounting faces. A pair of modular suspension arm assemblies are secured to the axle assembly with the suspension arm assemblies extending outwardly from the axle assembly in |
| 6672432 |
Two piece stamped brake shoe |
January 6, 2004 |
| A brake shoe assembly includes the first and second sections defining a lining surface and a mounting tab. The mounting tab extends perpendicular from the lining surface and includes a series of notches allowing the formation of the lining surface into an arcuate shape. The mounting tabs |
| 6670890 |
Thermally activated sensor system |
December 30, 2003 |
| A sensor system includes a housing that houses a thermally sensitive sensor, a transmitter portion and a power source. Preferably, the sensor device is encapsulated to protect the components from the environment. When the temperature in a component mounting the sensor system exceeds a |
| 6666474 |
Semi-balanced tandem suspension |
December 23, 2003 |
| A suspension system provides a pair of walking beams mounted parallel to a longitudinal main frame of a vehicle subframe. The walking beams support tandem axles. The walking beams are mounted to lower outboard brackets extending from each axle. A spherical joint extending from each l |
| 6663110 |
Hydrophobic shaft seal |
December 16, 2003 |
| A seal assembly seal assembly includes an outer member, an inner member, and a resilient member therebetwen. The resilient member is located between an inner diameter of the outer member and an outer diameter of the inner member. The resilient member includes substantially V-shaped or |
| 6663010 |
Individualized vehicle settings |
December 16, 2003 |
| A system for setting vehicle operator preferences is provided. The system includes a vehicle control module for controlling a vehicle component such as an HVAC unit. A data link is connected to the vehicle control module and may be an infrared signal receiver, a radio frequency signal re |
| 6659241 |
Shock absorber compression damping adjustment |
December 9, 2003 |
| An adjustable shock absorber is provided that includes a body having a fluid passageway with first and second passages in fluid communication with one another. A valve assembly is arranged between the passages and includes a plunger that is adjustable between a plurality of positions |
| 6659239 |
Shock absorber through the rod damping adjustment |
December 9, 2003 |
| A shock absorber is provided that includes a shock absorber body defining a cavity that is at least partially filled with hydraulic fluid. A piston is slidably arranged within the body and separates the cavity into rebound and compression fluid chambers. A rod is secured to the piston an |
| 6659217 |
Drive assembly for low floor vehicle |
December 9, 2003 |
| A drive unit assembly utilizes a single input to drive a pair of laterally spaced wheel ends. Each wheel end is suspended independently from the other. The input is operatively coupled to only one of the wheel ends and an exposed axle shaft assembly interconnects the input to the opposit |
| 6648788 |
Forward carrier assembly for tandem axle |
November 18, 2003 |
| A tandem axle assembly includes a forward drive axle coupled to a rear drive axle with a connecting driveshaft. An inter-axle differential (LAD) located in a carrier assembly for the forward drive axle takes driving input and splits the input between the forward and rear drive axles. The |
| 6648111 |
Positive rotating anchor pin |
November 18, 2003 |
| A brake assembly is provided having a brake spider with a hole. An anchor pin is supported within the hole and includes end portions extending from the spider. The end portion has a first interlocking profile, which may be a recess or flat in the outer cylindrical surface of the anchor p |
| 6648109 |
Adjustable shock absorber |
November 18, 2003 |
| A shock absorber assembly includes a damping adjustment mechanism that can easily be incorporated into a twin cylinder design. The shock absorber includes an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder mounted within the outer cylinder. The inner cylinder is spaced apart from the outer cylinder |
| 6644428 |
Automatic axle traction control |
November 11, 2003 |
| An automatic axle engagement system utilizes wheel speed sensors, engine control, and braking control to provide optimal engagement of a front drive axle to provide all wheel drive under poor driving conditions. The system includes a transfer case that is coupled to a power source and |
| 6641157 |
Method for securing slider to trailer |
November 4, 2003 |
| A system for connecting a slider to a trailer frame includes a rotatable locking member having a plurality of teeth that engage with a plurality of openings in the trailer from. The locking member is biased by a rotary biasing in a locked position. |
| 6632252 |
Thermally activated power supply for sensor system |
October 14, 2003 |
| A sensor system includes a housing that houses a thermally sensitive sensor, a transmitter portion and a power source. Preferably, the sensor device is encapsulated to protect the components from the environment. The transmitter generates a signal in response to the sensor detecting a |
| 6619673 |
Mechanism for fixing the height of the trailer floor at a plurality of levels by fixing the angu |
September 16, 2003 |
| 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 par |
| 6619441 |
Conical brake assembly |
September 16, 2003 |
| A brake assembly utilizes a conical brake drum and matching conical brake lining assembly to provide a more efficient braking system. An adjuster mechanism with a pair of conical adjuster members is controlled by an electric motor and worm gear drive. As the lining wears, the adjuster |
