Land vehicles – Wheeled – Articulated vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-26
2001-02-06
Mai, Lanna (Department: 3619)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Articulated vehicle
C280S656000, C212S349000, C052S118000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182995
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to extendable semi-trailers that can be lengthened or shortened to accommodate loads of varying lengths. More particularly, the invention relates to a mechanism and structure for accommodating the conduits that contain the electrical cables and hydraulic and pneumatic hoses as the length of the trailer is varied.
In order to supply the hydraulic or pneumatic brakes at the rear of the trailer and to provide electrical power for the required lights at the rear, the supply hoses and electrical cables must extend substantially the full length of the trailer. In semi-trailers where the trailer is a fixed length, this is not a problem, but where the length of a flat bed trailer can be varied to accommodate loads of varying lengths, the hoses and cables must be shortened and lengthened without interfering with the load. Typically, the hoses and cables must be detached and reattached, and some accommodation must be made for the extra length of the cables and hoses when the trailer is retracted. Also, these hoses and cables must be protected from damage and excessive wear, especially since failure in a brake line can be a serious safety hazard. In order to accommodate extension of the semi-trailer, the conduits containing the hoses and cables must be of sufficient length to service the rear of the semi-trailer when the trailer is fully extended, and these conduits must be supported, protected, and managed when the trailer is not extended.
The prior art reveals attempts at solving this problem. U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,931 discloses a system in which flexible, extendable cables support extendable, coiled conduits hanging below the bed of the semi-trailer. U.S. Pat. No. 3,165,336 discloses a system utilizing a cable and pulley system attached to springs wherein the extension of the springs and the positioning of the pulleys relative to one another accommodate the extension of the semi-trailer without requiring the use of extendable conduits. Though not directed to the problem inherent in extendable semi-trailers, U.S. Pat. No. 3,494,657 discloses the use of a protective metal channel to house the conduits as they extend along the length of the trailer from front to rear. However, none of these prior art solutions provide a simple, inexpensive way of completely managing and protecting the conduit and the hoses and cables it contains regardless of the length of the trailer. There is therefore a need for an improved means for supporting, guiding and protecting the conduit when the trailer is fully or partially extended or fully retracted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a novel means for supporting, controlling, and protecting the trailer hoses and cables regardless of whether the trailer is in the extended or non-extended position. This is accomplished without the use of springs, pulleys, or extendable, coiled conduits. Support, control, and protection are achieved by enclosing the hoses and cables within a link-type carrier designed to constrain movement of the carrier to one direction only. The carrier is positioned within a channel such that the carrier can bend only in a direction allowing it to fold back upon itself within the channel. Thus, the directionally constrained carrier may only rotate in one direction, and rotation in that direction is limited to a single turn of a diameter that will fit within the channel. Protection, management, and control of the wire cables and fluid hoses are therefore provided without the use of pulleys or elastic or coiled conduits; the carrier double-backs upon itself when the trailer is in the retracted position. Because the direction of motion is constrained, the carrier and the cables and hoses contained within it are unable to turn or twist in a fashion that would hinder the extension or retraction of the trailer or damage the cable or hoses contained within the carrier.
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Mai Lanna
Nemmers James C.
LandOfFree
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