Anti jackknifing control system, apparatus and method

Claim 2

An anti-jackknifing control system for use in connection with articulated vehicles with an articulated vehicle coupling between a tractor (10) section having a fifth wheel (14,15) with a coupling plate member (14) having a longitudinal slot (17) having a tapered diverging opening defining spaced ears (18) extending rearwardly carried on said fifth wheel (14,15) of the tractor (10) section, and a trailer (20) section having a forward frame portion (21) and a connector (19) and adapted for coupling the trailer (20) section to said fifth wheel (14,15), and an anti-jackknifing abutment limit member being insertable into the said slot (17) to form an abutment which contacts the fifth wheel (14,15) to stop rotation about the coupling, said system comprising: control apparatus means, including abutment means (28, 128, 33, 32, 30, 142) and position control means (26, 26', 27, 70, 71, 72, 73) for said abutment means, for moving said anti-jackknifing abutment limit member (28, 128) into and out of an interposed engagement zone position between the ears (18) of said slot (17) of said fifth wheel (13, 14, 15), and wherein, when said limit member (28) is in position between the ears of the slot (17) in a first position, the abutment of the fifth wheel (14,15) plate member (14) and the limit member (28, 128) limits relative angular movement between said articulated vehicles to a defined degree of relative angular rotational movement about said coupling (19), and wherein said position control means (26, 26', 27, 56, 70, 71, 72, 73) includes drive control means (26, 26', 56, FIG. 6) for moving said abutment means (28, 128) into and out of said interposed engagement zone position and for moving said limit member (28) into an initial position between the said ears (18) allowing fifth wheel (14,15) abutment, and further including adjustable limit means (33, 133, 32, 56, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75) for limiting said rotation about said coupling, and wherein there is provided a fluid pressure system having a check valve (72) and a fluid pressure chamber (32) which is adapted to be closed by said check valve when said check valve is activated by a provided system control means for closing said chamber and for limiting further rotational movement of said articulated vehicles.

Claim 3

An anti-antijackknifing control system for use in connection with articulated vehicles with an articulated vehicle coupling between a tractor (10) section having a fifth wheel (14,15) with a coupling plate member (14) having a longitudinal slot (17) having a tapered diverging opening defining spaced ears (18) extending rearwardly carried on said fifth wheel (14,15) of the tractor (10) section, and a trailer (20) section having a forward frame portion (21) and a connector (19) and adapted for coupling the trailer (20) section to said fifth wheel (14,15), and an anti-jackknifing abutment limit member being insertable into the said slot (17) to form an abutment which contacts the fifth wheel (14,15) to stop rotation about the coupling, said system comprising: control apparatus means, including abutment means (28, 128, 33, 32, 30, 142) and position control means (26, 26', 27, 70, 71, 72, 73) for said abutment means, for moving said anti-jackknifing abutment limit member (28, 128) into and out of an interposed engagement zone position between the ears (18) of said slot (17) of said fifth wheel (13, 14, 15), and wherein, when said limit member (28) is in position between the ears of the slot (17) in a first position, the abutment of the fifth wheel (14,15) plate member (14) and the limit member (28, 128) limits relative angular movement between said articulated vehicles to a defined degree of relative angular rotational movement about said coupling (19), and wherein said position control means (26, 26', 27, 56, 70, 71, 72, 73) includes drive control means (26, 26', 56, FIG. 6) for moving said abutment means (28, 128) into and out of said interposed engagement zone position and for moving said limit member (28) into an initial position between the said ears (18) allowing fifth wheel (14,15) abutment, and further including adjustable limit means (33, 133, 132, 56, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75) for limiting said rotation about said coupling, and wherein there is provided a fluid pressure system having a fluid pressure chamber which is provided with a bleed exhaust (32') acting to allow a limited amount of fluid to exit from said fluid pressure chamber (32) when the ear (18, 17) of said fifth wheel (14, 15) impacts said limit member (28, 128) and moves said limit member.

Claim 4

An anti-antijackknifing control system for use in connection with articulated vehicles with an articulated vehicle coupling between a tractor (10) section having a fifth wheel (14,15) with a coupling plate member (14) having a longitudinal slot (17) having a tapered diverging opening defining spaced ears (18) extending rearwardly carried on said fifth wheel (14,15) of the tractor (10) section, and a trailer (20) section having a forward frame portion (21) and a connector (19) and adapted for coupling the trailer (20) section to said fifth wheel (14,15), and an anti-jackknifing abutment limit member being insertable into the said slot (17) to form an abutment which contacts the fifth wheel (14,15) to stop rotation about the coupling, said system comprising: control apparatus means, including abutment means (28, 128, 33, 32, 30, 142) and position control means (26, 26', 27, 70, 71, 72, 73) for said abutment means, for moving said anti-jackknifing abutment limit member (28, 128) into and out of an interposed engagement zone position between the ears (18) of said slot (17) of said fifth wheel (13, 14, 15), and wherein, when said limit member (28) is in position between the ears of the slot (17) in a first position, the abutment of the fifth wheel (14,15) plate member (14) and the limit member (28, 128) limits relative angular movement between said articulated vehicles to a defined degree of relative angular rotational movement about said coupling (19), and wherein said position control means (26, 26', 27, 56, 70, 71, 72, 73) includes drive control means (26, 26', 56, FIG. 6) for moving said abutment means (28, 128) into and out of said interposed engagement zone position and for moving said limit member (28) into an initial position between the said ears (18) allowing fifth wheel (14,15) abutment, and further including adjustable limit means (33, 133, 132, 56, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75) for limiting said rotation about said coupling, and wherein there is provided a fluid pressure system having a fluid pressure chamber which is provided with a bleed exhaust (32') acting to allow a limited amount of fluid to exit from said fluid pressure chamber (32) when the ear (18, 17) of said fifth wheel (14, 15) impacts said limit member (28, 128) and moves said limit member.

Claim 5

An anti-jackknifing control system for use in connection with articulated vehicles with an articulated vehicle coupling between a tractor (10) section having a fifth wheel (14,15) with a coupling plate member (14) having a longitudinal slot (17) having a tapered diverging opening defining spaced ears (18) extending rearwardly carried on said fifth wheel (14,15) of the tractor (10) section, and a trailer (20) section having a forward frame portion (21) and a connector (19) and adapted for coupling the trailer (20) section to said fifth wheel (14,15), and an anti-jackknifing abutment limit member being insertable into the said slot (17) to form an abutment which contacts the fifth wheel (14,15) to stop rotation about the coupling, said system comprising: control apparatus means, including abutment means (28, 128, 33, 32, 30, 142) and position control means (26, 26', 27, 70, 71, 72, 73) for said abutment means, for moving said anti-jackknifing abutment limit member (28, 128) into and out of an interposed engagement zone position between the ears (18) of said slot (17) of said fifth wheel (13, 14, 15), and wherein, when said limit member (28) is in position between the ears of the slot (17) in a first position, the abutment of the fifth wheel (14,15) plate member (14) and the limit member (28, 128) limits relative angular movement between said articulated vehicles to a defined degree of relative angular rotational movement about said coupling (19), and wherein said position control means (26, 26', 27, 56, 70, 71, 72, 73) includes drive control means (26, 26' 56, FIG. 6) for moving said abutment means (28, 128) into and out of said interposed engagement zone position and for moving said limit member (28) into an initial position between the said ears (18) allowing fifth wheel (14,15) abutment, and further including adjustable limit means (33, 133, 32, 56, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75) for limiting said rotation about said coupling, and wherein said adjustable limit means includes an adjustable abutment (33, 145) in a fluid chamber in a support housing (36, 37).

Claim 6

An anti-jackknifing control system for use in connection with articulated vehicles with an articulated vehicle coupling between a tractor (10) section having a fifth wheel (14,15) with a coupling plate member (14) having a longitudinal slot (17) having a tapered diverging opening defining spaced ears (18) extending rearwardly carried on said fifth wheel (14,15) of the tractor (10) section, and a trailer (20) section having a forward frame portion (21) and a connector (19) and adapted for coupling the trailer (20) section to said fifth wheel (14,15), and an anti-jackknifing abutment limit member being insertable into the said slot (17) to form an abutment which contacts the fifth wheel (14,15) to stop rotation about the coupling, said system comprising: control apparatus means, including abutment means (28, 128, 33, 32, 30, 142) and position control means (26, 26', 27, 70, 71, 72, 73) for said abutment means, for moving said anti-jackknifing abutment limit member (28, 128) into and out of an interposed engagement zone position between the ears (18) of said slot (17) of said fifth wheel (13, 14, 15), and wherein, when said limit member (28) is in position between the ears of the slot (17) in a first position, the abutment of the fifth wheel (14,15) plate member (14) and the limit member (28, 128) limits relative angular movement between said articulated vehicles to a defined degree of relative angular rotational movement about said coupling (19), and wherein said position control means (26, 26', 27, 56, 70, 71, 72, 73) includes drive control means (26, 26' 56, FIG. 6) for moving said abutment means (28, 128) into and out of said interposed engagement zone position and for moving said limit member (28) into an initial position between the said ears (18) allowing fifth wheel (14,15) abutment, and further including adjustable limit means (33, 133, 32, 56, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75) for limiting said rotation about said coupling, and wherein said adjustable limit means includes an adjustable abutment (33, 145) in a fluid chamber in a support housing (36, 37).

Claim 7

An anti-jackknifing control system for use in connection with articulated vehicles with an articulated vehicle coupling between a tractor (10) section having a fifth wheel (14,15) with a coupling plate member (14) having a longitudinal slot (17) having a tapered diverging opening defining spaced ears (18) extending rearwardly carried on said fifth wheel (14,15) of the tractor (10) section, and a trailer (20) section having a forward frame portion (21) and a connector (19) and adapted for coupling the trailer (20) section to said fifth wheel (14,15), and an anti-jackknifing abutment limit member being insertable into the said slot (17) to form an abutment which contacts the fifth wheel (14,15) to stop rotation about the coupling, said system comprising: control apparatus means, including abutment means (28, 128, 33, 32, 30, 142) and position control means (26, 26', 27, 70, 71, 72, 73) for said abutment means, for moving said anti-jackknifing abutment limit member (28, 128) into and out of an interposed engagement zone position between the ears (18) of said slot (17) of said fifth wheel (13, 14, 15), and wherein, when said limit member (28) is in position between the ears of the slot (17) in a first position, the abutment of the fifth wheel (14,15) plate member (14) and the limit member (28, 128) limits relative angular movement between said articulated vehicles to a defined degree of relative angular rotational movement about said coupling (19), and wherein said position control means (26, 26', 27, 56, 70, 71, 72, 73) includes drive control means (26, 26', 56, FIG. 6) for moving said abutment means (28, 128) into and out of said interposed engagement zone position and for moving said limit member (28) into an initial position between the said ears (18) allowing fifth wheel (14,15) abutment, and further including adjustable limit means (33, 133, 32, 56, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75) for limiting said rotation about said coupling, wherein said adjustable limit means includes a fluid pressure chamber (32) and check valve means (72) actuatable by electrical control means (71) for locking pressure in said chamber and for preventing further arcuate movement of said trailer (20).

Claim 8

An anti-jackknifing control system for use in connection with articulated vehicles with an articulated vehicle coupling between a tractor (10) section having a fifth wheel (14,15) with a coupling plate member (14) having a longitudinal slot (17) having a tapered diverging opening defining spaced ears (18) extending rearwardly carried on said fifth wheel (14,15) of the tractor (10) section, and a trailer (20) section having a forward frame portion (21) and a connector (19) and adapted for coupling the trailer (20) section to said fifth wheel (14,15), and an anti-jackknifing abutment limit member being insertable into the said slot (17) to form an abutment which contacts the fifth wheel (14,15) to stop rotation about the coupling, said system comprising: control apparatus means, including abutment means (28, 128, 33, 32, 30, 142) and position control means (26, 26', 27, 70, 71, 72, 73) for said abutment means, for moving said anti-jackknifing abutment limit member (28, 128) into and out of an interposed engagement zone position between the ears (18) of said slot (17) of said fifth wheel (13, 14, 15), and wherein, when said limit member (28) is in position between the ears of the slot (17) in a first position, the abutment of the fifth wheel (14,15) plate member (14) and the limit member (28, 128) limits relative angular movement between said articulated vehicles to a defined degree of relative angular rotational movement about said coupling (19), and wherein said position control means (26, 26', 27, 56, 70, 71, 72, 73) includes drive control means (26, 26', 56, FIG. 6) for moving said abutment means (28, 128) into and out of said interposed engagement zone position and for moving said limit member (28) into an initial position between the said ears (18) allowing fifth wheel (14,15) abutment, and further including adjustable limit means (33, 133, 32, 56, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75) for limiting said rotation about said coupling, wherein said adjustable limit means includes a fluid pressure chamber (32) and check valve means (72) actuatable by electrical control means (71) for locking pressure in said chamber and for preventing further arcuate movement of said trailer (20).

