Load transfer coupling mechanism

Claim 2

A load transfer coupling mechanism for a tractor having a draw bar and a trailer having a tongue structure connectible with the draw bar comprising: a. a mounting bracket pivoted on the forward end of said tongue structure for pivotal movement about an axis extended transversely of the tongue structure, b. a coupling member having a rear portion rotatably supported on said mounting bracket for rotation about an axis extended longitudinally of said tongue structure, and a front portion, c. means pivotally connecting said front portion to said draw bar for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, d. a yieldable adjustable means located rearwardly of said mounting bracket including a linearly retractible and extendible unit having one end movably connected to said mounting bracket, e. means for yieldably urging said mounting bracket in one or the other direction of pivotal movement therefor relative to the transverse axis therefor, in response to the retraction or extension of said unit, and f. means pivotally supporting said adjustable means on said tongue structure for tilting movement longitudinally of said tongue structure.

Claim 3

A load transfer coupling mechanism for a tractor having a draw bar and a trailer having a tongue structure connectible with the draw bar comprising: a. a body member pivoted on the forward end of said tongue structure for pivotal movement about an axis extended transversely of the tongue structure, said body member including an upright projection, b. a coupling member having a rear portion rotatably mounted on said body member for rotation about an axis extended longitudinally of said tongue structure, and a front portion located forwardly of said body member, c. means pivotally connecting said front portion to the draw bar for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, d. a linearly adjustable spring assembly extended longitudinally of the tongue structure and located rearwardly of said body member, e. means pivotally supporting said spring assembly on the tongue structure for tilting movement about an axis extended transversely of the tongue structure, and f. other means pivotally connecting the forward end of said spring assembly to said upright projection for pivotal movement about an axis extended transversely of the tongue structure.

Claim 4

A load transfer coupling mechanism for a tractor having a draw bar and a trailer having a tongue structure connectible with the draw bar comprising: a. a body member pivoted on the forward end of said tongue structure for pivotal movement about an axis extended transversely of the tongue structure, said body member including an upright projection, b. a coupling member having a rear portion rotatably mounted on said body member for rotation about an axis extended longitudinally of said tongue structure, and a front portion located forwardly of said body member, c. means pivotally connecting said front portion to the draw bar for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, d. a linearly adjustable spring assembly extended longitudinally of the tongue structure and located rearwardly of said body member, e. means pivotally supporting said spring assembly on the tongue structure for tilting movement about an axis extended transversely of the tongue structure, and f. other means pivotally connecting the forward end of said spring assembly to said upright projection for pivotal movement about an axis extended transversely of the tongue structure.

Claim 5

The load transfer coupling mechanism according to claim 2 wherein: a. said upright projection includes a series of vertically spaced bearing members for selectively and rotatably receiving the rear portion of said coupling member, and b. said forward end of the adjustable means is positioned above the uppermost one of said bearing members.

Claim 6

The load transfer coupling mechanism according to claim 2 wherein: a. said spring assembly includes a linearly extendible and retractible unit and said other pivot means connects one end of said extendible and retractible unit to said upright projection, b. a cylindrical sleeve member through which said unit is axially extended, c. a pair of piston members movably mounted on said unit having outer peripheral portions in bearing engagement with the inner peripheral surface of said cylindrical member, d. means on said unit limiting the movement of said piston members away from each other, e. a spring member positioned about said unit and arranged in compression between said piston members, and f. a pair of stop means corresponding to said piston members mounted at opposite ends of said cylindrical member, each stop means engageable with a corresponding piston member to retain a piston member against movement out of the cylindrical member.

Claim 7

The load transfer coupling mechanism according to claim 4 wherein: a. one of said piston members, in response to an adjustment of said linearly extendible and retracTible unit, is moved to a position in engagement with a corresponding stop means and the other of said piston members is moved inwardly of said cylinder and toward said one piston member whereby to compress said spring member therebetween.

Claim 8

A load transfer coupling mechanism for a tractor having a draw bar and a trailer having a tongue structure connectible with the draw bar comprising: a. a body member pivoted on the forward end of said tongue structure for pivotal movement about an axis extended transversely of the tongue structure, b. coupling means interconnecting said body member and draw bar for pivotal movement of said tongue structure about longitudinal and vertical axes relative to said draw bar, c. a yieldable adjustable means located rearwardly of said body member including a linearly retractible and extendible unit having one end movably connected to said body member, d. means for yieldably urging said body member in one or the other direction of pivotal movement therefor relative to the transverse axis therefor, in response to the retraction or extension of said unit, and e. means supporting said adjustable means on said tongue structure.

Claim 9

A load transfer coupling mechanism for a tractor having a draw bar and a trailer having a tongue structure connectible with the draw bar comprising: a. a body member pivoted on the forward end of said tongue structure for pivotal movement about an axis extended transversely of the tongue structure, b. coupling means interconnecting said body member and draw bar for pivotal movement of said tongue structure about longitudinal and vertical axes relative to said draw bar, c. a yieldable adjustable means located rearwardly of said body member including a linearly retractible and extendible unit having one end movably connected to said body member, d. means for yieldably urging said body member in one or the other direction of pivotal movement therefor relative to the transverse axis therefor, in response to the retraction or extension of said unit, and e. means supporting said adjustable means on said tongue structure.