Method of installing integrated lift axle suspension system
AssigneeTransportation Technologies, Inc.
InventorsErvin K. VanDenberg, Lyle Edward Turkson, David H. Croston
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A suspension assembly and method of use is provided. The suspension is for an axle on a trailer or other vehicle. The suspension assembly has a cross support member connected with or integrally formed with a hanger bracket at the first end of the cross support member. A trailing beam is connected to the hanger bracket. The trailing beam and a mount are coupled with a load air bag and a lift air bag, with the bags located on each respective side of a pivot axis for the trailing beam. This establishes a teeter-totter configuration of the suspension assembly allowing independent wheel travel side-to-side of the suspension assembly.
Claims14
A method comprising:
- assembling a lift axle air suspension assembly to create an assembled lift axle air suspension assembly, the assembled lift axle air suspension assembly comprising a cross support member that is adapted to mount transversely on opposing rails of a trailer, a first bracket integrated to the cross support member, a first beam pivotably coupled to the first bracket, wherein the first beam pivots about a pivot axis located between a forward end and a rear end of the first beam defining a teeter-totter configuration of the first beam relative to the first bracket, a first load air bag located rearward of the pivot axis, and the first load air bag positioned between the first beam and the first bracket, and a first lift air bag located forward of the pivot axis, and the first lift air bag positioned between the first beam and the first bracket;
- providing the assembled lift axle air suspension assembly to a customer;
- providing resources to the customer detailing how to install the assembled lift axle air suspension assembly on a trailer;
- and
- providing resources to the customer detailing how to couple an auxiliary wheel to the lift axle air suspension without adjusting wheel toe, wheel camber, or caster angle.
A method comprising:
- receiving an assembled lift axle air suspension assembly, the assembled lift axle air suspension assembly comprising a cross support member that is adapted to mount transversely on opposing rails of a trailer, a first bracket integrated to the cross support member, a first beam pivotably coupled to the first bracket, wherein the first beam pivots about a pivot axis located between a forward end and a rear end of the first beam defining a teeter-totter configuration of the first beam relative to the first bracket, a first load air bag located rearward of the pivot axis, and the first load air bag positioned between the first beam and the first bracket, and a first lift air bag located forward of the pivot axis, and the first lift air bag positioned between the first beam and the first bracket;
- installing the assembled lift axle air suspension assembly on a trailer;
- and
- coupling an auxiliary wheel to the assembled lift axle air suspension assembly without adjusting wheel toe, wheel camber, or caster angle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.