CA1042938A - Truck trailer with a steering bogle - Google Patents
Truck trailer with a steering bogleInfo
- Publication number
- CA1042938A CA1042938A CA243,127A CA243127A CA1042938A CA 1042938 A CA1042938 A CA 1042938A CA 243127 A CA243127 A CA 243127A CA 1042938 A CA1042938 A CA 1042938A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- frame
- main frame
- trailer
- secondary frame
- truck trailer
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D53/00—Tractor-trailer combinations; Road trains
- B62D53/04—Tractor-trailer combinations; Road trains comprising a vehicle carrying an essential part of the other vehicle's load by having supporting means for the front or rear part of the other vehicle
- B62D53/08—Fifth wheel traction couplings
- B62D53/0871—Fifth wheel traction couplings with stabilising means, e.g. to prevent jack-knifing, pitching, rolling, buck jumping
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D13/00—Steering specially adapted for trailers
- B62D13/02—Steering specially adapted for trailers for centrally-pivoted axles
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
- Steering-Linkage Mechanisms And Four-Wheel Steering (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE:
An improved truck trailer having a main frame at least one support axle fixed to the main frame at the rear thereof and a steering bogie positioned beneath the main frame and rear-wardly of the support axle. The stearing bogie comprises a secondary frame and a bogie axle fixed to the secondary frame.
The secondary frame is free to swing laterally about a front vertical pivot connecting it to the main frame. This swinging movement, occuring during cornering, turns the bogie axle in an opposite direction to the trailer turn to make the latter turning easier.
An improved truck trailer having a main frame at least one support axle fixed to the main frame at the rear thereof and a steering bogie positioned beneath the main frame and rear-wardly of the support axle. The stearing bogie comprises a secondary frame and a bogie axle fixed to the secondary frame.
The secondary frame is free to swing laterally about a front vertical pivot connecting it to the main frame. This swinging movement, occuring during cornering, turns the bogie axle in an opposite direction to the trailer turn to make the latter turning easier.
Description
~4~93~
The present invention is directed toward an lmprovement in truck trailers~
More particularly, the invention is concerned with a truck trailer equipped with a steering bogie.
Truck trailers, because of their length and their fixed rear axle, or axles, are difficult to maneouvre, particular~
a~ound corners. In addition during cornering, the wheels of the trailer tend to slide laterally causing undue tire wear. ~here is also the possibility of a load shift during turning which could lead to inadvertent dumping of the trailer load.
The present invention proposes a truck trailer provided with a steering bogie which reduce, or minimize, the above disadvantages.
The truck trailer equipped with a steering bogie according to the present invention, is easier to manoeuvre, and corners better. The wear of its tires is reduced, and fuel economy is increased. The possibility of load shifting, or jack-knifing, during turning, is also reduced.
The steering bogie which is connected to the truck trailer in accordance with the present invention, is extremely simple in construction, readily installed, and operates automatically when operative.
The truck trailer according to the present invention comprises a main frame and at least one support axle fixed attached to the main frame at the rear thereof. It further comprises a steering bogie positioned beneath the main traller frame and rearwardly of the trailer support axle. The s-teering bogie comprises a secondary frame, a bogie axle fixed to the secondary frame, and pivot means for connecting the secondary frame to the main frame and permitting it to swing, in a substantially horizontal plane, laterally relative to the trailer frame. ~ ~
. ,J~ .
1~4Z938 According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, means are provided for limiting the lateral displacement of the secondary frame relative to the main frame~ Such limiting means can include an arcua-te slot formed in a plate fixed to one of the frames for receiving in sliding engagement a fixed pin on the other frame, the slot having a radius of curvature the center of which coincides with the pivot axis.
According to another preferred embodiment, means are also provided for releasably locking the secondary frame to the main frame to prevent it from swinging. Such locking means can include a slot formed in one of the frames for receiving in releasable locking engagement a movable pin on the other frame, the movable pin being actuated by biasing means on the said o-ther frame.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail, having reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a partial perspective view of the rear end of a truck trailer equipped with a steering bogie according to the presen-t invention;
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the~truck trailer shown in Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a bot-tom view of the trailer steering bogie;
Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the trailer steering bogie showing how it swings relative to the trailer; and Fig. 5 is a top view of trailer during turning showing the trailer steering bogie in operation.
The trailer steering bogie 1 according to the present invention is mounted at the rear of a truck trailer 3 to aid the same turning. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the truck trailer 3 has a main frame 5 for supporting a deck or platform 7. The main frame 5 for supporting a deck or platform 7. The main frame L~
~-5 includes two lontigudinal r spaced apart main beams 9. A kingpin 11 is located at the front end 13 of the trailer for connecting the trailer to a truck as is well known. At least one, and usually two, support axles 15 are fixedly attached to the main beams 9 of the trailer frame 5 toward the rear end 17 of the trailer. The support axles 15 mount wheels 19 on which the trailer 3 rides.
The steering bogie 1 comprises a secondary frame 21 pivotably connected to the main frame 5 and a bogie axle 23 fixed to the secondary frame 21 by brackets 25. The bogie axle 23 mounts wheels 27 on which the trailer also rides. The secondary frame 21 is connected to the main frame 5 by vertical pivot means 29. The pivot means 29 comprise first hinge means 31 at the front end 33 of the secondary frame 21 and second hinge means 35, complementary to the first hinge means 31, on the main frame 5. The second hinge means 35 is mounted on a cross-piece 37 extending between, and beneath the main beams 9. The cross-piece 37 is loca-ted just behind the support axles 15. The first and second hinge means 31 and 35 are joined together by a verti-ca`l hinge pin 39.
The secondary frame 21 has a top plate 41 which lies against a bottom plate 43 attached to the bottom of the main beams 9. The top plate 41 is carried on frame support members 45 forming part of the secondary frame 21.
In operation, when the trailer 3 is pulled around a corner, the steering bogie 1 automatically swings laterally, relative to the trailer frame 5 in a substantially longitudinal plane, about the hinge pin 39. The secondary frame 21 moves about the hinge pin 39, sliding along the bottom plate 43 of the main frame 5. As the secondary frame slides along the plate 43, the bogie axle 23 is automatically turned away from the direction of the turn as shown in Fig. 5. The movement of the steering bogie allows the truck trailer unit to make smaller radius turns _ 3 _ ~i42938 and minimizes tire wear. The amount of swinging movement of the steering bogie during is generally automatically controlled by the sharpness of the turn since the wheels 27 tend to track a ; line of least resistance during turning.
To limit the amount the secondary frame 21 slides in either direction durlng turns, stop means 51 are provided. The stop means 51 include an arcuate slot 53 in the top plate 41, centrally located, the center of curvature of which coincides with the vertical axis of the hinge pin 39~ A stop pin 55, fixed by a nut 57 to the bottom plate 43 of the main frame 5 extends down into the slot 53. The stop pin 55 is located on the central longitudinal axis of the trailer 3. When the stop pin 55 reaches either end 59 of the slot 53 during sliding movement of the ~ secondary frame 21, it prevents further movement of the frame ; 21, to retain it under the trailer 3.
Locking means 61 are also provided to lock the steering bogie 1 in an aligned position with trailer 3 to eliminate pla~ or drift during highway travel or when backing the trailer.
The locking means 61 comprise a slot 63 at the rear end 65 of the secondary frame 21. The slot 63 is iocated centrally of the frame 21. A locking pin 67 is mounted on the main frame 5 at the rear end 17 of the trailer 3. The lccking pin 67 is more particularly mounted on a rear cross brace 71 forming part of the frame 5. The locking pin 67 is biased forwardly into the slot 63 to lock the steering bogie 1 in a posi-tion aligned with trailer 3 during highway ~se of the trailer.
When it is desired to let the steering bogie 1 "float" during sharp turning maneouvres, the pin 67 is withdrawn from the slot 63. In the embodiment shown, the pin 67 is biased by means of a air booster 73 which is operated by the truck driver from the cab of the truck pulling the trailer. Mechanical, pneumatic, electric or other biasing means controlled from the truck cab ~,~, .
1~4Z938 can, of course, also been used in a similar manner.
After the turning operation, the pin 67 can be released, and biased forwardly to enter the slot 63 and again lock the steering means in place. Sloping surfaces 75 can be pro-vided on either side of the slot 63 to provide clearance from pin 67 as the secondary frame 21 swings about the hinge pin 39.
::
The present invention is directed toward an lmprovement in truck trailers~
More particularly, the invention is concerned with a truck trailer equipped with a steering bogie.
Truck trailers, because of their length and their fixed rear axle, or axles, are difficult to maneouvre, particular~
a~ound corners. In addition during cornering, the wheels of the trailer tend to slide laterally causing undue tire wear. ~here is also the possibility of a load shift during turning which could lead to inadvertent dumping of the trailer load.
The present invention proposes a truck trailer provided with a steering bogie which reduce, or minimize, the above disadvantages.
The truck trailer equipped with a steering bogie according to the present invention, is easier to manoeuvre, and corners better. The wear of its tires is reduced, and fuel economy is increased. The possibility of load shifting, or jack-knifing, during turning, is also reduced.
The steering bogie which is connected to the truck trailer in accordance with the present invention, is extremely simple in construction, readily installed, and operates automatically when operative.
The truck trailer according to the present invention comprises a main frame and at least one support axle fixed attached to the main frame at the rear thereof. It further comprises a steering bogie positioned beneath the main traller frame and rearwardly of the trailer support axle. The s-teering bogie comprises a secondary frame, a bogie axle fixed to the secondary frame, and pivot means for connecting the secondary frame to the main frame and permitting it to swing, in a substantially horizontal plane, laterally relative to the trailer frame. ~ ~
. ,J~ .
1~4Z938 According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, means are provided for limiting the lateral displacement of the secondary frame relative to the main frame~ Such limiting means can include an arcua-te slot formed in a plate fixed to one of the frames for receiving in sliding engagement a fixed pin on the other frame, the slot having a radius of curvature the center of which coincides with the pivot axis.
According to another preferred embodiment, means are also provided for releasably locking the secondary frame to the main frame to prevent it from swinging. Such locking means can include a slot formed in one of the frames for receiving in releasable locking engagement a movable pin on the other frame, the movable pin being actuated by biasing means on the said o-ther frame.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail, having reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a partial perspective view of the rear end of a truck trailer equipped with a steering bogie according to the presen-t invention;
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the~truck trailer shown in Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a bot-tom view of the trailer steering bogie;
Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the trailer steering bogie showing how it swings relative to the trailer; and Fig. 5 is a top view of trailer during turning showing the trailer steering bogie in operation.
The trailer steering bogie 1 according to the present invention is mounted at the rear of a truck trailer 3 to aid the same turning. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the truck trailer 3 has a main frame 5 for supporting a deck or platform 7. The main frame 5 for supporting a deck or platform 7. The main frame L~
~-5 includes two lontigudinal r spaced apart main beams 9. A kingpin 11 is located at the front end 13 of the trailer for connecting the trailer to a truck as is well known. At least one, and usually two, support axles 15 are fixedly attached to the main beams 9 of the trailer frame 5 toward the rear end 17 of the trailer. The support axles 15 mount wheels 19 on which the trailer 3 rides.
The steering bogie 1 comprises a secondary frame 21 pivotably connected to the main frame 5 and a bogie axle 23 fixed to the secondary frame 21 by brackets 25. The bogie axle 23 mounts wheels 27 on which the trailer also rides. The secondary frame 21 is connected to the main frame 5 by vertical pivot means 29. The pivot means 29 comprise first hinge means 31 at the front end 33 of the secondary frame 21 and second hinge means 35, complementary to the first hinge means 31, on the main frame 5. The second hinge means 35 is mounted on a cross-piece 37 extending between, and beneath the main beams 9. The cross-piece 37 is loca-ted just behind the support axles 15. The first and second hinge means 31 and 35 are joined together by a verti-ca`l hinge pin 39.
The secondary frame 21 has a top plate 41 which lies against a bottom plate 43 attached to the bottom of the main beams 9. The top plate 41 is carried on frame support members 45 forming part of the secondary frame 21.
In operation, when the trailer 3 is pulled around a corner, the steering bogie 1 automatically swings laterally, relative to the trailer frame 5 in a substantially longitudinal plane, about the hinge pin 39. The secondary frame 21 moves about the hinge pin 39, sliding along the bottom plate 43 of the main frame 5. As the secondary frame slides along the plate 43, the bogie axle 23 is automatically turned away from the direction of the turn as shown in Fig. 5. The movement of the steering bogie allows the truck trailer unit to make smaller radius turns _ 3 _ ~i42938 and minimizes tire wear. The amount of swinging movement of the steering bogie during is generally automatically controlled by the sharpness of the turn since the wheels 27 tend to track a ; line of least resistance during turning.
To limit the amount the secondary frame 21 slides in either direction durlng turns, stop means 51 are provided. The stop means 51 include an arcuate slot 53 in the top plate 41, centrally located, the center of curvature of which coincides with the vertical axis of the hinge pin 39~ A stop pin 55, fixed by a nut 57 to the bottom plate 43 of the main frame 5 extends down into the slot 53. The stop pin 55 is located on the central longitudinal axis of the trailer 3. When the stop pin 55 reaches either end 59 of the slot 53 during sliding movement of the ~ secondary frame 21, it prevents further movement of the frame ; 21, to retain it under the trailer 3.
Locking means 61 are also provided to lock the steering bogie 1 in an aligned position with trailer 3 to eliminate pla~ or drift during highway travel or when backing the trailer.
The locking means 61 comprise a slot 63 at the rear end 65 of the secondary frame 21. The slot 63 is iocated centrally of the frame 21. A locking pin 67 is mounted on the main frame 5 at the rear end 17 of the trailer 3. The lccking pin 67 is more particularly mounted on a rear cross brace 71 forming part of the frame 5. The locking pin 67 is biased forwardly into the slot 63 to lock the steering bogie 1 in a posi-tion aligned with trailer 3 during highway ~se of the trailer.
When it is desired to let the steering bogie 1 "float" during sharp turning maneouvres, the pin 67 is withdrawn from the slot 63. In the embodiment shown, the pin 67 is biased by means of a air booster 73 which is operated by the truck driver from the cab of the truck pulling the trailer. Mechanical, pneumatic, electric or other biasing means controlled from the truck cab ~,~, .
1~4Z938 can, of course, also been used in a similar manner.
After the turning operation, the pin 67 can be released, and biased forwardly to enter the slot 63 and again lock the steering means in place. Sloping surfaces 75 can be pro-vided on either side of the slot 63 to provide clearance from pin 67 as the secondary frame 21 swings about the hinge pin 39.
::
Claims (7)
1. A truck trailer comprising a main frame; at least one support axle fixedly attached to the main frame at the rear thereof; and a steering bogie positioned beneath the main frame and rearwardly of the support axle, said steering bogie compris-ing a secondary frame, a bogie axle fixedly attached to the secondary frame and pivot means for connecting said secondary frame to the main frame and permitting it to swing, in a substantially horizontal plane, laterally relative to the trailer frame.
2. A truck trailer as claimed in claim 1, comprising means for limiting the lateral displacement of the secondary frame relative to the main frame.
3. A truck trailer as claimed in claim 2, wherein said limiting means includes an arcuate slot formed in a plate supported by the secondary frame for receiving in sliding engage-ment a pin fixed on the main frame, said slot having a radius of curvature the center of which coincides with the pivot axis.
4. A truck trailer as claimed in claim 2, wherein said limiting means includes a pin fixed on the secondary frame for co-operation with an arcuate slot formed in a plate fixed to the main frame, into which said pin is insertable in sliding engagement, said slot having a radius of curvature the center of which coincides with the pivot axis.
5. A truck trailer as claimed in claim 1, comprising means for releasably locking the secondary frame to the main frame to prevent it from swinging.
6. A truck trailer as claimed in claim 5, wherein said locking means includes a slot in the secondary frame for receiving in releasable locking engagement a movable pin on the main frame, said movable pin being actuated by biasing means mounted on the main frame.
7. A truck trailer as claimed in claim 5, wherein said locking means includes a movable pin on the secondary frame for co-operation with a slot formed in the main frame, into which said pin is insertable in releasable locking engagement, said movable pin being actuated by biasing means on the secondary frame.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA243,127A CA1042938A (en) | 1976-01-06 | 1976-01-06 | Truck trailer with a steering bogle |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA243,127A CA1042938A (en) | 1976-01-06 | 1976-01-06 | Truck trailer with a steering bogle |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1042938A true CA1042938A (en) | 1978-11-21 |
Family
ID=4104925
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA243,127A Expired CA1042938A (en) | 1976-01-06 | 1976-01-06 | Truck trailer with a steering bogle |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1042938A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1406807A1 (en) * | 2000-12-01 | 2004-04-14 | Gayat PTY. Ltd | Articulated vehicle wheel tracking mechanism |
| WO2017124167A1 (en) * | 2016-01-22 | 2017-07-27 | De Oliveira Lenildo Moises | System against rolling resistance for three-axle trailers |
-
1976
- 1976-01-06 CA CA243,127A patent/CA1042938A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1406807A1 (en) * | 2000-12-01 | 2004-04-14 | Gayat PTY. Ltd | Articulated vehicle wheel tracking mechanism |
| EP1406807A4 (en) * | 2000-12-01 | 2007-12-12 | Trackaxle Pty Ltd | Articulated vehicle wheel tracking mechanism |
| WO2017124167A1 (en) * | 2016-01-22 | 2017-07-27 | De Oliveira Lenildo Moises | System against rolling resistance for three-axle trailers |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US4365820A (en) | Trailer connecting running gear | |
| US3913934A (en) | Variable width highway trailer | |
| US5338050A (en) | Converter dolly for permitting backing up of tandem trailers | |
| US5626356A (en) | Adjustable weight distribution system for highway vehicles | |
| US2317508A (en) | Trailer truck | |
| US4955629A (en) | Covertible chassis for a semitrailer | |
| US5098115A (en) | Converter dolly for permitting backing up of tandem trailers | |
| US4017094A (en) | Steering converter apparatus | |
| US2959428A (en) | Trailer assembly | |
| US4484758A (en) | Self-steering trailer | |
| US3718346A (en) | Truck comprising tractor and semi-trailer | |
| US4147373A (en) | Vehicle tow trailer | |
| US2474296A (en) | Towing device for trailers | |
| US3536340A (en) | Hinged assembly for coupling tractor and trailer | |
| US3791664A (en) | Self-leveler | |
| CA1322013C (en) | Multiple axle trailers | |
| EP0107746A1 (en) | Trailer connecting running gear | |
| US3940167A (en) | Convertible trailer/rail car traction unit | |
| US3880440A (en) | Steerable truck with reversible castering wheel structure for trailers | |
| CA1042938A (en) | Truck trailer with a steering bogle | |
| US6231064B1 (en) | Automotive transport tractors, semi-trailers, trailers and combinations thereof | |
| US3899194A (en) | Adjustable list pin box | |
| US3043609A (en) | Removable gooseneck drawbar having an adjustable connection with a lowbed trailer | |
| US3421778A (en) | Dual purpose dolly for semitrailers | |
| US3112935A (en) | Vehicle sub-frame having a caster axle |