Claim 9

An anti-jackknifing control system for use in connection with articulated vehicles with an articulated vehicle coupling between a tractor (10) section having a fifth wheel (14,15) with a coupling plate member (14) having a longitudinal slot (17) having a tapered diverging opening defining spaced ears (18) extending rearwardly carried on said fifth wheel (14,15) of the tractor (10) section, and a trailer (20) section having a forward frame portion (21) and a connector (19) and adapted for coupling the trailer (20) section to said fifth wheel (14,15), and an anti-jackknifing abutment limit member being insertable into the said slot (17) to form an abutment which contacts the fifth wheel (14,15) to stop rotation about the coupling, said system comprising: control apparatus means, including abutment means (28, 128, 33, 32, 30, 142) and position control means (26, 26', 27, 70, 71, 72, 73) for said abutment means, for moving said anti-jackknifing abutment limit member (28, 128) into and out of an interposed engagement zone position between the ears (18) of said slot (17) of said fifth wheel (13, 14, 15), and wherein, when said limit member (28) is in position between the ears of the slot (17) in a first position, the abutment of the fifth wheel (14,15) plate member (14) and the limit (28, 128) limits relative angular movement between said articulated vehicles to a defined degree of relative angular rotational movement about said coupling (19), and wherein said position control means (26, 26', 27, 56, 70, 71, 72, 73) includes drive control means (26, 26', 56, FIG. 6) for moving said abutment means (28, 1128) into and out of said interposed engagement zone position and for moving said limit member (28) into an initial position between the said ears (18) allowing fifth wheel (14,15) abutment, and further including adjustable limit means (33, 133, 32, 56, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75) for limiting said rotation about said coupling, and wherein is provided a control housing into which support means for said limit member extends, which control housing includes a dash pot (32) acting to allow release of said limit member (128, 28) when it has been engaged by one of said ears (18).

Claim 10

An anti-jackknifing control system for use in connection with articulated vehicles with an articulated vehicle coupling between a tractor (10) section having a fifth wheel (14,15) with a coupling plate member (14) having a longitudinal slot (17) having a tapered diverging opening defining spaced ears (18) extending rearwardly carried on said fifth wheel (14,15) of the tractor (10) section, and a trailer (20) section having a forward frame portion (21) and a connector (19) and adapted for coupling the trailer (20) section to said fifth wheel (14,15), and an anti-jackknifing abutment limit member being insertable into the said slot (17) to form an abutment which contacts the fifth wheel (14,15) to stop rotation about the coupling, said system comprising: control apparatus means, including abutment means (28, 128, 33, 32, 30, 142) and position control means (26, 26', 27, 70, 71, 72, 73) for said abutment means, for moving said anti-jackknifing abutment limit member (28, 128) into and out of an interposed engagement zone position between the ears (18) of said slot (17) of said fifth wheel (13, 14, 15), and wherein, when said limit member (28) is in position between the ears of the slot (17) in a first position, the abutment of the fifth wheel (14,15) plate member (14) and the limit (28, 128) limits relative angular movement between said articulated vehicles to a defined degree of relative angular rotational movement about said coupling (19), and wherein said position control means (26, 26', 27, 56, 70, 71, 72, 73) includes drive control means (26, 26', 56, FIG. 6) for moving said abutment means (28, 1128) into and out of said interposed engagement zone position and for moving said limit member (28) into an initial position between the said ears (18) allowing fifth wheel (14,15) abutment, and further including adjustable limit means (33, 133, 32, 56, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75) for limiting said rotation about said coupling, and wherein is provided a control housing into which support means for said limit member extends, which control housing includes a dash pot (32) acting to allow release of said limit member (128, 28) when it has been engaged by one of said ears (18).

Claim 11

An anti-jackknifing system according to claim 5 wherein said dash pot (32) is provided with a bleed release aperture (147, 148).

Claim 12

An anti-jackknifing system according to claim 5 wherein fluid in said dash pot (32) can be locked (74, 72) therein to act as a part of said adjustable limit means to limit further rotational movement of said vehicles.

Claim 13

An anti-jackknifing system according to claim 5 wherein in a fail-safe situation fluid in said dash pot acts (66, 74, 72, 32) to aid in release of said limit member from said engagement z n.

Claim 14

An anti-jackknifing control system for use in connection with articulated vehicles with an articulated vehicle coupling between a tractor (10) section having a fifth wheel (14,15) with a coupling plate member (14) having a longitudinal set (17) having a tapered diverging opening defining spaced ears (18) extending rearwardly carried on said fifth wheel (14,15) of the tractor (10) section, and a trailer (20) section having a forward frame portion (21) and a connector (19) and adapted for coupling the trailer (20) section to said fifth wheel (14,15), and an anti-jackknifing abutment limit member being insertable into the said slot (17) to form an abutment which contacts the fifth wheel (14,15) to stop rotation about the coupling, said system comprising: control apparatus means, including abutment means (28, 128, 33, 32, 30, 142) and position control means (26, 26', 27, 70, 71, 72, 73) for said abutment means, for moving said anti-jackknifing abutment limit member (28, 128) into and out of an interposed engagement zone position between the ears (18) of said slot (17) of said fifth wheel (13, 14, 15), and wherein, when said limit member (28) is in position between the ears of the slot (17) in a first position, the abutment of the fifth wheel (14,15) plate member (14) and the limit member (28, 128) limits relative angular movement between said articulated vehicles to a defined degree of relative angular rotational movement about said coupling (19), and wherein said position control means (26, 26', 27, 56, 70, 71, 72, 73) includes drive control means (26, 26', 56, FIG. 6) for moving said abutment means (28, 128) into and out of said interposed engagement zone position and for moving said limit member (28) into an initial position between the said ears (18) allowing fifth wheel (14,15) abutment, and further including adjustable limit means (33, 133, 32, 56, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75) for limiting said rotation about said coupling, and wherein fluid locks (74, 72) in said system locks said fifth wheel (14,15) against further rotation upon activation by a driver of said tractor section (10).

Claim 15

An anti-jackknifing control system for use in connection with articulated vehicles with an articulated vehicle coupling between a tractor (10) section having a fifth wheel (14,15) with a coupling plate member (14) having a longitudinal set (17) having a tapered diverging opening defining spaced ears (18) extending rearwardly carried on said fifth wheel (14,15) of the tractor (10) section, and a trailer (20) section having a forward frame portion (21) and a connector (19) and adapted for coupling the trailer (20) section to said fifth wheel (14,15), and an anti-jackknifing abutment limit member being insertable into the said slot (17) to form an abutment which contacts the fifth wheel (14,15) to stop rotation about the coupling, said system comprising: control apparatus means, including abutment means (28, 128, 33, 32, 30, 142) and position control means (26, 26', 27, 70, 71, 72, 73) for said abutment means, for moving said anti-jackknifing abutment limit member (28, 128) into and out of an interposed engagement zone position between the ears (18) of said slot (17) of said fifth wheel (13, 14, 15), and wherein, when said limit member (28) is in position between the ears of the slot (17) in a first position, the abutment of the fifth wheel (14,15) plate member (14) and the limit member (28, 128) limits relative angular movement between said articulated vehicles to a defined degree of relative angular rotational movement about said coupling (19), and wherein said position control means (26, 26', 27, 56, 70, 71, 72, 73) includes drive control means (26, 26', 56, FIG. 6) for moving said abutment means (28, 128) into and out of said interposed engagement zone position and for moving said limit member (28) into an initial position between the said ears (18) allowing fifth wheel (14,15) abutment, and further including adjustable limit means (33, 133, 32, 56, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75) for limiting said rotation about said coupling, and wherein fluid locks (74, 72) in said system locks said fifth wheel (14,15) against further rotation upon activation by a driver of said tractor section (10).

Claim 16

An anti-jackknifing system according to claim 5 wherein said control housing (36) supports a bushing (140) in which support means (30) for said limit member (28) extends, and a piston (142) in said dash pot acts as an abutment against which said support means is driven, to thereby cause said piston (142) to move into said dash pot and against fluid contained therein.

Claim 17

An anti-jackknifing system according to claim 5 wherein said control housing (36) carries a limit end member (33, 145) defining the end of full controlled limit of adjustment of the arc of permissible movement of said trailer (20) about said coupling (19).