US3801137A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic releasing backing device for truck dolly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-07-07
•
Granted: 1974-04-02
•
Expires: 1992-07-07
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus attached to the rear portion of a truck adjacent the hook or coupling and/or to the dolly which is releasably attachable to the coupling. The apparatus operatively engages the tongue or draft bar of the dolly when the same has been attached to the coupling in a manner to prevent relative lateral movement between the truck and dolly during backing up of the same. When the dolly is connected to a semi trailer, the apparatus permits normal pivotal lateral movement between the truck and trailer for normal driving conditions. In certain embodiments of the invention, the restraint against lateral movement is automatically released when the conventional fifth wheel of the dolly moves into its operative subjacent relationship with the semi trailer.
Inventors
- 👤 M Zucca
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:44
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D13/00; B62D13/06; B62D53/00; B62D53/04; B62D53/08; B62D53/0857; B62D53/0864
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
Apparatus of the character described for use with a truck and a dolly connected thereto in which said dolly has a longitudinally extending tongue with its forward end releasably connected to a coupling element on said truck and its rearward end provided with ground engaging wheels and a fifth wheel mechanism for connection with a semi trailer; said apparatus including locking means operatively associated with said truck and said tongue and movable from a first operative position limiting relative lateral movement between said truck and said dolly to a second inoperative position permitting relative lateral movement between said truck and said dolly, and release means operatively connected to said locking means for effecting automatic release of the locking means, said release means including trip means operatively engageable by a semi trailer when said dolly is moved into connecting reLationship therewith for moving said locking means to said inoperative position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
Apparatus of the character described for use with a truck and a dolly connected thereto in which said dolly has a longitudinally extending tongue with its forward end releasably connected to a coupling element on said truck and its rearward end provided with ground engaging wheels and a fifth wheel mechanism for connection with a semi trailer; said apparatus including locking means operatively associated with said truck and said tongue and movable from a first operative position limiting relative lateral movement between said truck and said dolly to a second inoperative position permitting relative lateral movement between said truck and said dolly, and release means operatively connected to said locking means for effecting automatic release of the locking means, said release means including trip means operatively engageable by a semi trailer when said dolly is moved into connecting reLationship therewith for moving said locking means to said inoperative position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said trip means is mounted on said dolly adjacent said fifth wheel mechanism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said trip means is pivotally mounted on said dolly and includes rollers carried thereby.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said release means includes a member extending longitudinally of said dolly and operatively connected to said trip means at one end thereof and to said locking means at the other end thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said fifth wheel mechanism is pivotally mounted on said dolly, said release means being disposed subjacent said fifth wheel mechanism and actuated upon rocking movement of said mechanism as the latter is moved into connecting relationship with a semi trailer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 in which said release means includes a spring loaded arm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said release means comprises a switch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said locking means includes a member pivotally mounted on said truck adjacent said coupling element and engageable with said dolly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 in which said member has an extensible portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 in which said member includes a fluid cylinder having a rod extending therefrom operatively engageable with said dolly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 in which said member is provided with a notched portion, and a latch device carried on said tongue within said portion when said member is in said operative position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 in which said member is provided with spaced side rails for engaging opposite side portions of said tongue when said member is in said operative position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said locking means includes a pair of cylinders each pivotally carried on said truck and having a piston rod extending therefrom, a bracket carried on the end of each rod and engageable with a side portion of said tongue.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 in which said bracket is of angle cross sectional configuration, and means mounting said bracket for pivotal movement on said piston rod.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 including switch means for selectively operating said cylinders.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 15 in which said switch means is carried on said tongue adjacent said fifth wheel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said locking means includes cables extending between said truck and said dolly and means selectively applying tension to said cables.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 17 in which said last named means includes a cylinder mounted on said dolly and having an extensible portion operatively connected to said cables.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said locking means includes a cylinder having an extensible piston rod, a fluid valve which in a reverse position of the truck gear shift causes said rod to move in a direction for limiting said lateral movement and which in a forward position of such gear shift moves said rod in a contra direction.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 19 including switch means interposed between said cylinder and said valve.
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) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-10-01 | 1978-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-01 | 1981-10-01 | 1982-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-01 | 1985-10-01 | 1986-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |