Land vehicles – Wheeled – Articulated vehicle
Patent
1985-03-14
1987-06-09
Love, John J.
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Articulated vehicle
280407, 298 20A, B62D 5308
Patent
active
046715274
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a fifth wheel or turntable for an articulated vehicle, such as a semi-trailer, and more particularly relates to an adjustable height fifth wheel.
BACKGROUND ART
The height of the chassis for some makes of primer-movers differ from other makes, whilst the height of trailers also varies. It is also common practice for prime-movers to be coupled to a variety of trailers over a period of time in mixed fleet situations, rather than there being a continuing prime-mover/trailer combination. With such operating requirements the use of static fifth wheels will not ensure a relatively level load supporting surface on the trailer.
In the past mechanisms to enable adjustment of the height of the fifth wheel to deal with the above problems have necessitated hydraulic and pneumatic lifting arrangements all of which are costly.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fifth wheel assembly for mounting on a prime-mover and incorporating a relatively inexpensive and easily operated elevating mechanism.
The invention therefore envisages a fifth wheel assembly comprising a lower support structure adapted to be mounted on the chassis of a prime-mover and an upper support plate upon which a trailer is to be supported, wherein between said support structure and said support plate a cam operated linkage mechanism is incorporated to raise and lower the upper support plate relative to the lower support structure, and wherein detachable means are provided to hold the upper support plate relative to said lower support structure in one of at least two alternative positions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembly of this preferred embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the assembly of FIG. 1 showing the assembly in its lowest height position;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the assembly in one of a pair of intermediate height positions;
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the assembly in its highest height position; and
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the assembly of the previous figures.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings the fifth wheel assembly designated as 10, comprises a lower support structure 12 and an upper support plate 13 as are conventional for fifth wheel assemblies. Incorporated between the structure 12 and the support plate 13 is a cam and linkage assembly incorporating a pair of spaced apart main link assemblies 14 pivotally mounted at 19 on the support structure 12 and between a pair of upstanding support lugs 19a as shown. A pair of cam members 15 are rotatably supported on each of the link assemblies 14 and carried by pivot shafts 16 through the link assemblies 14. The peripheral surfaces of the cam members 15 engage the support structure 12 such that when rotated by the handles 17, fixed to the other ends of the pivot shafts 16, the link assemblies will pivot up and down to raise and lower the support plate 13 to which portions 18b of the link assemblies towards the opposite ends thereof are pivotally connected at 18 between a pair of lugs 18a extending downwardly from beneath generally diametrically opposed edge portions of the support plate 13. As shown a common connecting bar 16a may be coupled between the cam members.
Additional link assemblies 20 acting as struts are pivotally connected at 21 to the extreme ends of the link assemblies 14, or alternatively to said upper support plate, with the lower ends of the additional assemblies 20 interlocking in a number of positions with a pair of spaced apart locating bars 22 supported on the support structure 12 and having in this case three aligned pairs of holes 23, 24 and 25 therethrough adapted to align with one or the other of a pair of holes 26 and 27 in the additional link assemblies with a locating pin 28 with handle being inserted through the aligned holes for each locat
REFERENCES:
patent: 2928684 (1960-03-01), Geiger
patent: 3066956 (1962-12-01), Colorigh
patent: 3117804 (1964-01-01), Bistrom
patent: 3139289 (1964-06-01), Richler
patent: 3287038 (1966-11-01), Candlin
patent: 3337170 (1967-08-01), Remy
patent: 3552774 (1971-01-01), Gottler
patent: 4475740 (1984-10-01), Strick
Ellis James R.
Wilson James A.
Diederiks, Jr. Everett G.
Holland Hitch (AUST.) Ltd.
Love John J.
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