GB409417A - An improved coupling for tractor and trailer units of motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

409,417. Tractor - trailer arrangements. NORTH, O. D., 76, Elm Park Mansions, Park Walk, Chelsea, HUGH, P. G., and SCAMMELL LORRIES, Ltd., 52, High Holborn, both in London. Nov. 10, 1932, Nos. 31776/32 and 9776/33. [Class 79 (iii).] Relates to tractor-trailer couplings associated with means on the trailer for lowering a supporting wheel or wheels when uncoupling and raising these when coupling. Coupling is effected by backing the tractor 1, Fig. 3, into the trailer 2 so that flanged rollers 4 on the latter are engaged and raised by ramps 3 on the former. The rollers 4 are mounted on the ends of a transverse beam 8, Fig. 4, held between lugs 7 on a turntable 5 pivotally mounted on the trailer. A bolt 28, Fig. 5, passes through the lugs 7 and loosely through a central hole 27 in the beam 8, allowing the latter a certain amount of pivotal movement about a longitudinal axis to compensate for differences of inclination between the tractor and trailer when being coupled ; this movement is limited by pins 29 which engage slots in the beam 8. In order to support the trailer when not associated with the tractor, wheels 10 are provided which are adapted to be lifted clear of the ground automatically when coupling takes place. This is effected by mounting the wheels on pivoted arms 9, Fig. 5, normally locked in position by spring- controlled toggle links 19, 20 ; as the rollers 4 ride up the ramps 3, a member 18 on the tractor first abuts against a plate 26 carried by spring- pressed hooks 23 and disengages them from pins 24 on the arms 9, and then engages a roller 17 mounted co-axially with the pivotal point 16 of the toggle mechanism, thereby operating the latter to lift the wheels 10. When the rollers 4 come to the top of the ramps 3 they engage spring-pressed buffers 32, and simultaneously auxiliary rollers on the beam 8 engage interconnected locking hooks on the tractor which may subsequently be released for uncoupling in any convenient manner. The apparatus may be associated with the braking mechanism described in Specification 409,500, [Group XXXI].