US4600210A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tandem trailer dolly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-05-14
•
Granted: 1986-07-15
•
Expires: 2005-05-14
Abstract
Abstract A dolly for connecting two trailers in tandem comprises an axle, wheels rotatably mounted thereon, a fifth wheel secured to the axle, two towing eye hooks spaced apart from each other for connecting the dolly to the rear of the lead trailer so that controlled backing up of the entire tractor trailer rig is facilitated, and a sleeve swivelable about a tongue in such a manner so that the dolly may be hooked to the rear of the lead trailer on uneven ground and further so that side drag or "scooting" of the rear wheels on the lead trailer is avoided.
Inventors
- 👤 Wade G. McMurray
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:58
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D53/00; B62D53/04; B62D53/08; B62D53/0857; B62D53/0864
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
A dolly combination for connecting a rear end of a lead trailer pulled by a truck tractor in tandem with a second trailer, comprising: an axle having two ends; wheels rotatably mounted on the two ends of the axle; a fifth wheel secured and centered above the axle; a body for securing the fifth wheel to the axle and having a front end; a tongue rigidly protruding from the front end of the body; an A-frame converging toward the front end of the body and having front legs and a rear apex; a sleeve being attached to the rear apex of the A-frame and being swivelable about the tongue to a desired angle; at least two eye hooks spaced apart from each other and attached to the front legs of the A-frame; stop means, connected to the front end of the body, for simultaneously preventing longitudinal movement of the sleeve and limiting angular rotation of the sleeve about the tongue; whereby the dolly is easily hooked to the rear end of the lead trailer when on uneven ground and backing up of the lead trailer in tandem with the second trailer is controlled by the truck tractor because there are only two vertical articulation axes in the whole combination of the truck tractor, the lead trailer, the dolly, and the second trailer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
A dolly combination for connecting a rear end of a lead trailer pulled by a truck tractor in tandem with a second trailer, comprising: an axle having two ends; wheels rotatably mounted on the two ends of the axle; a fifth wheel secured and centered above the axle; a body for securing the fifth wheel to the axle and having a front end; a tongue rigidly protruding from the front end of the body; an A-frame converging toward the front end of the body and having front legs and a rear apex; a sleeve being attached to the rear apex of the A-frame and being swivelable about the tongue to a desired angle; at least two eye hooks spaced apart from each other and attached to the front legs of the A-frame; stop means, connected to the front end of the body, for simultaneously preventing longitudinal movement of the sleeve and limiting angular rotation of the sleeve about the tongue; whereby the dolly is easily hooked to the rear end of the lead trailer when on uneven ground and backing up of the lead trailer in tandem with the second trailer is controlled by the truck tractor because there are only two vertical articulation axes in the whole combination of the truck tractor, the lead trailer, the dolly, and the second trailer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The dolly combination, according to claim 1, further comprising: jack means, attached to the A-frame, for stabilizing the eye hooks relative to the uneven ground.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The dolly combination, according to claim 1, further comprising: a continuous channel member extending across the rear end of the lead trailer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
The dolly combination, according to claim 3, further comprising: at least two latch means, spaced apart from each other and attached to the channel member, for engaging with the at least two eye hooks; pin means, arranged in the channel member, for passing into the eye hooks and the latch means; and means arranged coaxially behind the pin means in the channel member for driving the pin means through the eye hooks and the latch means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The dolly combination, according to claim 4, further comprising: catch means, attached to the latch means, for stopping the pin means from passing out of the latch means; and safety pin means, attached to the latch means, for preventing the pin means from passing back through the eye hooks.
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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) | 1989-07-14 | 1990-01-13 | 1990-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-14 | 1994-01-13 | 1994-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-14 | 1998-01-13 | 1998-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |