Patent US4025084A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4025084A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for self-orientation of the axis of vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-07-25
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Granted: 1977-05-24
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Expires: 1995-07-25
Abstract
Abstract Self-orientation apparatus for a vehicle having a dual wheel axle assembly wherein the rear axle is movable relative to the vehicle frame about a pivot axis centrally disposed in front of the rear axis. A pair of low-friction skids between the axle and each rear spring allow relative movement therebetween, and first and second pairs of converging arms extend from the base of the springs and the axle, respectively, and converge at said pivot axis where the two pairs of arms are joined by a trunnion.
Inventors
- 👤 Jose Jeronimo Martel Mendez
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:47
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D13/00; B62D13/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
An improved device for the self-orientation of an axle of a vehicle, comprising first skate means attached to the vehicle, second skate means mounted on the axle, and means interconnecting said first and second skate means to enable horizontal relative movement therebetween and to constrain such movement to an arcuate path; said interconnecting means including a first pair of connecting arms converging from spaced points on said first skate means to a point along the longitudinal center line of the vehicle ahead of the axle in the direction of motion of the vehicle, a second pair of connecting arms converging from spaced points on said second skate means to said center line point, and means pivotally joining said first and second pairs of connecting arms at said center line point for rotation about a vertical axis, the horizontal position of said pivot means being fixed relative to the horizontal positions of said first and second skate means by said first and second pairs of connecting arms independent of the position of the axle relative to the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
An improved device for the self-orientation of an axle of a vehicle, comprising first skate means attached to the vehicle, second skate means mounted on the axle, and means interconnecting said first and second skate means to enable horizontal relative movement therebetween and to constrain such movement to an arcuate path; said interconnecting means including a first pair of connecting arms converging from spaced points on said first skate means to a point along the longitudinal center line of the vehicle ahead of the axle in the direction of motion of the vehicle, a second pair of connecting arms converging from spaced points on said second skate means to said center line point, and means pivotally joining said first and second pairs of connecting arms at said center line point for rotation about a vertical axis, the horizontal position of said pivot means being fixed relative to the horizontal positions of said first and second skate means by said first and second pairs of connecting arms independent of the position of the axle relative to the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
110 words
An improved device according to claim 1, wherein said first skate means comprises a sector of a circular ring having its center disposed at said center line point, said circular ring sector being centrally disposed with respect to the longitudinal center line of the vehicle; and wherein said second skate means comprises a pair of plates in the shape of circular ring sectors mounted at two spaced points on said one axle equidistant from the geometrical center thereof; said plates having the same radius as said sector of said first skate means, and a pair of plastic plate members each removably attached to one of said pair of plates, respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
84 words
An improved device according to claim 2, wherein said first skate means comprises a plurality of support ribs attached to said circular ring sector for reinforcement thereof, a pair of attachment plates on said support ribs adapted for connection to the vehicle springs, said support ribs and attachment plates being disposed on an upper face of said circular ring sector, and a pair of low friction plates mounted on the lower face of said circular ring sector for cooperation with said second skate means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An improved device according to claim 3, further including pneumatic interlock means on the vehicle for selectively precluding relative horizontal movement between said first and second skate means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
An improved device according to claim 4, wherein said pneumatic interlock means comprises a pneumatically actuable plunger assembly mounted on said one axle, and a plunger receiving recess formed in said circular ring sector of said first skate means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
An improved device according to claim 5, wherein said pneumatic interlock means further includes means precluding the vertical displacement of said first skate means away from said second skate means whereby jacking of the vehicle frame causes the wheels to be lifted from the roadway.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
An improved device according to claim 1, wherein said second skate means comprises a pair of steel support plates, a pair of plastic bearing plates, and means for attaching said plastic bearing plates securely to said steel support plates.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
122 words
An improved device according to claim 7, further including interlock means for preventing relative movement between said first and second skate means, said interlock means comprising a notch in said first skate means, a pair of ribs on said first skate means spaced one each on either side of said notch, and an extendable tongue on the axle, said tongue being receivable in said notch to immobilize the axle relative to said first skate means thereby selectively preventing horizontal sliding movement of said first and second skate means relative to each other, said interlock means further including means joining the axle to said first skate means whereby the vehicle wheels may be lifted from the roadway upon jacking of the vehicle frame.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR550552A
Cited
US2295084A
Cited
US2631043A
Cited
US2823926A
Cited
US3632129A
Cited
US3895827A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-05-23 | 1980-11-22 | 1981-05-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-23 | 1984-11-22 | 1985-05-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-23 | 1988-11-22 | 1989-05-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |