US5538330A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Axle vent
Assignee: Wabash National LP
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Filing: 1994-11-17
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Granted: 1996-07-23
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Expires: 2014-11-17
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for mounting a wheel on a vehicle such as a trailer includes a hollow, non-rotatable axle, a wheel hub having a cavity therein and a valve or venting structure positioned between the axle and the wheel hub cavity. The wheel hub has an end connected to the hollow axle and its other end is sealed by an end cap. The cavity within the wheel hub has a volume of air which is substantially less than the volume of air within the axle. The valve is formed by a flexible membrane or diaphragm having a slit therein. The valve opens and closes in response to pressure differentials created between the wheel hub cavity and the axle by the membrane flexing to open or close the slit.
Inventors
- 👤 Rodney P. Ehrlich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 20:09
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60B; B60B7/00; B60B7/0013; B60B7/002; B60B35/00; B60B35/02; B60B35/08; F; F16; F16C; F16C33/00; F16C33/30; F16C33/66; F16C33/6603; F16C33/6607
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A wheel mounting apparatus comprising: an axle comprising a hollow tube defining a volume therein a hub mounted on said axle and defining a chamber and a valve positioned at an end of said tube between said chamber and said volume, said valve comprising a flexible membrane having opening and closing means therein for opening and closing said valve in response to pressure differentials created between said chamber and said volume on each side of said valve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A wheel mounting apparatus comprising: an axle comprising a hollow tube defining a volume therein a hub mounted on said axle and defining a chamber and a valve positioned at an end of said tube between said chamber and said volume, said valve comprising a flexible membrane having opening and closing means therein for opening and closing said valve in response to pressure differentials created between said chamber and said volume on each side of said valve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A wheel mounting apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said opening and closing means comprises a slit in said flexible membrane defined by abutting edges of said membrane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A wheel mounting apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said valve further includes a generally rigid member encircling said flexible membrane, said member generally conforming to the shape of the interior of said hollow tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A wheel mounting apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said valve further includes flexible sealing means along the outer surface of said generally rigid member for sealing said generally rigid member to said interior of said hollow tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A wheel mounting apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said sealing means comprises a flexible flap along the outside perimeter of said generally rigid member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A wheel mounting apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said membrane is formed from a soft, flexible polymer material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
94 words
A wheel mounting apparatus comprising: an axle comprising a hollow tube defining a volume therein; a wheel hub having a first end connected to an end of said hollow tube and a second end being sealed, said hub having a cavity therein defining a volume, said volume of said cavity in said hub being substantially less than the volume within the tube; and a valve positioned between said tube and said hub, said valve opening and closing in response to pressure differentials created between the cavity in said wheel hub and said hollow tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
94 words
A wheel mounting apparatus comprising: an axle comprising a hollow tube defining a volume therein; a wheel hub having a first end connected to an end of said hollow tube and a second end being sealed, said hub having a cavity therein defining a volume, said volume of said cavity in said hub being substantially less than the volume within the tube; and a valve positioned between said tube and said hub, said valve opening and closing in response to pressure differentials created between the cavity in said wheel hub and said hollow tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A wheel mounting apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said valve comprises a flexible membrane having opening and closing means thereon for opening and closing said valve in response to said pressure differentials.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A wheel mounting apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said opening and closing means comprises a slit in said flexible membrane defined by abutting edges of said membrane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
A wheel mounting apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said valve further includes a generally rigid member encircling said flexible membrane, said generally rigid member generally conforming to the shape of the interior of said hollow tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
A wheel mounting apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said valve further includes flexible sealing means along the outer surface of said generally rigid member for sealing said generally rigid member to said interior of said hollow tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
100 words
A wheel mounting apparatus comprising an axle comprising a hollow tube; a wheel hub attached to an end of said axle, an end cap secured to said wheel hub; said wheel hub and said end cap defining a chamber therein; and a vent valve for said chamber, said valve comprising a flexible membrane having opening and closing means thereon for opening and closing said valve in response to pressure in said chamber, said valve being positioned at an end of said tube, said valve opening and closing in response to pressure. differentials created between the chamber and the hollow tube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
100 words
A wheel mounting apparatus comprising an axle comprising a hollow tube; a wheel hub attached to an end of said axle, an end cap secured to said wheel hub; said wheel hub and said end cap defining a chamber therein; and a vent valve for said chamber, said valve comprising a flexible membrane having opening and closing means thereon for opening and closing said valve in response to pressure in said chamber, said valve being positioned at an end of said tube, said valve opening and closing in response to pressure. differentials created between the chamber and the hollow tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-07-23 | 2000-01-22 | 2000-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-23 | 2004-01-22 | 2004-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-23 | 2008-01-22 | 2008-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |