Apparatus for the coupling of lines between a tractor and a trailer

• US 5,516,136 A
• Filed: 08/03/1994
• Issued: 05/14/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Diane D. Matthews, Peter L. Matthews
• Original Assignee: Diane D. Matthews, Peter L. Matthews
• Inventors: Matthews, Diane D., Matthews, Peter L.
• Primary Examiner(s): BOEHLER, ANNE MARIE M
• Application Number:
  US08/285,114
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 280/422, 280/420, 280/421, 191/11, 439/34, 439/35, 439/907, 439/341, 439/376, 439/374
• US Class Current: 280/422
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/62 involving supply lines, electric circuits, or the like

Abstract

An apparatus for the coupling of lines between a tractor and a trailer comprises a tractor plate formed in a generally rectangular configuration with parallel side edges extending vertically and with a lower edge having a downwardly extending tongue and an upwardly extending enlarged head. The tractor plate further comprises vertically aligned apertures. A trailer plate in a generally rectangular configuration has vertically extending parallel side edges and generally parallel upper and lower edges, flanges extending forwardly from the side edges thereof adapted to receive the side edges of the tractor plate, and further includes an enlargement with a recess at its lower edge adapted to receive the tongue of the tractor plate for the support thereof. The flanges of the trailer plate have apertures at the upper edge thereof with a pivot pin extending therethrough. A retainer block supported by the pivot pin is adapted to receive and support the head at the upper edge of the tractor plate during operation and use. Finally, springs are secured to the retainer block of the trailer plate adapted to hold the head and its associated tractor plate in position during operation and use.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the coupling of lines between a tractor and a trailer comprising, in combination:

a tractor plate formed in a generally rectangular configuration with parallel side edges extending vertically and with a lower edge having a downwardly extending tongue and an upwardly extending enlarged head;

three vertically aligned apertures formed in the tractor plate;

a trailer plate in a generally rectangular configuration having vertically extending parallel side edges and generally parallel upper and lower edges, flanges extending forwardly from the side edges thereof adapted to receive the side edges of the tractor plate, the trailer plate also including an enlargement with a recess at its lower edge adapted to receive the tongue of the tractor plate for the support thereof, the flanges of the trailer plate having apertures at the upper edge thereof with a pivot pin extending therethrough, a retainer block supported by the pivot pin adapted to receive and support the head at the upper edge of the tractor plate during operation and use;

a plurality of vertically aligned apertures in the trailer plate in axial alignment with the apertures of the tractor plate;

springs secured to the retainer block of the trailer plate adapted to hold the head and its associated tractor plate in position during operation and use;

fittings to hold the rearward edge of an electrical line, emergency line and service line of a tractor in position in the tractor plate with frusto-conically shaped exterior surfaces extending from the rear surface of the tractor plate; and

fittings for lines of the trailer plate including frusto-conically shaped apertures for the receipt of the frusto-conically shaped projections of the tractor plate whereby when the tractor plate is releasably coupled to the trailer plate, a safe secure coupling is made between the tractor plate and trailer plate and the lines therebetween.

2. An apparatus for the coupling of lines between a tractor and a trailer comprising:

a tractor plate formed in a generally rectangular configuration with parallel side edges extending vertically and with a lower edge having a downwardly extending tongue and an upwardly extending enlarged head;

three of vertically aligned apertures formed in the tractor plate;

a trailer plate in a generally rectangular configuration having vertically extending parallel side edges and generally parallel upper and lower edges, flanges extending forwardly from the side edges thereof adapted to receive the side edges of the tractor plate, the trailer plate also including an enlargement with a recess at its lower edge, the recess congruently shaped with respect to the tongue of the tractor plate adapted to receive the tongue of the tractor plate for the support thereof, the flanges of the trailer plate having apertures at the upper edge thereof with a pivot pin extending therethrough, a retainer block supported by the pivot pin adapted to receive and support the head at the upper edge of the tractor plate during operation and use;

a plurality of vertically aligned apertures formed in the trailer plate in axial alignment with the apertures of the tractor plate; and

springs secured to the retainer block of the trailer plate adapted to hold the head and its associated tractor plate in position during operation and use.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 and further including fittings to hold the rearward edge of an electrical line, emergency line and service line of a tractor in position in the tractor plate with frusto-conically shaped exterior surfaces extending from the rear surface of the tractor plate.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 and further including fittings for lines of the trailer plate including frusto-conically shaped apertures adjacently aligned with the vertically aligned apertures of the trailer plate.