Trailer articulation device

Claim 2

An articulated trailer for transporting loads, said trailer adapted to be pulled behind a draft vehicle, said trailer comprising: an elongated carriage adapted to be selectively coupled to the vehicle by a rigid elongated draw bar, said carriage comprising a fixed, wheeled rear axle and a separate, spaced-apart, pivoting front axle assembly, said front axle assembly comprising: a wheeled front axle; a frame supported above said axle; and, control means for controlling the transfer of angular movement from said draw bar to said frame, said control means comprising a remotely actuated electric motor system.

Claim 3

The trailer as defined in claim 1 wherein said control means further comprises: means for selectively, temporarily locking the pivotal movement of said draw bar relative to said frame; means for limiting the pivotal movement of said draw bar relative to said frame; and, means for selecting and limiting the degree of radial movement of said front axle about said frame.

Claim 4

The trailer as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for selectively, temporarily locking the pivotal movement of said draw bar relative to said frame comprises an upper tongue attached to an intermediate section.

Claim 5

The trailer as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for limiting the pivotal movement of said draw bar relative to said frame comprises a pair of spaced-apart arms defining a closed channel for the movement of said draw bar.

Claim 6

The trailer as defined in claim 1 wherein said electric motor system further comprises: an electric motor; a rotatable plate coupled to said motor, said rotatable plate having a rectangular outline and adapted to be selectively rotated by said motor; an arcuate plate spaced-apart from said rotatable plate and attached thereto by an elongated shaft, said elongated shaft facilitating the cooperative movement of said plates; and, tie rod means for pivotally connecting each of said plates to said draw bar.

Claim 7

The trailer as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for selecting and limiting the degree of radial movement of said front axle about said frame comprises a plurality of limit switches selectively mounted upon said intermediate section in the arcuate path of each of said plates.

Claim 8

The trailer as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame further comprises a rear shaft, said rear shaft comprising: an upper plate penetrated by a plurality of regularly, arcuately spaced-apart orifices; and, a locking rod adapted to be temporarily disposed within a selected orifice in said plate to prevent the pivotal movement of said rear axle about said shaft.

Claim 9

An articulated trailer adapted to be pulled behind a draft vehicle or another trailer, said trailer comprising: an elongated carriage adapted to receive a load to be transported, said carriage comprising a wheeled rear axle and a spaced-apart wheeled front axle; an intermediate section adapted to pivotally connect said rear axle to said front axle; a frame supported by said front axle, said frame comprising a first vertical shaft extending upwardly from the front of said intermediate section and a second vertical shaft extending upwardly from the rear of said intermediate section, said second shaft permitting the radial movement of said front axle relative to said rear axle; a rigid, elongated draw bar pivotally attached to said frame and connecting said trailer to the draft vehicle; offset means for controlling the transfer of angular movement from said draw bar to said frame, said offset means comprising: a remotely actuated electric motor; a rotatable plate coupled to said motor, said rotatable plate having a rectangular outline and adapted to be selectively rotated by said motor; an arcuate plate spaced-apart from said rotatable plate and attached thereto by an elongated shaft, said elongated shaft facilitating the cooperative movement of said plates; and, tie rod means for pivotally connecting each of said plates to said draw bar.

Claim 10

An articulated trailer adapted to be pulled behind a draft vehicle or another trailer, said trailer comprising: an elongated carriage adapted to receive a load to be transported, said carriage comprising a wheeled rear axle and a spaced-apart wheeled front axle; an intermediate section adapted to pivotally connect said rear axle to said front axle; a frame supported by said front axle, said frame comprising a first vertical shaft extending upwardly from the front of said intermediate section and a second vertical shaft extending upwardly from the rear of said intermediate section, said second shaft permitting the radial movement of said front axle relative to said rear axle; a rigid, elongated draw bar pivotally attached to said frame and connecting said trailer to the draft vehicle; offset means for controlling the transfer of angular movement from said draw bar to said frame, said offset means comprising: a remotely actuated electric motor; a rotatable plate coupled to said motor, said rotatable plate having a rectangular outline and adapted to be selectively rotated by said motor; an arcuate plate spaced-apart from said rotatable plate and attached thereto by an elongated shaft, said elongated shaft facilitating the cooperative movement of said plates; and, tie rod means for pivotally connecting each of said plates to said draw bar.

Claim 11

The trailer as defined in claim 8 further comprising: means for selectively, temporarily locking the pivotal movement of said draw bar relative to said frame; means for limiting the pivotal movement of said draw bar relative to said frame; and, means for selecting and limiting the degree of radial movement of said front axle.

Claim 12

The trailer as defined in claim 9 wherein said means for selectively, temporarily locking the pivotal movement of said draw bar relative to said frame comprises an upper tongue attached to said intermediate section.

Claim 13

The trailer as defined in claim 9 wherein said means for limiting the pivotal movement of said draw bar relative to said frame comprises a pair of spaced-apart arms defining a closed channel for the movement of said draw bar.

