Coupling means comprising a centering device and a locking mechanism for a motor driven utility unit having a complementary unit

US4421340A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG · DE

Inventors

• Volker Kramer · Erdmannhausen, DE
• Gunter Helsper · Münchingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 29, 1981
• Grant date: Dec 20, 1983
• Expiry date: Oct 29, 2001

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B62D53/08
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A vehicle, especially an automotive utility vehicle, of the type having a motor driven vehicle unit and a towable complementary unit, such as the type utilized for fire fighting or rescue operations, is provided with an improved arrangement for coupling of the complementary unit to the vehicle unit which can be rapidly coupled to or disconnected, and which will minimize transmission of torsional forces to the vehicle frame when coupling of a vehicle that is out of alignment with the complementary unit. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the arrangement includes a centering device that has conically surfaced members on both the vehicle and complementary unit, an elastic member which enables pivoting of the conically surfaced member of the complementary unit and its draft element during introduction thereof into the centering member of the vehicle, and a securing arrangement for firmly retaining the centering member of the complementary unit in a fully connected, rigidly coupled configuration.