US3753580A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steering system for trailers
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-01-03
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Granted: 1973-08-21
•
Expires: 1992-01-03
Abstract
Abstract A steering system for trailers and other non-powered wheeled vehicles that are pulled or towed. A novel linkage arrangement is provided to turn the wheels of the trailer in response to a turning of the pulling vehicle whereby the wheels of the trailer will track in the same path as the wheels of the pulling vehicle. Further provision is made so that the wheels of the trailer can turn and still clear apparatus or structures on the tractor frame that fit closely between the upper portion of the wheels of the trailer when said wheels are in a straight position.
Inventors
- 👤 H Folkert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 02:14
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D13/00; B62D13/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
269 words
A trailer steering system comprising a pair of wheel receiving means each pivotally mounted to a trailer on opposite sides of the trailer from the other; an elongated steering control arm rigidly fixed to each of said wheel receiving means and extending generally inwardly from said wheel receiving means and their respective pivots; a single tree pivotally mounted intermediate its ends to the trailer at an intermediate point thereon and at a location remotely spaced from said wheel receiving means and generally disposed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the trailer; first and second drag links pivotally mounted to and interconnecting each of said steering control arms to the side of said single tree that each said respective steering control arm is situated; hitch means affixed to one end of the trailer for attachment to the rearward portion of a pulling vehicle at the generally central portion of the pulling vehicle; and an elongated linkage member having one end pivotally connected to said single tree at a location on said single tree remote from the location of said pivotal mounting of the tree to the trailer, and the other end of the member pivotally mounted to the rearward portion of the pulling vehicle at a location offset from the position where said hitch means Is attached thereto, whereupon on the turning of the pulling vehicle, the said elongated linkage member pivotally displaces said single tree thereby moving said drag links a generally equal amount but in opposite directions thereby pivoting said wheel receiving means in a predetermined ratio to the turning of the pulling vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
269 words
A trailer steering system comprising a pair of wheel receiving means each pivotally mounted to a trailer on opposite sides of the trailer from the other; an elongated steering control arm rigidly fixed to each of said wheel receiving means and extending generally inwardly from said wheel receiving means and their respective pivots; a single tree pivotally mounted intermediate its ends to the trailer at an intermediate point thereon and at a location remotely spaced from said wheel receiving means and generally disposed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the trailer; first and second drag links pivotally mounted to and interconnecting each of said steering control arms to the side of said single tree that each said respective steering control arm is situated; hitch means affixed to one end of the trailer for attachment to the rearward portion of a pulling vehicle at the generally central portion of the pulling vehicle; and an elongated linkage member having one end pivotally connected to said single tree at a location on said single tree remote from the location of said pivotal mounting of the tree to the trailer, and the other end of the member pivotally mounted to the rearward portion of the pulling vehicle at a location offset from the position where said hitch means Is attached thereto, whereupon on the turning of the pulling vehicle, the said elongated linkage member pivotally displaces said single tree thereby moving said drag links a generally equal amount but in opposite directions thereby pivoting said wheel receiving means in a predetermined ratio to the turning of the pulling vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein each said wheel receiving means includes a king pin for pivotally mounting said wheel receiving means to the trailer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein each said king pin is inwardly and angularly disposed whereby when the trailer is traveling in a generally straight direction, a wheel received by each of said wheel receiving means will be disposed generally perpendicularly to the ground and when the trailer is in a turning position, the same wheel will be disposed such that its lower portion tilts inwardly and its upper portion tilts outwardly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein each said king pin is inwardly and angularly disposed at an angle substantially 42* with the ground.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drag links are disposed in the same general direction as that of the direction of travel of the trailer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elongated linkage member is adapted to be selectively fixedly positioned at one of a plurality of predetermined lengths whereby the end thereof pivotally mounted to the rearward portion of the pulling vehicle can be so mounted at predetermined distances of offset from the position where said hitch means is attached thereto, thereby resulting in selective predetermined ratios of steering between the pulling vehicle and the trailer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said elongated linkage member includes means to freely expand or contract within a predetermined amount of travel, thereby providing a delay in the response of the trailer steering to the turning of the pulling vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elongated linkage member includes means freely expand or contract within a predetermined amount of travel, thereby providing a delay in the response of the trailer steering to the turning of the pulling vehicle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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US2411836A
Cited
US2582455A
Cited
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Cited
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Cited
FR1528768A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-20 | 1977-02-19 | 1977-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-20 | 1981-02-19 | 1981-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-20 | 1985-02-19 | 1985-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |