Land vehicles – Wheeled – Articulated vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-20
2001-11-20
Hurley, Kevin (Department: 3619)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Articulated vehicle
C280S514000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318746
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a trailer suspension frame, and more particularly, to a connector system for detachably connecting a suspension frame device to a rear end of a suspension frame of a road transporting trailer.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Various systems have been developed for adjusting the positioning of an axle carried frame portion of a transport trailer of the type commonly used with a towing vehicle, such as a road tractor. There are also in use dolly devices which are towed by a first trailer and support the front end of a second trailer pulled in tandem in relation to the first trailer. Also certain of the above mentioned systems, which are adapted to adjust the position of the axle carried frame portion under a front trailer, are constructed so that the axle carried frame portion can be positioned for connection of a second trailer behind the front trailer.
Of prime importance, of course, in tractor-trailer operation, is that the entire rig, whether it is adapted to tow a second trailer, commonly called a “pup”, or not, be entirely safe at highway speeds. Also of importance is that the trailer can be easily and quickly transformed from one mode to another by the driver of the tractor and that the maneuverability and general road performance is not significantly affected by such transformation.
Whether, the front trailer towed directly by the tractor has an auxiliary frame portion located to the rear of the normal frame portion of the trailer for the purpose of load distribution to the road or for the purpose of providing a connection to a second trailer, it is necessary, if the first trailer is of a type for unloading from the rear, that the auxiliary frame portion be readily detachable and again connectable from the first trailer to allow dumping of other types of unloading from the rear of the first trailer. Generally the connector systems of known types function in a manner which does not allow ready connection or disconnection or are not of a type which provide a connection of sufficient rigidity to allow the frame of the first trailer and that of an auxiliary frame to function as one continuous suspension frame.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector system which allows ready coupling and detachment of a suspension frame device to a rear part of a suspension frame of a transport trailer in a manner that when attachment is complete, the suspension frame device and suspension frame of the transport trailer function as a continuous suspension beam for weight distribution between the wheels of the trailer and additional wheels of the suspension frame device.
It is also an object of one form of the present invention to provide a connector system which facilitates the complete and sure locking of the suspension frame device to the rear part of the suspension frame of a transport trailer.
The present invention relates to a connector system for coupling a suspension frame device to a rear part of a suspension frame of a transport trailer which has longitudinally extending frame members, the suspension frame device including a rigid main frame portion and wheel means supporting the frame portion for road travel when attached behind the transport trailer. The suspension frame device has a forwardly located first connector means attached thereto, and a second connector means is carried by the rear part of the suspension frame of the transport trailer for connection with the first connector means.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the first connector means includes first lock means carried by the frame portion of the suspension frame device and a second connector means which includes second lock means carried by the frame members of the transport trailer with the second lock means being positioned to form an interlock with the first lock means when the first and second connector means are moved to a final lock position in relation to each other. The first and second lock means include selectively actuable means for engaging and disengaging the interlock of said first and second lock means for preventing longitudinal departure of said frame portion of said suspension frame device from said rear part of said suspension frame of said transport trailer. The first connector means further includes forwardly exposed engagement surface means located above the first lock means, and the second connector means further includes rearwardly exposed engagement surface means located above said second lock means and disposed for contact with said forwardly exposed engagement surface means of the first connector means upon the interlock of the first and second lock means. In the interlocked condition, compression bending moments are transferred through engagement of the rearwardly and forwardly exposed engagement surface means and tension bending moments are transferred through the interlock of the first and second lock means so that the combination of the interlocked frame portion of the suspension frame device and the suspension frame of the transport trailer functions as a continuous beam.
It is apparent from the above that in the attached condition, the continuous beam effect achieves weight distribution to the road surface through a greater number of wheels and yet allows for disconnection of the suspension frame device when not required, such as to permit load dumping when the trailer is of the rear dump type.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a first guidance means is fastened to the suspension frame device and is associated with the first connector means. A second guidance means is associated with and is fastened to the rear part of the suspension frame of the transport trailer and is located to interact with the first guidance means of the suspension frame device during movement of the transport trailer relative to the suspension frame device towards a hitching position of the first and second connector means. The first and second guidance means are adapted to interact to position the first and second connector means in a preliminary hitching condition. Locating means is affixed to one of the first and second connector means and includes actuator means for pulling the other of the first and second connector means from the preliminary hitching condition to locate the first connector means in a final hitching position relative to the second connector means. There is the first lock means carried by the frame portion of the suspension frame device, and the second lock means is carried by the frame members of the transport trailer, the second lock means being positioned for interlock with the first lock means as said first connector means is moved to the final hitching position. Thus, the frame portion of the suspension frame is rigidly connected to the frame members of the transport trailer by the interlocking of the first and second lock means.
The provision of the above described guidance means in combination with the locating means for establishing a preliminary hitch condition followed by movement to a final hitching position whereat a complete interlock is achieved which not only facilitates the connection of the suspension frame device to the suspension frame of the transport trailer, but ensures a positive locking condition necessary for highway travel.
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Hurley Kevin
Kerins John C.
Miles & Stockbridge P.C.
Ty-Crop Manufacturing Ltd.
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