US3963265A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Anti-jackknife mechanism
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-06-05
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Granted: 1976-06-15
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Expires: 1995-06-05
Abstract
Abstract Anti-jackknife mechanism for a fifth wheel coupler between a towing tractor and a towed trailer, including a vertically shiftable stop member engageable with abutment elements on opposite sides of the coupler kingpin, the stop member being tripped into operative position with coupling of the coupler to a kingpin. The stop member can be shifted temporarily to inoperative position, as for sharp angle maneuvering of the trailer.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E. Kornoelje
- 👤 Dale Van Der Kolk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:30
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D53/00; B62D53/04; B62D53/08; B62D53/0871; B62D53/0878
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
For use with a fifth wheel coupler and kingpin between a towing tractor and a towed trailer, anti-jackknife apparatus for attachment to a fifth wheel coupler having a bearing plate, locking coupler jaws, and a shaft shiftable forwardly during coupling, comprising: support structure with mounting means for attachment to the front of a fifth wheel coupler; a stop member shiftable normal to the coupler bearing plate, between a lowered inoperative position and a raised operative position; abutment means mountable to a trailer on opposite sides of the kingpin for engagement by said stop member in its raised position, biasing means for biasing said stop member to said raised operative position; latch means for restraining said stop member in said lowered inoperative position; latch trip means for said latch means for tripping said latch means and thereby enable said biasing means to shift said stop member to said raised operative position, said tripping means including shaft engaging means for actuation of said tripping means by the shiftable shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
For use with a fifth wheel coupler and kingpin between a towing tractor and a towed trailer, anti-jackknife apparatus for attachment to a fifth wheel coupler having a bearing plate, locking coupler jaws, and a shaft shiftable forwardly during coupling, comprising: support structure with mounting means for attachment to the front of a fifth wheel coupler; a stop member shiftable normal to the coupler bearing plate, between a lowered inoperative position and a raised operative position; abutment means mountable to a trailer on opposite sides of the kingpin for engagement by said stop member in its raised position, biasing means for biasing said stop member to said raised operative position; latch means for restraining said stop member in said lowered inoperative position; latch trip means for said latch means for tripping said latch means and thereby enable said biasing means to shift said stop member to said raised operative position, said tripping means including shaft engaging means for actuation of said tripping means by the shiftable shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The anti-jackknife apparatus in claim 1 including power actuator means connected to said stop member for shifting said stop member temporarily to said lowered inoperative position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus in claim 1 wherein said latch means is shiftable between latching and non-latching positions, including biasing means applying a biasing force to said latch means toward said latching position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus in claim 3 wherein said latch means comprises a latch plate engageable with said stop member, and having orifice means to allow projection of said stop member therethrough for shifting to said non-latching position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus in claim 1 wherein said shiftable shaft is operably associated with one of said locking coupler jaws to shift during coupling of said jaws to a kingpin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
159 words
A fifth wheel coupler, kingpin, and anti-jackknife assembly comprising: a fifth wheel coupler having a bearing plate, a pair of locking jaws, and a forwardly extending shaft shiftable during coupling; a kingpin for engagement with said coupler; an anti-jackknife subassembly including support structure secured to said coupler, a stop member shiftable normal to said coupler bearing plate between a lowered inoperative position and a raised operative position; biasing means for biasing said stop member to said raised operative position; latch means for restraining said stop member in said lowered inoperative position; latch trip means for said latch means for tripping said latch means to thereby enable said biasing means to shift said stop member to said raised operative position, said tripping means including shaft engaging means for actuation of said tripping means by the shifting shaft; and abutment means mountable to a trailer on opposite sides of the kingpin for engagement by said stop member in its raised position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
159 words
A fifth wheel coupler, kingpin, and anti-jackknife assembly comprising: a fifth wheel coupler having a bearing plate, a pair of locking jaws, and a forwardly extending shaft shiftable during coupling; a kingpin for engagement with said coupler; an anti-jackknife subassembly including support structure secured to said coupler, a stop member shiftable normal to said coupler bearing plate between a lowered inoperative position and a raised operative position; biasing means for biasing said stop member to said raised operative position; latch means for restraining said stop member in said lowered inoperative position; latch trip means for said latch means for tripping said latch means to thereby enable said biasing means to shift said stop member to said raised operative position, said tripping means including shaft engaging means for actuation of said tripping means by the shifting shaft; and abutment means mountable to a trailer on opposite sides of the kingpin for engagement by said stop member in its raised position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The assembly in claim 6 wherein one of said locking jaws is shiftable upon engagement by the kingpin during coupling, and is operably connected to said shifting shaft to cause said latch trip means to trip said latch means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The assembly in claim 7 wherein said latch means is shiftable between latching and non-latching positions, including biasing means applying a biasing force to said latch means toward said latching position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The assembly in claim 8 wherein said latch means comprises a latch plate engageable with said stop member, and having orifice means to allow projection of said stop member therethrough for shifting to said non-latching position.
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) | 1979-06-15 | 1979-12-15 | 1980-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-15 | 1983-12-15 | 1984-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-15 | 1987-12-15 | 1988-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |