Land vehicles – Wheeled – Articulated vehicle
Patent
1981-11-06
1984-04-10
Peters, Jr., Joseph F.
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Articulated vehicle
280814, 280442, B62D 5306
Patent
active
044417306
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a steering device for many-axled goose-neck trailers which are coupled behind a tracking vehicle, behind another trailer or behind a dolly, the goose-neck of the trailer being coupled with a vehicle in front of it via a pivotable and tiltable disc which, when driving in curves, by means of a transmission, forcibly steers the rear wheel set in a direction opposite to the steering wheels of the tracking vehicle, so that the trailer more closely follows the track of the tracking vehicle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
When a many-axled trailer is coupled behind a tracking vehicle or behind another trailer, according to the Road Authorities, such trains of vehicles, for safety reason, are only allowed to travel at limited speed, and the aim of the invention is to enable such vehicle trains to drive at the maximum speed permitted for the road in question.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention this is made possible by a device wherein the front wheels of the trailer, in a manner known per se, are steered by friction against the road, and, in addition thereto, the rearmost are forcibly steered through said transmission.
When a train of vehicles, such as a tracking vehicle or tractor and two many-axled goose-neck trailers, the first coupled by its goose-neck to the tractor via a pivotable and tiltable disc--often called "the fifth wheel"--and the second trailer coupled with the first one in the same way, or via a dolly coupled behind the first trailer and also provided with a fifth wheel, is driving along a road of good quality, the friction-steered wheel sets are sufficient to assure that both trailers follow the track of the tractor. However, when the road is slippery or of poor quality, such as a sandy pavement, the friction-steering may not function satisfactorily. In order to obtain full safety under such dangerous conditions, according to the invention, the rearmost wheels are forcibly steered.
Consequently, the following benefits are obtained by the invention:
1. It is possible to drive with full speed corresponding to the road speed limits with one or more fully-loaded trailers behind one single tractor.
2. The pay-load can be substantially increased.
3. Transportation of goods of exceptional length is possible without restriction of the speed.
4. The system results in double security on the road since the forcible steering of the rear wheels will act even if the road is slippery.
According to a further feature of the invention one or more of the friction-steered sets of wheels are provided with a reverse lock which is controlled from the wheel house of the tractor. Thereby the vehicle train may also be safely reversed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is to be explained in the following with reference to the drawings in which:
FIG. 1 shows a vehicle train as seen from the side;
FIG. 2 shows the same vehicle train in plan view when driving in a sharp bend; and
FIG. 3 shows one of the rear wheel bogies with steering device and reverse lock.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown a vehicle train consisting of a tractor 1, behind which a many-axled goose-neck trailer 2 is coupled via its goos-neck 3 and a pivotable and tiltable disc 4, the fifth wheel, on the tractor. Behind said trailer 2 is connected a four-wheel dolly 15 which is also provided with a fifth wheel 18 to be connected with the goose-neck of a second many-axled goose-neck trailer 5. The first trailer 2 has eight axles and the rear trailer has six axles. Of the wheel sets of the trailers 2 and 5 the first set 6 and 10, respectively, is steered by friction against the road, and so are also the rear wheel sets 8a, 8b, of trailer 2. In addition thereto the rearmost wheel sets 9a, 9b and 12a, 12b, respectively, are, as known per se, forcibly steered from the respective fifth wheels 4 and 18 with which the goose-neck 3 and 16, respectively, are coupled. The three intermediate wheel sets of both trailers, n
REFERENCES:
patent: 2741489 (1956-04-01), Bigge
patent: 3284094 (1966-11-01), Grace
patent: 3520549 (1970-07-01), Delay
patent: 3591203 (1971-07-01), Steiner
patent: 3656776 (1972-04-01), Steiner
McGiehan Donn
Peters Jr. Joseph F.
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