A wall component and other components for a building structure wherein the wall component has a spanning beam spanning the length of the wall component, one or more structural column assemblies positioned between the spanning beam and a floor plate which are structured to carry structural weights and loads received from the spanning beam. The structural column assemblies are separated by a longitudinal distance so as to define an intercolumnar region which is greater than a width of a member selected from the group consisting of a door assembly and a window assembly, and there is an exterior panel fastened between the first and second structural column assemblies that defines a generally continuous and uninterrupted planar surface over the intercolumnar region.

An electric axle drivetrain assembly for use in a vehicle. The electric axle drivetrain assembly includes a motor that is drivingly connected to at least a portion of a differential assembly. Drivingly connected to ends of the differential assembly is a first axle half shaft and a second axle half shaft. At least a portion of a first and second wheel end assembly is connected to at least a portion of an end of the first and second axle half shafts opposite the differential assembly. A vehicle suspension system having a support member has a first hub carrier portion connected to a first end portion thereof and a second hub carrier portion connected to a second end portion thereof. Connected to at least a portion of a chassis is the motor and/or the differential assembly.

A vehicle axle suspension having a leaf spring unit suspending a rigid axle on a structural component or portion of the vehicle. The leaf spring unit arranged on the vehicle to extend parallel with a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. A first bearing unit, secured to the structure, and pivotably connects, at a first pivot axis, to a first end portion of the leaf spring unit. A second bearing unit is secured to the structure. A connection arm pivotably connects at one end, at a second pivot axis, to the second bearing unit. The other end of the connection arm pivotably connects, at a third pivot axis, to a second end portion of the leaf spring unit. The second bearing unit including at least one resilient spring element engaging the connection arm wherein the connection arm is supported on the resilient spring element from a pivoting about the second pivot axis a predetermined extent.

An axle/suspension system (1) has an axle (5) supported from the frame of the vehicle by a pair of rigid longitudinal beams (4) pivoted to frame hangers (3). Air springs (7) and shock absorbers (8) connect between the rigid beams (4) and the frame above to control suspension movement. The axle/suspension system is particularly suited as a mid-lift axle on the tractor of a tractor-trailer vehicle. A characteristic feature is the pivotal connection (21) between each hanger (3) and beam (4), which is through a resilient bush (6) having a compliance ratiobeing a ratio of the longitudinal spring rate to the vertical spring rateof at least 10:1.

A tensioning device for attachment to a vehicle suspension system reduces play at ends of a pan hard bar (track bar) of the vehicle suspension system, remedying instabilities that can occur in vehicle suspensions. The device can include a bracket clamped to the pan hard bar at a point between the ends of the pan hard bar, or may be otherwise mounted to a bracket formed on the pan hard bar in OEM installations. The other end of the device is secured to the frame or the axle of the vehicle, generally near an end of the pan hard bar. The device is pre-tensioned to apply force at the ends of the pan hard bar, and includes a damping plunger to also damp forces that vibrate the ends of the pan hard bar, further loosening attachments. The tension is field-adjustable and may be tuned for various applications.

A tensioning device for attachment to a vehicle suspension system reduces play at ends of a pan hard bar (track bar) of the vehicle suspension system, remedying instabilities that can occur in vehicle suspensions. The device can include a bracket clamped to the pan hard bar at a point between the ends of the pan hard bar, or may be otherwise mounted to a bracket formed on the pan hard bar in OEM installations. The other end of the device is secured to the frame or the axle of the vehicle, generally near an end of the pan hard bar. The device is pre-tensioned to apply force at the ends of the pan hard bar, and includes a damping plunger to also damp forces that vibrate the ends of the pan hard bar, further loosening attachments. The tension is field-adjustable and may be tuned for various applications.

A suspension assembly for a heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system that includes a geometry that enables components of a brake system to be mounted above and be protected by a beam of the suspension assembly. In an embodiment of the suspension assembly, the beam includes a recessed area that allows a brake actuator to be positioned at least partially within or disposed adjacent the recessed area.

An axle/suspension assembly for a heavy-duty vehicle supported by a frame and a hanger includes a beam, an axle, and a bumper. The axle is supported by a first portion of the beam for pivotal movement of the beam relative to the hanger at a pivot joint. The first portion of the beam is located on a first side of the pivot joint. The bumper is fixed to at least one of the frame, the hanger, and a second portion of the beam. The second portion of the beam is located on an opposite second side of the pivot joint. The bumper includes a portion for contacting structure of at least another of the frame, the hanger, and the beam to limit pivotal movement of the axle in one direction.

Self-steering axle assembly has an axle with central tube having a longitudinal central axis. A king pin is connected with an end portion of the axle. A knuckle is connected with the king pin. The knuckle includes a torque plate section. A first arm of the knuckle extends from a side of the torque plate section and receives a first end portion of the king pin. A second arm extends from the torque plate section in the same direction as the first arm. The second arm receives a second end portion of the king pin. A spindle is friction welded to the torque plate section and has a longitudinal central axis. The torque plate section has at least one surface on the torque plate section extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the spindle. A tool engages the surface during friction welding of the spindle to the torque plate section. The relative locations of the axle, spindle and king pin enable an air disc brake actuator to avoid contact with components of the heavy-duty vehicle during steering and with the ground and debris.

A wall component and other components for a building structure wherein the wall component has a spanning beam spanning the length of the wall component, one or more structural column assemblies positioned between the spanning beam and a floor plate which are structured to carry structural weights and loads received from the spanning beam. The structural column assemblies are separated by a longitudinal distance so as to define an intercolumnar region which is greater than a width of a member selected from the group consisting of a door assembly and a window assembly, and there is an exterior panel fastened between the first and second structural column assemblies that defines a generally continuous and uninterrupted planar surface over the intercolumnar region.