GB762300A - A new or improved device for use in coupling trailer vehicles to tractors - Google Patents

Abstract

762,300. Tractor-trailer couplings. BROCKHOUSE & CO., Ltd., J. March 11, 1955 [March 12, 1954], No. 7180/54. Class 103(5). [Also in Group XXXIV] A coupling assembly, Figs. 1, 2 and 3, is for use with a tractor vehicle having a pair of widely spaced ramps 23 at its rear end, and may be mounted in the tractor to provide a more closely spaced pair of ramps 15 so that the tractor may be coupled to trailers having different coupling attachments. The assembly which may be stood up on the ground, Fig. 1, on its two ramps 15 and foldable legs 31, comprises a main transverse member 14 to which the ramps 15 are fixed, a transverse rear channel member 18 extended by tubular portions 19 carrying clamping strips 22 adapted to engage with the existing tractor ramps 23, main trailer coupling jaws 39, 39a, and a pair or pairs of adjustable jaws 24, Fig. 2, adapted to grip a cross member 12 on the tractor. Each leg 31 is pivoted at 33 to the member 14 and is provided with a hinged catch 36 and a pin 37 for engaging in a hole in the part 19 when the leg is swung up. In operation, the assembly is stood on the ground, Fig. 1, and the tractor is backed so that the tractor ramps 23, Fig. 2, extend rearwardly on each side of the assembly and engage beneath skid plates 40 on the member 14. The rear ends of the ramps 15 are then raised and the tubular portions 19 engaged with the ramps 23. The assembly is now pushed forwardly until the jaws 24 may be clamped to the cross bar 12, whereupon the clips 22 are tightened to clamp on the ramps 23, and the legs are raised and fastened to the cross members 19. Coupling may now take place in the manner described in Specification 740,737. The coupling hooks 39 are connected by a cross bar 50 carrying two pairs of brackets 51 each mounting a roller 52, one at least of these rollers 52 engaging with the upper side of the trigger 14 extending from a hook 8 as described in Specification 522,461. The cross bar 50 is biassed in a downward direction by springs 53 so as to engage the roller 52 with the trigger 14 of Specification 522,461 and to displace the coupling hooks 39 towards their coupling position. With such an arrangement when it is desired to uncouple from the trailer a tractor in accordance with Specification 522,461 provided with an attachment device in accordance with the present Specification, the rod 17 in Specification 522,461 is pulled to move the hook 8 thereby raising the trigger 14, and the roller 52 of the present Specification and consequently the cross bar 50 to disengage the coupling hooks 39, whereupon uncoupling is effected as described in Specification 740,737. A braking linkage, (see Group XXXIV) is described to wprk in conjunction with the systems of Specifications 522,461 and 740,721 [Group XXXIV].