US3876023A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connection for vehicle modules
Assignee: CLARK MICHIGAN COMPANY CIRCLE DRIVE BUCHMANAN MICHIGAN A CORP OF
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Filing: 1974-06-18
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Granted: 1975-04-08
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Expires: 1994-06-18
Abstract
Abstract An alignment and connection mechanism for a vehicle which is separable into a tractor module and an implement module, each module having a coupling plate which is connectable to the coupling plate on the other module to form a complete vehicle. The coupling plate on the tractor module includes a mechanism for use in aligning the tractor module and the implement module prior to connecting them together. The mechanism includes a first curvilinear alignment device and a second curvilinear alignment device which is hollow. Within the hollow portion of the second alignment device is a portion of a drive shaft, and a removable cap is provided on the second alignment device for protecting the drive shaft portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard R Hushower
- 👤 Ronald M Jesswein
- 👤 Ralph M Duttarer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:11
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D53/00; B62D49/00; B62D49/005; B62D49/007; B62D53/02; B62D53/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
In a tractor module having a body portion, a pair of drive wheels supporting the body portion, a connection portion located at one end of the body portion and pivotally connected about a vertically disposed axis to the body portion, and a pair of individually adjustable auxiliary wheels on the connection portion, an alignment mechanism on the connection portion for use in aligning the tractor module and an implement module prior to connecting them together, comprising a first curvilinear alignment device on the connection portion and a second curvilinear alignment device on the said connection portion, the said first alignment device being hollow, a portion of a drive shaft located in the said hollow portion, and a removable cap on the said first alignment device for protecting the said drive shaft portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
In a tractor module having a body portion, a pair of drive wheels supporting the body portion, a connection portion located at one end of the body portion and pivotally connected about a vertically disposed axis to the body portion, and a pair of individually adjustable auxiliary wheels on the connection portion, an alignment mechanism on the connection portion for use in aligning the tractor module and an implement module prior to connecting them together, comprising a first curvilinear alignment device on the connection portion and a second curvilinear alignment device on the said connection portion, the said first alignment device being hollow, a portion of a drive shaft located in the said hollow portion, and a removable cap on the said first alignment device for protecting the said drive shaft portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
203 words
In a vehicle having a tractor module detachably connected to an implement module, the tractor module including a body portion, a pair of drive wheels supporting the body portion, a first coupling plate located at one end of the body portion and pivotally connected about a vertically disposed axis to the body portion, and a pair of retractable auxiliary wheels connected to the first coupling plate, and the implement module including a pair of wheels and a second coupling plate detachably connected to the first coupling plate, an alignment mechanism on the first coupling plate comprising a first curvilinear alignment device, the said first alignment device being hollow, a portion of a drive shaft located in the said hollow portion, a removable cap on the said first alignment device for protecting said drive shaft portion, a first opening in the second coupling plate through which the said first alignment device extends in snug fitting relation when the said coupling plates are in the confronting coupled condition, a second curvilinear alignment device on the first coupling plate, and a second opening in the second coupling plate receiving the said second alignment device when the said two coupling plates are in the confronting coupled condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
203 words
In a vehicle having a tractor module detachably connected to an implement module, the tractor module including a body portion, a pair of drive wheels supporting the body portion, a first coupling plate located at one end of the body portion and pivotally connected about a vertically disposed axis to the body portion, and a pair of retractable auxiliary wheels connected to the first coupling plate, and the implement module including a pair of wheels and a second coupling plate detachably connected to the first coupling plate, an alignment mechanism on the first coupling plate comprising a first curvilinear alignment device, the said first alignment device being hollow, a portion of a drive shaft located in the said hollow portion, a removable cap on the said first alignment device for protecting said drive shaft portion, a first opening in the second coupling plate through which the said first alignment device extends in snug fitting relation when the said coupling plates are in the confronting coupled condition, a second curvilinear alignment device on the first coupling plate, and a second opening in the second coupling plate receiving the said second alignment device when the said two coupling plates are in the confronting coupled condition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
An alignment mechanism as specified in claim 2 in which the said first opening in the said second coupling plate is formed by a removable fitting, and the said second opening in the said second coupling plate is formed by a second removable fitting.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An alignment mechanism as specified in claim 2 in which the aid removable cap includes an internal rotatable member, and means detachably connecting the said drive shaft portion to the said internal rotatable member.
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) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |