Clutch and control mechanism for fifth wheel

• US 5,503,421 A
• Filed: 07/06/1993
• Issued: 04/02/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chrys O. Delisser, Thomas O. Summers
• Original Assignee: Chrys O. Delisser, Thomas O. Summers
• Inventors: DeLisser, Chrys O., Summers, Thomas O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Focarino, Margaret A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Johnson, Victor E.
• Application Number:
  US08/089,471
• Time in Patent Office: 1,001 Days
• Field of Search: 280/432, 280/433, 280/441.1
• US Class Current: 280/441.1
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/08 Fifth wheel traction couplings tractors for handling trailers in terminals B62D49/007
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 1/101 without axial retaining means rotating with the coupling
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0822 Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/0822 with wall or blade between agitators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 222/01 Xerography

Abstract

A rotatable fifth wheel mechanism for use on converter dollies, truck tractors, and permanently attached dollies. The mechanism includes: a fifth wheel supported on a frame for rotation about a vertical axis; and a clutch secured between the fifth wheel and the frame, to control rotation of the fifth wheel relative to the frame. The clutch includes a drum secured to the fifth wheel, friction pad completely surrounding the drum and an inflatable bladder for applying pressure to the friction pad. The fifth wheel mechanism also includes apparatus for increasing or decreasing the pressure in the bladder to selectively vary the engagement force between the drum and friction pads. The apparatus for selectively increasing or decreasing pressure includes at least a pair of electrically operated air valves. The fifth wheel includes at least one spring biased key (coupled to an automatic sensing device) which, when the fifth wheel is in proper alignment with the fifth wheel plate on a semi-trailer, engages with a mating slot in the fifth wheel plate. An electronic control package is also disclosed which includes apparatus for initiating a command, apparatus for encoding the command, apparatus for decoding the command and apparatus for implementing the command. The apparatus for encoding and the apparatus for decoding are interconnected by only a single wire (not counting the ground).

Claims

1. A rotatable fifth wheel mechanism, said mechanism including a frame, a fifth wheel, a bearing secured to said frame for rotation relative to said frame about a vertical axis, means for supporting said fifth wheel on said bearing for rotation with said bearing about said vertical axis, means for coupling said fifth wheel to a fifth wheel plate of a semi-trailer to prevent relative rotation therebetween, and means secured between said fifth wheel and said frame operable to control rotation of said fifth wheel about said vertical axis, said means to control rotation including a drum secured to one of said fifth wheel and said frame and a clutch means secured to the other of said fifth wheel and said frame, said clutch means including friction means and inflatable bladder means, said friction means completely surrounding said drum (360°

), said inflatable bladder means surrounding said friction means for moving said friction means into substantially simultaneous contact with said drum, said inflatable bladder means evenly distributing pressure around said friction means.

2. The fifth wheel mechanism as set forth in claim 1, further including means for selectively pressurizing said inflatable means.

3. The fifth wheel mechanism as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means for selectively pressurizing includes a manifold connected to said inflatable means, and means for increasing and decreasing air pressure in said manifold.

4. The fifth wheel mechanism as set forth in claim 3, wherein said means for increasing and decreasing pressure in said manifold includes a first electronically operated air valve for decreasing pressure in said manifold, and a second electronically operated air valve for increasing pressure in said manifold.

5. The fifth wheel mechanism as set forth in claim 4, wherein said means for increasing pressure includes a third electronically operated air valve.

6. The fifth wheel mechanism as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bearing includes upper and lower rings, and first and second active ball races between said rings and interconnecting said rings.