Abstract:
A leveling system for a load hauling trailer which will improve the stability of a payload having a high center of gravity, thereby allowing loads, which would otherwise not be transportable, to be moved over roadways. The leveling system includes a base member with a curved upper surface, a slide member with a curved lower surface, and a hydraulic cylinder for sliding the slide member relative to the base member. As the slide member moves from side-to-side across the base member, the angle between the axis of slide member varies with respect to the axis of the base member. When installed at each end of a double gooseneck trailer, the leveling system will reduce or eliminate torsional stresses in the trailer as the front running gear traverses a road surface having a cross grade different from the surface being traversed by the rear running gear.
Abstract:
A fifth wheel hitch (10) has a skid plate (28) pivotally mounted to a housing (18) for lateral pivotable movement. The hitch is closed with a sliding jaw plate and has a lock block (54) that optionally can affix the skid plate to the housing during towing of a trailer. Both the jaw plate (36) and lock block (54) are operated and set by a handle (20) that extends out of the side of the housing. The handle has a crank (21) that can both be rotated and pulled by the operator from the side of a pickup truck for convenience in operation to control both opening and closing the hitch and selectively setting the lock block.
Abstract:
An extension coupling releasably interconnects a trailer to a tow hitch on a tractor vehicle. The apparatus includes a trailer mounting assembly adapted to releasably interconnect to the trailer. The trailer mounting assembly includes a hitch box mount adapted to be secured to a hitch box of the trailer. The trailer mounting assembly also includes an extension coupling which has a proximal end portion secured pivotally to the hitch box mount about a pivot axis. The extension coupling terminates in a distal end portion, and the distal end portion is provided with a pair of oppositely projecting trunnions that extend along a load axis that is perpendicular to the pivot axis. The apparatus also includes a tow hitch assembly adapted to be secured to the bed of a tractor vehicle. The tow hitch assembly includes a pair of spaced apart receivers sized and oriented to engage the trunnions of the extension coupling to define an engaged state.
Abstract:
An articulated air suspended hydraulic-dampened fifth wheel hitch coupling device for isolating the front of a fifth wheel or goose neck trailer hitch from the shock of bumps in the road and the inertia of movement of the trailer. Two inflatable air springs operatively connected to the pressurized air system of the tow vehicle eliminates vertical fifth wheel load from being transferred from the trailer to the tow vehicle. Additionally, an oscillating rocker connected transversely to the direction of travel of the vehicle allows the fifth wheel hitch to pivot in a transverse motion to eliminate load from being transferred from the trailer to the tow vehicle.
Abstract:
A trailer hitch includes a support structure having spaced end mounting brackets and a U-shaped cross member pivotally mounted to, and suspended between, the mounting brackets. The U-shaped cross member pivots about a first axis. The trailer hitch also includes a coupling subassembly pivotally mounted to a mid-section of the U-shaped cross member to pivot about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis.
Abstract:
A coupler device for use on frameless dump trailers to guide and position the dump body on the fifth wheel plate. The coupler is comprised of a coupler saddle having an inverted generally U-shaped cavity that engages and registers with an upstanding coupler positioned on the fifth wheel plate of the trailer providing multiple axis positioning of the frameless dump body.
Abstract:
A three-axle walking beam suspension for sharing a load in a predeterminedatio without using any sliding type connections. Three interconnected walking beams on each side of the center line of a vehicle are pivotally connected to the axles. A primary walking beam is pivotally connected at an intermediate point to the vehicle frame and at each end to an intermediate point of a front and rear secondary walking beam, respectively. The front and rear secondary walking beams are pivotally interconnected about the intermediate axle and rotatively connected to the front and rear axles, respectively.