Power train and trailer

Claim 2

In a vehicle adapted to be drawn and a power train therefor, the combination of: a vehicle adapted to be drawn, having a length substantially greater than its width, and having supporting wheel means on each side thereof located rearwardly of the front portion of the vehicle; auxiliary horizontal frame means rigidly connected to said front portion of the vehicle, said frame means extending forwardly from said front portion and including a pair of side members parallel to each other and to the axis of the vehicle, a wheeled and automotively powered powEr train having a pair of steerable front wheels and a pair of rear wheels, the rear portion of said power train being adapted to fit within said side members and parallel thereto: and side and axial connecting means disposed between said power train and said frame means, and said power train and said vehicle, respectively, for rigidly connecting the rear portion of said power train to said frame means and the front portion of said vehicle in axial alignment therewith, said side connecting means disposed forwardly of said rear wheels of said power train, said side and axial connecting means being readily detachable to permit the relative separation of said power train and said vehicle.

Claim 3

A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said side connecting means are actuated hydraulically, and including control means in said power train and connected to said side connecting means for operating the same.

Claim 4

A device as claimed in claim 1 including means for maintaining said rear wheels parallel at all times; and means for locking said rear wheels in any desired lateral position relative to the power train or permitting said rear wheels to turn freely laterally when said vehicle and said power train are connected together.

Claim 5

A device as claimed in claim 3 including control means in the power train and connected to the locking means for operating the same.

Claim 6

In a vehicle adapted to be drawn and a power train therefor, the combination of: a vehicle adapted to be drawn, having a length substantially greater than its width, and having supporting wheel means on each side thereof located rearwardly of the front portion of the vehicle; auxiliary horizontal frame means rigidly connected to said front portion of the vehicle, said frame means defining a rectangular U-shaped space opening forwardly of the vehicle; a wheeled and automotively powered power train having a pair of steerable front wheels and a pair of rear wheels, the rear portion of said power train being adapted to fit within said space and within the vehicle; side and axial connecting means disposed between said power train and said frame means, and said power train and said vehicle, respectively, for rigidly connecting the rear portion of said power train to said frame means and the front portion of said vehicle in axial alignment with said power train, said side connecting means including two parallel tracks with generally C-shaped openings rigidly attached to the rear portion of said power train, said tracks having inwardly opening longitudinal slots, two parallel connector frames rigidly attached to the front portion of said vehicle and extending forwardly therefrom, said frames being spaced apart to fit between said tracks, rollers attached to the outside of said connector frames, said rollers adapted to roll in said tracks, and locking means for locking said rollers in said tracks when the rear portion of said power train is connected to the front portion of said vehicle, said side connecting means being disposed substantially forwardly of the rear portion of the power train when the vehicle and power train are rigidly connected together, said side and axial connecting means being readily detachable to permit the relative separation of said power train and said vehicle, said axial connecting means including a plurality of forwardly extending pintles rigidly connected to the front portion of said vehicle, said pintles being parallel to each other and spaced apart, a plurality of parallel tubular sockets rigidly connected to the rear portion of said power train, said sockets being parallel to each other and spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing of the pintles, said sockets adapted to receive said pintles, and locking means for locking said pintles in said sockets whereby the rear portion of said power train is rigidly connected to the front portion of said vehicle.

Claim 7

In a vehicle adapted to be drawn and a power train therefor, the combination of: a vehicle adapted to be drawn, having a length substantially greater than its width, and having supporting wheel means on each side thereof located rearwardly of the front portion of the vehicle; auxiliary horizontal frame means rigidly connected to said front portion of the vehicle, said frame means defining a rectangular U-shaped space opening forwardly of the vehicle; a wheeled and automotively powered power train having a pair of steerable front wheels and a pair of rear wheels, the rear portion of said power train being adapted to fit within said space and within the vehicle; side and axial connecting means disposed between said power train and said frame means, and said power train and said vehicle, respectively, for rigidly connecting the rear portion of said power train to said frame means and the front portion of said vehicle in axial alignment with said power train, said side connecting means including two parallel tracks with generally C-shaped openings rigidly attached to the rear portion of said power train, said tracks having inwardly opening longitudinal slots, two parallel connector frames rigidly attached to the front portion of said vehicle and extending forwardly therefrom, said frames being spaced apart to fit between said tracks, rollers attached to the outside of said connector frames, said rollers adapted to roll in said tracks, and locking means for locking said rollers in said tracks when the rear portion of said power train is connected to the front portion of said vehicle, said side connecting means being disposed substantially forwardly of the rear portion of the power train when the vehicle and power train are rigidly connected together, said side and axial connecting means being readily detachable to permit the relative separation of said power train and said vehicle, said axial connecting means including a plurality of forwardly extending pintles rigidly connected to the front portion of said vehicle, said pintles being parallel to each other and spaced apart, a plurality of parallel tubular sockets rigidly connected to the rear portion of said power train, said sockets being parallel to each other and spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing of the pintles, said sockets adapted to receive said pintles, and locking means for locking said pintles in said sockets whereby the rear portion of said power train is rigidly connected to the front portion of said vehicle.

Claim 8

In a vehicle adapted to be drawn and a power train therefor, the combination of: a vehicle aDapted to be drawn, having a length substantially greater than its width, and having supporting wheel means on each side thereof located rearwardly of the front portion of the vehicle; auxiliary horizontal frame means rigidly connected to said front portion of the vehicle, said frame means defining a rectangular U-shaped space opening forwardly of the vehicle; a wheeled and automotively powered power train having a pair of steerable front wheels and a pair of rear wheels, the rear portion of said power train being adapted to fit within said space and within the vehicle; side and axial connecting means disposed between said power train and said frame means, and said power train and said vehicle, respectively, for rigidly connecting the rear portion of said power train to said frame means and the front portion of said vehicle in axial alignment with said power train, said side connecting means including two parallel tracks with generally C-shaped openings rigidly attached to the rear portion of said power train, said tracks having inwardly opening longitudinal slots, and each of said tracks having a vertical hole near its forward end, two parallel connector frames rigidly attached to the front portion of said vehicle and extending forwardly therefrom, said frames being spaced apart to fit between said tracks, rollers attached to the outside of said connecting frames, said rollers adapted to roll in said tracks, each of said connecting frames having a roller attached to the front of said frame on the outside thereof, each of said front rollers being adapted to roll in said tracks, and safety pins which are adapted to pass through the vertical holes in said tracks and behind the front rollers of said connecting frames for locking said rollers in said tracks when the rear portion of said power train is connected to the front portion of said vehicle, said side connecting means being disposed substantially forwardly of the rear portion of the power train when the vehicle and power train are rigidly connected together, said side and axial connecting means being readily detachable to permit the relative separation of said power train and said vehicle, said axial connecting means including a plurality of forwardly extending pintles rigidly connected to the front portion of said vehicle, said pintles being parallel to each other and spaced apart, a plurality of parallel tubular sockets rigidly connected to the rear portion of said power train, said sockets being parallel to each other and spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing of the pintles, said sockets adapted to receive said pintles, and locking means for locking said pintles in said sockets whereby the rear portion of said power train is rigidly connected to a front portion of said vehicle. This is a continuation-in-part of our copending application Ser. No. 569,482, filed Aug. 1, 1966, now abandoned.

Claim 9

In a vehicle adapted to be drawn and a power train therefor, the combination of: a vehicle aDapted to be drawn, having a length substantially greater than its width, and having supporting wheel means on each side thereof located rearwardly of the front portion of the vehicle; auxiliary horizontal frame means rigidly connected to said front portion of the vehicle, said frame means defining a rectangular U-shaped space opening forwardly of the vehicle; a wheeled and automotively powered power train having a pair of steerable front wheels and a pair of rear wheels, the rear portion of said power train being adapted to fit within said space and within the vehicle; side and axial connecting means disposed between said power train and said frame means, and said power train and said vehicle, respectively, for rigidly connecting the rear portion of said power train to said frame means and the front portion of said vehicle in axial alignment with said power train, said side connecting means including two parallel tracks with generally C-shaped openings rigidly attached to the rear portion of said power train, said tracks having inwardly opening longitudinal slots, and each of said tracks having a vertical hole near its forward end, two parallel connector frames rigidly attached to the front portion of said vehicle and extending forwardly therefrom, said frames being spaced apart to fit between said tracks, rollers attached to the outside of said connecting frames, said rollers adapted to roll in said tracks, each of said connecting frames having a roller attached to the front of said frame on the outside thereof, each of said front rollers being adapted to roll in said tracks, and safety pins which are adapted to pass through the vertical holes in said tracks and behind the front rollers of said connecting frames for locking said rollers in said tracks when the rear portion of said power train is connected to the front portion of said vehicle, said side connecting means being disposed substantially forwardly of the rear portion of the power train when the vehicle and power train are rigidly connected together, said side and axial connecting means being readily detachable to permit the relative separation of said power train and said vehicle, said axial connecting means including a plurality of forwardly extending pintles rigidly connected to the front portion of said vehicle, said pintles being parallel to each other and spaced apart, a plurality of parallel tubular sockets rigidly connected to the rear portion of said power train, said sockets being parallel to each other and spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing of the pintles, said sockets adapted to receive said pintles, and locking means for locking said pintles in said sockets whereby the rear portion of said power train is rigidly connected to a front portion of said vehicle. This is a continuation-in-part of our copending application Ser. No. 569,482, filed Aug. 1, 1966, now abandoned.