Land vehicles – Wheeled – Articulated vehicle
Patent
1987-03-13
1989-02-21
Mitchell, David M.
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Articulated vehicle
384125, 384421, B62D 5308
Patent
active
048059269
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a removable self-lubricating device for semi-trailer couplings, comprising a self-lubricating plate which is located between the support plate of the semi-trailer and the friction part of the fifth, wheel.
2. Description of the Prior Art
On tractors and semi-trailers in particular, the fifth wheel and the coupling plate have hitherto been greased with a spatula or trowel before the semi-trailer is coupled. During coupling, the grease flowed on either side of the fifth wheel, resulting in a loss of grease, a poor distribution of the grease which remained and, consequently, non-uniform and rather short-lived lubrication.
This lubrication deficiency, which hindered the free rotation of the plate relative to the fifth wheel, resulted indirectly in premature wear of the two steering pivots and of the tires and the bushes of the front springs of the tractor. This seizing also caused control problems when turning the steering wheel (oversteering).
A variety of solutions have been developed to remedy this situation by eliminating the problem of lubrication, among which there may be mentioned those described in the following patents:
EPA No. 0058732, which relates to a semi-trailer coupling comprising a fifth wheel covered with a layer of self-lubricating material, a coupling plate with a superfinished surface condition, and an intermediate steel sheet; and
EPA No. 0117319, which relates to a semi-trailer coupling whose fifth wheel is provided, over its entire surface, with a self-lubricating plate fixed by means of screws, the edges of which are protected on the back by a separate metal reinforcement.
However, the self-lubricating devices referred to above have the disadvantage that the work required to construct them is rather difficult and calls for tools and know-how which transport firms does not by (sic) usually have at their disposal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to overcome these disadvantages. This invention, as characterized (sic) in the claims, solves the problem of creating a self-lubricating device for coupling semi-trailers which can easily be fitted to the existing couplings.
The main features of this invention are that the self-lubricating plate is completed by the deposition of a self-lubricating plastic into the hollow of the horse-shoe-shaped wearing part fitted in the bottom of the notch in the fifth wheel, and that the self-lubricating plate is held in position against the support plate of the semi-trailer by the pinching of the base of the pivot under the effect of the curvature due to deformation under its own weight, by means of plastic pins with countersunk heads, which are force-fitted into orifices made, as required, in the support plate, . . . (sic) by means of screws located beyond the support plate, or by flush fitting, as elements, in suitably shaped cavities arranged in the bearing face of the fifth wheel.
The advantages gained by virtue of this invention consist essentially of the fact that the device is especially suitable for direct mounting on the couplings without the latter being converted beforehand, totally eliminating lubrication problems.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is described in detail below with the aid of drawings showing different embodiments of the invention, which are given by way of non-limiting example (sic); in these drawings:
FIG. 1 shows a view in cross-section of a self-lubricating plate mounted on the base of the pivot of the support plate.
FIG. 2 shows a view in cross-section of a self-lubricating plate fixed by means of pins underneath the support plate.
FIG. 3 shows a top view of a fifth wheel equipped with a self-lubricating plate divided up into elements inserted in the floating (sic) part of the fifth wheel.
FIG. 4 shows a view in partial longitudinal section of a fifth wheel, illustrating the detail of the method for inserting and fixing the self-lubricating elements shown in FIG. 3.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
REFERENCES:
patent: 3275390 (1966-09-01), Franks
patent: 3451731 (1969-06-01), Weichsel
patent: 3704924 (1972-12-01), Lowry
patent: 4169635 (1979-10-01), Szalay et al.
patent: 4457531 (1984-07-01), Hunger
patent: 4542912 (1985-09-01), St. Louis
Hill Mitchell J.
Mitchell David M.
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