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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7568286 | Method of forming a tubular axle A method of forming an axle assembly having a hollow member. A hollow member such as a cylindrical tube is formed into a polygonal cross-section having an end portion. Bulkheads maybe located into the hollow member prior or after the polygonal forming step to improv... | 08/04/2009 |
| 7322436 | Automatic axle traction control 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... | 01/29/2008 |
| 7204339 | Vehicle wheel end assembly with wheel adapter 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 gea... | 04/17/2007 |
| 7047838 | Transfer case assembly having multiple gear mounting locations 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 ... | 05/23/2006 |
| 7011185 | Low cost brake sensor 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... | 03/14/2006 |
| 7000743 | Brake shoe assembly having a corrosion reducing lining 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 ta... | 02/21/2006 |
| 6945522 | Multi-rate torsion bar independent suspension spring 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 co... | 09/20/2005 |
| 6935788 | Method and device for adjusting bearing assembly for a wheel hub 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 l... | 08/30/2005 |
| 6929084 | Suspension module for use with an independent suspension including semi-trailing arms with airbag supports 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 a... | 08/16/2005 |
| 6893046 | Independent suspension undercarriage module for a low floor vehicle 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... | 05/17/2005 |
| 6883235 | Cast integral ring gear and differential case 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 ge... | 04/26/2005 |
| 6871723 | Independent suspension system for a low floor vehicle 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 mount... | 03/29/2005 |
| 6871683 | Hub cap filter for tire inflation system 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 hous... | 03/29/2005 |
| 6857645 | Suspension seat and axle coupling 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... | 02/22/2005 |
| 6834748 | Liningless brake assembly with dampers 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 p... | 12/28/2004 |
| 6820883 | Vehicle suspension including dock height holding device 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 p... | 11/23/2004 |
| 6793035 | Semi-independent swing arm suspension system for a low floor vehicle 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 ass... | 09/21/2004 |
| 6786509 | Vehicle suspension with a dock height holding device 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 pos... | 09/07/2004 |
| 6772865 | Brake shoe retainer clip 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 anch... | 08/10/2004 |
| 6761237 | Quick connect/disconnect driveline assembly 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... | 07/13/2004 |
| 6759963 | Wheel bearing temperature indicator 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. Onc... | 07/06/2004 |
| 6755093 | Planetary drive assembly with idlers for low floor vehicle 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 a... | 06/29/2004 |
| 6752410 | Independent suspension for low profile vehicles 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 suppor... | 06/22/2004 |
| 6745470 | Vehicle with large planar composite panels 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 g... | 06/08/2004 |
| 6744004 | Method for welding a differential housing 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. | 06/01/2004 |
| 6725983 | Shock absorber with air pressure adjustable damping 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 su... | 04/27/2004 |
| 6719315 | Trailer suspension slider energy absorbing device 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 bo... | 04/13/2004 |
| 6719028 | Wheel end assembly with spindle sleeve 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 hu... | 04/13/2004 |
| 6705965 | Carrier assembly for drive axle 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 ... | 03/16/2004 |
| 6701763 | Hydroformed axle with weldless brake flange and bearing shoulder An axle assembly is provided that includes a tubular member having an outer wall and an interior cavity. The other wall includes a first interlocking feature. An axle component mounting member, such as a bearing shoulder sleeve and/or a brake flange, is a... | 03/09/2004 |
| 6698553 | Disc brake chamber adapter 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 ... | 03/02/2004 |
| 6695351 | Internal bulkhead for spring seat reinforcement 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 t... | 02/24/2004 |
| 6695738 | Inverted portal axle rotating spindle wheel end 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... | 02/24/2004 |
| 6685569 | Vibration absorbing universal joint 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... | 02/03/2004 |
| 6676227 | Metallic debris extractor 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... | 01/13/2004 |
| 6676143 | Modular suspension arm assembly 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 ou... | 01/13/2004 |
| 6672432 | Two piece stamped brake shoe 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... | 01/06/2004 |
| 6670890 | Thermally activated sensor system 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 mounti... | 12/30/2003 |
| 6666474 | Semi-balanced tandem suspension 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 spherica... | 12/23/2003 |
| 6663010 | Individualized vehicle settings 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 rece... | 12/16/2003 |
