Articulated vehicle

US4586578A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Muiltidrive Limited · GB

Inventors

• David P. Brown · Salt Lake City, US
• John Brown · Ann Arbor, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 18, 1983
• Grant date: May 6, 1986
• Expiry date: Oct 18, 2003

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B62D59/02
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A trailing unit is pivotally supported by a tractor or leading unit at the front and a sub-chassis at the rear. Pivoting of the sub-chassis is controlled in accordance with turning of the leading unit so that the angle between sub-chassis and trailing unit is equal and opposite to the angle between leading unit and trailing unit. Power is communicated between leading unit and sub-chassis by a front shaft on the leading unit, a rear shaft on the sub-chassis, and an intermediate shaft connected to them by universal joints at positions equidistant from the pivot axes of the leading unit and sub-chassis.