Automatic self-steering trailer axle
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An automatic self-steering vehicle axle comprising:
- a pair of rotation pivoting wheel assemblies, each of said wheel assemblies including a rotation plate;
a pair of steering arms, each of said steering arms being connected to one of said wheel assembly'"'"'s rotation plates; and
a rod member pivotally connecting said steering arms, wherein said wheel assemblies are rotatably connected to the ends of the axle, said wheel assemblies rotation plates being capable of rotation about a vertical axis and, further, wherein each of said wheel assemblies are pivotally connected to said rotation plates, said wheel assemblies capable of pivoting about a horizontal axis wherein said horizontal pivotal axis intersects said vertical rotational axis; and
further wherein said wheel assembly includes a ratchet locking means for locking the axial rotation of the wheel assembly.
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Abstract
An automatic self-steering trailer axle wherein the wheel spindles are pivotally mounted upon the steering knuckle plate and may be pivoted in front of or behind the kingpin by means of a ratchet wheel which is engaged or disengaged by changing the direction of movement of the axle. The invention also includes a control linkage assembly which may be connected to the trailer axle and also connected to the trailer hitch or towing vehicle steering so that a change in direction of the towing vehicle while it is being operated in a rearward direction is transmitted directly to the control linkage.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An automatic self-steering vehicle axle comprising:
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a pair of rotation pivoting wheel assemblies, each of said wheel assemblies including a rotation plate; a pair of steering arms, each of said steering arms being connected to one of said wheel assembly'"'"'s rotation plates; and a rod member pivotally connecting said steering arms, wherein said wheel assemblies are rotatably connected to the ends of the axle, said wheel assemblies rotation plates being capable of rotation about a vertical axis and, further, wherein each of said wheel assemblies are pivotally connected to said rotation plates, said wheel assemblies capable of pivoting about a horizontal axis wherein said horizontal pivotal axis intersects said vertical rotational axis; and
further wherein said wheel assembly includes a ratchet locking means for locking the axial rotation of the wheel assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An automatic self-steering vehicle axle comprising:
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an axle; a tie rod and steering arm assembly connected to said axle; a steering linkage assembly connecting said axle and tie rod and steering arm assembly; and automatic activation means for engaging or disengaging said steering linkage assembly. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An automatic self-steering vehicle comprising:
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a trailer; a self-steering axle assembly mounted beneath said trailer;
said axle assembly including a pair of rotatable wheel assemblies interconnected by means of a steering arm and tie rod assembly wherein each of said wheel assemblies is rotatable about a vertical axis and is pivotable about a horizontal axis, said vertical and horizontal axis intersecting; andan automatic ratchet locking means for momentarily locking the wheel assembly against angular rotation about a horizontal axis, thereby promoting the pivoting of the wheel assembly about the horizontal pivot axis; wherein said trailer includes a two-point connection system for connecting said trailer to a towing vehicle, said connection points being spaced equidistant from the centerline of said trailer. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. An automatic self-steering vehicle comprising:
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a trailer; an axle mounted beneath said trailer; a tie-rod and steering arm assembly connected to said axle; a steering linkage assembly connecting said axle and steering arm assembly; and
automatic activation means for engaging or disengaging said steering linkage assembly, wherein said trailer includes a pivotal connection means for connecting the trailer to a towing vehicle and said steering linkage assembly includes a steering arm for connecting the steering linkage assembly to the towing vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An automatic self-steering vehicle axle comprising:
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an axle; a tie rod and steering arm assembly connected to said axle; a steering linkage assembly connecting said axle and tie-rod and steering arm assembly; automatic activation means for engaging or disengaging said steering linkage assembly; and externally connected control means for directly controlling the operation of the steering linkage assembly. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification