Land vehicles – Wheeled – Articulated vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1996-09-27
2001-06-05
DePumpo, Daniel G. (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Articulated vehicle
C280S456100, C280S458000, C280S492000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241270
ABSTRACT:
The present invention concerns a mechanical coupling connecting a truck and a trailer including a means for controlling the trajectory of the trailer, especially for a truck and a trailer with a central axle, known as a balanced trailer.
The mechanical coupling according to the invention consists of a linkage and at least one oblique, rigid connection, articulated at one end to the trailer and at the other end to the truck.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Generally speaking, automotive couplings should allow the the trailer's trajectory to shift into the best position for holding the road when the truck-trailer assembly is turning or on a curve.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Present systems for shifting the trailer's trajectory not only eliminate telescoping between the trailer, the truck and their contents during turns, but also exercise actual control over the trailer's trajectory, so its position is corrected during turns and when exiting curves.
The goal of the present invention is to provide a simple, completely mechanical means for achieving this result, specifically, by using a linkage which may of constant length, or a passive, telescoping linkage which extends and retracts independently, that is, one which is not activated by fluid or the like, and one or two rigid, oblique connecting rods of constant length, articulated to the tractor and to the truck.
Another aim of the invention is to provide a simple mechanical coupling that allows the trailer's trajectory to shift so it can transport loads projecting beyond the front of the trailer and/or the rear of the truck.
Yet another aim of the invention is to provide a coupling that is entirely mechanical and as simple as possible, which is both economical and dependable.
Finally, the invention permits use of a protective cover between the truck and the trailer which is deformable according to an arc shape.
More specifically, these results are obtained using a trailer with central axles, known as a balanced trailer.
To achieve this, there is a mechanical coupling between the truck and the trailer formed first of a linkage, the front extremity of which is hooked onto the rear of the truck, for example, in an overlapping arrangement, and the rear extremity of which is attached to a pivoting means about a generally vertical axle attached to the trailer chassis; and secondly, there is at least one connecting rod obliquely disposed in relation to a straight line direction, which is rigid and of constant length, and articulated at one end to the rear of the truck, and at the other end to the rear of the trailer.
According to an improved variation, the connection formed of a single oblique rod is doubled by an additional oblique rod, with the rods forming a cross, in a straight line configuration, along the diagonals in the space formed between the truck and the trailer.
The invention allows the use of a short coupling and offers several additional, important advantages, such as reducing the space between the truck and trailer in order to transport indivisible items in overlapping position, or even cargo projecting beyond the rear of the truck and/or the front of the trailer.
A further advantage is reduced cost, as the means for implementing the device are both simple and passive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS(S)
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, given by way of example, and the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG.
1
: a general profile of a first embodiment of the truck-trailer unit with a protective cover;
FIG.
2
: a general profile of the truck-trailer unit and protective cover showing a completely enclosed embodiment;
FIG.
3
: a schematic plan view of an embodiment having a rigid linkage of constant length shown in straight line position and in turning position;
FIG.
4
: a composite geometric view showing two positions of the means constituting the coupling shown in the preceding drawing;
FIGS.
5
through
7
: successive schematic representations showing the constant length L of the linkage of the embodiment illustrated above at the end of the linkage;
FIGS.
8
and
9
: successive schematic representations showing successive schematic representations showing the constant length L of the linkage in straight line position and in turning position in the variation of the first embodiment;
FIG.
10
: a longitudinal cross-section taken along a line perpendicular to the trailer chassis, along the linkage and through the track showing the connection between the linkage and the track;
FIG.
11
: a plan schematic view of a variation having an extendible linkage with two crossed rods, shown in straight line position and in turning position;
FIG.
12
: a geometric view showing the two positions, one of which is the straight line position, of the means constituting the coupling of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 11
;
FIGS.
13
through
15
: successive schematic representations showing the extension of the linkage when the linkage is an extendible one;
FIGS.
16
through
18
: successive schematic representations showing the variation in the space between the truck and the trailer in the embodiment having an extendible linkage;
FIG.
19
: a profile view of the space between the truck and the trailer showing the overlapping arrangement of the cars, given as an example of how the trailer is loaded with cargo;
FIGS.
20
through
22
: successive schematic representations showing the straight line position and then the turning position of a car as it overlaps the space between the truck and the trailer.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1336665 (1920-04-01), Underhill et al.
patent: 1429734 (1922-09-01), Hoffman
patent: 1758951 (1930-05-01), Johnson
patent: 2133202 (1938-10-01), Lantz
patent: 2256557 (1941-09-01), Gustin, Jr.
patent: 2568261 (1951-09-01), Stade
patent: 2653032 (1953-09-01), Ellis
patent: 2685454 (1954-08-01), Patchett
patent: 2843417 (1958-07-01), Wahl
patent: 2898126 (1959-08-01), Loukonen
patent: 3254905 (1966-06-01), Rogers et al.
patent: 3955831 (1976-05-01), Whitchurch
patent: 4598926 (1986-07-01), Gallatin
patent: 5784967 (1998-07-01), Lohr
patent: 17 71 844 (1958-08-01), None
patent: 31 45 871 (1983-06-01), None
patent: 31 50 024 (1983-06-01), None
patent: 41 36 334 (1993-04-01), None
patent: 2 517 604 (1983-06-01), None
Davis & Bujold P.L.L.C.
DePumpo Daniel G.
Lohr Industrie
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