SELF-TRACKING BOGIE ASSEMBLY FOR A TRACTOR OR TRAILER VEHICLE

• US 3,860,257 A
• Filed: 05/29/1974
• Issued: 01/14/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Xavier Mesly
• Original Assignee: Xavier Mesly
• Inventors: Mesly, Xavier
• Primary Examiner(s): Friaglia, Leo
• Application Number:
  US05/474,203
• Time in Patent Office: 230 Days
• Field of Search: 280/81A,81R,426
• US Class Current: 280/81.6
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 13/02 for centrally-pivoted axles

Abstract

The disclosure herein describes a self-tracking bogie assembly for a tractor or trailer vehicle which includes truck means disposed beneath a rear portion of the tractor or trailer frame and provided with supporting frame means to which is attached a transverse axle with a plurality of road wheels. The assembly further includes first pivot means extending vertically through the supporting frame means, the vertical axis of the pivot means extending, in the longitudinal axis of the trailer frame, frontwardly of the horizontal axis of the transverse axle; second pivot means are mounted to the trailer frame frontwardly of the first pivot means; coupling means are connected at one end to the second pivot means and at the other end to the first pivot means for drawing the truck means; and tie means cooperate with the coupling means to allow a first angular displacement of the truck means about the second pivot means and a second angular displacement of the truck means about the first pivot means.

Claims

1. A self-tracking bogie assembly for a tractor or trailer vehicle having an elongate frame, comprising in combination:

a. truck means disposed beneath a portion of said elongate frame;

said truck means including;

1. supporting frame means;

2. a transverse axle attached to said supporting frame means; and

3. a plurality of road wheels journaled to said transverse axle;

b. first pivot means extending vertically through said supporting frame means, the vertical axis of said first pivot means being offset with respect to an horizontal axis extending through said transverse axle;

c. second pivot means mounted to said elongate frame frontwardly of said first pivot means in the longitudinal axis of said elongate frame;

d. coupling means connected, at one end thereof, to said second pivot means and, at the other end thereof, to said first pivot means for drawing said truck means; and

e. tie means having one end attached to said elongate frame and the other end attached to said supporting frame means;

said coupling means and said tie means connecting said truck means to said elongate frame and together cooperating to allow an angular displacement of said truck means about said second pivot means and a further angular displacement of said truck means about said first pivot means.

2. A self-tracking bogie assembly for a tractor or trailer vehicle having an elongate frame, comprising in combination:

a. truck means disposed beneath a rear portion of said frame;

said truck means including;

3. a plurality of road wheels journaled to said transverse axle;

b. first pivot means extending vertically through said supporting frame means, the vertical axis of said first pivot means being offset in the longitudinal axis of said elongate frame, frontwardly of an horizontal Axis extending through said transverse axle;

c. second pivot means mounted to said elongate frame centrally thereof and frontwardly of said first pivot means, said first and second pivot means being aligned in the longitudinal symmetrical axis of said elongate frame when said vehicle travels in a straight line;

d. coupling means connected, at one end, thereof to said second pivot means and, at the other end thereof, to said first pivot means for drawing said truck means; and

e. tie means having one end attached to said elongate frame and the other end attached to said supporting frame means;

said coupling means and said tie means connecting said truck means to said elongate frame and together cooperating to allow an angular displacement of said truck means about said second pivot means and a further angular displacement of said truck means about said first pivot means.

4. A bogie assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein said second pivot means include:

bracket means disposed beneath said elongate frame and fixedly attached thereto, and a pin mounted to said bracket means for receiving said front ends of said first and second rods of said coupling means.

5. A bogie assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said tie means include a tie rod having one end pivotally mounted to said elongate frame and the other end pivotally mounted to said supporting frame means, frontwardly of said first pivot means.

6. A bogie assembly as defined in claim 5, wherein said tie rod is adjustable for various distances separating said elongate frame from said supporting frame means.

7. A bogie assembly as defined in claim 5, wherein said tie rod extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of said elongate frame when said vehicle travels in a straight line.

8. A bogie assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said coupling means include first and second rods, each having a front end pivotally connected to said second pivot means and a rear end respectively mounted at the upper and lower portions of said first pivot means;

said supporting frame means including a rigid frame and a load bearing plate mounted over said rigid frame;

a load transfer plate disposed over said load bearing plate and fixedly attached to said elongate frame;

said first pivot means extending through said plates and said rear end of said second rod extending over said load transfer plate.

9. A bogie assembly as defined in claim 8, further comprising abutment means on opposite sides of said rigid frame for contacting said load transfer plate to thereby limit the angular displacement of said truck means about said first and second pivot means.

10. A bogie assembly as defined in claim 8, further comprising:

friction plate means disposed between said load bearing plate and said load transfer plate for damping the movement between said load bearing plate and said load transfer plate.

11. A bogie assembly as defined in claim 2, further comprising means for locking said truck means to said elongate frame for allowing said trailer vehicle to travel in a backward direction.

12. A bogie assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said tie means include chain means having one end attached to said elongate frame and the opposite end attached to said supporting frame means.

13. A bogie assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said tie means include cable means having one end attached to said trailer frame and the opposite end attached to said supporting frame means.

14. A bogie assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said tie means include a toothed rack mounted transversely to said trailer frame;

said supporting frame means including a toothed portion in engagement with said toothed rack.