Claim 14

The trailer as defined in claim 9 wherein said means for selecting and limiting the degree of radial movement of said front axle comprises a plurality of limit switches selectively mounted upon said intermediate section in the arcuate path of each of said plates.

Claim 15

The trailer as defined in claim 12 wherein said second shaft further comprises: an upper plate penetrated by a plurality of regularly, arcuately spaced-apart orifices; and, a locking rod adapted to be temporarily disposed within a selected orifice in said plate to prevent the pivotal movement of said rear axle about said shaft.

Claim 16

An articulated trailer adapted to be pulled behind a draft vehicle, said trailer adapted to be remotely controlled to independently articulate and offset said trailer as desired, said trailer comprising: an elongated carriage adapted to receive a load to be transported, said carriage comprising a fixed, wheeled rear axle and a separate, spaced-apart, pivoting front axle assembly, said front axle assembly comprising: a wheeled front axle; a frame supported by said front axle, said frame comprising a first vertical shaft extending upwardly from the front of said frame and a second vertical shaft extending upwardly from the rear of said frame for joining said rear axle to said assembly while permitting the pivotal movement of said front axle relative to said rear axle; a rigid, elongated draw bar pivotally attached to said first shaft and connecting said trailer to the draft vehicle; offset means for controlling the transfer of angular movement from said draw bar to said frame, said offset means comprising: a remotely actuated electric motor; a rotatable plate linked to said motor, said rotatable plate having a rectangular outline and adapted to be selectively rotated by said motor; an arcuate plate spaced-apart from said rotatable plate and coupled thereto by an elongated shaft, said elongated shaft facilitating the cooperative movement of said plates; tie rod means for pivotally connecting each of said plates to said draw bar; control means for controlling the transfer of angular movement from said first shaft to said second shaft, said control means comprising: means for selectively, temporarily locking the pivotal movement of said draw bar relative to said first shaft; means for limiting the pivotal movement of said draw bar relative to said first shaft; and, means for selecting and limiting the degree of radial movement of said front axle.

Claim 17

An articulated trailer adapted to be pulled behind a draft vehicle, said trailer adapted to be remotely controlled to independently articulate and offset said trailer as desired, said trailer comprising: an elongated carriage adapted to receive a load to be transported, said carriage comprising a fixed, wheeled rear axle and a separate, spaced-apart, pivoting front axle assembly, said front axle assembly comprising: a wheeled front axle; a frame supported by said front axle, said frame comprising a first vertical shaft extending upwardly from the front of said frame and a second vertical shaft extending upwardly from the rear of said frame for joining said rear axle to said assembly while permitting the pivotal movement of said front axle relative to said rear axle; a rigid, elongated draw bar pivotally attached to said first shaft and connecting said trailer to the draft vehicle; offset means for controlling the transfer of angular movement from said draw bar to said frame, said offset means comprising: a remotely actuated electric motor; a rotatable plate linked to said motor, said rotatable plate having a rectangular outline and adapted to be selectively rotated by said motor; an arcuate plate spaced-apart from said rotatable plate and coupled thereto by an elongated shaft, said elongated shaft facilitating the cooperative movement of said plates; tie rod means for pivotally connecting each of said plates to said draw bar; control means for controlling the transfer of angular movement from said first shaft to said second shaft, said control means comprising: means for selectively, temporarily locking the pivotal movement of said draw bar relative to said first shaft; means for limiting the pivotal movement of said draw bar relative to said first shaft; and, means for selecting and limiting the degree of radial movement of said front axle.

Claim 18

The trailer as defined in claim 14 wherein said means for selectively, temporarily locking the pivotal movement of said draw bar relative to said frame comprises an upper tongue and lower tongue attached to said intermediate section.

Claim 19

The trailer as defined in claim 14 wherein said means for limiting the pivotal movement of said draw bar relative to said frame comprises a pair of spaced-apart arms defining a closed channel for the movement of said draw bar.

Claim 20

The trailer as defined in claim 14 wherein said means for selecting and limiting the degree of radial movement of said front axle comprises a plurality of limit switches selectively mounted upon said intermediate section in the arcuate path of each of said plates.

Claim 21

The trailer as defined in claim 14 wherein said second shaft further comprises locking means for preventing axle movement about said shaft during backup operations.

Claim 22

The trailer as defined in claim 18 wherein said locking means further comprises a first locking means for backup operations in a straight line and a second locking means for other than straight backup operations.

Claim 23

The trailer as defined in claim 18 wherein said locking means further comprises: an upper plate penetrated by a plurality of regularly, arcuately spaced-apart orifices; and, a locking rod adapted to be temporarily disposed within a selected orifice in said plate to prevent the pivotal movement of said rear axle about said shaft.

Claim 24

The trailer as defined in claim 18 further comprising suspension means extending between the wheels of said front axle whereby said means permits elongation of said axle.