IT1236847B - Automatic Braking Device for Towing Vehicles for the Transport of Luggage or Goods, in Particular for Airport Use - Google Patents

Abstract

An automatic braking device for towing vehicles for the transport of luggage or goods is described, in particular for airport use. The said vehicles are equipped with a drawbar, which can be rotated on the vertical plane even when unattached to the vehicle in front. According to the invention, the loading floor of the vehicle rests on an eccentric or pantograph device, in turn resting on the wheel-bearing axle. The eccentric or pantograph device is connected through a first cinematic system to the drawbar and through a second cinematic system to the braking component connected to the wheels. The eccentric device, when activated by the drawbar whilst this is placed mainly in a horizontal position, determines the distance of the floor from the axle at the same time deactivating the braking component. Whilst the drawbar is being detached from the vehicle in front, the floor draws closer, on account of its weight, to the axle determining activation of the braking component and at the same time the raising, into almost a vertical position, of the drawbar. In this way the weight force of the vehicle floor with any load carried is exploited as a force for operating the brakes and for raising the drawbar. Since braking efficiency is directly proportional to the weight at that moment bearing on the front axle, cases may be found where, either due to uneven loads, i.e. where they bear mainly on the rear axle, or in situations of uphill travel, the weight on the front axle is disproportionate in relation to the force necessary for obtaining braking performance of a given value and therefore it is opportune to add one or more return springs or at least flexible components in general, which assist the drawing near of the two frames and the consequent braking action, which is added, in the required percentage, to the force of gravity.