B60G 21/045 - Interconnection systems for two or more resiliently-suspended wheels, e.g. for stabilising a vehicle body with respect to acceleration, deceleration or centrifugal forces permanently interconnected mechanically between wheels on different axles on the same side of the vehicle, i.e. the left or the right side
B60G 21/05 - Interconnection systems for two or more resiliently-suspended wheels, e.g. for stabilising a vehicle body with respect to acceleration, deceleration or centrifugal forces permanently interconnected mechanically between wheels on the same axle but on different sides of the vehicle, i.e. the left and right wheel suspensions being interconnected
2.
ASSEMBLY FOR EQUIPPING MOTOR VEHICLE WITH DUAL-STEER CAPABILITIES
An assembly for equipping a motor vehicle with dual-steer capabilities has a first bracket assembly configured to couple a first steering column to the vehicle and a second bracket assembly configured to couple a second steering column to the vehicle. A first gearset is coupled to the first bracket assembly and configured for operative engagement with the first steering column. A second gearset is coupled to the second bracket assembly and configured for operative engagement with the second steering column. A cross shaft operatively couples the first gearset to the second gearset. The first gearset is configured to be operatively coupled to a steering gear of the vehicle. The first bracket assembly is configured to facilitate tilting of an upper steering shaft of the first steering column with respect to a lower steering shaft of the first steering column.
A load equalizer assembly for a vehicle comprises a mounting bracket configured to be fixedly mounted to the vehicle, the mounting bracket having a downwardly extending arm. An equalizer bracket is pivotally connected to the mounting bracket by way of the arm. The equalizer bracket comprises a laterally facing side having a stepped surface with an inwardly stepped portion and an outwardly stepped portion. The arm is received laterally adjacent to the inwardly stepped portion of the equalizer bracket.
B60G 5/053 - Resilient suspensions for a set of tandem wheels or axles having interrelated movements with two or more pivoted arms, the movements of which are resiliently interrelated a leafspring being used as equilibration unit between two axle-supporting units
B60G 5/06 - Resilient suspensions for a set of tandem wheels or axles having interrelated movements with two or more pivoted arms, the movements of which are resiliently interrelated the arms turning on a common pivot
4.
ASSEMBLY FOR EQUIPPING MOTOR VEHICLE WITH DUAL-STEER CAPABILITIES
An assembly for equipping a motor vehicle with dual-steer capabilities has a first bracket assembly configured to couple a first steering column to the vehicle and a second bracket assembly configured to couple a second steering column to the vehicle. A first gearset is coupled to the first bracket assembly and configured for operative engagement with the first steering column. A second gearset is coupled to the second bracket assembly and configured for operative engagement with the second steering column. A cross shaft operatively couples the first gearset to the second gearset. The first gearset is configured to be operatively coupled to a steering gear of the vehicle. The first bracket assembly is configured to facilitate tilting of an upper steering shaft of the first steering column with respect to a lower steering shaft of the first steering column.
An assembly facilitating installation of a steering column on an original passenger's side of a truck cab includes an aftermarket dash panel having a steering column opening configured to be located on the original passenger's side of the truck cab and an HVAC access opening configured to be located on an original driver's side of the truck cab. A first bracket has a forward portion for connection to original HVAC ductwork of the truck cab and has a rearward portion for connection to the aftermarket dash panel. The aftermarket dash panel comprises a single piece that extends from a left side of the truck cab to a right side of the truck cab. A method for moving a steering column of a truck cab from an original driver's side of the truck cab to an original passenger's side of the truck cab is also described.
An assembly facilitating installation of a steering column on an original passenger's side of a truck cab includes an aftermarket dash panel having a steering column opening configured to be located on the original passenger's side of the truck cab and an HVAC access opening configured to be located on an original driver's side of the truck cab. A first bracket has a forward portion for connection to original HVAC ductwork of the truck cab and has a rearward portion for connection to the aftennarket dash panel. The aftermarket dash panel comprises a single piece that extends from a left side of the truck cab to a right side of the truck cab. A method for moving a steering column of a truck cab from an original driver's side of the truck cab to an original passenger's side of the truck cab is also described.
