CA2041514A1 - Trailer having an air-lift coupling system comprising expandable bellows - Google Patents
Trailer having an air-lift coupling system comprising expandable bellowsInfo
- Publication number
- CA2041514A1 CA2041514A1 CA 2041514 CA2041514A CA2041514A1 CA 2041514 A1 CA2041514 A1 CA 2041514A1 CA 2041514 CA2041514 CA 2041514 CA 2041514 A CA2041514 A CA 2041514A CA 2041514 A1 CA2041514 A1 CA 2041514A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- trailer
- bellows
- lever
- air
- frame
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A trailer having an air-lift coupling system adaptable to a trailer for joining the trailer to a truck tractor. The air lift has a lever provided with an axle, a frame to support the axle, air expandable bellows to actuate the lever and releasable connectors to a pressurized gas line in order to inflate or deflate the bellows. The frame has at its basis an engaging portion defining a bracket to engage and to tightly fit the edge of the front end of a trailer, and a lock to releasably lock the trailer to the frame of the air-lift coupling system, whereby the bellows on expansion presses against an end of the lever, thereby raising the front end of a trailer. When the bellows is deflated, the front end of the trailer is lowered.
A trailer having an air-lift coupling system adaptable to a trailer for joining the trailer to a truck tractor. The air lift has a lever provided with an axle, a frame to support the axle, air expandable bellows to actuate the lever and releasable connectors to a pressurized gas line in order to inflate or deflate the bellows. The frame has at its basis an engaging portion defining a bracket to engage and to tightly fit the edge of the front end of a trailer, and a lock to releasably lock the trailer to the frame of the air-lift coupling system, whereby the bellows on expansion presses against an end of the lever, thereby raising the front end of a trailer. When the bellows is deflated, the front end of the trailer is lowered.
Description
-- 20~1514 TITLE OF THE INVENTI_ A trailer having an air-lift coupling system comprising expandable bellows s BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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Field of the invention This invention relates to a trailer having a removably mounted air-lift coupling system, adapted to said trailer for joining the trailer to a truck tractor, particularly those trailers provided with a fifth wheel connected to a trailer to carry heavy eguipment, such trailer having a goose neck, to devices to space the front end of a trailer from the ground and to systems to hold from the ground the lever of such air-lift coupling system, De~cription of relatea art U.S. patent 3,253,840 as invented by GRANNING discloses a pneumatic lift system for a tractor trailer hitch, connected under a fifth wheel or a lifter and not for a trailer of heavy eguipment.
; U.S. patent 3,752,502 as invented by EHLER, discloses a flat , bed, not a trailer of heavy equipment, whereby the flat bed is raised, i.e. the floor of the trailer, with a highly complicated and sophisticated lifting means.
: :
U.S. patent 3,717,273 discloses a truck tractor having a fifth wheel operated with a vertically expandable bellow~
hol~t unit composed of a ~eries of bellows units mounted . . .
.. . . .
.: ~ : , , .
.
Field of the invention This invention relates to a trailer having a removably mounted air-lift coupling system, adapted to said trailer for joining the trailer to a truck tractor, particularly those trailers provided with a fifth wheel connected to a trailer to carry heavy eguipment, such trailer having a goose neck, to devices to space the front end of a trailer from the ground and to systems to hold from the ground the lever of such air-lift coupling system, De~cription of relatea art U.S. patent 3,253,840 as invented by GRANNING discloses a pneumatic lift system for a tractor trailer hitch, connected under a fifth wheel or a lifter and not for a trailer of heavy eguipment.
; U.S. patent 3,752,502 as invented by EHLER, discloses a flat , bed, not a trailer of heavy equipment, whereby the flat bed is raised, i.e. the floor of the trailer, with a highly complicated and sophisticated lifting means.
: :
U.S. patent 3,717,273 discloses a truck tractor having a fifth wheel operated with a vertically expandable bellow~
hol~t unit composed of a ~eries of bellows units mounted . . .
.. . . .
.: ~ : , , .
2 ~
atop each other in sealed fashion, in conventional manner.
U.S. patent 3,380,758 as invented by GRANNING discloses a fi~th wheel having an air-controlled system on a trailer truck.
U.S. patent 3,717,273 and U.S. patent 3,810,663 as invented by BERENDS discloses another truck trailer having a fifth wheel operated with an expandable hoisting bellows on a fifth wheel.
U.S. patent 4,806,065 discloses another trailer having a flat bed with a sophisticated and very complex means to rai~e and lower the flat bed. This means is not air-actuated.
Finally, U.S. patent 3,536,340 discloses an oil-detachable goose neck.
In practice, the trailers, such as those having goose necks, have at their front end a female portion engageable by a hook-shaped male portion of a truck trailer. This male portion is locked and unlocked by hydraulic mean~, i.e. oil actuated pistons.
SUMMARY OF THB INV~NTION
~ E~roadly stated, the invention is directed to an air-lift coupling system adaptable to a trailer for joining a trailer to a truck tractor, comprising a lever, a frame to ~upport said lever, air expandable bellows to actuate ~aid lever and a connecting system for releasably connecting said bellows to a pressurized gas line in order to inflate or deflate ::
~ , : ` : : , .
... .
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said bellows, said lever having at one end a system to couple with said truck tractor, and another end, between said two ends, an axle, said axle being positioned along said lever, said frame supporting said axle, thereby said lever, and having at its basis an engaging portion defining a bracket to be mounted on and to tightly fit the edge of the front end of a trailer, and a lock to releasably lock said engaging portion to said front end of a trailer, said air-expandable hoisting bellows mounted under said another end and in space relation thereto, said connecting system to inflate or deflate said air-expandable hoisting bellows being releasably connectable for joining said bellows to a pressurized air supply of a truck tractor, whereby said bellows on expansion raises said front end of said trailer, and when said bellows is deflated, said ~ront end of said trailer is lowered.
The invention i8 also directed to a truck tractor having a very simple air-lift coupling system adaptable to said tractor for joining a trailer to said truck tractor comprising a lever, a frame to support said lever, air expandable hoisting bellows to actuate said lever, and a connecting system for releasably connecting said bellows to a pressurized gas-line in order to inflate and deflate said bellows, said lever having at one end, a system to couple with said truck tractor, and another end, and between said two ends, : 30 an axle, said axle being positioned along said lever, said frame supporting said axle, thereby said lever, and ; having at its basis an engaging portion defining a bracket to be mounted on, and to tightly fit the edge of the front end of a trailer, and a lock to releasably lock said ,.
~, -20~15~ ~
engaging portion to said front end of a trailer, said air-expandable hoisting bellows mounted under said another end and in space relation thereto, said connecting system to inflate or deflate said air-expandable hoisting bellows being releasably connectable for joining said bellows to a pressurized air supply of a truck tractor, whereby said bellows on expansion raises said end of said trailer, and when said bellows is deflated, said front end of said trailer is lowered.
In a particular embodiment, preferably, the invention is directed to a truck tractor having an air-lift coupling system adaptable to a truck tractor for joining a trailer to a truck tractor provided with a fifth wheel, comprising a lever, a frame to support said lever, air expandable bellows to actuate said lever, and a sy~tem to inflate and deflate said bellows, ~aid lever having at one end, a kingpin for engaging a fifth wheel of a truck tractor, and another end, and between said two ends, an axle, said frame supporting said axle, thereby said lever, and having at its basis an engaging portion defining a bracket to be mounted on, and tightly fitting, the edge of the front end of a trailer, and a lock to releasably lock said engaging portion to said front end of a trailer, and said frame further including a housing in space relation to said another end, defining a space to receive said air-expandable hoisting bellows, said air-expandable hoisting bellows mounted within said housing, said connecting system to inflate and deflate said air-expandable hoisting bellow~ being releasably connectable for joining said bellows to an air-pressurized air ~upply of a 2041~ ~
truck tractor, whereby said bellows on expansion presses said another end of said lever and thereby raises said front end of said trailer, and when said bellows is deflated, said front end of said trailer is lowered.
Among the advantages of such systems, it should be noted that bellows are generally much more resistant than hydraulic cylinders; some producers guarantee one million cycles-The air lift system is lighter than the conventional goose necks, ecologically safer and cleaner. No cleaning maintenance is required. No leak of oil cylinders is experienced. No hydraulic systems such as oil actuated piston~ are required. The system is easily detachable and adaptable on any truck ~ince air is used. Not all trucks are equipped with oil-actuated pi~ton~. Shunting time may also be reduced.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation view of an air-lift coupling system, mounted on the front end of a trailer schematically ~hown, and connected to a truck tractor, Figure 2 is a top view of the air-lift coupling system as ; shown in figure 1, along line II-II, Figure 3 i~ a side enlarged view partly in cross-section of , -" 2 ~ 1 4 the air-lift coupling system shown in figure 1, when said be]Llows is on expansion, Figure 4 is a side view as shown in figure 3, said bellows be:ing deflated, Figure 5 is a front view partly in cross-section of the air-lift coupling system, Figure 6 is a back view of the coupling device taken along line VI-VI of figure 3, Figure 7 is a top view of a ramp-support for the front end of the trailer, Figure 8 is a side view taken along line VIII-VIII of figure 7.
Referring now to Figure 1, the front structure of a trailer (10) is shown, having an air-lift coupling system ~12) adaptable to the trailer for joining it to a truck tractor (14) provided with a fifth wheel ~16).
As shown in Figure 2, and better in Figures 3 and 4, the air-lift coupling system comprises a lever (20) and a frame (22) supporting the lever. The lever has at one end a kingpin ~17), or other end connecting system if one wishes, for joining the trailer ~10) to a truck tractor. Between the two ends of the lever ~20), an axle (26) is provided.
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As shown in Figures 3, 4 and 7, the frame (22) is provided . .
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at its base (22c) with a bracket (27) to be mounted on the front of the trailer (10) and secured thereto by means of and a lock to releasably lock said engaging portion to said front end of a trailer, for instance, pins (28) and lever (29) rotatably mounted about support (31), and having pin (29a) and being actuated by an air piston (33) connected opposite said pin (29a). The pin is releasably insertable into a slot provided in V-shaped structure (10a) being part of the front structure of trailer (10). Other fastening devices or systems may be used instead, if desired. The frame (22) defines a housing for an air-expandable hoisting bellows (30) to be located under the other end of the lever (20), opposite the one end having the kingpin (17), and in space relation thereto, the bellows (30) further includes a connecting system (32), (34) for releasably connecting said bellows on said trailer to a pressurized gas-line, generally air supply for truck tractor (not shown) to inflate or deflate said bellows, whereby said bellows on expansion presses against said another end of sald lever (20) and thereby raises said front end of said trailer. When the bellows ~30) is deflated, the front end of said trailer is lowered, as shown in Figure 4.
The housing for the bellows is the preferred embodiment, since the bellows could also be positioned partly or completely outside the frame (22). Also, although one bellows is disclosed, several bellows could be used if desired.
For security purposesj the frame (22) is also preferably provided with a lock for locking the lever when the front end of a trailer is in an upward position; for instance, a pivotally mounted element (23) (Figure 6) tightly fitting under the lever (20) at the end of (20b) when the end (20b) ' ., ',' : . ' . -'. ' . ~ ~ ' ' ' , ' :
2 ~ 1 4 is in its uppermost position, thereby any pressure leak having no effect on the lever engaging the front end of the trailer in an upward position.
In order to reduce the time to actuate the lever, the bellows which can be divided into a compressible and an uncompressible portion, is filled in its uncompressible portion with a liquid to reduce the compressible portion, and the amount of air to be introduced for raising the lever at the end (20b).
The liquid i8 for instance antifreeze, water may be used if no freezing temperatures are to be encountered. Other liquid compatible with the nature of the bellows having suitable freezing point and boiling point may be used.
Better ~hown in Figure 2, having described the principle of thi~ lever, the lever i~ preferably rectangularly shaped, and ha~ in ~pace relation to the bellows (30) a space to confine the bellow8, for instance a plurality of parallel cro~s bars (42), the rectangular frame for instance is defined by two longitudinal parallel frames (20) and (20a), and a front cross bar (44). Still in a most preferred embodiment, the kingpin (17) is mounted on a plate (46), itself secured to the longitudinal parallel frames (20) and (20a) and the front cross bar (44).
The trailer (10) may also be provided with a ramp or other device or system to support the front end of a trailer, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. A typical example of such a ramp is shown at ramp (50). The ramp (50) has a frame having a top inclined surface (52) acting as a ramp access between the floor of the trailer and the ground, and for this purpose, being inclined. It should be noted that the top .
:-2 ~ ~1 5 ~ L~
surface and the upper portion of the frame, near the front end of the trailer stops short to define a leg (54a), enabling said trailer (10) to rest on said leg, when the lock (23) is disengaged, i.e. lowered in the case shown, and the bellows deflated. Preferably as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the frame (54) has sides having the appearance of a rectangular triangle and being hingedly connected such that the hypotenuse (56) is resting on the ground, the base (52) or top may rest inside the front end of the trailer, and a portion near the right angle is cut off to define the leg member (54a). This ramp (50) is conveniently mounted on a bracket (60) secured to the front end of the frame of the trailer (10). The ramp may also be provided with handles (62) to swin~ the ramp (50). Said ramp being rotatably mounted about the bracket (60) by means of pivot (64).
The ramp is generally a set mounted on each side of the airlit coupling system, but need not be.
The ramp i8 essential in some cases when the displacement of the bracket (27) and of the bellows is of a relatively short distance to engage the front end of a trailer.
Referring now to Figures 2, 3 and 4, as it can easily be seen in a preferred embodiment, the air-lift coupling system further includes an arm (101) being rotatably mounted, said arm having mounted thereon bellows (102), (103), said bellows being secured to a beam (104) itself secured to the frame (22). The arm (101) is disposed so that it may rest on the back end of a truck tractor (14 ) (Figure 3). The pivot for the arm (101) can be easily mounted on the same frame (22) or auxiliary frame, if desired. The frame (22) i8 also provided with spring devices such as shown at (105), said spring devices being mounted either on the frame (22) or :~ . ; '- ' .. ' . ~ , -`~` 20~151~
auxiliary frame such as a H-frame, as shown at (100), to urge the arm (101) upwardly when the bellows (102), (103) are not inflated. The bellows (102), (103) are also provided with a system to feed pressuri~ed gas into said bellows, as is well known.
OPERATION OF THR SYSTEM TO HOLD THE BRACKET UP
WHEN DISENGAGED FROM A TRAILER
10 When the air-lift coupling system enables lowering of the front end of a trailer, as shown in Figure 4, the arm or platform (101) can be easily lowered onto the back end of the truck trailer (14), thereby maintaining said air-lift coupling system on said truck and enabling said frame to be 15 kept at some distance from the floor on the road. In order to support arm (20), air is introduced in bellows (102), (103). The air in the bellows is urging expansion and pres3ing the arm (101) againct the back end of the truck traller (14) and thereby, pushing upwardly the arm (20).
20 When the arm (101) is not required, the air in bellows (102), (103) is removed and thereby, the spring device (105) urges the arm upwardly, said arm being thus kept within the boundaries of said support (22).
25 Although the present invention has been explained hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it should be pointed out that any modifications to these preferred embodiments, within the scope of the appended claims, is not deemed to change or alter the nature and 30 scope of the invention.
~ ,.
atop each other in sealed fashion, in conventional manner.
U.S. patent 3,380,758 as invented by GRANNING discloses a fi~th wheel having an air-controlled system on a trailer truck.
U.S. patent 3,717,273 and U.S. patent 3,810,663 as invented by BERENDS discloses another truck trailer having a fifth wheel operated with an expandable hoisting bellows on a fifth wheel.
U.S. patent 4,806,065 discloses another trailer having a flat bed with a sophisticated and very complex means to rai~e and lower the flat bed. This means is not air-actuated.
Finally, U.S. patent 3,536,340 discloses an oil-detachable goose neck.
In practice, the trailers, such as those having goose necks, have at their front end a female portion engageable by a hook-shaped male portion of a truck trailer. This male portion is locked and unlocked by hydraulic mean~, i.e. oil actuated pistons.
SUMMARY OF THB INV~NTION
~ E~roadly stated, the invention is directed to an air-lift coupling system adaptable to a trailer for joining a trailer to a truck tractor, comprising a lever, a frame to ~upport said lever, air expandable bellows to actuate ~aid lever and a connecting system for releasably connecting said bellows to a pressurized gas line in order to inflate or deflate ::
~ , : ` : : , .
... .
--` 2 ~
said bellows, said lever having at one end a system to couple with said truck tractor, and another end, between said two ends, an axle, said axle being positioned along said lever, said frame supporting said axle, thereby said lever, and having at its basis an engaging portion defining a bracket to be mounted on and to tightly fit the edge of the front end of a trailer, and a lock to releasably lock said engaging portion to said front end of a trailer, said air-expandable hoisting bellows mounted under said another end and in space relation thereto, said connecting system to inflate or deflate said air-expandable hoisting bellows being releasably connectable for joining said bellows to a pressurized air supply of a truck tractor, whereby said bellows on expansion raises said front end of said trailer, and when said bellows is deflated, said ~ront end of said trailer is lowered.
The invention i8 also directed to a truck tractor having a very simple air-lift coupling system adaptable to said tractor for joining a trailer to said truck tractor comprising a lever, a frame to support said lever, air expandable hoisting bellows to actuate said lever, and a connecting system for releasably connecting said bellows to a pressurized gas-line in order to inflate and deflate said bellows, said lever having at one end, a system to couple with said truck tractor, and another end, and between said two ends, : 30 an axle, said axle being positioned along said lever, said frame supporting said axle, thereby said lever, and ; having at its basis an engaging portion defining a bracket to be mounted on, and to tightly fit the edge of the front end of a trailer, and a lock to releasably lock said ,.
~, -20~15~ ~
engaging portion to said front end of a trailer, said air-expandable hoisting bellows mounted under said another end and in space relation thereto, said connecting system to inflate or deflate said air-expandable hoisting bellows being releasably connectable for joining said bellows to a pressurized air supply of a truck tractor, whereby said bellows on expansion raises said end of said trailer, and when said bellows is deflated, said front end of said trailer is lowered.
In a particular embodiment, preferably, the invention is directed to a truck tractor having an air-lift coupling system adaptable to a truck tractor for joining a trailer to a truck tractor provided with a fifth wheel, comprising a lever, a frame to support said lever, air expandable bellows to actuate said lever, and a sy~tem to inflate and deflate said bellows, ~aid lever having at one end, a kingpin for engaging a fifth wheel of a truck tractor, and another end, and between said two ends, an axle, said frame supporting said axle, thereby said lever, and having at its basis an engaging portion defining a bracket to be mounted on, and tightly fitting, the edge of the front end of a trailer, and a lock to releasably lock said engaging portion to said front end of a trailer, and said frame further including a housing in space relation to said another end, defining a space to receive said air-expandable hoisting bellows, said air-expandable hoisting bellows mounted within said housing, said connecting system to inflate and deflate said air-expandable hoisting bellow~ being releasably connectable for joining said bellows to an air-pressurized air ~upply of a 2041~ ~
truck tractor, whereby said bellows on expansion presses said another end of said lever and thereby raises said front end of said trailer, and when said bellows is deflated, said front end of said trailer is lowered.
Among the advantages of such systems, it should be noted that bellows are generally much more resistant than hydraulic cylinders; some producers guarantee one million cycles-The air lift system is lighter than the conventional goose necks, ecologically safer and cleaner. No cleaning maintenance is required. No leak of oil cylinders is experienced. No hydraulic systems such as oil actuated piston~ are required. The system is easily detachable and adaptable on any truck ~ince air is used. Not all trucks are equipped with oil-actuated pi~ton~. Shunting time may also be reduced.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation view of an air-lift coupling system, mounted on the front end of a trailer schematically ~hown, and connected to a truck tractor, Figure 2 is a top view of the air-lift coupling system as ; shown in figure 1, along line II-II, Figure 3 i~ a side enlarged view partly in cross-section of , -" 2 ~ 1 4 the air-lift coupling system shown in figure 1, when said be]Llows is on expansion, Figure 4 is a side view as shown in figure 3, said bellows be:ing deflated, Figure 5 is a front view partly in cross-section of the air-lift coupling system, Figure 6 is a back view of the coupling device taken along line VI-VI of figure 3, Figure 7 is a top view of a ramp-support for the front end of the trailer, Figure 8 is a side view taken along line VIII-VIII of figure 7.
Referring now to Figure 1, the front structure of a trailer (10) is shown, having an air-lift coupling system ~12) adaptable to the trailer for joining it to a truck tractor (14) provided with a fifth wheel ~16).
As shown in Figure 2, and better in Figures 3 and 4, the air-lift coupling system comprises a lever (20) and a frame (22) supporting the lever. The lever has at one end a kingpin ~17), or other end connecting system if one wishes, for joining the trailer ~10) to a truck tractor. Between the two ends of the lever ~20), an axle (26) is provided.
.
As shown in Figures 3, 4 and 7, the frame (22) is provided . .
, ~` 2~4~
at its base (22c) with a bracket (27) to be mounted on the front of the trailer (10) and secured thereto by means of and a lock to releasably lock said engaging portion to said front end of a trailer, for instance, pins (28) and lever (29) rotatably mounted about support (31), and having pin (29a) and being actuated by an air piston (33) connected opposite said pin (29a). The pin is releasably insertable into a slot provided in V-shaped structure (10a) being part of the front structure of trailer (10). Other fastening devices or systems may be used instead, if desired. The frame (22) defines a housing for an air-expandable hoisting bellows (30) to be located under the other end of the lever (20), opposite the one end having the kingpin (17), and in space relation thereto, the bellows (30) further includes a connecting system (32), (34) for releasably connecting said bellows on said trailer to a pressurized gas-line, generally air supply for truck tractor (not shown) to inflate or deflate said bellows, whereby said bellows on expansion presses against said another end of sald lever (20) and thereby raises said front end of said trailer. When the bellows ~30) is deflated, the front end of said trailer is lowered, as shown in Figure 4.
The housing for the bellows is the preferred embodiment, since the bellows could also be positioned partly or completely outside the frame (22). Also, although one bellows is disclosed, several bellows could be used if desired.
For security purposesj the frame (22) is also preferably provided with a lock for locking the lever when the front end of a trailer is in an upward position; for instance, a pivotally mounted element (23) (Figure 6) tightly fitting under the lever (20) at the end of (20b) when the end (20b) ' ., ',' : . ' . -'. ' . ~ ~ ' ' ' , ' :
2 ~ 1 4 is in its uppermost position, thereby any pressure leak having no effect on the lever engaging the front end of the trailer in an upward position.
In order to reduce the time to actuate the lever, the bellows which can be divided into a compressible and an uncompressible portion, is filled in its uncompressible portion with a liquid to reduce the compressible portion, and the amount of air to be introduced for raising the lever at the end (20b).
The liquid i8 for instance antifreeze, water may be used if no freezing temperatures are to be encountered. Other liquid compatible with the nature of the bellows having suitable freezing point and boiling point may be used.
Better ~hown in Figure 2, having described the principle of thi~ lever, the lever i~ preferably rectangularly shaped, and ha~ in ~pace relation to the bellows (30) a space to confine the bellow8, for instance a plurality of parallel cro~s bars (42), the rectangular frame for instance is defined by two longitudinal parallel frames (20) and (20a), and a front cross bar (44). Still in a most preferred embodiment, the kingpin (17) is mounted on a plate (46), itself secured to the longitudinal parallel frames (20) and (20a) and the front cross bar (44).
The trailer (10) may also be provided with a ramp or other device or system to support the front end of a trailer, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. A typical example of such a ramp is shown at ramp (50). The ramp (50) has a frame having a top inclined surface (52) acting as a ramp access between the floor of the trailer and the ground, and for this purpose, being inclined. It should be noted that the top .
:-2 ~ ~1 5 ~ L~
surface and the upper portion of the frame, near the front end of the trailer stops short to define a leg (54a), enabling said trailer (10) to rest on said leg, when the lock (23) is disengaged, i.e. lowered in the case shown, and the bellows deflated. Preferably as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the frame (54) has sides having the appearance of a rectangular triangle and being hingedly connected such that the hypotenuse (56) is resting on the ground, the base (52) or top may rest inside the front end of the trailer, and a portion near the right angle is cut off to define the leg member (54a). This ramp (50) is conveniently mounted on a bracket (60) secured to the front end of the frame of the trailer (10). The ramp may also be provided with handles (62) to swin~ the ramp (50). Said ramp being rotatably mounted about the bracket (60) by means of pivot (64).
The ramp is generally a set mounted on each side of the airlit coupling system, but need not be.
The ramp i8 essential in some cases when the displacement of the bracket (27) and of the bellows is of a relatively short distance to engage the front end of a trailer.
Referring now to Figures 2, 3 and 4, as it can easily be seen in a preferred embodiment, the air-lift coupling system further includes an arm (101) being rotatably mounted, said arm having mounted thereon bellows (102), (103), said bellows being secured to a beam (104) itself secured to the frame (22). The arm (101) is disposed so that it may rest on the back end of a truck tractor (14 ) (Figure 3). The pivot for the arm (101) can be easily mounted on the same frame (22) or auxiliary frame, if desired. The frame (22) i8 also provided with spring devices such as shown at (105), said spring devices being mounted either on the frame (22) or :~ . ; '- ' .. ' . ~ , -`~` 20~151~
auxiliary frame such as a H-frame, as shown at (100), to urge the arm (101) upwardly when the bellows (102), (103) are not inflated. The bellows (102), (103) are also provided with a system to feed pressuri~ed gas into said bellows, as is well known.
OPERATION OF THR SYSTEM TO HOLD THE BRACKET UP
WHEN DISENGAGED FROM A TRAILER
10 When the air-lift coupling system enables lowering of the front end of a trailer, as shown in Figure 4, the arm or platform (101) can be easily lowered onto the back end of the truck trailer (14), thereby maintaining said air-lift coupling system on said truck and enabling said frame to be 15 kept at some distance from the floor on the road. In order to support arm (20), air is introduced in bellows (102), (103). The air in the bellows is urging expansion and pres3ing the arm (101) againct the back end of the truck traller (14) and thereby, pushing upwardly the arm (20).
20 When the arm (101) is not required, the air in bellows (102), (103) is removed and thereby, the spring device (105) urges the arm upwardly, said arm being thus kept within the boundaries of said support (22).
25 Although the present invention has been explained hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it should be pointed out that any modifications to these preferred embodiments, within the scope of the appended claims, is not deemed to change or alter the nature and 30 scope of the invention.
~ ,.
Claims (14)
1. An air-lift coupling system adaptable to a trailer for joining a trailer to a truck tractor, comprising a lever, a frame to support said lever, air expandable bellows to actuate said lever and a connecting system for releasably connecting said bellows to a pressurized gas line in order to inflate or deflate said bellows, said lever having at one end a system to couple with said truck tractor, and another end, and between said two ends, an axle, said axle being positioned along said lever, said frame supporting said axle, thereby said lever, and having at its basis an engaging portion defining a bracket to be mounted on and to tightly fit the edge of the front end of a trailer, and a lock to releasably lock said engaging portion to said front end of a trailer, said air-expandable hoisting bellows mounted under said another end and in space relation thereto, said connecting system to inflate or deflate said air-expandable hoisting bellows being releasably connectable for joining said bellows to a pressurized air supply of a truck tractor, whereby said bellows on expansion raises said front end of said trailer, and when said bellows is deflated, said front end of said trailer is lowered.
2. A truck tractor having an air-lift coupling system adaptable to said truck tractor for joining a trailer to said truck tractor, comprising a lever, a frame to support said lever, air expandable bellows to actuate said lever and a connecting system for releasably connecting said bellows to a pressurized gas line in order to inflate or deflate said bellows, said lever having at one end a system to couple with said truck tractor, and another end, and between said two ends, an axle, said axle being positioned along said lever, said frame supporting said axle, thereby said lever, and having at its basis an engaging portion defining a bracket to be mounted on and to tightly fit the edge of the front end of a trailer, and a lock to releasably lock said engaging portion to said front end of a trailer, said air-expandable hoisting bellows mounted under said another end and in space relation thereto, said connecting system to inflate or deflate said air-expandable hoisting bellows being releasably connectable for joining said bellows to a pressurized air supply of a truck tractor, whereby said said on expansion raises said front end of said trailer, and when said bellows is deflated, said front end of said trailer is lowered.
3. A truck tractor having an air-lift coupling system adaptable to a trailer for joining a trailer to a truck tractor provided with a fifth wheel, comprising a lever, a frame to support said lever, air expandable bellows to actuate said lever and a system releasably connecting said bellows to a pressurized gas-line in order to inflate or deflate said bellows, said lever having at one end, a kingpin for engaging a fifth wheel of a truck tractor, and another end, and between said two ends, an axle, said frame supporting said axle, thereby said lever, and having at its basis an engaging portion defining a bracket to be mounted on and tightly fitting the edge of the front.
end of a trailer, and a lock to releasably lock said engaging portion to said front end of a trailer, said frame further including a housing in space relation to said another end, defining a space to receive said air-expandable hoisting bellows, said air-expandable hoisting bellows mounted within said housing, said connecting system to inflate or deflate said air-expandable hoisting bellows being releasably connectable, for joining said bellows to an air-pressurized air supply of a truck tractor, whereby said bellows on expansion presses against said another end of said lever and thereby raises said front end of said trailer, and when said bellows is deflated, said front end of said trailer is lowered.
end of a trailer, and a lock to releasably lock said engaging portion to said front end of a trailer, said frame further including a housing in space relation to said another end, defining a space to receive said air-expandable hoisting bellows, said air-expandable hoisting bellows mounted within said housing, said connecting system to inflate or deflate said air-expandable hoisting bellows being releasably connectable, for joining said bellows to an air-pressurized air supply of a truck tractor, whereby said bellows on expansion presses against said another end of said lever and thereby raises said front end of said trailer, and when said bellows is deflated, said front end of said trailer is lowered.
4. The trailer as defined in claim 3, wherein said lever includes a lock to lock said lever, when said front end is in an upward position engaging said trailer.
5. A trailer as defined in claim 3, wherein said bellows has a compressable and an uncompressable portions, and wherein said uncompressable portion contains a liquid.
6. A trailer as defined in claim 3, wherein said lever is a rectangularly-shaped frame and has, in space relation to said bellows, a space for confining said bellows under said another end.
7. The trailer as defined in claim 6, wherein said rectangular frame is defined by two longitudinal parallel frames and a front cross bar, and at said another end a plurality of cross bars in space relation to said bellows and parallel to said front bar, said parallel cross bars defining said space to confine said bellows.
8. The trailer as defined in claim 3, which further includes a device to support the front end of said trailer, when at rest.
9. The trailer as defined in claim 8, which further includes a ramp.
10. The trailer as defined in claim 3, including a frame said frame being hingedly connected to the front portion of said trailer, said frame having a top inclined surface acting as a ramp access between the floor of the trailer and the ground, said top surface and the upper portion of said frame near said front end of said trailer, stopping short of said front end, to define a leg member for resting said front end of said trailer, when the front end of said trailer is to be lowered,
11. The trailer as defined in claim 10, wherein said frame has sides having the appearance of a rectangular triangle and being hingedly connected such that the hypotenuse is restable on the ground, the base is rsstable inside said front end of said trailer, and a portion near said right angle is cut off to define said leg member, said front end of said trailer thereby leaning against said leg member, said frame thereby becoming a ramp or a sloping way to lead from the floor of the trailer to the ground.
12. The truck tractor as defined in claim 2, having releasably locking device for said level of said coupling system to maintain said trailer in an upward position.
13. The truck tractor as defined in claim 3, which further includes a pneumatic system to push upwardly the lever at said another end when said front end of said trailer is disengaged from said engaging portion defining a bracket, thereby enabling displacement of said truck tractor with said air-lift coupling system.
14. The truck tractor as defined in claim 2, which further includes a pneumatic system to push upwardly the lever at said another end when said front end of said trailer is disengaged from said engaging portion defining a bracket, thereby enabling displacement of said truck tractor with said air-lift coupling system, wherein said hydraulic system is a bellows merging upwardly.
ROBIC
ROBIC
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US68692491A | 1991-04-18 | 1991-04-18 | |
| US07/686,924 | 1991-04-18 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2041514A1 true CA2041514A1 (en) | 1992-10-19 |
Family
ID=24758306
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2041514 Abandoned CA2041514A1 (en) | 1991-04-18 | 1991-04-30 | Trailer having an air-lift coupling system comprising expandable bellows |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2041514A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5456485A (en) * | 1993-08-05 | 1995-10-10 | Rosby Corporation | Variable height gooseneck |
-
1991
- 1991-04-30 CA CA 2041514 patent/CA2041514A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5456485A (en) * | 1993-08-05 | 1995-10-10 | Rosby Corporation | Variable height gooseneck |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |