Automatic trailer steering mechanism
First Claim
1. A steering mechanism for a trailer towed by a tractor having a fifth wheel member, said steering mechanism including in combination:
- a support plate for mounting on a forward end of the trailer;
a kingpin mounted on said support plate for engagement with the fifth wheel member of the tractor;
first rotating plate means rotatably mounted on said support plate for rotation about said kingpin;
means for releasably locking said first rotating plate means to the fifth wheel member of the tractor;
at least one pair of steerable wheels having an axle thereof attached to a frame pivotally mounted under said trailer, and spaced from the forward end thereof;
steering operating means coupled with said frame for said steerable wheels for pivoting said frame; and
steering control means coupled with said first rotating plate means, and further coupled with said steering operating means for controlling the pivoting of said frame, said steering control means including limit means for limiting a maximum pivot of said frame when a relative rotation between said rotating plate means and said support plate reaches and exceeds a predetermined number of degrees of rotation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A steering mechanism is used to turn the rear wheels of a trailer towed by a tractor with a fifth wheel hitch between the tractor and the trailer. The trailer has a steering control mechanism mounted at its forward end. This mechanism is coupled with the fifth wheel of the tractor to translate rotational motion between the front end of the trailer and the tractor fifth wheel to rotate a frame. The rear wheels of the trailer are mounted on the frame, which imparts steering of the rear of the trailer complementary to the direction in which the tractor trailer rig is turned. A provision is made to limit the number of degrees of pivot, which is imparted to the rear wheels of the trailer, to a maximum amount when the rotation between the tractor fifth wheel and the front of the trailer exceeds a pre-established angular amount. This limitation is effected mechanically through a Geneva gear assembly, which forms part of the steering control mechanism.
49 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A steering mechanism for a trailer towed by a tractor having a fifth wheel member, said steering mechanism including in combination:
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a support plate for mounting on a forward end of the trailer; a kingpin mounted on said support plate for engagement with the fifth wheel member of the tractor; first rotating plate means rotatably mounted on said support plate for rotation about said kingpin; means for releasably locking said first rotating plate means to the fifth wheel member of the tractor; at least one pair of steerable wheels having an axle thereof attached to a frame pivotally mounted under said trailer, and spaced from the forward end thereof; steering operating means coupled with said frame for said steerable wheels for pivoting said frame; and steering control means coupled with said first rotating plate means, and further coupled with said steering operating means for controlling the pivoting of said frame, said steering control means including limit means for limiting a maximum pivot of said frame when a relative rotation between said rotating plate means and said support plate reaches and exceeds a predetermined number of degrees of rotation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification