US3628811A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic coupling device
Assignee: Magnatronic Controls Inc
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Filing: 1969-10-22
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Granted: 1971-12-21
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Expires: 1989-10-22
Abstract
Abstract A mechanism for use on a tractor-trailer rig for automatically connecting and disconnecting the tractor-trailer service lines and the kingpin of a trailer to and from the fifth wheel of a tractor, and specifically the invention incorporates a system based on mutually attracting magnetic plates for automatically connecting and disconnecting the auxiliary service line connections, and incorporated therewith is a rotatable plate member serving to hold one of the magnetic plate members and also serving as a rotatable base for such magnetic plate member so that it can be aligned with the other magnetic plate member whenever the tractor and trailer are not aligned properly; and further included in this invention is an automatic system for raising and lowering the dolly wheels on the trailer as an integral part of the operation of the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Melvin Rivers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 12:54
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/58; B60D1/62; B60D1/24; B60D1/26; B62; B62D; B62D49/00; B62D49/005; B62D53/00; B62D53/04; B62D53/08; B62D53/12; B62D53/125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
340 words
A coupling device for a tractor, with a rear deck, and a trailer rig, comprising in combination: a. A fifth wheel member located on the rear deck of the tractor. 1. said fifth wheel having a longitudinal slot therein extending from the rear portion of said fifth wheel and extending substantially along the longitudinal axis of the tractor; b. A plurality of service lines extending from the tractor; c. A plurality of service lines extending from the forward end of the trailer; d. A coupling pin secured to the underbelly of the trailer rig, 1. said coupling pin being adapted to be received within the longitudinal slot in said fifth wheel; e. A locking arm adapted to lock said coupling pin into the slot in the fifth wheel; f. A rotatable plate pivotally connected on the rear deck of the tractor; g. A female block member fixedly connected to the forward portion of the trailer. 1. said female block being connected on one side thereof but all of said service lines extending from said trailer; 2. said female block having on the side opposite the service line connections openings communicating individually with the service lines extending from the trailer; 3. said female block being constructed of a magnetic material. h. A male block member having a first and second face secured to said rotatable plate; 1. said male block having on the first face thereof connections with said service lines extending from the tractor; 2 . said male block having on the second face a plurality of male fittings thereon individually connected to the service lines from the tractor; 3. said male block being made of a soft metal so as to be attracted to the female block; i. Hydraulic means located on said rotatable plate member for moving the male block member into a juxtaposed relationship with the female block member; and j. Dolly wheels structured on the underbelly of the trailer; k. Automatic means located on the underbelly of said trailer for raising and lowering said dolly wheels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
340 words
A coupling device for a tractor, with a rear deck, and a trailer rig, comprising in combination: a. A fifth wheel member located on the rear deck of the tractor. 1. said fifth wheel having a longitudinal slot therein extending from the rear portion of said fifth wheel and extending substantially along the longitudinal axis of the tractor; b. A plurality of service lines extending from the tractor; c. A plurality of service lines extending from the forward end of the trailer; d. A coupling pin secured to the underbelly of the trailer rig, 1. said coupling pin being adapted to be received within the longitudinal slot in said fifth wheel; e. A locking arm adapted to lock said coupling pin into the slot in the fifth wheel; f. A rotatable plate pivotally connected on the rear deck of the tractor; g. A female block member fixedly connected to the forward portion of the trailer. 1. said female block being connected on one side thereof but all of said service lines extending from said trailer; 2. said female block having on the side opposite the service line connections openings communicating individually with the service lines extending from the trailer; 3. said female block being constructed of a magnetic material. h. A male block member having a first and second face secured to said rotatable plate; 1. said male block having on the first face thereof connections with said service lines extending from the tractor; 2 . said male block having on the second face a plurality of male fittings thereon individually connected to the service lines from the tractor; 3. said male block being made of a soft metal so as to be attracted to the female block; i. Hydraulic means located on said rotatable plate member for moving the male block member into a juxtaposed relationship with the female block member; and j. Dolly wheels structured on the underbelly of the trailer; k. Automatic means located on the underbelly of said trailer for raising and lowering said dolly wheels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
said female block having on the side opposite the service line connections openings communicating individually with the service lines extending from the trailer;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
said female block having on the side opposite the service line connections openings communicating individually with the service lines extending from the trailer;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a coupling system for a tractor and trailer rig, the improvement comprising in combination (a) a magnetic member connected to the service lines on the trailer; said magnetic member having female fittings thereon; (b) a soft metal member with male fittings and being connected to the service lines on the tractor; (c) hydraulic means attached to the soft metal member for moving the soft metal member into position with the magnetic member so that they are magnetically attracted so as to draw the male fittings of the soft metal member into the female fittings of the magnetic member; (d) hydraulic means attached to the soft metal member for moving the soft metal into initial alignment with the magnetic member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a coupling system for a tractor and trailer rig, the improvement comprising in combination (a) a magnetic member connected to the service lines on the trailer; said magnetic member having female fittings thereon; (b) a soft metal member with male fittings and being connected to the service lines on the tractor; (c) hydraulic means attached to the soft metal member for moving the soft metal member into position with the magnetic member so that they are magnetically attracted so as to draw the male fittings of the soft metal member into the female fittings of the magnetic member; (d) hydraulic means attached to the soft metal member for moving the soft metal into initial alignment with the magnetic member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A coupling device for a tractor and trailer rig as described in claim 2 in which the female block member is permanently magnetized and is rigidly attached to the trailer rig.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
said female block being constructed of a magnetic material. h. A male block member having a first and second face secured to said rotatable plate;
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
said female block being constructed of a magnetic material. h. A male block member having a first and second face secured to said rotatable plate;
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
said male block being made of a soft metal so as to be attracted to the female block; i. Hydraulic means located on said rotatable plate member for moving the male block member into a juxtaposed relationship with the female block member; and j. Dolly wheels structured on the underbelly of the trailer; k. Automatic means located on the underbelly of said trailer for raising and lowering said dolly wheels.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
said male block being made of a soft metal so as to be attracted to the female block; i. Hydraulic means located on said rotatable plate member for moving the male block member into a juxtaposed relationship with the female block member; and j. Dolly wheels structured on the underbelly of the trailer; k. Automatic means located on the underbelly of said trailer for raising and lowering said dolly wheels.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A coupling system as described in claim 2 in which the means for moving the magnetic member and the soft metal together is a hydraulic cylinder arrangement.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
In an automatic coupling device for a tractor-trailer combination, the improvement comprising a member holding the service lines on the tractor with magnetic properties for attracting the corresponding member on the trailer holding the trailer service lines and wherein the magnetic member on the tractor is hydraulically actuated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
In an automatic coupling device for a tractor-trailer combination, the improvement comprising a member holding the service lines on the tractor with magnetic properties for attracting the corresponding member on the trailer holding the trailer service lines and wherein the magnetic member on the tractor is hydraulically actuated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
144 words
An automatic coupling device for connecting service lines between a first station and a second station comprising in combination: a. a magnetized first block member having female fittings therein, said female fittings communicating with service lines extending from the first station; b. a rotating plate member which is rotatably affixed to the first station, said rotating plate member being pivoted so as to rotate about a vertical axis; c. hydraulic adjusting means on the rotating plate member on the second station. d. a second block member positioned on the top of said adjusting means, and being made of a soft metal, whereby it is readily attracted to the first block member, said second block member having male fittings thereon adapted to fit in the female fittings of said magnetized first block member, the male fittings communicating with service lines leading to the second station.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
144 words
An automatic coupling device for connecting service lines between a first station and a second station comprising in combination: a. a magnetized first block member having female fittings therein, said female fittings communicating with service lines extending from the first station; b. a rotating plate member which is rotatably affixed to the first station, said rotating plate member being pivoted so as to rotate about a vertical axis; c. hydraulic adjusting means on the rotating plate member on the second station. d. a second block member positioned on the top of said adjusting means, and being made of a soft metal, whereby it is readily attracted to the first block member, said second block member having male fittings thereon adapted to fit in the female fittings of said magnetized first block member, the male fittings communicating with service lines leading to the second station.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A coupling system as described in claim 6 in which said adjusting means are located on the first station.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A coupling system as described in claim 6 in which said magnetized first block is of the Ameko type.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A coupling system as described in claim 6 in which said second block member is moveable in a three-dimensional space by hydraulic means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-20 | 1975-06-21 | 1975-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-20 | 1979-06-21 | 1979-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-20 | 1983-06-21 | 1983-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |