CA1278590C - Converter dollies for pup trailers - Google Patents

Converter dollies for pup trailers

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Publication number
CA1278590C
CA1278590C CA000538154A CA538154A CA1278590C CA 1278590 C CA1278590 C CA 1278590C CA 000538154 A CA000538154 A CA 000538154A CA 538154 A CA538154 A CA 538154A CA 1278590 C CA1278590 C CA 1278590C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
frame
cam
spring
pressure
assembly
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 - Lifetime
Application number
CA000538154A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Charles Mak
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Advance Engineered Products Ltd
Original Assignee
WESTANK-WILLOCK A DIVISION OF WILLOCK INDUSTRIES Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by WESTANK-WILLOCK A DIVISION OF WILLOCK INDUSTRIES Ltd filed Critical WESTANK-WILLOCK A DIVISION OF WILLOCK INDUSTRIES Ltd
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1278590C publication Critical patent/CA1278590C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Abstract

IMPROVEMENTS IN CONVERTER DOLLIES FOR PUP TRAILERS
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A converter dolly assembly for connecting a pup trailer to a main trailer assembly includes an adjustable self-centering assembly between the connector dolly and the steering axle and frame assembly of the pup trailer.
An adjustable air bag acts upon a transverse leaf spring to apply pressure centrally thereof and the spring in-cludes a roller mounted centrally thereof which rolls on a horizontally situated double lobed cam on the front of the frame of the pup trailer. The cam has a central recess and the pressure of the spring normally centers the roller and therefor the frame of the pup trailer in alignment with the main trailer assembly. If the pup trailer swings when breaking, the cam acts upon the roller under pressure to return the roller to the central position thus damping out the swing. Also assists returning the pup trailer to the straight ahead position after a turning maneuver.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN CONVERTER DOLLIES FOR PUP TRAILERS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
-This invention relates to new and useful im-provements in converter dollies designed for use with towed trailers and in particular for use with what are known as "pup trailers".
In heavy duty haulage, a cab unit may pull a main trailer portion with a further trailer portion oper-atively secured thereto and in many instances, a further shortened trailer known as a pup trailer may be added to the second trailer assembly or, under certain circum-stances, to the first trailer assembly.
Such pup trailers, particularly when heavily loaded, will swing from side to side particularly in a braking condition and the present invention is part of the converter dolly used to stabilize the pup trailer unit.
With the foregoing in view, and other advan-tages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceeds, the invention is herein described by reference to the acco~panying drawings forming a part hereof, which includes a description of the best mode known to the 1;~ 78~

applicant and of the preferred typica~ embodiment of the principles of the present invention, in which:
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a plan view of the converter dolly assembly.
Figure 2 is a section along the lines 1-1 of Figure 1.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.
Reference to the drawings will show a substan-tially rectangular frame collectively designated 10 in-cluding a pair of spaced and parallel, longitudinally extending side members 11 and 12 with cross members 13, and 14 at the front and rear ends respectively with intermediate cross member 13A.
Eyebolt type connectors 15 extend forwardly from each front corner of the rectangular frame and are used to secure the pup trailer assembly to the preceding trailer section by means of vertical pins as is conven-tional.
A road engaging wheeled dolly assembly shown in phantom by reference character 16 is pivotally mounted upon a turntable shown at 17 (see Fig. 2), with the pivot point being indicated by reference character 18. This 1~78X~) form of dolly construction is conventional and includes the steering axle and wheel assembly 18A forming part of the pup trailer (not illustrated).
Stabilizing means are provided collectively designated 19 and cooperate between the forward portion of the frame 10 and the dolly assembly 16.
This assRmbly includes a cross tube 20 secured transversely across the underside of longitudinal frame members 11 by U-bolt assemblies 21 as clearly shown in the drawings.
Fore and aft adjusters 22 react between the frame members 11 and this cross tube 20 to position same prior to tightening the U-bolt assemblies 21 and trans-verse adjusters 23 react between the longitudinal frame members 11 and the cross tube 20 to position the cross tube 20 transversely prior to the tightening of the U-clamp assemblies 21. These adjusters 22 and 23 include bolts 24 and locknuts 25 and are of a conventional cons-truction.
This cross tube 20 carries anchor plate assem-blies 26 and 27 on the outboard ends thereof extending rearwardly and externally of the longitudinal frame members 10 and these anchor plate assemblies 26 and 27, which are secured to the outboar ends of cross tube 20, 1~85~0 mount a transversely situated elliptical leaf spring assembly collectively designated 28, therebetween. The plate 27 receives a pivot pin 29 anchoring one end 30 of the spring assembly 28 whereas anchor plate 26 receives pivot pin 31 of shackle 32 extending from the end 33 of the spring assembly and connected thereto by means of pivot pin 34 to allow lengthwise displacement when the spring is flexed.
An airbag assembly collectively designated 35 i6 mounted on the cross tube 20 by means of bolts 36 and extends rearwardly along the longitudinal axis 37 of the rectangular frame 10 and is operatively connected cen-trally of the leaf spring assembly 28 by means of U-kolt clamp assemblies 38.
A pneumatic line or conduit 39 is operatively connected to the airbag assembly and extends forwardly to the cab of the drive unit (not illustrated) so that the operator can c:ontrol the air pressure within the airbag assembly 35 thus applying pressure to the centre of the leaf spring assembly 28 along the longitudinal axis 37.
This line 39 is operatively connected to the pneumatic system of the cab unit.
The U-bolt assembly 38 securing the spring to the airbag assembly includes a rear plate 40 from which 78~9~) extend a pair of spaced and parallel lugs 41, one above the other, between which is journalled for rotation a roller 42 mounted upon pin 43 extending through the lugs 41 and this pin 43 is situated vertically so that the roller is mounted for rotation in a horizontal plane.
The aforementioned ground engaging wheel dolly 16 is provided with a substantially rectangular frame collectively designated 44 including side members 45, a transverse end member 46 and a front transverse member 47. Secured transver~ely as by welding to this member 47 and intermediate the ends thereof is a transverse plate 48 to which is bolted a double-lobed cam plate 49 by means of bolts 50. The cam plate includes the two hori-zontally extending, convexly curved lobes 51 one upon each side of the longitudinal axis 37 with the inner ends of these lobes terminating on the longitudinal axis 37 thus defining a central recess 52. The roller 42 normal-ly rests in this recess when the dolly is in the straight ahead position and, due to pressure exerted upon the spring 28 and hence the roller 42, by the airbag 35, resists, within limits, pivotal movement of the dolly around pivot 18. Although the curvature of both lobes is shown as being substantially equal, these may be asymmet-rical to balance out the non-symmetrical methods of 9~) shac~ling the spring assembly 28.
If such pivotal movement occurs, then the cams 15 move across the roller in one direction or the other with the pressure being exerted by the airbag 35 and the spring assembly 28 urging the dolly to return to the straight ahead position with the roller 42 once again centering between the two lobes 51 as shown clearly in Figure 1.
The curvature of the cam is such that the fur-ther the dolly swings to one side or the other, the greater the pressure exerted by the roller thereupon in order to restrict the swinging movement and eliminating same as soon as possible up to a maximum of approximately 6, then the roller will run above the maximu~ incline, after 6 the restricting movement will be kept constant.
Under light load, very little problem i9 en-countered but when the pup trailer is heavily loaded, the airbag is inflated sufficiently to provide the necessary pressure between the spring assembly and roller, and the cam plate 51, to prevent undesirable side swinging from occurring yet at the same time permitting the dolly to pivot around the pivot 18 upon turntable 17 when the trailer assembly is steered to the left or to the right.
Under these conditions of course the pivoting of the dolly 16 facilitates the turning of the pup trailer with the main trailer assembly yet prevents side to side move-ment as the pup trailer returns to the centre and when the trailer assembly is travelling substantially straight ahead and particularly during a braking manoeuvre.
In other words, the leaf spring and airbag assembly will create pressure forci.ng the roller to roll back to the original central point with the contour of the cam being shaped such that the roller is guided back to the central position shown in Figure 1.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as hereinabove described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

(1) In a converter dolly for pup trailer attachment to a main trailer assembly in which said con-verter dolly includes a frame securable to a rear end of a trailer assembly, a turn table mounted connecting frame operatively secured towards the rear end of the converter dolly frame and a steering axle and road wheel assembly mounted on said connecting frame; the improvement which comprises in combination means to dampen side to side swinging movement of the pup trailer attachment relative to the main trailer assembly, said means including trans-verse spring means mounted across said converter frame, convexedly curved, double-lobed cam means secured trans-versely across the front end of said connecting frame, said cam means including a centrally located recess, and means operatively connecting between the center of said spring and engaging said cam, the pressure of said spring forcing said recess back into contact with said operative connecting means when displaced therefrom and resisting displacement of said cam recess from said operative connecting means.
(2) The improvement according to Claim 1 in which said operatively connecting means includes a roller journalled for rotation in a horizontal plane, to the rear side of said spring and upon the longitudinal axis of said converter dolly frame.
(3) The improvement according to Claim which includes spring mounting means secured transversely across said converter dolly frame, said spring mounting means including means to adjust the for and aft position of said spring mounting means upon said converter dolly frame and further means to adjust the side to side relationship of said spring mounting means upon said converter dolly frame.
(4) The improvement according to Claim 2 which includes spring mounting means secured transversely across said converter dolly frame, said spring mounting means including means to adjust the for and aft position of said spring mounting means upon said converter dolly frame and further means to adjust the side to side relationship of said spring mounting means upon said converter dolly frame.
(5) The improvement according to Claim 1 in which said spring means comprises a transversely situated leaf spring assembly and means mounting said leaf spring assembly to said dolly frame, said last mentioned means including a vertically situated pivot at one end of said leaf spring assembly connecting same to said dolly frame and a shackle and pivot assembly at the other end of said leaf spring assembly connecting same to said dolly frame.
(6) The improvement according to Claim 2 in which said spring means comprises a transversely situated leaf spring assembly and means mounting said leaf spring assembly to said dolly frame, said last mentioned means including a vertically situated pivot at one end of said leaf spring assembly connecting same to said dolly frame and a shackle and pivot assembly at the other end of said leaf spring assembly connecting same to said dolly frame.
(7) The improvement according to Claim 3 in which said spring means comprises a transversely situated leaf spring assembly and means mounting said leaf spring assembly to said dolly frame, said last mentioned means including a vertically situated pivot at one end of said leaf spring assembly connecting same to said dolly frame and a shackle and pivot assembly at the other end of said leaf spring assembly connecting same to said dolly frame.
(8) The improvement according to Claim 4 in which said spring means comprises a transversely situated leaf spring assembly and means mounting said leaf spring assembly to said dolly frame, said last mentioned means including a vertically situated pivot at one end of said leaf spring assembly connecting same to said dolly frame and a shackle and pivot assembly at the other end of said leaf spring assembly connecting same to said dolly frame.
(9) The improvement according to Claim 1 in which said double lobed cam means includes a cam plate secured to the front of said connecting frame, said cam plate, when viewed in plan, including a pair of convexed-ly curved front profiles extending one upon each side of the longitudinal axis of said connector frame with said centrally located recess being defined by the inner ends of said profiles, the arcuate curvature of said profiles being such that the pressure of said spring means upon said cam profiles increases towards the outer ends there-of to force the connecting frame and hence said pup trailer back towards to an aligned position with said converter dolly frame and hence with said main trailer assembly, and means to adjust the pressure of said spring means upon said cam means.
(10) The improvement according to Claim 2 in which said double lobed cam means includes a cam plate secured to the front of said connecting frame, said cam plate, when viewed in plan, including a pair of convexed-ly curved front profiles extending one upon each side of the longitudinal axis of said connector frame with said centrally located recess being defined by the inner ends of said profiles, the arcuate curvature of said profiles being such that the pressure of said spring means upon said cam profiles increases towards the outer ends there-of to force the connecting frame and hence said pup trailer back towards to an aligned position with said converter dolly frame and hence with said main trailer assembly, and means to adjust the pressure of said spring means upon said cam means.
(11) The improvement according to Claim 3 in which said double lobed cam means includes a cam plate secured to the front of said connecting frame, said cam plate, when viewed in plan, including a pair of convexed-ly curved front profiles extending one upon each side of the longitudinal axis of said connector frame with said centrally located recess being defined by the inner ends of said profiles, the arcuate curvature of said profiles being such that the pressure of said spring means upon said cam profiles increases towards the outer ends there-of to force the connecting frame and hence said pup trailer back towards to an aligned position with said converter dolly frame and hence with said main trailer assembly, and means to adjust the pressure of said spring means upon said cam means.

(12) The improvement according to Claim 4 in which said double lobed cam means includes a cam plate secured to the front of said connecting frame, said cam plate, when viewed in plan, including a pair of convexed-ly curved front profiles extending one upon each side of the longitudinal axis of said connector frame with said centrally located recess being defined by the inner ends of said profiles, the arcuate curvature of said profiles being such that the pressure of said spring means upon said cam profiles increases towards the outer ends there-of to force the connecting frame and hence said pup trailer back towards to an aligned position with said converter dolly frame and hence with said main trailer assembly, and means to adjust the pressure of said spring means upon said cam means.
(13) The improvement according to Claim 5 in which said double lobed cam means includes a cam plate secured to the front of said connecting frame, said cam plate, when viewed in plan, including a pair of convexed-ly curved front profiles extending one upon each side of the longitudinal axis of said connector frame with said centrally located recess being defined by the inner ends of said profiles, the arcuate curvature of said profiles being such that the pressure of said spring means upon said cam profiles increases towards the outer ends there-of to force the connecting frame and hence said pup trailer back towards to an aligned position with said converter dolly frame and hence with said main trailer assembly, and means to adjust the pressure of said spring means upon said cam means.
(14) The improvement according to Claim 6 in which said double lobed cam means includes a cam plate secured to the front of said connecting frame, said cam plate, when viewed in plan, including a pair of convexed-ly curved front profiles extending one upon each side of the longitudinal axis of said connector frame with said centrally located recess being defined by the inner ends of said profiles, the arcuate curvature of said profiles being such that the pressure of said spring means upon said cam profiles increases towards the outer ends there-of to force the connecting frame and hence said pup trailer back towards to an aligned position with said converter dolly frame and hence with said main trailer assembly, and means to adjust the pressure of said spring means upon said cam means.
(15) The improvement according to Claim 7 in which said double lobed cam means includes a cam plate secured to the front of said connecting frame, said cam plate, when viewed in plan, including a pair of convexed-ly curved front profiles extending one upon each side of the longitudinal axis of said connector frame with said centrally located recess being defined by the inner ends of said profiles, the arcuate curvature of said profiles being such that the pressure of said spring means upon said cam profiles increases towards the outer ends there-of to force the connecting frame and hence said pup trailer back towards to an aligned position with said converter dolly frame and hence with said main trailer assembly, and means to adjust the pressure of said spring means upon said cam means.
(16) The improvement according to Claim 8 in which said double lobed cam means includes a cam plate secured to the front of said connecting frame, said cam plate, when viewed in plan, including a pair of convexed-ly curved front profiles extending one upon each side of the longitudinal axis of said connector frame with said centrally located recess being defined by the inner ends of said profiles, the arcuate curvature of said profiles being such that the pressure of said spring means upon said cam profiles increases towards the outer ends thereof to force the connecting frame and hence said pup trailer back towards to an aligned position with said converter dolly frame and hence with said main trailer assembly, and means to adjust the pressure of said spring means upon said cam means.
(17) The improvement according to Claims 1, 2 or 3 which includes means to adjust the pressure of said spring means upon said cam means, said last mentioned means to adjust the pressure includes an air bag compon-ent mounted on said converter dolly frame adjacent the center of said spring means, means operatively connecting said air bag to said spring means for applying adjustable pressure thereto and a controllable source of compressed air operatively connected to said air bag component.
(18) The improvement according to Claims 4, 5 or 6 which includes means to adjust the pressure of said spring means upon said cam means, said last mentioned means to adjust the pressure includes an air bag compon-ent mounted on said converter dolly frame adjacent the center of said spring means, means operatively connecting said air bag to said spring means for applying adjustable pressure thereto and a controllable source of compressed air operatively connected to said air bag component.
(19) The improvement according to Claims 7, 8 or 9 which includes means to adjust the pressure of said spring means upon said cam means, said last mentioned means to adjust the pressure includes an air bag compon-ent mounted on said converter dolly frame adjacent the center of said spring means, means operatively connecting said air bag to said spring means for applying adjustable pressure thereto and a controllable source of compressed air operatively connected to said air bag component.
(20) The improvement according to Claim 10 which includes means to adjust the pressure of said spring means upon said cam means, said last mentioned means to adjust the pressure includes an air bag compon-ent mounted on said converter dolly frame adjacent the center of said spring means, means operatively connecting said air bag to said spring means for applying adjustable pressure thereto and a controllable source of compressed air operatively connected to said air bag component.
(21) The improvement according to Claims 11, 12 and 13 in which said means to adjust the pressure of said spring means relative to said cam means includes an air bag component mounted on said converter dolly frame adjacent the center of said spring means, means opera-tively connecting said air bag components to said spring means for applying adjustable pressure thereto and a controllable source of compressed air operatively connected to said air bag component.

(22) The improvement according to Claims 14, 15 and 16 in which said means to adjust the pressure of said spring means relative to said cam means includes an air bag component mounted on said converter dolly frame adjacent the center of said spring means, means opera-tively connecting said air bag components to said spring means for applying adjustable pressure thereto and a controllable source of compressed air operatively connected to said air bag component.
CA000538154A 1986-05-30 1987-05-27 Converter dollies for pup trailers Expired - Lifetime CA1278590C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8613144 1986-05-30
GB868613144A GB8613144D0 (en) 1986-05-30 1986-05-30 Stabilizing converter dolly for trailer assembly

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1278590C true CA1278590C (en) 1991-01-02

Family

ID=10598670

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000538154A Expired - Lifetime CA1278590C (en) 1986-05-30 1987-05-27 Converter dollies for pup trailers

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CA (1) CA1278590C (en)
GB (1) GB8613144D0 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108859633A (en) * 2018-06-29 2018-11-23 北京福田戴姆勒汽车有限公司 Vehicle

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108859633A (en) * 2018-06-29 2018-11-23 北京福田戴姆勒汽车有限公司 Vehicle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8613144D0 (en) 1986-07-02

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