GB1290682A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1290682 Temporary axles; vehicle frames; tractor-semi-trailer combinations CUNHA PRODUCTS Inc 11 Sept 1969 44998/69 Headings B7D B7H and B7T [Also in Division F2] The combination of a leading vehicle having a chassis 24 and dolly having a chassis (32), (Fig. 1, not shown), comprises means for coupling the chassis together, the means comprising a tongue 34 on the dolly having exterior lateral surfaces defined by converging members 50, 52, an open rearward end in the leading vehicle having interior lateral surfaces 70, 72 cooperable with the exterior lateral surfaces of the tongue of the dolly, pin means 102 (Fig. 3) on the dolly and socket means 100 on the leading. vehicle for interengagement, and coupling means 76 (Fig. 8) for locking the tongue of the dolly to the leading vehicle. Dolly.-The dolly comprises an air suspension of a beam axle 36 located at its transverse ends by a trailing link 112 one end of which supports a variable rate air spring 40. Vibration dampers 126 are included. Alternatively, leaf springs may be used. A pivoted support leg 106 on the dolly is lowered automatically upon uncoupling of the dolly from the leading vehicle or tractor. A fifth wheel coupling on the dolly includes a fifth wheel 240 on a movable plate 250a provided with pins for securing it in selected longitudinal positions on the dolly chassis. Spring biased roller means 256a, 258 provide rolling engagement between the plate and the chassis when the fifth wheel is unloaded. The roller means (Figs. 10-12, not shown), are adjustable. When coupled to the tractor, the dolly is arranged to share a load with the rear axle of the tractor by suitable positioning of the fifth wheel to bridge the two chassis. The tractor also comprises a fifth wheel which, in the latter circumstance, is positioned adjacent the tractor cab in a "stored" position. The dolly includes a coupling vibration damper means 306 which is operable by a pneumatic motor 308 to prevent chatter at the coupling 76 when an eye 54 of the tongue is engaged therein. The dolly also includes means for connection to co-operable means on the tractor for establishing fluid supply to the dolly (Figs. 13-15, not shown). The dolly may include a levelling arrangement. Coupling.-The coupling 76 comprises a guide 80 for leading the eye of tongue. 34 towards a pivoted retainer 82, the retainer being locked in its eye-engaging condition by extension of a pin 84 by an air motor 88 into a recess in the retainer 82. The vibration damper means 306 has a push-rod 316 formed with an end 318 which is extensible to act on the retainer 82 to prevent chatter in the coupling. A guide 98 formed on the rear of the tractor chassis leads the tongue of the dolly towards the coupling and also contacts the dolly support leg 106 to cause the latter to retract as the dolly tongue enters the open rearward end of the tractor.