Abstract:
The present invention relates to a roll over restraint system for a vehicle. The roll over restraint system includes a mattress, restraint belt section, and one or more activation sensors. The restraint belt section extends laterally across the mattress. The one or more activation sensors detect the occurrence of at least one of a vehicle declaration threshold, a vehicle attitude change threshold, or a vehicle crash and in response thereto generate a signal. The signal results in at least one pre-tensioning devices increasing the tension applied to the restraint belt section and/or inflation of the restraint belt section.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a modular reservoir and method. The modular reservoir includes a body. A reservoir cavity extends longitudinally within the body and is provided with first and second ends. An external surface of the body is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending tabs and a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves. The tabs are provided with a substantially nesting cross-sectional shape, with respect to a cross-sectional shape of the grooves. First and second end caps are located at the first and second ends of the reservoir cavity. The first and second end caps enclose the reservoir cavity.
Abstract:
A truck for pulling a semi-trailer includes an operator cab positioned on a frame and a fifth wheel mounted on the frame for receiving an underside of the semi-trailer. The trailer when attached to the truck defines a gap between a forward most portion of the semi-trailer and rearward most portion of the operator cab. A fairing can be located on the frame, aft of the operator cab and forward of at least a portion of the fifth wheel. The fairing can block at least a portion of the air flow attempting to enter the gap from below the frame.
Abstract:
An air deflector for a vehicle A -pillar and side view mirror is formed as a unitary structure including an A-pillar vane and tipper and lower support arms. The vane is formed as a longitudinally elongated panel curved in a lateral direction. The vane is mountable adjacent to and spaced from a vehicle A-pillar with a concave surface facing the A-pillar. An upper arm extends laterally from a top end of the vane and encases a vehicle mirror upper support and a lower arm extends laterally from a bottom end of the vane and encases a vehicle mirror lower support. The vane is configured to control a flow air past the A-pillar and the upper arm and lower arms are shaped to guide an air flow around the mirror supports.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a roof fairing body and a method of installing a roof fairing on a vehicle. The roof fairing includes a lower fairing body section, an upper fairing body section, a shipping configuration, and an operable configuration. The lower fairing body section includes a front wall and side walls extending rearward from opposite ends of the front wall. The front wall and side walls cooperate to define an upper roof fairing section receiving space. The upper fairing body section is configured to mate with the lower fairing body section to form at least one hinge. When in the shipping configuration, the upper roof fairing section is positioned at least partially within the upper roof fairing section receiving space of the lower fairing body section, whereby the roof fairing body is provided with a shipping height and the upper roof fairing section and the lower fairing body section mate to form at least one hinge. When in an operable configuration the upper roof fairing section pivots about the at least one hinge whereby the upper roof fairing section is situated at least partially above the lower fairing body section and the roof fairing body is provided with an operable height that is greater than the shipping height.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an adjustable towing system and a method for adjusting a length of a longitudinally extending gap between a cab of a truck tractor and a trailer. The truck tractor is provided with at least one front axle, at least one rear axle, and a fifth wheel. The trailer provided with at least one axle and a kingpin. At least two of the fifth wheel, the kingpin, and the at least one axle are repositionable along the truck tractor or the trailer as the truck tractor tows the trailer, whereby the length of the gap is determined according to the position of the fifth wheel and the kingpin.
Abstract:
A wheel cover includes a quick fasten and release device for securing the wheel cover to a vehicle wheel. The device includes a clamp mechanism extending from a central location on the wheel cover. The clamp includes grappling fingers that engage the wheel hub flange when drawn into engagement by a mechanism operated by a handle accessible from the outward facing surface of the wheel cover.
Abstract:
A self-adjusting, self-damping air spring having a first air spring disposed between a cab and a frame of a vehicle and a second air spring in fluid communication with the first air spring. The second air spring positioned relative to the first to provide an opposition force in response to a change in height of the first air spring. This change in height corresponds to a change in displacement between the cab and the frame. The opposition force provided by the second air spring acting to dampen the changes in displacement.
Abstract:
A method for distributing load forces among axles of a truck having a front steer axle and two rear axles, the rear axles including an air suspension, includes the steps of monitoring a load on each of the axles and generating a load signal therefrom, increasing a pressure in a forward rear axle air suspension relative to a pressure in a rearward rear axle suspension to decrease a load on the steer axle, and decreasing a pressure in a forward rear axle air suspension relative to a rearward rear axle suspension to increase a load on the steer axle.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a vehicle provided with a sprung mass, including a vehicle frame, at least one axle provided with first and second ends, and a suspension system provided with a mechanical springs and leveling springs. The mechanical springs connect the axle ends to the frame and are provided with a spring rate in a rebound direction that is greater than or substantially equal to a spring rate in a jounce direction. The leveling springs are configured to support the sprung mass at one or more sprung mass load points, whereby the first and second mechanical springs may become substantially unloaded by the sprung mass of the vehicle at the one or more sprung mass load points.