Semi-tractor fifth wheel sensor and rail car stanchion sensor for a trailer
First Claim
1. A system for sensing the physical presence of a semi-tractor as the mechanical connection between a trailer and a fifth wheel of the semi-tractor is made, or for sensing the physical presence of a rail car as the mechanical connection between the trailer and a stanchion plate of the rail car is made, said system comprising:
- a trailer;
connecting means provided on said trailer for connecting said trailer to a semi-tractor or to a rail car stanchion plate; and
sensing means provided on said trailer for sensing the physical presence of a fifth wheel of a semi-tractor and a stanchion plate of a rail car, whichever is connected to said trailer.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system is provided for sensing the presence of a semi-tractor as the mechanical connection between a trailer and a fifth wheel of the semi-tractor is made, or for sensing the presence of a rail car as the mechanical connection between the trailer and a stanchion plate of the rail car is made. A sensor is provided in the floor of the trailer proximate to the kingpin. The sensor senses the presence of the fifth wheel or the rail car stanchion plate during the connection process. Control circuitry on the trailer processes and uses signals from the sensor to perform various functions.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system for sensing the physical presence of a semi-tractor as the mechanical connection between a trailer and a fifth wheel of the semi-tractor is made, or for sensing the physical presence of a rail car as the mechanical connection between the trailer and a stanchion plate of the rail car is made, said system comprising:
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a trailer;
connecting means provided on said trailer for connecting said trailer to a semi-tractor or to a rail car stanchion plate; and
sensing means provided on said trailer for sensing the physical presence of a fifth wheel of a semi-tractor and a stanchion plate of a rail car, whichever is connected to said trailer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for sensing the physical presence of a semi-tractor as the mechanical connection between a trailer and a fifth wheel of the semi-tractor is made, or for sensing the physical presence of a rail car as the mechanical connection between the trailer and a stanchion plate of the rail car is made, said system comprising:
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a trailer having a floor;
a kingpin connected to an underside of said floor for connecting said trailer to a semi-tractor or to a rail car stanchion plate; and
sensing means provided on said trailer for sensing the physical presence of a fifth wheel of a semi-tractor and a stanchion plate of a rail car, whichever is connected to said trailer, said sensing means being mounted in said floor and being generally flush with said floor, said sensing means being mounted in said floor generally proximate to said kingpin. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method comprising the steps of:
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providing a trailer having connecting means for connecting said trailer to a semi-tractor or to a rail car stanchion plate, sensing means for sensing the physical presence of a fifth wheel of a semi-tractor and a stanchion plate of a rail car, and control circuitry;
using said sensing means to sense the physical presence of a fifth wheel of a semi-tractor and a stanchion plate of a rail car, whichever is connected to said trailer, and sending a signal to said control circuitry; and
said control circuitry determining whether a fifth wheel of a semi-tractor and a stanchion plate of a rail car is physically present. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification