Land vehicles – Wheeled – Articulated vehicle
Patent
1989-06-05
1990-09-11
Marmor, Charles A.
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Articulated vehicle
280100, B62D 1300
Patent
active
049556304
ABSTRACT:
Steering mechanism for trailer wheels is provided with a slide having a tongue selectively engaged with and retracted from the fifth wheel of a tractor. When the tongue is engaged with the fifth wheel, any pivoting of the fifth wheel about the kingpin connection between the tractor and trailer, as when the tractor is steered from a straight ahead position relative to the trailer, causes the tongue to swing a link pivoted on the slide mechanism under the trailer. This swinging of the link drives a flexible cable to control a valve of a power steering system for the trailer rear wheels. The components are mounted under the floor of the trailer and a cable driven winch with a crank or power drive at the side of the trailer advances and retracts the slide to move the tongue into and out of engagement with the tractor fifth wheel. Magnets are mounted in the tongue and a torsion spring is provided in the winch mechanism to maintain tight contact between the tongue and fifth wheel. An adjustable lost motion linkage may control the power steering valve for preventing sudden swing-out of the extended end portion of the trailer. The mechanism greatly reduces the turning radius for the vehicle, prevents turnover in the event of sudden acceleration, swerving and sudden turns, and improves the tracking of the trailer.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1619941 (1927-03-01), Kennedy
patent: 2907576 (1959-10-01), Hutchens
patent: 2959428 (1959-01-01), Felburn
patent: 4351408 (1982-09-01), Moll
patent: 4657274 (1987-04-01), Mann et al.
Kager Alan M.
Marmor Charles A.
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