# US 9,751,560 B2 · Axle assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,751,560 B2 - Document ID: US9751560B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/570,786 - Filed: 2014-12-15 - Published: 2015-06-18 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2013-12-13 - Applicants: Kevin Flander; Jim Dean; Michael H. Dick - Inventors: Kevin Flander; Jim Dean; Michael H. Dick - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751560B2 ## CPC - B62D 13/04: for individually-pivoted wheels - B60G 3/14: the arm being rigid - B62D 13/005: {operated from tractor steering system} - B60G 2200/132: with a single trailing arm - B60G 2200/44: steerable - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00}) ## Abstract The axle assembly has an elongated shaft that is connected to a mounting bracket. A first end of an arm is connected to the elongated shaft. The arm extends rearwardly from the elongated shaft and connects to a bearing bracket at a second end. The bearing bracket has a pair of flanges and a pin that passes through the flanges and is received within an opening of a rotatable arm. The rotatable arm is connected to an axle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An axle assembly comprising: an elongated shaft; a mounting bracket connected to the elongated shaft; an arm having a first end connected to an end of the elongated shaft and extending rearwardly; a bearing bracket having a pair of flanges connected to a second end of the arm; a link assembly connected to the bearing bracket and mounting bracket; a pin disposed between the pair of flanges and received in an opening of a rotatable arm; and an axle connected to the rotatable arm. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The axle assembly of claim 1 further comprising a bearing disposed within the pair of flanges. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The axle assembly of claim 1 wherein the rotatable arm is generally L-shaped. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The axle assembly of claim 1 further comprising the link assembly having a link connected to a support arm and a support bracket. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The axle assembly of claim 4 wherein the support arm is connected to the bearing bracket. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The axle assembly of claim 4 wherein the support bracket is connected to the mounting bracket. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The axle assembly of claim 1 wherein the link assembly is adjustable. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The axle assembly of claim 1 further comprising an actuating bar connected to the rotatable arm. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The axle assembly of claim 8 wherein the actuating bar is generally parallel to the shaft and below the mounting bracket. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The axle assembly of claim 9 further comprising an actuating member connected at one end to the actuating bar and a vehicle frame at a second end. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The axle assembly of claim 10 further comprising a sensor connected to the actuating member that is in communication with a controller. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The axle assembly of claim 11 wherein the controller determines an angle of a front wheel based on a signal from the sensor. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The axle assembly of claim 12 wherein the controller actuates the actuating member to turn the axle such that an angle of the axle complements the angle of the front wheel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The axle assembly of claim 11 wherein the controller monitors speed to lock the axle in a straight position when at a predetermined speed.