Patent · US Expired

Arrangement for coupling vehicles

US4254966A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
7References
7Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 5, 1979
Grant dateMar 10, 1981
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 5, 1999

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60D1/34
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

In this arrangement, the pitching, rolling and steering movements that take place between a motor car and a trailer are separately accommodated, with the pitching movements being accommodated by a horizontal transverse hinge structure arranged to be nearest the towing vehicle and comprising two relatively moving parts, motion therebetween occurring through an elastic member. A device is provided for stressing the elastic member in a variable and controlled manner whereby weight may be taken off the rear axle of the car to a desired extent and distributed to the front axle of the car and to the trailer axle. The rolling movements are accommodated by a stub-shaft at the front of the trailer, rotatably inserted into a longitudinally extending horizontal hole provided in the second of the above moving parts, and the steering movements are accommodated by an eye at the rear end of the stub-shaft, pivotally engaged in a fork-like member, carried by the trailer towbar, for motion about a vertical axis.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.