GB460302A - Improvements in means for automatically connecting the fluid systems of detachable tractor and trailer combinations - Google Patents

Abstract

460,302. Vehicle couplings. GURTON, W. S., PLINT, J., and NYBERG, H. Aug. 6, 1935, No. 22127. [Class 103 (v)] In tractor - trailer combinations of the readily detachable type in which the trailer is provided with fluid actuated brakes or equipment controlled from the tractor, the fluid conduits are carried by separable mating members mounted respectively on tractor and trailer and are adapted to register to form sealed connections automatically on coupling the vehicles. The coupling means may include means for regulating the clearance between the vehicles when turning, without affecting the fluid connections. The form shown, which also includes electric connections, comprises a fifthwheel semi-trailer coupling, a base plate 4 with approach ramps 3 being provided on the end of the tractor. The fluid conduits 30, 31 on the trailer terminate in cylindrical sockets 32, 33 formed in a flange on the front edge of a coupling plate 13 and fitted with rubber gaskets 34, 35. When coupling the vehicles, the kingpin 6 and a tail-piece 5<1> carried by the plate 13, are guided by the converging space between the ramps 3, so that the gaskets 34, 35 meet corresponding gaskets 19, 20 seated in tapered sockets 17, 18 on a cross-bar 11 on the tractor base plate 4, the cross-bar being carried by pins 7 slidable in housings 6, under control of springs 8, which are placed under tension in effecting the coupling, so that the gaskets are pressed together. Passages 15, 16 in the cross-bar 11 lead from the gaskets 19, 20 to flexible conduits 21, 22 which communicate with the main fluid control conduits 28, 29 through a valve casing 23, the slidable valve members 25 being connected by a rod 26 to the cross-bar 11 so that the yielding movement thereof when coupling or uncoupling serves to open and close the valves. An electric plug connection 36, 38 may be arranged between the fluid connections as shown in Fig. 4. The trailer coupling-plate 13 with kingpin 5 is hinged by pins 42 connecting lugs 40 thereon to lugs 41<1> on a bearing plate 41 on which the trailer rests, the plate 41 being secured to a pin 43 slidable between longitudinal guides 44, 45 on the trailer and being pivotally tied by a link 46 to a stud 47 secured to the front end of the trailer so that when the plate 41, moving with the tractor, turns relatively to the trailer, the link 46 is swung about its pivot 47 shortening the distance between the studs 47 and 43, thus drawing the trailer back on the stud 43 to give clearance between the vehicles, as shown in Fig. 6.