Steering converter apparatus

• US 4,017,094 A
• Filed: 10/16/1975
• Issued: 04/12/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Helen D. Pilcher
• Original Assignee: Robert Dwayne Pilcher
• Inventors: Pilcher, Robert Dwayne
• Primary Examiner(s): Peters, Jr., Joseph F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pekar, John A.
• Application Number:
  US05/622,849
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 280/419, 280/426, 280/442, 280/443, 280/444, 280/404, 280/81 B, 280/81 R
• US Class Current: 280/404
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/40 for carrying long loads, e.g. with separate wheeled load supporting elements E04G21/14 takes precedence; signal devices to be attached to overhanging load B60Q7/02

Abstract

The total apparatus for transporting long loads includes a tractor, a first steering converter trailer truck, and a second load-bearing trailer truck. Forward and aft bolsters are mounted on the tractor and the second truck for rotation about vertical axes to support the load and be tied to it. The first truck has a steering converter coupler with a terminal at its forward end engaged with a pivotal connector on the tractor located well aft of the bolster pivot. The second truck has a follower coupler with its forward end pivotally connected to the first truck, which does not contact the load and is free to move to either side. Lateral movement of the pivotal connector when the tractor turns directs the first truck to the outside of the curve away from the centerline of the load and the second truck follows it. The outboard position of the first truck counteracts any tipping tendency on a fast turn. Both trucks tend to follow closely in the path of the tractor, which avoids "corner cutting" and enables the tractor to negotiate turns of much smaller radius than would otherwise be possible.

Claims

1. Apparatus for transporting long loads comprising:

a tractor having a body, rear driving wheels, and forward steerable wheels, a first steering converter trailer truck provided with road wheels, and a second load-bearing trailer truck provided with road wheels;

a forward bolster mounted on the tractor body for rotation about a vertical axis and constructed and arranged to support and be secured to the forward portion of a long load;

the second truck being located well aft of the tractor and provided with an aft bolster mounted thereon for rotation about a vertical axis and constructed and arranged to support and be secured to the aft portion of a long load;

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1;

in which

the effective length of at least one of the couplers is freely variable within predetermined limits during transport to provide a predetermined extent of departure of the first truck from the longitudinal centerline of the load.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3;

in which

the follower coupler is adjustable in length when the apparatus is stationary, and is lockable at any selected length.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1;

in which

the steering converter coupler includes a first elongate shank fixedly secured to the first truck and a second elongate shank longitudinally slidably connected to the first shank and having a terminal at its forward end to engage the pivotal connector on the tractor.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1;

in which

the first truck is provided with a single axle to facilitate relatively sharp turning in response to lateral movement of the pivotal connector on the tractor.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1;

in which

the second truck is provided with two longitudinally spaced tandem axles;

and the vertical axis of rotation of the aft bolster is located between the axles.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1;

in which

anchors are provided on the bolsters to receive tie-down members for securing the long load against longitudinal displacement with respect to either bolster and cause the towing force of the tractor to be transmitted through the load to the truck and thence through the follower coupler to push the first truck forward.

2. the tractor and the second truck serving to take the entire weight of the load with the latter serving as the draft hitch between the tractor and the second truck;

the first steering converter truck being located at an intermediate position between the tractor and the second truck independently of the load and of the aft bolster, and bearing no part of the weight thereof;

a pivot mount on the first truck;

an elongate follower coupler secured to the second truck in non-load-bearing position independently of the aft bolster and extending forward from the second truck with its forward end connected to the pivot mount for rotation;

a pivotal connector secured to a fixed part of the tractor body independent of the bolster and at a point spaced aft of the pivotal axis of the bolster;

and a steering converter coupler secured to the first truck and extending forward therefrom with its forward end pivotally connected to the connector on the tractor;

the first truck being free to swing laterally independently of the load and adapted to be directed by the lateral movement of the pivotal connector, in response to turning movement of the tractor, toward the outside of the curve to increase the turning radius of the first truck.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2;

in which

the effective length of the steering converter coupler is variable during transport and the length of the follower coupler is fixed during transport.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4;

in which

the second truck is provided with a longitudinally extending socket;

the follower coupler includes an elongate shank slidable in the socket;

and locking means engages the socket and the shank.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6;

in which

the first elongate shank is a rigid tube and the second shank telescopes within the tube in sliding engagement therewith.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6;

in which

the first shank is provided with a first fixed stop mounted on the forward portion thereof;

and the second shank is provided with a second stop adjustable to selected longitudinal positions along its forward portion and engageable with the first stop to limit extension of the second shank with respect to the first shank.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8;

in which

one of the stops is provided with a resilient bumper member to contact the other stop and cushion the shock of maximum extension movement.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10;

in which

the pivot mount on the first truck is located substantially directly above the axle.