Steerable tag axle system

An improved vehicle of the type having a frame, a steering axle assembly mounted to said frame and a tag axle assembly mounted to said frame, said steering axle assembly comprising first and second steerable wheels and a first tie rod operatively connecting said first and second steerable wheels, said tag axle assembly comprising third and fourth wheels and a second tie rod operatively connecting said third and fourth wheels, the improvement comprising:

• a steering axle ram assembly comprising:
• a first cylinder, a first piston reciprocally housed within said first cylinder, and a first shaft connected to said first piston;
• and
• a second cylinder, a second piston reciprocally housed within said second cylinder, and a second shaft connected to said second piston;
• wherein each cylinder has a diameter;
• wherein said first and second cylinders are affixed to a chosen one of said frame and said first tie rod and said first and second shafts are affixed to said other of said frame and said first tie rod;
• a tag axle ram assembly comprising:
• a third cylinder, a third piston reciprocally housed within said third cylinder, and a third shaft connected to said third piston;
• and
• a fourth cylinder, a fourth piston reciprocally housed within said fourth cylinder, and a fourth shaft connected to said fourth piston;
• wherein each cylinder has a diameter;
• wherein said third and fourth cylinders are affixed to a chosen one of said frame and said second tie rod and said third and fourth shafts are affixed to said other of said frame and said second tie rod;
• said third and fourth cylinders having larger diameters than said first and second cylinders;
• and
• a conduit system fluidly coupling (1) said first and third cylinders, and (2) said second and third cylinders, so a fluid moves through said conduit system between said steering axle ram assembly and said tag axle ram assembly in response to a turning of said first and second steerable wheels, wherein said third and fourth wheels turn in unison with said first and second steerable wheels a lesser distance than said first and second steerable wheels, wherein said conduit system is constructed without any flow control valves.

A steerable tag axle kit for use with a vehicle having a having a frame, a steering axle assembly and a tag axle assembly mounted to said frame, said steering axle assembly comprising first and second steerable wheels and a first tie rod operatively connecting said first and second steerable wheels, said tag axle assembly comprising third and fourth wheels and a second tie rod operatively connecting said third and fourth wheels, said kit comprising:

• a steering axle ram assembly comprising:
• a first cylinder affixed to said frame, a first piston reciprocally housed within said first cylinder, and a first shaft connected to said first piston, said first shaft rotatably mounted to said first tie rod;
• and
• a second cylinder, a second piston reciprocally housed within said second cylinder, and a second shaft connected to said second cylinder, said second shaft rotatably mounted to said first tie rod;
• a mounting bracket connecting said first and second shafts to said first tie-rod;
• wherein each cylinder has a diameter;
• a tag axle ram assembly comprising:
• a third cylinder affixed to said frame, a third piston reciprocally housed within said third cylinder, and a third shaft connected to said third piston, said third shaft rotatably mounted to said second tie rod;
• and
• a fourth cylinder affixed to said frame, a fourth piston reciprocally housed within said fourth cylinder, and a fourth shaft connected to said fourth cylinder, said fourth shaft rotatably mounted to said second tie rod;
• a mounting bracket connecting said third and fourth shafts to said second tie-rod;
• wherein each cylinder has a diameter;
• said third and fourth cylinders having larger diameters than said first and second cylinders;
• and
• a conduit system fluidly coupling said first and second cylinders to said third and fourth cylinders so a fluid moves through said conduit system between said steering axle ram assembly and said tag axle ram assembly in response to a turning of said first and second steerable wheels, said conduit system constructed without any flow control valves, said conduit system comprises:
• a first conduit connecting said first cylinder to said third cylinder;
• a second conduit connecting said second cylinder to said fourth cylinder;
• a third conduit connecting said first cylinder to said second cylinder, wherein said third conduit comprises means for maintaining an equal air pressure in said first and second cylinders;
• and
• a fourth conduit connecting said third cylinder to said fourth cylinder, wherein said fourth conduit comprises means for maintaining an equal air pressure in said third and fourth cylinders;
• wherein a turning of said first and second wheels moves air through said third and fourth conduits;
• wherein a turning of said first and second wheels moves one of said first and second pistons in a compression stroke and moves said other of said first and second pistons in an expansion stroke to move oil through said first and second conduit between said first and second cylinders and said third and fourth cylinders;
• wherein said third and fourth wheels turn in unison with said first and second steerable wheels a lesser distance than said first and second steerable wheels.