IP Library Granted Patent US 12,377,819
Granted Patent B2
US 12,377,819 · App. 18/189,557 · Granted Aug 5, 2025

Landing gear assembly

Inventor: Jeffrey S. Kemppainen (Kent City, MI)
Assignee: SAF-Holland, Inc.
B60S9/04
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,377,819
App. No.
18/189,557
Granted
Aug 5, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A landing gear assembly configured to support a trailer includes a leg assembly including a first leg member and a second leg member telescopingly received within the first leg member and adjustable between a retracted position and an extended position, a gear assembly operably coupled to the leg assembly and configured to move the first leg member between the retracted and extended positions, wherein the gear assembly includes a first shaft member, and a first bushing member rotatably supporting a first end of the first shaft member within the first leg member, wherein the first bushing member is attached to the first leg member via at least one first mechanical fastener, and wherein the first bushing member comprises a powdered metal.

Claims (45)

1. A landing gear assembly configured to support a trailer, comprising:

a leg assembly including a first leg member and a second leg member telescopingly received within the first leg member and adjustable between a retracted position and an extended position;

a gear assembly operably coupled to the leg assembly and configured to move the first leg member between the retracted and extended positions, wherein the gear assembly includes a first shaft member; and

a first bushing member rotatably supporting a first end of the first shaft member within the first leg member, wherein the first bushing member is attached to the first leg member via at least one first mechanical fastener such that the first bushing member abuts the first leg member, and wherein the first bushing member comprises a powdered metal.

2. The landing gear assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first bushing member is a single, integral piece.

3. The landing gear assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first bushing member includes a bushing portion having a closed end and a plate portion extending outwardly from the bushing portion.

4. The landing gear assembly of claim 3 , wherein the bushing portion of the first bushing member directly supports the first end of the first shaft member.

5. The landing gear assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first bushing member is attached to an outer surface of the first leg member.

6. The landing gear assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one first mechanical fastener includes at least one bolt.

7. The landing gear assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:

a second bushing member rotatably supporting a second end of the first shaft member within the first leg member, wherein the second bushing member is attached to the first leg member via at least one second mechanical fastener, and wherein the second bushing member comprises a powdered metal.

8. A landing gear assembly configured to support a trailer, comprising:

a leg assembly including a first leg member and a second leg member telescopingly received within the first leg member and adjustable between a retracted position and an extended position;

a gear assembly operably coupled to the leg assembly and configured to move the first leg member between the retracted and extended positions, wherein the gear assembly includes a first shaft member; and

a first bushing member directly supporting a first end of the first shaft member for rotational movement within the first leg member, wherein the first bushing member is attached to the first leg member via at least one first mechanical fastener such that the first busing member abuts the first leg member, and wherein the first bushing member is a single, integral piece.

9. The landing gear assembly of claim 8 , wherein the first bushing member comprises a powdered metal.

10. The landing gear assembly of claim 8 , wherein the first bushing member includes a bushing portion having a closed end and a plate portion extending outwardly from the bushing portion.

11. The landing gear assembly of claim 10 , wherein the plate portion of the first bushing member is attached to an outer surface of the first leg member.

12. The landing gear assembly of claim 8 , wherein the at least one first mechanical fastener includes at least one bolt.

13. The landing gear assembly of claim 8 , further comprising:

a second bushing member directly supporting a second end of the first shaft member for rotational movement within the first leg member, wherein the second bushing member is attached to the first leg member via at least one second mechanical fastener.

14. A landing gear assembly configured to support a trailer, comprising:

a leg assembly including a first leg member and a second leg member telescopingly received within the first leg member and adjustable between a retracted position and an extended position;

a gear assembly operably coupled to the leg assembly and configured to move the first leg member between the retracted and extended positions, wherein the gear assembly includes a first shaft member;

a first bushing member having a bushing portion and a plate portion rotatably supporting a first end of the first shaft member within the first leg member, wherein the first flanged cap bushing member is attached to first leg member via at least one first mechanical fastener, and wherein the first flanged cap bushing member is a single, integral piece; and

a second flanged cap bushing member rotatably supporting a second end of the first shaft member within the first leg member, wherein the second flanged cap bushing member is attached to the first leg member via at least one second mechanical fastener, and wherein the second flanged cap bushing member is a single, integral piece.

15. The landing gear assembly of claim 14 , wherein the first flanged cap bushing member comprises a powdered metal.

16. The landing gear assembly of claim 14 , wherein the first flanged cap bushing member directly supports the first end of the first shaft member.

17. The landing gear assembly of claim 16 , wherein the second flanged cap bushing member directly supports the second end of the first shaft member.

18. The landing gear assembly of claim 14 , wherein the first flanged cap bushing member is attached to an outer surface of the first leg member.

19. The landing gear assembly of claim 14 , wherein the at least one first mechanical fastener includes at least one first bolt.

20. The landing gear assembly of claim 14 , further comprising:

a third bushing member rotatably supporting a second shaft member of the gear assembly within the first leg member where a longitudinal axis of the second shaft member is offset from a longitudinal axis of the first shaft member, wherein the first and third bushing members are integral with one another.

21. A landing gear assembly configured to support a trailer, comprising:

a leg assembly including a first leg member and a second leg member telescopingly received within the first leg member and adjustable between a retracted position and an extended position;

a gear assembly operably coupled to the leg assembly and configured to move the first leg member between the retracted and extended positions, wherein the gear assembly includes a first shaft member;

a first bushing member directly supporting a first end of the first shaft member for rotational movement within the first leg member, wherein the first bushing member is attached to the first leg member via at least one first mechanical fastener; and

a second bushing member directly supporting a second end of the first shaft member for rotational movement within the first leg member, wherein the second bushing member is attached to first leg member via at least one second mechanical fastener;

wherein at least one of the first bushing member and the second bushing abuts the first leg member.

22. The landing gear assembly of claim 21 , wherein the first bushing member comprises powdered metal.

23. The landing gear assembly of claim 22 , wherein the second bushing member comprises powdered metal.

24. The landing gear assembly of claim 21 , wherein the first bushing member includes a bearing portion having a closed end and a plate portion extending outwardly from the bearing portion.

25. The landing gear assembly of claim 24 , wherein the second bushing member includes a bearing portion having a closed end and a plate portion extending outwardly from the bearing portion.

26. The landing gear assembly of claim 21 , wherein the first bushing member is a single, integral piece.

27. The landing gear assembly of claim 21 , wherein the at least one first mechanical fastener includes at least one bolt.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 27, 2023
From: KEMPPAINEN, JEFFREY S.
To: SAF-HOLLAND, INC.
Reel/Frame 063105/0518 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 63369704 · Jul 28, 2022
Provisional Application 63362017 · Mar 28, 2022
Related Publication 20230303038A1 · Sep 28, 2023
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Cited By (1)
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