US3954285A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle with a tractor and a trailer
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-11-12
•
Granted: 1976-05-04
•
Expires: 1993-11-12
Abstract
Abstract A tractor trailer vehicle embodying an articulated vehicle in which a hydraulic load compensation unit in the form of a particular connecting bridge is provided between the tractor and the trailer vehicle so that trailer loads are transmitted to the tractor without impairment of the maneuverability or road holding properties of the overall vehicle unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Alois Goldhofer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 03:27
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D53/00; B62D53/04; B62D53/06; B62D53/068
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
A vehicle such as a tractor-trailer unit having a longitudinal axis and wherein the trailer has a plurality of axles having sets of wheels, each of which axles may be subjected to different loads, comprising: an articulated means pivotally coupled to the tractor or tow vehicle and having a hydraulic load compensation or equalizing device; said means being disposed between said tractor and said trailer vehicle and comprising a connecting bridge pivotally connected to said tractor along a first axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said vehicle; said bridge being further pivotably connected to said tractor about a second axis oriented perpendicularly with respect to said first axis; and said bridge being pivotally connected to said trailer along an axis parallel to said second axis; said device comprising at least one hydraulic piston-cylinder arrangement, pivotably connected to said bridge and said trailer; and means for applying hydraulic pressure to said piston-cylinder arrangement which corresponds to the maximum load applied to any one of said plurality of axles to provide a desired saddle load and adequate ground holding force of the tractor vehicle may be controllably established: whereby said piston-cylinder arrangement is responsive to the maximum loading of said axles of said sets of wheels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
A vehicle such as a tractor-trailer unit having a longitudinal axis and wherein the trailer has a plurality of axles having sets of wheels, each of which axles may be subjected to different loads, comprising: an articulated means pivotally coupled to the tractor or tow vehicle and having a hydraulic load compensation or equalizing device; said means being disposed between said tractor and said trailer vehicle and comprising a connecting bridge pivotally connected to said tractor along a first axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said vehicle; said bridge being further pivotably connected to said tractor about a second axis oriented perpendicularly with respect to said first axis; and said bridge being pivotally connected to said trailer along an axis parallel to said second axis; said device comprising at least one hydraulic piston-cylinder arrangement, pivotably connected to said bridge and said trailer; and means for applying hydraulic pressure to said piston-cylinder arrangement which corresponds to the maximum load applied to any one of said plurality of axles to provide a desired saddle load and adequate ground holding force of the tractor vehicle may be controllably established: whereby said piston-cylinder arrangement is responsive to the maximum loading of said axles of said sets of wheels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said arrangement is responsive to the loading of at least the set of wheels disposed in the area of the trailer side adjacent the point of contact of the piston-cylinder arrangement for said trailer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the piston-cylinder arrangement is disposed near the rear end of the connecting bridge and the force exerted by said piston-cylinder arrangement being directed upwardly about said axis tending to space further apart said rear end of said bridge from said trailer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the piston-cylinder arrangement is disposed forward of said axis connecting said bridge to said trailer, and the force exerted by said piston-cylinder arrangement being directed downwardly toward said ground about said axis tending to space further apart said rear end of said bridge from said trailer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said pivotal axis connecting said bridge to said trailer is in the form of a king-pin type of pivotal connection.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said means for applying hydraulic pressure to said piston-cylinder arrangement further includes a separate pressure motor pump and valve means for applying additional pressure to said piston-cylinder arrangement, thereby generating higher saddle loads.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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US2772892A
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US3006660A
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) | 1979-05-04 | 1979-11-03 | 1980-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-05-04 | 1983-11-03 | 1984-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-05-04 | 1987-11-03 | 1988-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |