Electrically operated slider release

• US 5,716,071 A
• Filed: 06/17/1994
• Issued: 02/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Patrick L. Stanley
• Original Assignee: Patrick L. Stanley
• Inventors: Weant, Bobby, Stanley, Patrick L., Lesesky, Alan C.
• Primary Examiner(s): BOEHLER, ANNE MARIE M
• Application Number:
  US08/261,924
• Time in Patent Office: 1,334 Days
• Field of Search: 280/405.1, 280/407.1, 280/149.2, 33/708, 33/203.12, 33/600
• US Class Current: 280/407.1
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/00 Tractor-trailer combinations; Road trains traction couplings other than fifth wheel coupling B60D ; tracked vehicles comprising at least two articulated parts B62D55/0655
• 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

Abstract

A rotary prime mover, preferably an electric motor, is remotely operable from the cab of the vehicle. A linkage couples the rotary prime mover to the pins of the slider assembly, wherein rotation of the rotary prime mover selectively moves the pin in and out registry with holes in a pair of rails on the trailer to prevent and permit relative movement between the rear tandem axle assembly and the trailer. A pin sensor is coupled to the linkage to detect whether the pins are in or out of registry with the holes in the rails and a counter is coupled between the rear tandem axle assembly and the trailer to determine with which of the holes in the rails the pins are aligned. A visual display is provided in the cab and coupled to the pin sensor and counter to communicate to the operator the registry of the pins and with which of the holes the pins are aligned. The visual display in the cab includes visible, lighted indications of whether the pins are in or out of registry with the holes in the rails and whether pins are bound in the holes. The visual display also includes a numerical counter to inform the operator with which of the holes the pins are aligned. The visual display also includes audible and visual warnings to alert the operator if the slider release assembly is in one of several unsafe conditions.

Claims

1. A counter for use in varying the wheel base of a vehicle having a selectively movable portion coupled thereto and for indicating the position of the movable portion relative to the vehicle, the counter comprising:

an elongate housing adapted to be carried by one of the vehicle and the movable portion;

an electrical conductor disposed in the elongate housing;

a plurality of magnetic sensors electrically coupled to the conductor at positions corresponding to locations of the movable portion;

a plurality of resistors coupled in parallel to the electrical conductor and between the magnetic sensors, each resistor having a resistance different from that of the other resistors;

a magnet adapted to be carried by another of the vehicle and movable portion and in proximity to the elongate housing, wherein relative movement between the vehicle and the movable portion aligns the magnet with one of the plurality of magnetic sensors, thereby closing an electrical circuit through the magnetic sensor, the resistor, and the electrical conductor, the circuit having a signal characteristic indicative of the position of the movable portion relative to the vehicle.

2. The counter according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle is a tractor-trailer and the movable portion is a wheel tandem.

3. The counter according to claim 1 wherein the elongate housing comprises:

a non-magnetic tubular housing;

a filler to maintain the position of the magnetic sensors in the tubular housing; and

at least one fastener to secure the housing to one of the vehicle and movable portion.

4. The counter according to claim 1 wherein the magnetic sensors are reed switches.

5. A counter for use in varying the wheel base of a vehicle having a selectively movable portion coupled thereto, the counter comprising:

an elongate, non-magnetic, tubular housing adapted to be carried by one of the vehicle and the movable portion;

an electrical conductor disposed in the housing;

a plurality of magnetic sensors coupled to the conductor at positions corresponding to positions of the movable portion;

a filler member disposed in the housing to maintain the magnetic sensors in their positions,

a plurality of resistors coupled in electrically parallel relation to one another and to the electrical conductor, one resistor being coupled between each pair of magnetic sensors and each resistor having a resistance different from that of the other resistors;

a magnet adapted to be carried by another of the vehicle and movable portion and in proximity to the elongate housing, wherein relative movement between the vehicle and the movable portion aligns the magnet with one of the plurality of magnetic sensors, thereby closing an electrical circuit through the magnetic sensor, the resistor, and the electrical conductor, the circuit having a signal characteristic indicative of the position of the movable portion relative to the vehicle.

6. The counter according to claim 5 wherein the magnetic sensors are reed switches.

7. The counter according to claim 5 wherein the vehicle is a tractor trailer and the movable portion is a wheel tandem.

8. A counter for use in varying the wheel base of a tractor-trailer having a selectively movable portion coupled thereto, the counter comprising:

an elongate, non-magnetic, tubular housing adapted to be carried by one of the tractor-trailer and the movable portion;

an electrical conductor disposed in the housing;

a plurality of magnetic sensors coupled to the conductor at positions corresponding to positions of the movable portion;

a filler member disposed in the housing to maintain the magnetic sensors in their positions.

a plurality of resistors coupled in electrically parallel relation to one another and to the electrical conductor, one resistor being coupled between each pair of magnetic sensors and each resistor having a resistance different from that of the other resistors;

a magnet adapted to be carried by another of the tractor-trailer and movable portion and in proximity to the elongate housing, wherein relative movement between the tractor-trailer and the movable portion aligns the magnet with one of the plurality of magnetic sensors, thereby closing an electrical circuit through the magnetic sensor, the resistor, and the electrical conductor, the circuit having a signal characteristic indicative of the position of the movable portion relative to the tractor-trailer.

9. The counter according to claim 8 wherein the magnetic sensors are reed switches.

10. The counter according to claim 8 wherein the movable portion is a wheel tandem.