GB2507802A

GB2507802A - Power services coupling

Info

Publication number: GB2507802A
Application number: GB1220329.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Alan Owens
Original assignee: Don Bur Bodies and Trailers Ltd
Current assignee: Don Bur Bodies and Trailers Ltd
Priority date: 2012-11-12
Filing date: 2012-11-12
Publication date: 2014-05-14
Anticipated expiration: 2032-11-12
Also published as: GB2507802B; GB201220329D0

Abstract

A coupling for an operator to connect power/service supply lines from a driver's cab (not shown) to outlets 2a,2b,2c comprises an outlet plate 2, moved by an operating handle H, with the outlets 2a,2b,2c on a slide arm 3 with a stop plate 4 to a coupling connection position lying laterally beyond the width of the trailer, from a first, operating position within the width of the trailer. The slide arm 3 is supported in between vertically spaced guide pins 5, 6 mounted on a plate 7 fixed to a slideway 8 having parallel upper and lower slide rails 9, 10 fixed to the front wall of a trailer. The coupling plate 2 and outlets 2a, 2b, 2c are at a first height relative to the slideway and trailer (and ground level), in the use position, and at a second, lower height level in the coupling connection position.

Description

I

IMPROVENTS IN OR RELATING TO TRAILERS OR CONTAINERS

This invention relates to improvements in or relating to trailers or containers and is more particularly but not exclusively concerned with the manner in which a required power or service supply is connected from a driver' $ cab to a trailer.

It is well known for trailers to be provided with fixed, centrally located, power/service coupling outlets relatively high up (e.g. 1.8 metes above ground) on a front face of the trailer.

Usually, five coupling outlets are provided on the trailer, for example, for two air or pneumatic service connections that control the braking system of the trailer and other air operated systems of the trailer, and three electrical connections (24N/S/ISO) required for the various electrical functions of the trailer such as the ABS, EBS and lighting functions.

Thus, it is necessary, when connecting a power/service supply to a trailer/contaijer * from a tractor cab, that the operator connects all five power/service line feeds from the * cab to the trailer via the coupling outlets. Often access to the coupling outlets is restricted owing to the narrow gap generally provided between the tractor cab and trailer/container once the cab has been correctly mechanically connected to the trailer/container. The operator can sometimes have quite a difficult task to 0..

accomplish, often in poor lighting conditions; he often has to stand on a catwalk at the rear of the tractor cab and attempt to balance on the catwalk whilst bending over reaching downwardly in between the cab and trailer/container, in order to connect the air and electrical line feeds from the tractor cab to the coupling outlets one at a time.

Thus, the operator, on occasion, has to perform the coupling operation in a dark, conlined space in between the tractor cab and trailer/container. It is to be noted that a considerable force may be required by the operator (necessitating use of both hands on the airline connections) to push the two airline connections from the Iractor cab onto the required coupling outlets on the trailer and thus the operation is not simple to perform. In fact; there are many potential hazards for the operator in accomplishing connection of the power/service lines from the tractor cab to the trailer in this manner.

There have been cases of the operator being iiured and even killed whilst performing the operation, owing to relative movement of tractor cab and trailer through miscoupling or the trailer/container not being parked correctly whilst the operator performs the coupling operation. In such an instance, the cab or trailer, not being correctly parkedlcoupled, may have moved to crush the operator in between the tractor cab and trailer/container.

Some brake systems have an inherent defect which may allow the trailer to move when the park brake is not applied. If the park brake is applied, there is generally no *:*; problem. However, if the power/service lines are disconnected without application of * : * the park brake, an emergency brake may be actuated (as the operating system may indicate that the trailer cab has become detached from the from the tractor cab while *e.e.. * *

moving). The potential problem of trailer runaway' may occur when the operatorre-.

connects the power/service lines after a period when the air pressure has diminished S...

* and the trailer is released from the emergency' state. If the park brake has not been applied, it will take time for the air pressure to reach a sufficient level and, until then, the trailer would be free to move with potentially fatal results for the operator.

Furthennore, since the operator may have to perform the coupling operation in an awkward, confined space, there is also a risk of iijury due to strain and slipping (since the surroundings may be greasy) or tripping from a considerable height while balancing on the catwalk.

Additionally, tractor cab doors have been known to swing open and hit the operator whilst the operator is performing the power/service connection operation. Better positioning of the operator (e.g on the ground) during the coupling operation and an overall reduction in time for the coupling connection operation could help reduce such unfortunate eventualities.

It is known for the coupling connections to be provided on the front of the trailer/container on a sliding carriage that can be moved from a central location towards either side of the front of the trailer/container to compensate for movement e.g. cornering of the tractor cab/trailer combination. The general purpose of the arrangement is to prevent or alleviate suzie fatigue that could otherwise occur from such movement. However, whilst this may possibly enable the coupling connections * to be moved more towards the side of the trailer/ container where the operator is * * * * S. * standing, the operator still has to climb on the catwalk of the tractor cab and, whilst * the connection operation may be somewhat simplified because the connections should S..... * S

* .. be nearer to him, the task is still substantially onerous and remains substantially as hazardous for the safety of the operator. Once again, it still tends to be *5*S r disadvantageous that the operator has to reach or stretch to the connections in order to complete the coupling task even though the coupling connections have been moved laterally closer towards him within the width of the trailer.

In order to at least alleviate one or more of the aforementioned, or other, disadvantages associated with connection of power/service lines from e.g. a driver's cab to a trailer/container, the Applicant has previously proposed a coupling for connection of a power and/or service supply from a cab to a trailer/container as

described in GB Patent Specification No. 2467955K

Whilst such an arrangement has proved to be extremely successfiul in practice, the Applicant has become aware of a tendency for there to be certain disadvantages in the inventive embodiment of the coupling as described in that patent specification or at least that said described embodiment of the coupling could be improved in at least some respect.

Said described embodiment of the coupling as shown in GB Patent specification No. 2467955A tends to be disadvantageous in that it can take a considerable number of man hours to manufacture and assemble, Additionally, and somewhat disadvantageously, production costs of an such embodiment tends to be relatively * expensive. * * . * .* * * *

* Furthermore, the arrangement as described tends to be a relatively complex * * mechanism requiring additional safety measures to be incorporated in the design, *:" largely because of the automated motion employed to move the coupling outlets in * * * between a first, operating position located within the width of the trailer/container to a second, coupling connection position with the coupling outlets being arranged laterally beyond the width of the trailer/container.

Once again, depending upon the design of trailer/container to which the coupling has to be attached there may be a tendency for the pivotal movement of the coupling outlets to be impeded or blocked by an obstructing part of the trailer as they are raised in height during a pivotal motion in between said first and second positions. In any event, in some instances, the fact that the height of the coupling outlets is necessarily raised by such an extent during the pivotal movement in between said first and second positions may create problems in the implementation or inclusion of the arrangement or design concept into certain tractor/trailer configurations.

Indeed, height restrictions do pose problems in the design of other couplings (such as in sliding coupling arrangements in which the coupling outlets are on a slide plate simply sudden on slide rails of a slideway e.g. as shown in FIGURE B of GB Patent Specification No. 24679445A or in similar arrangements -not shown -where the slide plate is slidden on telescopic slide rails from a position within the width of a trailer to laterally beyond the width). In such an instance, height restriction problems may possibly be compensated for by narrowing the gap between the parallel horizontal slide rails of the coupling assembly and modifj,ing the design accordingly.

* With the aforedescribed embodiment of coupling as described in GB Patent Specification No. 24679445A no such compensation option would seem to be viable * * to enable that coupling to be used in such a height restricted area.

* However, more particularly hilt not exclusively, in sliding coupling arrangements of -the aforementioned type, having a slide plate that extends laterally beyond the width of the trailer, some difficulty can be encountered by the operator in securing the coupling connections, owing to the height above ground level of the extending coupling outlets.

In such arrangements, the height of the laterally extended coupling outlets may be too high, being at or around neck level of an operator of average height. Thus, the operator may find it uncomfortable or unnecessarily arduous to naturally apply the required amount of pressure in attaching the various connection lines onto the associated coupling outlets; whereas if the coupling outlets were at or around waist height of the operator (or even at about mid-chest height) the task of attaching the connection lines onto the coupling outlets should be eased very considerably.

In some tractor trailer combinations, such as in drawbar arrangements, an inverse problem can occur in that the height of the laterally extended coupling outlets or slide plate may be too low to enable the operator to comfortably apply the required pressure to connect the various connection lines onto the associated coupling outlets.

It is an object of the present invention to at least alleviate one or more of the *:te: aforementioned or other, disadvantages associated with connection of power/service *....: lines from e.g. a driver's cab to a trailer/container. * S *

S..... * S

eta: According to the present invention there is provided a coupling for connection of a power and/or service supply from a cab to a trailer/container, the coupling having S. * ** coupling outlets slideable from a first, operating position located at first height relative to and within the width of the trailer/container to laterally beyond the width of the trailer/container and movable to a second, coupling connection position at a second, different, height relative to the trailer/container (or ground level) for the operator to connect the power/service supply from the cab to the trailer/container, said coupling outlets being ananged laterally beyond the width of the trailer/container in said second coupling connection position.

Further according to the present invention there is provided the combination of a.

trailer/container and coupling as described in the immediately preceding paragraph.

Still fUrther according to the present invention there is provided the combination of a trailer/container as described in the immediately preceding paragraph and driver's cab.

Usually, the coupling outlets will be lower in the coupling connection position than in the first, operating position within the width of the trailer/container. However, it is possible with some trailer /container configurations that the coupling outlets will need to be higher in the coupling connection position than in the first, operating position and embodiments of the present invention may be designed to this end.

Preferably, the coupling outlets are provided on a coupling plate member or means * *.; that is slideable between the first operating position and the second, coupling connection position. Thus, the coupling plate member or means may be automatically * S * *..: or simultaneously moved to said second position as the plate member/means is slidden laterally beyond the width of the trailer.

U. S S

I

*5S55S * * Movement of the coupling outlets is, preferably, actuated purely manually (preferably by simply pulling handle means on, or operatively coupled to, the coupling plate member or means) advantageously, in order to avoid relatively expensive safety measures being necessary as might be the case with powered. e.g. pneumatically operated apparatus.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the coupling plate member or means is connected to one end of a slide arm, which arm is movable through an angle (e.g. 170 degrees +1-10 degrees) as it is sudden laterally beyond the trailer/container to said second position.

The slide arm may be guided by vertically spaced guide means or pins as it is slidden on the slideway.

An opposite end of the slide arm may be pivotally connected to a slidcable stop means or plate engageable with an end of the slideway or other stop means to limit the extent of lateral outward movement of the coupling plate member or means.

A flexible services connection line may be connected to said opposite end of the slide arm and to the coupling outlets.

* SO 0s. * I

Preferably, a locking mechanism or means is provided for locking the coupling outlets * * e. relative to the slideway and said locking mechanism] means may be releasable * ** . automatically on operation of the handle means. 0*

* * .0 4 * The handle means, preferably, comprises a spring loaded double handle arrangement having one handle movable towards a second fixed handle. The arrangement may be such that on gripping the two handles together in one hand and moving the movable handle towards the fixed handle, the locking mechanismlmeans is automatically released.

The locking means may comprise two pivoting levers operatively connected to the handle means such that movement of the two handles towards and away from one another operates the pivoting levers thereby releasing and actuating locking. One of said levers may have a latching head movable into and out of locking engagement with a locking slot means on the slideway on actuation of the pivoting levers via the handles..

Safety means may be provided to hold the coupling plate member or means locked relative to the slideway in the event that the aforementioned locking mechanism/means fails (e.g. in the event it is worked loose).

The safety means may comprise a safety gate or guard (preferably pivotable) that may be moved in between an open position and a closed position. The gate/guard may engage an extension of the handle means, in the closed position, preventing or * restricting lateral outward movement of the coupling plate member or means.

4***** ** * Sensor means (preferably an electrical sensor) may be provided on the coupling to actuate or release a braking mechanism of the trailer/container. flø4 * ,

* Preferably, the safety means is co-operable with the sensor means so that when the gate is closed the braking mechanism can be automatically released.

Additionally, and advantageously, since the operator does not have to climb in between the tractor cab and trailer in order to connect the power/service supply to the coupling outlets, the operator cannot be crushed in between the tractor and cab.

Additionally, there should be no risk of the operator overbalancing or slipping or falling from a catwalk. The controlled different height level of the coupling outlets in the coupling connection position facilitates the coupling connection operation.

It is possible that the coupling outlets are provided with, or operatively connected to, a light source that may be operated automatically when the coupling outlets are in the coupling connection position, to act as a warning, and to help illuminate the coupling outlets themselves.

Further according to the present invention, there is provided coupling having one or more of the following features:-a) Coupling outlets moveable (preferably slideable) from within the width of a trailer/container laterally beyond said width and to a different height level. S. * * S S

*0Se.. . - * b) Coupling outlets slideable from an operating position with the width of a * * trailer to a lower (or possibly higher) position laterally beyond the width of the : * S trailer. S...

S *. 0* * .

c) A spring loaded double handle arrangement connected to operate a locking mechanism locking coupling outlets of the coupling to a slideway d) A safety means securing the coupling outlets in the event of failure of the locking mechanism in c) Many other advantageous features of the present invention will be apparent from the

following description and drawings.

An embodiment of a coupling for connecting a power and/or service supply from a driver's cab to a trailer/container, in accordance with the present invention, will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-FIGURE A shows a view of a power/service coupling located on the front of a trailer and of a form known per se, FIGURE B shows a view of a second power/service coupling located on the front of a trailer and of a form known per se; *: * FIGURE 1 shows a much simplified, schematic front view of the coupling, in * accordance with the present invention, to be attached, in use, to the front wall of a * ***...

trailer; * * ** FIGURES 2 to 5 show various schematic perspective views of the coupling shown in ØS**** * FIGURE 1; FIGURE 6 shows a front view of a the coupling shown in FIGURES Ito 6, but of a working model, attached to a front wall of a trailer positioned within the width of the trailer; FIGURE 7 shows a view similar to FIGURE 6 with coupling outlets moved laterally beyond the width of the trailer to a position ready for connection to power/service supply lines; FIGURES 8 and 9 show close up views of the coupling outlets corresponding to the positions as shown in FIGURES 6 and 7 respectively; FIGURES 10 to 13 show detail views of a handle operated coupling outlets release and locking mechanism; FIGURES 14 and 15 show detail views of an additional safety latch or gate, and FIGURE 16 shows an end view of a slideway of the coupling shown in FIGURES 6 to 15. * . . * *

* Referring to the FIGURES of the drawings, FIGURE A shows a partial front view of * a trailer Ti provided with coupling outlets Cl -C5 for connecting power/service * supply lines (not shown) from a tractor cab (not shown). The trailer Ti and coupling **** * outlets Cl -C5 are of a format known per se. Coupling outlets Cl and C5 are air * coupiing outlets that control the braking system of the trailer and other air operated systems thereof and coupling outlets C2 -C4 are electrical outlets (24N/SIISO) required for the various electrical functions of the trailer Ti such as the ABS. EBS and lighting functions. It is to be noted that all the coupling outlets Cl-CS are fixed relative to the front wall of the trailer TI and are located generally at a height on the trailer of 1.Sm above the ground.

Such an arrangement tends to be disadvantageous for reasons already outlined earlier on in this specification; since the outlets Cl-C5 are difficult to access by the operator, who has to climb on the catwalk areas between the coupled tractor and trailer, when attempting to connect the power/service supply lines (not shown) to the coupling outlets.

FIGURE B is a partial view of a second trailer T2 once again generally of a form known per se. This trailer T2 is provided with moveable coupling outlets Cl'-C5' mounted on a slideable coupling plate p1 (or nosebox') that can be slidden on a slideway si from the centre of the width of the trailer to a position nearer to the side * by the operator, in use. The coupling outlets C1-C5 are operatively connected to the vehicle via flexible connection line CL connected to the rear of the slide plate p1.

Such a slideable plate p1 allows less stress on the suzie connections (not shown) between the cab and trailer than with fixed coupling outlets (as in FIGURE A) thus **se..

-. reducing the risk -of suzie fatigue/wear. However, whilst this may ease access of the : coupling outlet Cl -CS' to the operator to some extent, it is believed that such an * arrangement does not obviate or significantly alleviate the problems the operator * ***: * encounters during the coupling connection operation; the coupling outlets still remain * at the same general height necessitating the operator to stretch or reach to gain access to the outlets and does little to alleviate the aforementioned hazardous conditions effecting the safety of the operator.

Referring to FIGURES 1-5 of the drawings, a coupling 1 has a coupling outlet plate 2 (shown diagrammatically in FIGURE 1 with three coupling outlets 2a,2b, 2c only and with five outlets 2a,2b,2e,2d,2e in FIGURES 2 to 6). The coupling outlet plate 2 is connected to one end of a slide arm 3 and has a handle H mounted on the free end thereof. An opposite end of the slide arm 3 is pivotally connected at 4a to a square stop plate 4. In use, the coupling 1 will be connected to a front wall of a trailer (not shown).

FIGURE 1 shows in (liii lines the position of the coupling outlet plate 2 and outlets 2a,2b,2c moved to a coupling connection position for an operator to connect power/service supply lines from a driver's cab (not shown) to the outlets 2a,2b,2c. In use, the coupling plate 2 and outlets 2a,2b,2c will lie laterally beyond the width of the trailer in the coupling connection position.

FIGURE 1 also shows in dashed lines the position of the coupling plate 2, outlets 2a,2b,2c, slide arm 3 and stop plate 4 in a first, operating position (in use within the * width of the trailer) prior to being moved, via the operating handle H being pulled, to

S

the second, coupling connection position as aforedeseribed and as shown in MI lines.

S..... * S *SSS

* It is to be noted that the slide arm 3 is supported in between vertically spaced guide S..... *

pins 5, 6 mounted on a plate 7 fixed to a slideway 8 having parallel upper and lower slide rails 9, 10 fixed to the front wall of a trailer, in use.

Importantly, as should be evident from FIGURE 1, the coupling plate 2 and outlets 2a, 2b, 2c are at a fkst height relative to the slideway and trailer (and ground level), in use, and at a second, different height level (lower) in the coupling connection position. In practice, this should enable an operator of standard height to more easily connect the power/service lines to the coupling outlets than would otherwise be the case, as previously explained in this patent specification. In this schematic example, the arm 3 has moved through an angle of deflection of 170 degrees in between said first and second positions shown in dashed and flill lines respectively.

It should be evident in FIGURE 1 that as handle H is pulled in the direction of arrow X from the position shown in dashed lines, stop plate 4 is moved along the slideway S (to the right as shown in the FIGURE) with arm 3 that is also guided in between guide pins 5 and 6so that the arm is allowed to move through a deflection angle simultaneously as the coupling outlets 2a,2b,2c are moved laterally beyond the width of a trailer, in use.

The result is that once stop plate 4 has reached and engaged fixed plate 7 the coupling plate 2 and outlets 2a,2b,2c have moved laterally and downwardly in a smooth -manner to a more advantageous coupling connection position than would otherwise be * the case, if no downward movement were provided. * *

***: FIGURES 2 to 5 show in more detail schematic perspective views of the basic ***.** * arrangement shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURES 2 and 3 show front perspective views of the coupling 1 with the coupling in the first, operating position (within the width of a trailer, in use) and with the coupling in the second, operating position (lateSily beyond the width of a trailer, in use), respectively.

FIGURES 4 and 5 show rear (internal) perspective views of the coupling 1 with the coupling in the first, operating position (within the width of a trailer, in use) and with the coupling in the second, operating position (laterally beyond the width of a trailer, in use), respectively.

FIGURES 2 to 5 also show a flexible connection line 12 (shown unconnected) within the slideway 8 and which may be connected, in use, to one end of the operating arm 3 to move therewith thereby easing and controlling the movement of the operating arm back and forth between the first and second positions. Additionally, the coupling outlets 2a,2b,2c,2d,2e are operatively connected to the vehicle via the flexible connection line 12 connected to the rear of the coupling plate 2.

Referring to FIGURES 6 to 15, a working model of the coupling I is attached to the * * * ** frontwallofatrajlerT * FIGURES 6 and 8 show the coupling plate 2 and coupling outlets 2a to 2e in the first, S.....

* operating position, within the width of the trailer and FIGURES 7 and 9 show the * coupling plate and coupling outlets in the second, coupling connection position S.....

laterally beyond the width of the trailer and moved to a position lower than in said first position.

The working model operates generally according to the schematic arrangement as described in relation to FIGURES 1 to S with some refinements.

In practice, the coupling outlets may be lowered by a distance of about 25 or 30 cm +1-5cm from a height of about 1.8 metres above ground in the first, operating position within the width of the trailer, to 1.5 metres or so above ground in the coupling connection position.

Handle H has been replaced by the spring loaded double handle arrangement 111,112.

Handle H2 is fixed relative to coupling plate 2 and handle Hi can be moved towards handle 112 against a spring loading action when the two handles are gripped in the palm of one hand and the hand closed.

Referring more specifically to FIGURES 10 to 13, as handle Hi is urged towards handle 112 the double lever mechanism 13, comprising pivoting levers 13a, l3b, is operated to pivot latch head l3c, out of locking engagement with locking slot 14 in end member 15 of slideway 8.

S * * . * *.

* In the locking position, notch 1 3d of latch head 1 3c straddles the inner and outer faces ****** * of end wall 15 defining the end l4a of slot 14 in an manner which should be evident, * more particularly referring to FIGURE 13 of the drawings. **** S... *

FJGUREI2 shows schematically the release position of the levers 13a and 13b. Once * the levers have been moved to this position by gripping the handles HI and 112 coupling plate 2 can be moved outwardly laterally away from end member 15 (as long as safety gate 0 is in the open or raised position as shown in FIGURE 14) with the latch head 1 3c moving out of the slot 14 as the notch I 3d is now free of engagement with the slot 14.

Since it may be possible for the locking mechanism to work or jerk loose an additional safeguard is provided in such a relatively unlikely event ocëurring. The safeguard may be provided in the form of a pivotable safety gate or plate G that may be swung or pivoted in between an open position as shown more particularly in FIGURE 14 and a closed locking, safety position more particularly shown in FIGURE 15.

It should be evident how in the safety position, in the event that the locking mechanism works loose, downwardly depending handle extension 142 would engage plate 0 on slight outward lateral movement of the coupling plate 2 thereby preventing any further outward latent movement.

Furthermore an electrical sensor S is arranged to activate or release the braking system of the trailer. When gate 15 is open the brakes of the trailer are automatically c activated to ensure operator safety. Once the gate has been closed the brakes can then ***e.

* automatically be released as the operator will have completed the coupling connection * and returned the coupling outlets to the first, operating position. ** S. * 4

As should be readily ascertainable from the FIGURES of the drawings, the coupling plate 2 has not only been moved laterally outwardly beyond the width of the trailer it has also been moved downwardly to a much lower, more convenient and more readily accessible position for the operator, so that the operator can connect the power/service lines without stretching or reaching in an awkward manner.

The trailer is also provided with a protection plate P to prevent any engagement of the coupling plate member 2 or slide arm with the front wall of the trailer which might cause damage to paintwork.

Overall, embodiments of the present invention, advantageously, allow the coupling connection operation to be performed outside the confmes of the trailer and at height which is comfortable for the operator whilst the operator remains safely on the ground (rather than having to climb on a catwalk).

Whilst the present invention has been described in relation to a plurality of coupling outlets being moved laterally beyond the width of the trailer it is possible (in some embodiments -not shown) that only one coupling outlet is moved beyond said width.

However, it is preferred that all the coupling outlets (and preferably along with all of the coupling plate means) are moved beyond the width of the trailer for easy coupling. a. * , . *

* It is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be unduly ***ee.

limited by the particular choice of terminology and that a specific term may be * replaced or supplemented by an equivalent or genetic term. For example, the term operating position' could be replaced by transit position' or default transit position'; * trailer' could be replaced by semi-trailer', coupling plate' could be replaced by nosebox'; operator' could be replaced by driver'; coupling lines' could be replaced by suzie'. Further it is to be understood that individual features, method or functions relating to the coupling, or slide arm or parts thereof might be individually patentably inventive. The singular may include the plural and vice versa. Additionally, any range mentioned herein for any parameter or variable shall be taken to include a disclosure of any derivable sub-range within that range r of any particular value of the variable or parameter arranged within, or at an end of, the range or sub-range.

Still further according to the present invention there is provided a coupling having any one ormore features derivable from the aloregoing description and drawings.

Still further according to the present invention there is provided a method of connecting a power and/or service supply to coupling outlets of a trailer/container from a cab, the arrangement being such that an operator is able to stand on the ground by the side of the trailer/container whilst performing the coupling operation, said coupling outlets, preferably, being slideable laterally beyond the width of the trailer/container in a coupling connection position which is, preferably, at a height lower or higher than when the coupling outlets are in a transit position on the trailer/container. * I S * I. * I. *

Still further according to the present invention there is provided a method having any *,...; * one or more features derivable from the aforegoing description and drawings.

II.... * S

S * S

Claims

CLAIMS1. A coupling for connection of a power and/or service supply from a cab to a trailer/container, the coupling having coupling outlets slideable from a first, operating position located at first height relative to and within the width of the trailer/container to laterally beyond the width of the trailer/container and movable to a second, coupling connection position at a second, different, height relative to the trailer/container (or ground level) for the operator to connect the power/service supply from the cab to the trailer/container, said coupling outlets being arranged laterally beyond the width of the trailerlcontainer in said second, coupling connection position.
2. A coupling as claimed in claim 1 in which the coupling outlets are lower in the coupling connection position than in the first, operating position.
3. A coupling as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the coupling outlets are * provided on a coupling plate member or means that is slideable on a slideway * ** * . * . between the first operating position and the second, coupling connection position.**
4. A coupling as claimed in claim 3 in which movement of the coupling outlets is * S. *..

* actuatable purely manually.
5. A coupling as claimed in claim 4 in which movement of the coupling outlets is by pulling handle means on, or operatively coupled to, the coupling plate member or means.
6. A coupling as claimed in any one of the claims 3 to 5 in which the coupling plate member or means is connected to one end of a slide arm, which arm is movable through an angle as it is slidden laterally beyond the trailer/container to said coupling position.
7. A coupling as claimed in claim 6 in which the arm in moveable through a vertical distance of 170 mm.
8. A coupling as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 in which the slide ann can be guided by vertically spaced guide means or pins as it is sudden on the slideway.
9. A coupling as claimed in any one of claim 6 to 8 in which an opposite end of the slide arm is pivotally connected to a slideable stop means or plate engageable with an end of the slideway or other stop means to limit the extent of lateral outward *. ..movement of the coupling plate member or means. * . * *. * S *
10. A coupling as claimed in claim 9 in which a flexible services connection line is connected via the slide arm to the coupling outlets. *5ss * S S S. S *S.

*
11. A coupling as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 10 in which a locking mechanism or means is provided for locking the coupling outlets relative to the slideway.
12. A coupling as claimed in claim 11 in which said locking mechanism! means is releasable automatically, on operation of a, or the, handle means.
13. A coupling as claimed in claim 12 in which the handle means comprises a spring loaded double handle arrangement having one handle movable towards a second fixed handle.
14. A coupling as claimed in claim 13 in which the double handle arrangement is such that on gripping the two handles together in one hand and moving the movable handle towards the fixed handle, the locking mechanism/means is automatically released.
15. A coupling as claimed in claim 14 in which the locking means comprises two pivoting levers operatively connected to the handle means such that movement of the two handles towards and away from one another operates the pivoting levers thereby releasing and actuating locking.
16. A coupling as claimed in claim 15 in which one of said levers has a latching head movable into and out of locking engagement with a locking slot means on the S.....* slideway on actuation of the pivoting levers via the handles. * S. * . . S...
17. A coupling as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16 in which safety means is provided to hold the coupling plate member or means locked relative to the slideway S.....* in the event that the locking mechanism/means fails.
18. A coupling as claimed in claim 17 in which the safety means comprises a safety gate or guard that can be moved in between an open position and a closed position.
19. A coupling as claimed in claim 18 in which the gate or guard is pivotable.
20. A coupling as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18 in which the gate/guard is engageable with an extension of the handle means, in the closed position, preventing or restricting lateral outward movement of the coupling plate member or means.
21. A coupling as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which sensor means is provided on the coupling to actuate or release a braking mechanism of the trailer/container.
22. A coupling as claimed in claim 21 in which the sensor means is an electrical sensor.
23. A coupling as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22 when each is dependent upon claim 16 in which the safety means is co-operable with the sensor means so that when the 0* gate is closed the braking mechanism can be automatically released.

0**000 * 0 * 0* * * 0
24. A coupling as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the coupling outlets are provided with, or operatively connected to, a light source that can be *.e. * * 0operated automatically when the coupling outlets are in the coupling connection *0**0t * 0 position.
25. A coupling for connection of a power and/or service supply from a cab to a trailer/container substantially as herein described with ref to FIGURES 1 to 16 of the accompanying drawings.
26. A coupling having one or more of the following features:-a) Coupling outlets moveable (preferably slideable) from within the width of a trailer/container laterally beyond said width and to a different height level.b) Coupling outlets slideable from an operating position with the width of a trailer to a lower (or possibly higher) position laterally beyond the width of the trailer.c) A spring loaded double handle arrangement connected to operate a locking mechanism locking coupling outlets of the coupling to a slideway d) A safety means securing the coupling outlets in the event of failure of the locking mechanism in c) ** *0 * 0 0 * 0 0S*S** *
27. The combination of a trailer/container and coupling as claimed in any one of the * *0 preceding claims. *.*. * . .
28. The combination of a trailer/container as claimed in claim 27 and driver's cab.

00.... * .
29. A coupling having any one or more features derivable from the aforegoingdescription and drawings.
30. A method of connecting a power and/or service supply to coupling outlets of a trailer/container from a cab, the arrangement being such that an operator is able to stand on the ground by the side of the trailer/container whilst performing the coupling operation.
31. A method as claimed in claim 30 in which said coupling outlets are slideable laterally beyond the width of the trailer/container in a coupling connection position.
32. A method as claimed in claim 31 in which the coupling connection position is at a height lower or higher than when the coupling outlets are in a transit position on the trailer/container.
33. A method having any one or more features derivable from the aforegoingdescription and drawings. *. .. * * S * SS* *5.** * S * S. * S S *S.. "fl * *5 5S*55*s5 S *