System and method for determining whether the weight of a vehicle equipped with an air-ride suspension exceeds predetermined roadway weight limitations

Abstract

A system and method for determining whether a vehicle and its axles exceed predetermined roadway weight limitations. Air fittings are installed in the air-ride systems of the vehicle. Air pressure readings taken using a hand held gauge are compared to maximum pressure values marked on the vehicle. If the air pressure exceeds the values, weight may be redistributed, if possible, until measured pressure is equal to or less than the maximum pressure values. The method allows an operator to quickly confirm that the total weight and axle weight does not exceed legal limits without the use of truck scales.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A load-bearing vehicle equipped with an air ride suspension system, wherein said load-bearing vehicle comprises a Schrader valve installed in an isolated portion of the air ride suspension system. 
     
     
         2 . The load-bearing vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein said load-bearing vehicle comprises a road tractor and a semi-trailer coupled to the road tractor, wherein said road tractor includes a steer axle and a drive axle, and said semi-trailer includes a trailer axle, and wherein the isolated portion of the air ride suspension in which the Schrader valve is installed includes at least one air bag associated with the trailer axle of the vehicle. 
     
     
         3 . The load-bearing vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein said load-bearing vehicle comprises a road tractor and a semi-trailer coupled to the road tractor, wherein said road tractor includes a steer axle and a drive axle, and said semi-trailer includes a trailer axle, and wherein the isolated portion of the air ride suspension in which the Schrader valve is installed includes at least one air bag associated with the drive axle of the road tractor. 
     
     
         4 . The load-bearing vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein said load-bearing vehicle comprises a road tractor and a semi-trailer coupled to the road tractor, wherein said road tractor includes a steer axle and a drive axle, and said semi-trailer includes a trailer axle, and wherein the isolated portion of the air ride suspension in which the Schrader valve is installed includes at least one air bag associated with the steer axle of the road tractor. 
     
     
         5 . The load-bearing vehicle according to  claim 2 , further comprising a second Schrader valve installed in an isolated portion of the air ride suspension that includes at least one air bag associated with the drive axle of the road tractor. 
     
     
         6 . The load-bearing vehicle according to  claim 2 , further comprising a second Schrader valve installed in an isolated portion of the air ride suspension that includes at least one air bag associated with the steer axle of the road tractor. 
     
     
         7 . The load-bearing vehicle according to  claim 3 , further comprising a second Schrader valve installed in an isolated portion of the air ride suspension that includes at least one air bag associated with the steer axle of the road tractor. 
     
     
         8 . The load-bearing vehicle according to  claim 5 , further comprising a third Schrader valve installed in an isolated portion of the air ride suspension that includes at least one air bag associated with the steer axle of the road tractor. 
     
     
         9 . The load-bearing vehicle according to  claim 2 , wherein the trailer axle comprises a group of two axles proximal to each other and four air bags. 
     
     
         10 . The load-bearing vehicle according to  claim 3 , wherein the drive axle comprises a group of two axles proximal to each other and four air bags. 
     
     
         11 . A system for determining whether the weight of a load-bearing vehicle equipped with an air ride suspension system exceeds predetermined roadway weight limitations, the system comprising:
 a gauge configured to measure air pressure in an isolated portion of the air ride suspension system that includes at least one air bag associated with an axle of the load-bearing vehicle; and   a calibrated maximum air pressure associated with the load-bearing vehicle, said calibrated maximum air pressure being the air pressure in the air ride suspension system as can be measured by the gauge when a predetermined maximum roadway axle weight limit is placed on the axle.   
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the load-bearing vehicle comprises a road tractor and a semi-trailer coupled to the road tractor, said road tractor including a steer axle and a drive axle, and said semi-trailer including a trailer axle. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the gauge is coupled to an air fitting installed in an isolated portion of the air ride suspension system that includes at least one air bag associated with the trailer axle of the load-bearing vehicle. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein the air fitting installed in the isolated portion of the air ride suspension system that includes at least one air bag associated with the trailer axle of the load-bearing vehicle is a Schrader valve. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the gauge is coupled to an air fitting installed in an isolated portion of the air ride suspension system that includes at least one air bag associated with the drive axle of the load-bearing vehicle. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the air fitting installed in the isolated portion of the air ride suspension system that includes at least one air bag associated with the drive axle of the load-bearing vehicle is a Schrader valve. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the gauge is coupled to an air fitting installed in an isolated portion of the air ride suspension system that includes at least one air bag associated with the steer axle of the load-bearing vehicle. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the air fitting installed in the isolated portion of the air ride suspension system that includes at least one air bag associated with the steer axle of the load-bearing vehicle is a Schrader valve. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the trailer axle comprises a group of two axles proximal to each other and four air bags. 
     
     
         20 . The load-bearing vehicle according to  claim 12 , wherein the drive axle comprises a group of two axles proximal to each other and four air bags.