US3689107A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steering assembly for trailers
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-04-19
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Granted: 1972-09-05
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Expires: 1991-04-19
Abstract
Abstract An improved steering mechanism for a tractor driven plural wheeled extendable trailer wherein the motive force for steering the trailer positively extends from the fifth wheel of the tractor in the form of tie members which are changeable in length to one or more turntables supporting assemblies structurally associated with one or several steerable axle assemblies supporting the trailer with means being provided for varying and limiting the degree of turning movement of each turntable assembly to maintain all of the steerable axle assemblies in proper steering relation to the tractor substantially regardless of the operating length of the trailer. Further means are provided on at least one of the turntables which prevents the turntable from turning or if turned causes the turntable to return to the straight tracking position. Mechanism associated with such further means may be actuated upon actuation of the trailer and/or tractor brakes.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl E Humes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:54
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D13/00; B62D13/02; B62D13/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
A multiple wheeled tractor-trailer assembly wherein the front end of the trailer is pivotally connected by a king pin to a fifth wheel supported by the tractor and the tractor fifth wheel is of the type which has a generally V-shaped rearwardly opening king pin receiving slot, at least one wheeled axle assembly for the trailer, means mounting the wheeled axle assembly for controlled pivotal movement relative to the trailer main frame, said mounting means including a vertical shaft mounted on the trailer frame for rotation relative thereto, a first lever arm secured to rotate with the shaft, a king pin carried at the forward end of the trailer, a plate mounted concentric to the king pin, a depending arm secured to the plate eccentric to the king pin and adapted to be snugly received in the fifth wheel slot rearwardly of the king pin, a second lever arm secured to said wheeled axle assembly and adapted to rotate on a vertical axis, a selectively adjustable slide member carried by the first lever arm to vary the degree of turning movement of said wheeled axle assembly, means pivotally connecting one end of the slide member to said second lever aRm, and tie members connecting the first lever arm and the plate outboard of their pivotal axes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
A multiple wheeled tractor-trailer assembly wherein the front end of the trailer is pivotally connected by a king pin to a fifth wheel supported by the tractor and the tractor fifth wheel is of the type which has a generally V-shaped rearwardly opening king pin receiving slot, at least one wheeled axle assembly for the trailer, means mounting the wheeled axle assembly for controlled pivotal movement relative to the trailer main frame, said mounting means including a vertical shaft mounted on the trailer frame for rotation relative thereto, a first lever arm secured to rotate with the shaft, a king pin carried at the forward end of the trailer, a plate mounted concentric to the king pin, a depending arm secured to the plate eccentric to the king pin and adapted to be snugly received in the fifth wheel slot rearwardly of the king pin, a second lever arm secured to said wheeled axle assembly and adapted to rotate on a vertical axis, a selectively adjustable slide member carried by the first lever arm to vary the degree of turning movement of said wheeled axle assembly, means pivotally connecting one end of the slide member to said second lever aRm, and tie members connecting the first lever arm and the plate outboard of their pivotal axes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the length of the tie members are variable to accommodate for variations in the length of the trailer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the first lever arm includes a lead screw, said slide member is threadedly engaged thereto and said lead screw is connected to a hand actuated crank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the vertical axis of said first lever arm is positioned intermediate the length of the lever arm and said adjustable slide member is movable to either side of said vertical axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention defined in claim 1 including spring means carried by the trailer, rigid tie members connecting said spring means to said at least one wheeled axle assembly and means actuated by the trailer braking system for immobilizing said spring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention defined in claim 5 wherein said spring immobilizing means includes an air cylinder and a rocker arm movable into spring engaging position upon actuation of the air cylinder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention defined in claim 6 wherein the means connecting the wheeled axle assembly to said spring includes generally U-shaped slide members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention definedin claim 5 wherein each of the pivotally mounted wheeled axle assemblies includes said spring means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
229 words
A multiple wheeled tractor-trailer assembly wherein the front end of the trailer is pivotally connected by a king pin to a fifth wheel supported by the tractor and the tractor fifth wheel is of the type which has a generally V-shaped rearwardly opening king pin receiving slot, at least one wheeled axle assembly for the trailer, means mounting the wheeled axle assembly for controlled pivotal movement relative to the trailer main frame, said mounting means including a vertical shaft mounted on the trailer frame for rotation relative thereto, a first lever arm secured to rotate with the shaft, a king pin carried at the forward end of the trailer, a plate mounted concentric to the king pin, a depending arm secured to the plate eccentric to the king pin and adapted to be snugly received in the fifth wheel slot rearwardly of the king pin, a second lever arm secured to said wheeled axle assembly and adapted to rotate on a vertical axis, a selectively a a slide member carried by the first lever arm to vary the degree of turning movement of said wheeled axle assembly, means pivotally connecting one end of the slide member to said second lever arm, tie members connecting the first lever arm and the plate outboard of their pivotal axes, the selectively actuatable rigid tie members overcoming the rotation of the lever arms.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
229 words
A multiple wheeled tractor-trailer assembly wherein the front end of the trailer is pivotally connected by a king pin to a fifth wheel supported by the tractor and the tractor fifth wheel is of the type which has a generally V-shaped rearwardly opening king pin receiving slot, at least one wheeled axle assembly for the trailer, means mounting the wheeled axle assembly for controlled pivotal movement relative to the trailer main frame, said mounting means including a vertical shaft mounted on the trailer frame for rotation relative thereto, a first lever arm secured to rotate with the shaft, a king pin carried at the forward end of the trailer, a plate mounted concentric to the king pin, a depending arm secured to the plate eccentric to the king pin and adapted to be snugly received in the fifth wheel slot rearwardly of the king pin, a second lever arm secured to said wheeled axle assembly and adapted to rotate on a vertical axis, a selectively a a slide member carried by the first lever arm to vary the degree of turning movement of said wheeled axle assembly, means pivotally connecting one end of the slide member to said second lever arm, tie members connecting the first lever arm and the plate outboard of their pivotal axes, the selectively actuatable rigid tie members overcoming the rotation of the lever arms.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention defined in claim 9 wherein said selectively actuatable means includes spring means carried by the trailer, rigid tie members connecting said spring to said at least one wheeled axle assembly and means actuated by the trailer braking system for immobilizing said spring means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-05 | 1976-03-06 | 1976-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-05 | 1980-03-06 | 1980-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-05 | 1984-03-06 | 1984-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |