US3718346A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Truck comprising tractor and semi-trailer
Assignee: Daimler Trucks North America LLC
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Filing: 1970-08-27
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Granted: 1973-02-27
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Expires: 1990-08-27
Abstract
Abstract A vehicular assembly comprising a tractor and a semitrailer so detachably coupled together that they act as a unit, wherein the assembly has three zones of support, one of which is provided by a zero rate suspension means and the other two of which are provided by variable rate suspension means, whereby to maintain reasonably constant a desired pattern of load distribution between the three zones.
Inventors
- 👤 K Self
- 👤 N Chew
- 👤 B Twyman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 15:29
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D53/00; B62D53/04; B60; B60G; B60G17/00; B60G17/02; B60G17/033; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S280/00; Y10S280/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
In a trucking structure, a tractor including a tractor frame and a tractor drive axle means supporting the tractor frame near the rear end thereof, a trailer comprising container means and a trailer suspension unit fixed to the rear end portion of the container means and including frame means and wheeled rear axle means, said trailer suspension unit providing a rear load bearing zone, releasable rear interlocking means fixed to the tractor frame and trailer for interlocking the rear end poRtion of the tractor frame and the trailer to prevent sidewise movement of the trailer relative to the tractor frame, load bearing structure between the rear tractor frame and trailer to provide a second and intermediate load bearing zone, and releasable front coupling means on the tractor frame and the front end of the trailer for holding the front end of the trailer against movement either vertically or horizontally relative to the tractor frame and to provide a forward and third load bearing zone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
In a trucking structure, a tractor including a tractor frame and a tractor drive axle means supporting the tractor frame near the rear end thereof, a trailer comprising container means and a trailer suspension unit fixed to the rear end portion of the container means and including frame means and wheeled rear axle means, said trailer suspension unit providing a rear load bearing zone, releasable rear interlocking means fixed to the tractor frame and trailer for interlocking the rear end poRtion of the tractor frame and the trailer to prevent sidewise movement of the trailer relative to the tractor frame, load bearing structure between the rear tractor frame and trailer to provide a second and intermediate load bearing zone, and releasable front coupling means on the tractor frame and the front end of the trailer for holding the front end of the trailer against movement either vertically or horizontally relative to the tractor frame and to provide a forward and third load bearing zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The trucking structure of claim 1 wherein the rear interlocking means includes guideway means on the trailer bracketing the rear end portion of the tractor frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The trucking structure of claim 2 wherein the guideway means is of inverted U-shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The trucking structure of claim 2 including means for limiting upward movement of the intermediate portion of the trailer relative to the rear end portion of the tractor frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The trucking structure of claim 4 wherein the last named means comprises a horizontal pin on the trailer frame means and a socket in the rear end of the tractor frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The trucking structure of claim 1 wherein the front coupling means comprises a kingpin carried by the trailer and a coupler device on the the tractor frame adapted to interlock with the kingpin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
The trucking structure of claim 6 wherein the coupler device comprises a fifth wheel unit, means mounting the fifth wheel slidably between a rear position at the rear end portion of the tractor frame and a front position at the front end portion of the tractor frame, and means for locking the fifth wheel unit in either of said positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The trucking structure of claim 1 wherein the rear interlocking means comprises socket means on the trailer frame means adapted to receive and interlock with the rear end portion of the tractor frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a truck combination, a tractor having a frame, front steering axle means and floating rear drive axle means spaced a predetermined distance from the front steering axle means, trailer means extending over the frame, secured to the frame at the front end portion of the trailer means, and resting on the rear end portion of the frame and secured thereto against sidewise movement, and also including trailer axle means supporting the rear end portion of the trailer means, the trailer axle means being spaced to the rear of the drive axle means a second distance of not substantially greater than 41 percent of the overall distance between the trailer axle means and the steering axle means and not substantially less than 31 percent of said overall distance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a truck combination, a tractor having a frame, front steering axle means and floating rear drive axle means spaced a predetermined distance from the front steering axle means, trailer means extending over the frame, secured to the frame at the front end portion of the trailer means, and resting on the rear end portion of the frame and secured thereto against sidewise movement, and also including trailer axle means supporting the rear end portion of the trailer means, the trailer axle means being spaced to the rear of the drive axle means a second distance of not substantially greater than 41 percent of the overall distance between the trailer axle means and the steering axle means and not substantially less than 31 percent of said overall distance.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The truck combination of claim 9 wherein said second distance is about 36 percent of said overall distance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The truck combination of claim 9 including air bag means operatively connected to the rear drive axle means and said tractor frame, means for varying the pressure in the air bags to vary load distribution on the axle means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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Cited
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Cited
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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) | 1976-02-27 | 1976-08-28 | 1977-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-27 | 1980-08-28 | 1981-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-27 | 1984-08-28 | 1985-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |