Patent · US Expired

Method of releasably coupling articulated vehicles and preventing jack-knifing

US4385772A · kind A · utility

3Cited by
4References
12Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 8, 1980
Grant dateMay 31, 1983
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 8, 2000

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB62D53/0878
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A releasable coupling for an articulated vehicle of the type having a tractor and a trailer comprises a brake system and locating members for preventing or inhibiting jack-knifing of the articulated vehicle, the locating members comprising two or more pairs of members one of each pair adapted to being mounted on the tractor and the other of each pair adapted to being mounted on the trailer and arranged so that they mate when the tractor is connected to the trailer, each pair being arranged a sufficient distance on each side of the longitudinal center line of the articulated vehicle so as to result in reactive moments of force about the direction of travel that will resist any tendency of the trailer to overturn when cornering or traveling on uneven roads at operating speeds.

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