GB522461A - Improvements in and connected with motor tractors for use with trailers to form articulated tractor-trailer vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

522,461. Couplings. HUGH, P. G., BAKER, H. T., and SCAMMELL LORRIES, Ltd. Dec. 23, 1938, Nos. 37531/38 and 4817/39. [Class 103 (v)] [Also in Group XXXIV] Means on, or for adapting, a motor road vehicle chassis for tractor purposes comprises two ramps 1, Figs. 1, 2, fixed or adapted to be fixed to the rear ends of the main longitudinal frame members, a main cross member 3, coupling means carried by the cross members adapted to co-operate with coupling means on the trailer, brake actuating means on the front vehicle operable from separate controls such as 30a, 35, Fig. 3, selectively, and means such as 24 common to both sources of brake operation adapted to transmit operation to trailer brake members 46. The tractor may be a three or four wheeled vehicle but an ordinary commercial vehicle is shown. The ramps 3 are stayed at 7 and stiffened by plates 4. A transverse tube 12a carries end plates 12 between which is a locking device with hooks 8 spring pivoted at 9 to engage roller members 10a carried by a beam 10 or the turntable on the trailer. The hooks can be released by a rod 17 connected to a pedal and operated by an L- shaped lever 18 and trigger 14. A duplicated arrangement of hooks 8a, 8b, is efficacious as a safety catch. Slowing down of the vehicle ensures satisfactory coupling. Spring buffers 18a are mounted at the top of the ramps 3. Brake operating mechanism Fig. 3 permits tractor and trailer to be uncoupled without releasing connections by hand. A brake operating shaft 21 extends between two longitudinal plates and carries an operating lever 23 engaging beneath a longitudinal bar 25 hinged to a pin 26. The free end of the bar engages a slidable push bar 27 in a king pin 28 to operate a bell crank 46 on the trailer and actuate the trailer brakes. A hydraulic operating unit or servo motor device 30 is operatively connected by a push rod 30a to a lever 31 on the brake shaft 21. The brake device is operated by a pedal rod 33. The brake shaft 21 has an extension 34 which receives a rod or cable 35 connected to a trailer hand brake lever in the driver's cab. Thus the brake can be operated by foot or hand control independently by forming slots-35a in the coupling member. In a modification, an hydraulic cylinder 37, Fig. 5 connected by a pipeline 38 has a movable member 41 engaging an abutment 42 on a brake operating lever 43 on the shaft 21. Specifications 409,417, [Group XXXI]. 457,039, and 475,674 are referred to.