Joseph B Ross

US Patent:

6508482, Jan 21, 2003

Filed:

Dec 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/737672

Inventors:

Phillippi R. Pierce - Canton OH
Mohamad A. Bachir - Medina OH
Scott A. Dilling - Canton OH
William L. McGrath - Alliance OH
John E. Ramsey - Canton OH
Joseph M. Ross - Canton OH

Assignee:

The Boler Company. - Itasca IL

International Classification:

B60G 902

US Classification:

280124116, 280124157, 280124163

Abstract:

A trailing arm axle/suspension system includes rigid or spring beams for mounting the axle directly to the beam without any or minimal, respectively, additional mounting hardware or structure. An axle mounting plate is formed as part of the preassembled rigid beam or attached to the spring beam, and is formed with a recess that can range from significantly smaller than to generally the same size as the smallest axle which will be seated therein. The axle is extruded into the recess to eliminate clearance and create intimate contact between the axle and the axle mounting plate. The force typically deforms the axle from its normal cross-sectional shape, such as round, into a generally oval or elliptical cross-sectional shape. Such clearance-free intimate contact also creates a constant preload or compression between the axle and the axle mounting plate in the recess area. Continuous welds; disposed in windows formed in the axle mounting plate, or, alternatively bolts, are circumferentially offset from recess-defining edges of the axle mounting plate and the vertical axis plane of the axle.

US Patent:

7207583, Apr 24, 2007

Filed:

Jan 16, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/051968

Inventors:

Joseph M. Ross - Canton OH, US
Phillippi R. Pierce - Canton OH, US
John E. Ramsey - Canton OH, US
Warren M. Schneider - Sandyville OH, US

Assignee:

Hendrickson USA, L.L.C. - Canton OH

International Classification:

B60G 9/02

US Classification:

280124121, 28012411, 28012412, 267270

Abstract:

A spacer apparatus for insulating a beam bushing assembly of an axle/suspension system from direct metal-to-metal contact with the vehicle frame hanger on which the assembly is pivotally mounted. In one embodiment, an integrally-formed one-piece apparatus includes a spacer disk portion and collar portions, whereby the collars provide a complementary fit of the spacer apparatus on the bushing assembly mounting tube, and generally prevents or minimizes relative movement between the spacer disk and bushing assembly. In other embodiments, one or more load dissipation structures mounted on or forming a part of the beam and/or its bushing assembly prevent substantially non-planar surfaces of the assembly from contacting a spacer disk by increasing the bearing area of those surfaces which contact the disk. These apparatus generally eliminate excessive wear or damage to the spacer disk and possible resulting damage to the axle/suspension system.

US Patent:

20100012433, Jan 21, 2010

Filed:

Oct 9, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/287474

Inventors:

Joseph M. Ross - Pepper Pike OH, US
Xingtao Wang - Jiangmen City, CN

Assignee:

Challenger Hardware Company - Beachwood OH

International Classification:

E06C 7/06

US Classification:

182211

Abstract:

A telescoping ladder assembly which is especially useful for boarding a boat from the water includes a ladder comprising a plurality of telescoping ladder sections and a securing mechanism for securing the ladder in a stowed position. The securing mechanism includes a spring member which biases the ladder and a stop against one another to prevent extension of the ladder. The ladder is preferably pivotally and slidably mounted on a frame which is configured for mounting on a platform such as the transom of a boat.

US Patent:

62799339, Aug 28, 2001

Filed:

Apr 10, 2001

Appl. No.:

9/829690

Inventors:

Joseph M. Ross - North Canton OH
Marc A. Gibson - New Philadelphia OH
Timothy V. Hess - Smithville OH

Assignee:

The Boler Company. - Itasca IL

International Classification:

B62D 3308

US Classification:

2801492

Abstract:

A locking mechanism for a movable subframe of a semi-trailer includes at least a pair of transversely spaced pins. Each pin is extendable into and retractable from an opening formed in its respective longitudinally extending main member of the subframe and a selected aligned one of a plurality of openings formed in its respective longitudinally extending rail of the trailer main frame. An elastomeric bladder is disposed between the pins and is operatively connected to one or more cables and/or linkage members which in turn are operatively connected to the pins. When the bladder is voided of air and is in its collapsed state, sufficient slack exists in the bladder, cables and/or linkage members to enable the bias force of a coil spring disposed about each of the pins to independently cause the pins to extend through their respective aligned openings to lock the subframe in a selected longitudinal position with respect to the trailer main frame. When air is introduced into the bladder, it distends or elongates and in turn shortens the length of the portions of the bladder, cables and/or linkage members which are in transverse alignment with the pins, to impart a linear retraction force on the pins which overcomes the bias force of the springs to independently retract each of the pins from its respective main frame opening enabling repositioning of the subframe beneath the trailer frame. The subframe is free of additional structure for bearing reactive forces generated during normal operation of the locking mechanism.

US Patent:

51710366, Dec 15, 1992

Filed:

Aug 27, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/750656

Inventors:

Joseph M. Ross - North Canton OH

Assignee:

The Boler Company - Itasca IL

International Classification:

B60G 1162

US Classification:

280713

Abstract:

A flexible energy absorbing strap is provided to limit downward travel of a suspension system in reaction to rebound forces. The strap requires and uses connections already existing in the suspension system for attachment, and provides two flexible bands between the suspension beam and the vehicle frame.

US Patent:

53662377, Nov 22, 1994

Filed:

Apr 20, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/230136

Inventors:

Scott Dilling - Canton OH
Michael J. Keeler - Canton OH
John Ramsey - Canton OH
Joseph M. Ross - North Canton OH

Assignee:

The Boler Company - Itasca IL

International Classification:

B60G 1126

US Classification:

280711

Abstract:

A beam-type axle suspension system particularly applicable to trailers and which is subject to torsional forces includes an elongated beam, a pneumatic bellows located on the beam, a hanger bracket located at one end of the beam, a connection for rigidly connecting the beam to the axle and a resilient pivot connection for resiliently connecting the beam to the hanger bracket wherein the beam includes an orifice through which the axle is slid or pressed and rigidly attached thereto, thereby preventing the axle from assuming a cross-sectional shape substantially different from its unstressed shape due to the torsional forces imposed on the axle. This beam-type axle suspension system also includes a resilient pivot connection for connecting the hanger bracket to the beam, thereby allowing the brake components to be attached to the beam instead of to the axle, and having the effect of eliminating stress risers on the axle due to welding the brake components to the axle. This is achieved by the combination of a pivot connection having a resilient bushing with different deflection in the beamwise and hangerwise directions and the rigid axle-to-beam connection which maintains a constant distance between the axle and the brake components.