B62D 25/14 - Dashboards as superstructure sub-unit
B62D 33/063 - Drivers' cabs movable from one position into at least one other position, e.g. tiltable, pivotable about a vertical axis, displaceable from one side of the vehicle to the other
B62D 65/02 - Joining sub-units or components to, or positioning sub-units or components with respect to, body shell or other sub-units or components
7.
Aftermarket door assembly for extended semi-truck cab
A door interface system for installing a door in a vehicle having a floor, a roof, and an outer panel with a hole defined therein. The system includes a door frame assembly configured to be coupled to the floor of the vehicle adjacent to the hole in the outer panel, and upper braces configured to be coupled to the door frame assembly and to the roof of the vehicle. The system further includes a floor support configured to be coupled to the vehicle adjacent to the hole in the outer panel near a bottom edge of the hole, and one or more trim pieces configured to be coupled to the outer panel and to the door frame assembly. The system further includes structural braces configured to be coupled to the door frame assembly and to the vehicle.
A door interface system for installing a door in a vehicle having a floor, a roof, and an outer panel with a hole defined therein. The system includes a door frame assembly configured to be coupled to the floor of the vehicle adjacent to the hole in the outer panel, and upper braces configured to be coupled to the door frame assembly and to the roof of the vehicle. The system further includes a floor support configured to be coupled to the vehicle adjacent to the hole in the outer panel near a bottom edge of the hole, and one or more trim pieces configured to be coupled to the outer panel and to the door frame assembly. The system further includes structural braces configured to be coupled to the door frame assembly and to the vehicle.
B62D 65/06 - Joining sub-units or components to, or positioning sub-units or components with respect to, body shell or other sub-units or components the sub-units or components being doors, windows, openable roofs, lids, bonnets, or weather strips or seals therefor
A frame extension for a vehicle having a pair of frame rails and a connecting cross member includes a vertical main plate having an inner face attached to an outer face of a frame rail; a vertical forward plate parallel to the vertical main plate and offset from the vertical main plate such that when the frame extension is installed, the vertical forward plate is located outwardly of the vertical main plate; a horizontal main flange abutting an outer face of the vertical main plate and abutting an outer face of the vertical forward plate; and a vertical spacer member connecting the outer face of the vertical main plate to an inner face of the vertical forward plate. The inner face of the vertical main plate is attached to the cross member. The vertical spacer member is approximately aligned with or forward of a front face of the cross member.
B62D 21/03 - Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted comprising longitudinally or transversely arranged frame members transverse members providing body support
B62D 65/10 - Joining sub-units or components to, or positioning sub-units or components with respect to, body shell or other sub-units or components the sub-units or components being engines, clutches or transmissions
A frame extension for a vehicle having a pair of frame rails and a connecting cross member includes a vertical main plate having an inner face attached to an outer face of a frame rail; a vertical forward plate parallel to the vertical main plate and offset from the vertical main plate such that when the frame extension is installed, the vertical forward plate is located outwardly of the vertical main plate; a horizontal main flange abutting an outer face of the vertical main plate and abutting an outer face of the vertical forward plate; and a vertical spacer member connecting the outer face of the vertical main plate to an inner face of the vertical forward plate. The inner face of the vertical main plate is attached to the cross member. The vertical spacer member is approximately aligned with or forward of a front face of the cross member.
B60R 19/24 - Arrangements for mounting bumpers on vehicles
B62D 21/02 - Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted comprising longitudinally or transversely arranged frame members
B62D 25/00 - Superstructure sub-unitsParts or details thereof not otherwise provided for
11.
Brake assembly for retrofitting a motor vehicle with a dual-position brake system
An assembly for actuating a vehicle's brake system from a dual-driver position includes an auxiliary brake pedal coupled to the vehicle remotely from the primary brake pedal. A master cylinder's piston is actuated when the auxiliary brake pedal pivots, and a hydraulic line provides hydraulic fluid to and removes hydraulic fluid from a slave cylinder in response. A lever is provided near the primary brake pedal and has one end coupled to the slave cylinder. The lever pivots in response to provision or removal of hydraulic fluid to or from the slave cylinder. A connector is coupled to the lever's opposite end and moves with the lever. The connector is coupled to a movable member that directly applies force to a rod of a primary brake system actuator and applies force to the movable member at the same location where the primary brake pedal applies force to the movable member.
An assembly for actuating a vehicle's brake system from a dual-driver position includes an auxiliary brake pedal coupled to the vehicle remotely from the primary brake pedal. A master cylinder's piston is actuated when the auxiliary brake pedal pivots, and a hydraulic line provides hydraulic fluid to and removes hydraulic fluid from a slave cylinder in response. A lever is provided near the primary brake pedal and has one end coupled to the slave cylinder. The lever pivots in response to provision or removal of hydraulic fluid to or from the slave cylinder. A connector is coupled to the lever's opposite end and moves with the lever. The connector is coupled to a movable member that directly applies force to a rod of a primary brake system actuator and applies force to the movable member at the same location where the primary brake pedal applies force to the movable member.
Modified vehicle hoods and methods of modifying truck hoods are provided herein. The modified vehicle hoods are narrowed in width compared to the original truck hood. The modified width of the modified hood may be less than the horizontal width between the forward support posts of a hauler rack, allowing the modified hood to be opened without contacting the support posts. Methods of modifying truck hoods include marking each of the pair of fenders of the vehicle with cut lines, cutting the pair of fenders to remove excess hood material, and then attaching a pair of fender panels to the pair of cut vehicle fenders.
An electronic switching module for connecting first and second throttle assemblies to an electronic control module of a vehicle that controls an engine of the vehicle includes first throttle assembly ports adapted to receive first throttle primary sensor position data and first throttle secondary sensor position data and second throttle assembly ports adapted to receive second throttle primary sensor position data and second throttle secondary sensor position data. A controller is connected to the first and second throttle assembly ports and an electronic control module port and is adapted to receive and compare the first throttle primary sensor position data and the first throttle secondary sensor position data and send an engine idle signal to the electronic control module via the electronic control module port when the comparison does not show a first predetermined relationship. The controller is also adapted to receive and compare the second throttle primary sensor position data and the second throttle secondary sensor position data and send an engine idle signal to the electronic control module via the electronic control module port when the comparison does not show a second predetermined relationship.
F02D 11/10 - Arrangements for, or adaptations to, non-automatic engine control initiation means, e.g. operator initiated characterised by non-mechanical control linkages, e.g. fluid control linkages or by control linkages with power drive or assistance of the electric type
F02D 41/00 - Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
F02D 11/02 - Arrangements for, or adaptations to, non-automatic engine control initiation means, e.g. operator initiated characterised by hand, foot, or like operator controlled initiation means
F02D 11/00 - Arrangements for, or adaptations to, non-automatic engine control initiation means, e.g. operator initiated
F02D 41/22 - Safety or indicating devices for abnormal conditions
15.
ELECTRONIC SWITCHING MODULE FOR MULTIPLE VEHICLE CONTROLS
An electronic switching module for connecting first and second throttle assemblies to an electronic control module of a vehicle that controls an engine of the vehicle includes first throttle assembly ports adapted to receive first throttle primary sensor position data and first throttle secondary sensor position data and second throttle assembly ports adapted to receive second throttle primary sensor position data and second throttle secondary sensor position data. A controller is connected to the first and second throttle assembly ports and an electronic control module port and is adapted to receive and compare the first throttle primary sensor position data and the first throttle secondary sensor position data and send an engine idle signal to the electronic control module via the electronic control module port when the comparison does not show a first predetermined relationship. The controller is also adapted to receive and compare the second throttle primary sensor position data and the second throttle secondary sensor position data and send an engine idle signal to the electronic control module via the electronic control module port when the comparison does not show a second predetermined relationship.
B60K 26/00 - Arrangement or mounting of propulsion-unit control devices in vehicles
B60R 16/023 - Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided forArrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems
An extension for a vehicle having a frame rail and a cross member with a top flange and a bottom flange, with the cross member connected to the frame rail. The extension includes a top bracket having a vertical portion and a top horizontal member, where the top bracket vertical portion has a leading end portion and a trailing end portion. The trailing end portion is adapted to be attached to the frame rail and the top horizontal member is adapted to engage the cross member top flange. An outer plate is attached to the leading end portion of the vertical portion of the top bracket and has a middle horizontal member. A spacer block is positioned between and attached to the top and middle horizontal members. A bottom bracket has a vertical portion and a bottom horizontal member. The bottom bracket vertical portion is attached to the outer plate and the bottom horizontal member is adapted to be attached to the bottom flange of the cross member.
An extension for a vehicle having a frame rail and a cross member with a top flange and a bottom flange, with the cross member connected to the frame rail. The extension includes a top bracket having a vertical portion and a top horizontal member, where the top bracket vertical portion has a leading end portion and a trailing end portion. The trailing end portion is adapted to be attached to the frame rail and the top horizontal member is adapted to engage the cross member top flange. An outer plate is attached to the leading end portion of the vertical portion of the top bracket and has a middle horizontal member. A spacer block is positioned between and attached to the top and middle horizontal members. A bottom bracket has a vertical portion and a bottom horizontal member. The bottom bracket vertical portion is attached to the outer plate and the bottom horizontal member is adapted to be attached to the bottom flange of the cross member.
F16M 11/00 - Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon
B60R 19/48 - Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects combined with, or convertible into, other devices or objects, e.g. bumpers combined with road brushes, bumpers convertible into beds
B60D 1/48 - Traction couplingsHitchesDraw-gearTowing devices characterised by the mounting
B60D 1/56 - Traction couplingsHitchesDraw-gearTowing devices characterised by the mounting securing to the vehicle bumper
B60D 1/52 - Traction couplingsHitchesDraw-gearTowing devices characterised by the mounting removably mounted
B62D 21/02 - Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted comprising longitudinally or transversely arranged frame members
A cross member towing hitch includes a cap adapted to engage outer surfaces of a pair of frame rails of a towing vehicle, where the cap includes a hitch plate. A brace is adapted to fit between the pair of frame rails and engages inner surfaces of the pair of frame rails. The brace has strengthening ribs and a central panel adapted to abut an inner surface of the hitch plate. The central panel of the brace and hitch plate having corresponding fastening holes that align so that a hitch mechanism may be secured to the hitch plate and brace.
A cross member towing hitch includes a cap adapted to engage outer surfaces of a pair of frame rails of a towing vehicle, where the cap includes a hitch plate. A brace is adapted to fit between the pair of frame rails and engages inner surfaces of the pair of frame rails. The brace has strengthening ribs and a central panel adapted to abut an inner surface of the hitch plate. The central panel of the brace and hitch plate having corresponding fastening holes that align so that a hitch mechanism may be secured to the hitch plate and brace.
An assembly and method for modifying a height of a truck cab having a back wall, a pair of A-pillars, a pair of B-pillars and a pair of doors, where each door includes a window frame is disclosed. The assembly includes a pair of first door frame members each adapted to be connected to one of the cut cab B-pillars and a pair of second door frame members, each adapted to be connected to one of the cut cab A-pillars and one of the first door frame members. A windshield header member is adapted to be connected between the pair of second door frame members. Flat bar straps are adapted to be connected between the windshield header member and the back wall and between the pair of first door frame members. A roof panel is adapted to be attached to and supported by the flat bar straps, the windshield header member and the pair of first door frame members. A pair of door top members are adapted to be connected to a window frame of each door. A housing that provides a wedge-shaped recess in the back of the cab is also provided.
A method is provided for modifying a cab assembly of a Class 5 or higher truck. The cab assembly includes a cab. The cab has an original cab height from a cab bottom end to a cab top end thereof. The cab includes a bottom region, a window region located above the bottom region, a roof region located above the window region, and a window defined in the window region. The method includes: cutting the cab through the window region to divide the cab into a top section and a bottom section; and thereafter joining the top section or a replacement top section to the bottom section to form a modified cab, wherein the modified cab has a modified height from the cab bottom end to the cab top end that is less than the original cab height.
patents
