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Tractor train, optionally an articulated train

  • US 5,346,239 A
  • Filed: 10/27/1992
  • Issued: 09/13/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A combination of two vehicles (10, 22) comprising:

  • a first vehicle (10) with a first-vehicle longitudinal axis (X), a first-vehicle transverse axis (Y), and a first-vehicle vertical axis (Z);

    a second vehicle (22) with a second-vehicle longitudinal axis (U), a second-vehicle transverse axis (V) and a second-vehicle vertical axis (W);

    an articulated coupling means (18,

         20) with a coupling axis (24) substantially parallel to one of the vertical axes (Z, W), said coupling means providing a push-and-pull connection between the two vehicles (10,

         22);

    a supply unit (64) operatively associated with at least one of said first and second vehicles (10,

         22);

    a flexible supply line (62) operatively associated with the supply unit (64);

    a supply-line-coupling means (32,

         54) between the two vehicles (10,

         22) having a first coupling half (32) on the first vehicle (10) and a second coupling half (54) on the second vehicle (22);

    said at least one flexible supply line (62) permitting, when the first and the second coupling halves (32,

         54) are coupled to each other, relative pivoting movements of the vehicles (10,

         22) about the coupling axis (24);

    one (32,

         54) of the first and the second coupling halves being operatively rigidly disposed on one (10,

         22) of the two vehicles, and the other one (32,

         54) of the first and the second coupling halves being connected by the flexible supply line (62) to the supply unit (64) of the other one (10,

         22) of the two vehicles;

    a positioning means (30) provided on the other one (10,

         22) of the two vehicles for positioning the other coupling half (32) on the other one (10,

         22) of the two vehicles in a ready-for-capture position when the first and the second vehicles (10,

         22) are separated, the positioning means (30) permitting the other one (32,

         54) of the first and second coupling halves a freedom of movement with respect to the other one (10,

         22) of the two vehicles; and

    a catch device (50) provided on the one (10,

         22) of the two vehicles for trapping the other coupling half (32,

         54), as positioned in said ready-for-capture position on the other one (10,

         22) of the two vehicles, in a catch position in response to an approach movement between the first and the second vehicles (10,

         22), whereby the other one (32,

         54) of the first and the second coupling halves is received in said catch position by the one (10,

         22) of the first and the second vehicles and displaced from the other one (10,

         22) of the first and the second vehicles;

    wherein said catch position of the other coupling half (32,

         54) corresponds to one of a coupling engagement position of said first and second coupling halves and a location on a transport path defined by the length of the catch device (50) from which the other coupling half is movable to a coupling engagement position of said first and second coupling halves (32,

         54), the other coupling half (32,

         54) being separated from the positioning means (30) in said coupling engagement position and being attached to the one (10,

         22) of the first and the second vehicles in the coupling engagement position, and the first and the second coupling halves (32,

         54) remaining coupled while the first and the second vehicles are in common motion.

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