(COMTEX) B: COAST Offers Powerful Features for the Motor Home and Tou
B: COAST Offers Powerful Features for the Motor Home and Tour Coach Industries
SAN DIEGO (April 28) BUSINESS WIRE -April 28, 1999--AimRite Holdings
Corp. (Nasdaq/BB:AIMH) is pleased to announce that it has achieved a
breakthrough in the COAST technology relating to the motor home and
tour coach industries. The new feature has been named and trademarked
Motion Lock Technology(tm).
The standard COAST suspension control system consists of sophisticated
computer controlled hydraulic suspension units that optimally control
all the dynamic characteristics of a vehicle suspension such as roll,
pitch, sprung and unsprung frequencies, etc. By controlling the above
suspension dynamics, COAST optimizes ride, comfort and safety for all
vehicles. COAST can also control the air springs and provide several
powerful features if a vehicle incorporates an air spring suspension
system. Conventional air spring control methods use mechanical leveling
valves to maintain the chassis at a given ride height (for towing,
variable loads, etc.). If overnight park leveling is desired,
additional heavy & expensive hydraulic systems are required. Even when
air spring based park leveling systems are used, there is no means to
keep the chassis from moving on the springs when people are moving
around in the vehicle. The COAST hydraulic actuators, however, can lock
the chassis and prevent it from moving on the springs by using its new
exclusive Motion Lock Technology(tm). This ideal integration of the air
spring control and hydraulic control makes COAST the ideal control
system for motor homes and tour coaches.
A prototype COAST suspension control system (which included air spring
control) was evaluated by a major bus manufacturer on one of its air
spring equipped tour coaches. The system was also demonstrated to the
world's largest motor home chassis manufacturer. Industry comments
included the following: "Time constraints of the present program
allowed us to do little more than scratch the surface of the
capabilities provided by your (COAST) system. However, we have seen
enough to conclude that your system has great potential to improve ride
characteristics of our vehicle." -- Project Engineer. "(We tested
COAST) between Albuquerque, New Mexico and Las Vegas, Nevada via
Laughlin, Nevada ... (on a) two lane, narrow, winding road. It is my
opinion that this system can be set or tuned to give our coach superior
handling over that of any other coach made in North America." -- Senior
Ride Engineer Major air suspension features that COAST offers include
the following:
NORMAL HIGHWAY MODE -- Normal highway mode performs the function of
standard leveling valves. The COAST computer (via a simple air control
manifold) maintains the vehicle's correct ride height under all loading
conditions.
PARK LEVELING MODE -- This exclusive park leveling capability, with
exclusive Motion Lock Technology(tm), is a major breakthrough and
certainly one of the most exciting features that COAST offers for the
motor home industry. There are several major advantages to leveling
with the air springs. One is that hydraulic rams can only raise the
chassis to achieve level. The COAST computer, on the other hand,
adjusts the vehicle from side to side and up and down, thus providing
lower passenger entry and exit heights. Another advantage of the COAST
system is its cost and weight savings, because other systems with
hydraulic rams and associated hydraulic pumps and reservoir systems are
expensive, heavy and require maintenance. Yet another advantage is that
leveling on the tires eliminates problems associated with the rams,
such as leveling on soft or muddy ground and driving off while
forgetting to raise them. Finally, COAST provides virtually no chassis
twisting during leveling.
CROSS-WIND CONTROL -- This feature is one of two instances where the
COAST ride control subsystem works in concert directly with the COAST
air suspension control subsystem. During cross-wind conditions, the
COAST suspension control system can lower the vehicle and significantly
increase the side-to-side (roll) damping forces. This powerful feature
helps stabilize the vehicle in these difficult driving conditions.
LOT ENTRY MODE -- Another of the programmable features that comes in
handy is a lot entry mode. All of the new diesel pusher motor homes
have a considerable amount of rear overhang behind the drive wheels. If
a customer has a steep driveway or encounters entry and exit driveways
with large height differences, the rear can drag or even hang on the
pavement. The COAST computer can raise the rear of the vehicle several
inches at lower speeds to insure that adequate clearance is provided to
easily enter or exit steep driveways.
KNEEL MODE -- Finally, an optional kneel mode can lower the front of
the vehicle for easy passenger access. AIMRITE HAS A WEBSITE THAT CAN
BE VISITED AT WWW.AIMRITE.COM.
This release is intended as a forward-looking statement within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The
risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance
development and results of the Company's business include but are not
limited to (i) The ability to produce the COAST Suspension Technology
in the future, (ii) Unexpected changes in the suspension market, (iii)
The success of the Company's expansion and marketing strategies (iv)
Competition with conventional suspension systems (v) The ability of the
Company to motivate and retain the services of its key personnel and
hire additional qualified personnel to meet evolving staffing needs and
(vi) unexpected challenges to the patents.
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CONTACT: Prima Capital-Corporate Communications, 800/600-8599
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: AUTOMOTIVE TRANSPORTATION COMED
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