Position signaling apparatus

• US 5,617,072 A
• Filed: 12/07/1994
• Issued: 04/01/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rockin' Chair Truckers Co.
• Original Assignee: Rockin' Chair Truckers Co.
• Inventors: McNeal, Dennis D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Application Number:
  US08/354,562
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: 340/431, 340/440, 340/687, 340/686, 340/438, 280/438.1, 280/441, 280/441.1
• US Class Current: 340/431
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/068 having devices to equalise or modify the load between the fifth wheel and the rear wheels adjustable couping saddles per se B62D53/0807; load transfer devices to permit coupling or uncoupling B62D53/0857; anti jack-knifing devices B62D53/0871
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/0807 adjustable coupling saddles mounted on sub-frames; Mounting plates therefor

Abstract

A position signaling apparatus for indicating desired positioning of vehicle components. The signaling device, including a switch, is mounted to a first vehicle component, such as a tandem axel frame assembly or a portion of the vehicle frame adjacent to the fifth wheel assembly. A trigger mechanism is attached to a second vehicle component. The second vehicle component is adjacent and moves relative to the first vehicle component. The trigger mechanism actuates the switch upon achieving proper alignment of the respect vehicle components. The switch closes a circuit which sends a signal to the vehicle operator upon achieving the desired positioning of the vehicle components.

Claims

1. A position signaling apparatus for providing a signal to a vehicle driver upon achieving a desired positioning of vehicle components, comprising:

a switch coupled to a first vehicle component;

a trigger mechanism to actuate the switch, the trigger mechanism being coupled to a second vehicle component, the first vehicle component being movable relative to the second vehicle component;

a signaling device operatively coupled to the switch to provide a vehicle operator with a signal upon achieving one of a plurality of desired positions of the first vehicle component relative to the second vehicle component;

wherein the first vehicle component comprises a fifth wheel assembly and the second vehicle component comprises a vehicle frame portion adjacent the fifth wheel assembly.

2. A position signaling apparatus for providing a signal to a vehicle driver upon achieving a desired positioning of vehicle components, comprising:

a switch coupled to a first vehicle component;

a trigger mechanism to actuate the switch, the trigger mechanism being coupled to a second vehicle component, the first vehicle component being movable relative to the second vehicle component;

a signaling device operatively coupled to the switch to provide a vehicle operator with a signal upon achieving desired positions of the first vehicle component relative to the second vehicle component;

a flexible arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the flexible arm being secured to the first vehicle frame component at the proximal end, the switch being attached to the distal end of the flexible arm.

3. A position signaling apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

a telescoping extension arm having a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to the proximal end of the flexible arm, a signaling device being attached to the second end.

4. A position signaling apparatus for providing a signal to a vehicle driver upon achieving a desired positioning of vehicle components, comprising:

a switch coupled to a first vehicle component;

a trigger mechanism to actuate the switch, the trigger mechanism being coupled to a second vehicle component, the first vehicle component being movable relative to the second vehicle component;

a signaling device operatively coupled to the switch to provide a vehicle operator with a signal upon achieving one of a plurality of desired positions of the first vehicle component relative to the second vehicle component;

wherein the first vehicle component comprises a tandem axel frame assembly and the second vehicle component comprises a trailer frame assembly.

5. A position signaling apparatus for providing a signal to a vehicle driver upon achieving a desired positioning of vehicle components, comprising:

a switch coupled to a first vehicle component;

a trigger mechanism to actuate the switch, the trigger mechanism being coupled to a second vehicle component, the first vehicle component being movable relative to the second vehicle component;

a signaling device operatively coupled to the switch to provide a vehicle operator with a signal upon achieving desired positions of the first vehicle component relative to the second vehicle component;

wherein the first vehicle component comprises a tandem axel frame assembly and the second vehicle component comprises a trailer frame assembly;

a flexible arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the flexible arm being secured to the tandem axel frame assembly at the proximal end, the switch being attached to the distal end of the flexible arm.

6. A position signaling apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising:

a telescoping extension arm having a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to the proximal end of the flexible arm, a signaling device being attached to the second end.

7. A position signaling apparatus for providing a signal to a vehicle driver upon achieving a desired positioning of vehicle components, comprising:

a switch coupled to a first vehicle component;

a trigger mechanism to actuate the switch, the trigger mechanism being coupled to a second vehicle component, the first vehicle component being movable relative to the second vehicle component;

a signaling device operatively coupled to the switch to provide a vehicle operator with a signal upon achieving desired positions of the first vehicle component relative to the second vehicle component;

wherein the first vehicle component comprises a tandem axel frame assembly and the second vehicle component comprises a trailer frame assembly;

wherein the tandem axel frame assembly includes a plurality of mounting apertures and the trailer frame includes a primary mounting aperture, and further comprising a locking pin insertable through the primary mounting aperture and one of the plurality of mounting apertures to secure the tandem axel frame assembly in position relative to the trailer frame.

8. A position signaling apparatus for indicating relative positioning of components of a vehicle, comprising:

a mounting base attachable to a first component of a vehicle;

a flexible adjustment arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being attached to the mounting base;

a switch attached to the distal end of the flexible adjustment arm;

a trigger mechanism coupled to a second component of a vehicle, the trigger mechanism actuating the switch upon desired positioning of the first and second vehicle components;

a telescopically extendable rod having a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the mounting base;

a signaling device attached to the second end of the extendable rod and operatively coupled to the switch, the signaling device sending a message to a vehicle operator upon actuation of the switch to indicate desired positioning of the first and second vehicle components relative to one another.

9. A position signaling apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a pivot/swivel joint connected between the first end of the extendable rod and the mounting base, the pivot swivel joint enabling the extendable rod and signaling device attached thereto to be articulated so that the signaling device can be observed by a vehicle operator while inside the cab portion of a vehicle.

10. A position signaling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the switch comprises a reed switch.

11. A position signaling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the switch comprises a reed switch and the trigger device comprises a magnet.

12. A position signaling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the first vehicle component comprises a tandem axel frame assembly.

13. A position signaling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the first vehicle component comprises a tandem axel frame assembly and the second vehicle component comprises a trailer frame.

14. A position signaling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the first vehicle component comprises a trailer frame.

15. A position signaling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the first vehicle component comprises a trailer frame and the second vehicle component comprises a locking pin insertable through the trailer frame.

16. A position signaling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the first vehicle component comprises a fifth wheel assembly.

17. A position signaling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the first vehicle component comprises a fifth wheel assembly and the second vehicle component comprises a vehicle frame portion adjacent the fifth wheel assembly.

18. A position signaling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the signaling device comprises a light source.

19. A position signaling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the signaling device comprises a light source located inside a cab portion of the vehicle.

20. A position signaling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the signaling device comprises an audible signal located inside a cab portion of a vehicle.