US3774940A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trailer assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-02-29
•
Granted: 1973-11-27
•
Expires: 1992-02-29
Abstract
Abstract The trailer assembly, pulled by a conventional tractor, includes a front trailer having an extended frame or frame extension on the existing frame, with the extended frame extending rearwardly and being provided with one or more axles with tires on the under side thereof. The rear trailer includes a frame having the front end portion thereof overlying the extended frame on the front trailer. The extended frame carries a rockable or pivotable fifth wheel while the front end portion of the frame of the rear trailer carries a rockable or pivotable fish plate assembly having a kingpin engageable with the fifth wheel to provide a very sturdy connection between the trailers thus eliminating draw bars, tow bars, or cables which are now employed between the trailers. Jackknifing between the trailers and swing and sway motion of the rear trailer with respect to the front trailer are eliminated. The pivot mountings for the fifth wheel and fish plate assembly have horizontal axes which are perpendicular to one another. The pivotable fish plate assembly takes up any side motion between the trailers to prevent excess forces from being exerted by the rear trailer on the extended frame thus preventing the extended frame of the front trailer from warping or breaking.
Inventors
- 👤 F Merritts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 13:10
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D53/00; B62D53/04; B62D53/08; B62D53/0871
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
430 words
A trailer assembly adapted to be transported by a tractor comprising a front trailer having front and rear frame portions including in combination a horizontally disposed frame extension on the rear frame portion of said front trailer and extending rearwardly thereof, said frame extension being provided with a first pair of axles on the under side of said frame extension, with each axle having at least a pair of tires, a fifth wheel mounted on said frame extension, a rear trailer having front and rear frame portions, the rear frame portions of said front and rear trailers each having on the under side thereof one or more additional axles having ground engaging wheels thereon, the front frame portion of said rear trailer overlying the frame extension on said front trailer, a fish plate assembly including a downwardly extending kingpin on said front frame portion of said rear trailer, said kingpin of said fish plate assembly and said fifth wheel when engaged providing a sturdy connection between the front and rear trailers, with said kingpin being located in a plane intermediate said first pair of axles on said frame extension, said frame extension comprises a pair of longitudinally extending laterally spaced structural members, said fifth wheel having a first and lower pivot mounting rotatably carried by said structural members, with the axis of the pivot mounting extending laterally of the trailer assembly, the front frame portion of said rear trailer including a pair of laterally spaced structural elements, a pair of braces interposed between said structural elements and forming part of said fish plate assembly, a second and upper pivot mounting rotatably carried by said braces and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the trailer assembly, said fish plate assembly including a cover plate above said second pivot mounting and a fish plate below said second pivot mounting having means for mounting same on said second pivot mounting, said cover plate being secured to said structural elements, said kingpin being carried by said fish plate, said fish plate being adapted to rotate about said second pivot mounting when the kingpin is engaged with the fifth wheel to take up side motions between the trailers and prevent excess forces from being applied to the extended frame, and resilient means in the form of a pair of springs interposed in said fish plate assembly between said cover plate and said fish plate for helping to maintain the fish plate in a horizontal plane, said springs being located on opposite sides of said second pivot mounting, said cover plate forming a dirt shield.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
430 words
A trailer assembly adapted to be transported by a tractor comprising a front trailer having front and rear frame portions including in combination a horizontally disposed frame extension on the rear frame portion of said front trailer and extending rearwardly thereof, said frame extension being provided with a first pair of axles on the under side of said frame extension, with each axle having at least a pair of tires, a fifth wheel mounted on said frame extension, a rear trailer having front and rear frame portions, the rear frame portions of said front and rear trailers each having on the under side thereof one or more additional axles having ground engaging wheels thereon, the front frame portion of said rear trailer overlying the frame extension on said front trailer, a fish plate assembly including a downwardly extending kingpin on said front frame portion of said rear trailer, said kingpin of said fish plate assembly and said fifth wheel when engaged providing a sturdy connection between the front and rear trailers, with said kingpin being located in a plane intermediate said first pair of axles on said frame extension, said frame extension comprises a pair of longitudinally extending laterally spaced structural members, said fifth wheel having a first and lower pivot mounting rotatably carried by said structural members, with the axis of the pivot mounting extending laterally of the trailer assembly, the front frame portion of said rear trailer including a pair of laterally spaced structural elements, a pair of braces interposed between said structural elements and forming part of said fish plate assembly, a second and upper pivot mounting rotatably carried by said braces and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the trailer assembly, said fish plate assembly including a cover plate above said second pivot mounting and a fish plate below said second pivot mounting having means for mounting same on said second pivot mounting, said cover plate being secured to said structural elements, said kingpin being carried by said fish plate, said fish plate being adapted to rotate about said second pivot mounting when the kingpin is engaged with the fifth wheel to take up side motions between the trailers and prevent excess forces from being applied to the extended frame, and resilient means in the form of a pair of springs interposed in said fish plate assembly between said cover plate and said fish plate for helping to maintain the fish plate in a horizontal plane, said springs being located on opposite sides of said second pivot mounting, said cover plate forming a dirt shield.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The trailer assembly defined in claim 1 wherein means are provided for positively locking said rear trailer to said front trailer, said means comprising a locking element carried by said frame extension of said front trailer engageable with a locking member carried by the front frame portion of said rear trailer.
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) | 1976-11-26 | 1977-05-28 | 1977-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-26 | 1981-05-28 | 1981-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-26 | 1985-05-28 | 1985-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |