US1260027A - Pivotal connection for motor-vehicles. - Google Patents

Description

C. S. PEETS, 0. D. SHONNARD & R. G. DUBOIS. PlvoTAL CONNECTION FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 20,1917.

1 ,260,027. Pat/Ontcd Mair. 19, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

C. S. PEETS, O. D. SHONNARD & R. G. DU BOIS.

PIVOTAL CONNECTION FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED IULY 20.19I7.

Patented Mm. 19, 1918.

l 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIcE.

CLIFFORD S. IPEETS, OF GREAT NECK, NE

W YORK, AND ORLANDO D. SHONNARD, OF

MONTCLAIR, AND RHESA G. DU BOIS, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY.

PIVOTAL CONNECTION FOR MOTOR-VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 19, 1918.

Application'led July 20, 1917. Serial No. 181,795.

To all lwhom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CLIFFORD S. PEETs, residing at Great Neck, in the county of Nassau and State of New York; ORLANDO D. SHONNARD, residing at Montclair, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, and RHEsA G. DU Bois, residing at East Oran e, in the county of Essex and State of New ersey, all being citizens of the United States, have invented certain new and-useful Improvements in Pivotal Connections for Motor-Vehicles, of which the following is a specification. v

Our invention relates to those motor vehicles wherein a front element commonly called the tractor is used to haul a rear element commonly known to the art as a twowheeled semi-trailer, in contradistinction to a four wheel trailer.

These two elements are usually connected by an oscillating separable pivotal connection known in one form as a fifth wheel comprising a pivotal pin and surrounding circular bearing and steadying members whereby the semi-trailer is allowed to rotate and oscillate relative to the tractor or propelling element while in transit.

In carrying out the foregoing method it has been found that considerable time and work is involved in the operation of connecting and disconnecting the semi-trailer from the tractor; and the purpose of our invention is to provide more simple, positive and efiicient means for reducing such time and work.

To this end our invention consists in the peculiar features and-combinations of parts, more fully described hereinafter and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 represents a diagrammatic side elevation of our invention as applied to the rear latform of an ordinary tractor, showing t e forward end of a semi-trailer raised as in the act of separating the oscillating separable pivotal connection by a lifting separator located within said connection.

Fig. 2 is a top view of an oscillating separable pivotal connection with our lifting separator, part of the connection being cut away to better show vthe mechanism beneath. Flg. 3 is an end elevation partly in full lines and partly in cross-section. In this view, dotted lines indicate the position from which the parts `were shifted bodily sidelines show how the upper member oscillates with the lifting separator, and wherein the fifth wheel is shown secured to the tractor frame through the medium of bolsters instead. of directly to said frame as in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view of a modification of a ball and socket formation between the pivotal pin and lifting separator.

.As seen in F ig, 1, the reference numeral 1, represents the rear end of a tractor and 2, a semi-trailer connected to be hauled by the tractor through the medium of an oscillating separable pivotal connection 7 In the present instance, this oscillating separable pivotal connection consists of a member 71, that rocks on a b ase 72 attached to the frame 15 of the tractor through the This upper separable plate-4 is provided with a central pivotal pin 5 projecting downward and adapted to drop into a socket 23 in the center of ring or plate l18. 17 is afriction ring bearing between the two parts. Dotted line 6 shows the position of the semitrailers floor before being lifted.

Our invention includes the combining with such oscillating separable pivotal connection, a lifting jack 8 which jack is operable by a crank shaft 36 conveniently extending out to the side of the tractor where it can be turned by a handle.37 to lift the forward end of the semi-trailer 2 and separate it from the tractor 1 as seen more clearly in Fig. 1.

This oscillating separable pivotal connection proper is seated transversely on the frame 15V either by means of the bolsters 60 as seen in Fig. 4 or directly to the frame as in Fig. 3.

In connecting the semi-trailer 2 with the tractor 1, itis necessary to bring the pivotal pin 5 into coincidence with the head 38 of the lifting separator 8 so that as the lifting separator is raised it will meet the head 39 of the pivotal pin 5. In backing the tractor under the end of the propped up semitrailer, the operator cannot always brin the separable parts into coincidence, and 1t is desirable for the purpose of saving time, to shift the oscillating separable pivotal connection mechanism a little one way or the other in making the connection.

For such purpose, we allow the bearings 21 to be moved bodily sidewise or transversely on hollow trunnions 10 and 11 as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3.

Elongated slots 61 in base plates 12 also permit the whole connection to be moved longitudinally of the tractor 1 on the frame 15 whenever the bolts 14 are loosened.

As a still further means of facilitating the coupling operation between the pivotal pin 5 and lifting separator 8, the member 71 (Fig. l) may be oscillated back and forth on its horizontal axis 73. Thus it will be seen that quite a range of lateral movement is allowed in bringing the pivotal pin 5 and lifting separator 8 into coincidence for the coupling operation.

In the oscillating separable pivotal connection 7 the lifting separator 8 is suspended therefrom in a hanger 31 depending from the bottom of lowermost ring 18 and oscillates with it. VThe lifting separator 8 also works up and down in a sheath 32. A feather pin 33 prevents the lifting separator from turning as it is driven upward and downward by the bevel gear 30. The vertical bore of the rotary gear 30, is longitudinally threaded or otherwise formed to mesh with the longitudinal thread of the jack screw or ejector 8, so that said gear constitutes the rotary nut whereby said screw is sustained and elevated and depressed. The screw 8 is held against rotation by the pin 33, projecting into and freely movable vertically in the longitudinal groove or runway 34 in the wall of the sheath or casing 32.

The horizontal bevel gear 30 is actuated by a miter pinion 35 to actuate the lifting separator 8. Registering holes 50 and 51 facilitate the removal of the feather pin 33. Screws 52 secure the hanger 31 to the plate 18. Referring to Fig. 4, 1t will be seen that the pivotal pin 5 is retainable against jumping out of its socket'by the sliding latch 26 held in guide-'way 48. This sliding latch 26 is automatically slid back to release the pivotal pin 5 through the medium of an elbow lever 42 pivoted at 43 to hanger 31. The left arm 44 of said lever is engaged by the head 38 of the lifting separator 8 in its movement upward. This action lifts the arm 44 thereby swinging the other arm 45 outward, and as it is loosely connected with the underside of the latch in a notch 47, it carries the latch vwith it suiiciently to liberate the pivotal pin 5. A handle 25 enables the operator to manually withdraw the latch when desired. The latch is thrown into locking position as in Fig. 2 by a closing spring 49 having its free end bearing against the arm 45 of the elbow lever 42, and when so locked, the forked end 26 passes astride the lower end of pivotal pin 5 and within the annular groove 29. The lower shoulder 27 would arrest the fork and prevent the pivotal pin from jumping out.

In order to permit the operator to actuate the lifting separator 8 from either side of the tractor 1, we provide a duplicate pinion 53 and crank shaft 54. ,A

Summarizing the operation of our device, whenever the operator wishes to detach the trailer 2 from the tractor 1, all he has to do is to rotate the crank shaft 36 thereby actuating the beveled gears 30 and 35 to raise or lower the'lifting separator 8. In the elevating operation, which is the detaching operation, the elbow lever 42 first throws out the latch and then the head 38 engages the lower end 39 of king or pivotal pin 5 and lifts it together with the forward end ofy the semi-trailer far enough up to clear the tractor. After props 28 have been placed under the floor 3 of the semi-trailer, the lifting separator 8 should be lowered by a reversal of the crank 37 thus leaving` the front end of the semi-trailer supported by thefv props. The tractor may then be run out from under the semi-trailer for other service.

Inasmuch as the lifting separator 8 (Fig. 1) oscillates in common with member 71, it maintains better alinement and endwise pressure on the pivotal pin during the raislng and lowering operations besides facilitating the coupllng and uncoupling operations.

In the modification shown in Fig. 5, the ball and socket formation is reversed and the socket 62 depends from the` trailer plate 63 and is engaged by the ball 64 on the screw 65. The locking latch 66 operating in an annular slot 67 1n the circumference of the socket 62 serves to hold the trailer portion to the tractor portion the same as in the principal views. The lifting screw 65 is operable by beveled gears 68 and 69 driven by a shaft 74 journaled in hanger 75.

Although we have shown thev preferred forms we propose to use, ,it is apparent that our invention could be variedin a variety of ways without escaping the spirit and scope of the device.

What we claim is 1. In a motor vehicle, a tractor, and a detachable semi-trailer in combination with an oscillating separable pivotal connection between the tractor and semi-trailer, said connection embodying vertically separable upper and lower members one of which is provided with a king pin and the other with a manually-actuated lifting and separating device constructed and arranged to lift the upper member free from the lower member of the connection and at the same time lift the fore-end of the Semi-trailer free from the tractor.

2. In a motor vehicle, a tractor and a semi-trailer provided with an oscillating vertically separable pivotal connection between them in combination with a separating and lifting jack on the tractor andescillatory with said connection.

3. In a motor4 vehicle, a tractor semitrailer element provided with a separable pivotal connection embodying a king pin in combination with a separating and lifting jack on the tractor and longitudinally alined with the king pin,

4. In a motor vehicle of the tractor semitrailer type, a separable pivotal connection mounted to rock on a transverse axis in combination with a lifting jack incorporated within said connection and roekable therewith and mechanism for operating thel jack.

5. In a motor vehicle, a tractor semitrailer element provided with an oscillating separable pivotal connection embodying upper and lower members, said connection being provided with a lifting jack coperating with said members to lift the semi-trailer portion of the vehicle and thereby operatively disconnects the upper and lower members of the oscillating separable pivotal connection.

6. As a new article of manufacture for motor vehicles of the tractor semi-trailer type, a combined separable pivotal connecting element embodying a king pin attachable to the semi-trailer element and a separating and lifting device on the tractor element arranged to cooperate with the king pin to lift the semi-trailer element and .operatively disconnect the king pin from the tractor element. l

7. As a new article of manufacture for motor vehicles of the tractor semi-trailer` type an oscillating vertically separable pivotal connecting element in combination with a lifting separator attachable to said connecting element and rockable therewith to maintain its alinement with said element, said separator cooperating with said element to lift the semi-trailer and thereby operatively disconnect the tractor and trailer.

8. In an oscillating separable pivotal connecting element for motor vehicles of the tractor semi-trailer type, an oscillating member of the connecting element in combination with a lifting jack suspended from and oscillating with the oscillating member and arranged to lift the trailer and thereby operatively disconnect the same from the tractor.

9. An oscillating separable pivotal connecting element for motor vehicles of the tractor semi-trailer type said element having a central oscillating separable pivotal connection and a separating and lifting device se'cured to oscillate with the oscillating member.

10. An oscillating separable pivotal connection for motor vehicles of the tractor semi-trailer type wherein the connecting element is shiftable bodily sidewise and in makingeonnection with its separable members, said element being provided with a lifting jack carried thereby and shiftable therewith and arranged to lift the trailer and separate said connection.

11. A vertically-separable oscillatory pivotal connection for motor vehicles of the tractor semi trailer type and the like, comprising a base provided with transverse alined trunnions, an oscillatory socket-forming member carried by and provided with depending bearings mounted on said trunnions, said bearings being movable longitudinally of said trunnions to permit said member to be bodily shifted sidewise, and a king pin adapted to the socket formed by said member, substantially as described.

12. An oscillating separable pivotal connecting element for motor vehicles of the tractor semi-trailer type which connecting element comprises a pair of separable members attachable respectively to the tractor and semi-trailer, the tractor member being arranged and adapted to be shifted bodily sidewise to facilitate the connecting operation and being provided with and carrying a jack for lifting the trailer and thereby operatively disconnecting said members.

13. An oscillating separable pivotal connecting element for motor vehicles of the tractor semi-trailer type provided with means for shifting one of the connecting members bodily laterally to aid in making the connection between the tractor and semi-trailer, in combination with a lifting separator which lifts and separates the tractor element from the semi-trailer element.

llt. An oscillating separable pivotal connecting element for motor vehicles of the tractor semi-trailer type which connection.

1 5. In an oscillating separable pivotal A connecting element for mot-or vehicles of the tractor semi-trailer type said connecting element comprising upper and lower members attachable to the tractor and semitrailer respectively in combination with a lifting separator and a locking latch unlocked by the action of the lifting separator.

16. In an oscillating separable pivotal connect-ing element for motor vehicles of the tractor semi-trailer type a pivot pin attachable to the semi-trailer member in combination with a lifting separator on thetractor member adapted to engage said pin, the engaging ends of said pin and separator formed to fit one within the other, whereby the two are prevented from slipping apart during the raising and lowering operations.

17. In an oscillating separable pivotal connecting element for motor vehicles of the tractor semi-trailer type said connecting element comprising an upper member attachable to the semi-trailer .element and provided with a pivot pin in combination with a lower member attachable to the tractor element and provided with a lifting separator se cured to and forming part of the connecting element, and a ball and socket formation between said pivot pin and lifting separator.

18. In an oscillating separable pivotal connecting element for motor vehicles of the tractor semi-trailer type, a pivot pin in combination with a lifting separator adapted to engage said pin, said pin and separator having interitting concave and convex ends, whereby the two are preventedfrom slipping apart during the raising and lowering operations.

19. In a motor vehicle, a tractor element having a socket, and a trailer element having a kingpin adapted to enter said socket, in combination with an ejector placed end to end with the king-pin, and a lateral crank-shaft extending out to the side of the tractor for actuating the ejector whereby the trailer element is separated from the tractor element.

20. A tractor having means providing an oscillating king-pin socket, in combination with an ejector in juxtaposition to said socket, and a lateral crank for operating the ejector.

21. A vertically separable fth Wheel for motor vehicles of the tractor semi-trailer type and the like, comprising a member embodying a king-pin, and a member provided with a socket for said pin and also provided with a lifting jack arranged to cooperate with said pin in lifting the trailer and operatively disconnecting the trailer and tractor, and manually controlled actuating means for said jack.

22. A vertically-separable fifth wheel for motor vehicles of the tractor semi-trailer type comprising a king-pin adapted to be xed to the trailer, and a member adapted to be carried by the tractor and providing a socket for said pin, a vertically movable ejector carried by said member and arranged'below said socket to engage the pin and elevate the same from said socket, and an operating shaftfor said ejector carried by said member and provided with an exterior operating handle.

23. A fifth wheel for motor vehicles and the like, consisting of oscillating members provided with a central king-pin socket and a lifting jackv screw which enters the socket and expels the pin to separate the parts.

24. A vertically separable pivotal connection for motor vehicles of the tractor semi trailer type and the like, comprising a king pin, in combination with a base, a member carried by said base and pivotally connected thereto to rock on a transverse axis and providing a socket for said king pin, a king pin ejector mounted in said member, and a shaft for operating said ejector, the axis of said shaft being concentric with said transverse axis.

25. A vertically separable pivotal connection for detachably joining a tractor and semi-trailer, comprising attaching means, a member supported by and pivotally coupled to said means to rock on a transverse axis and providing a vertical king pin socket, a king pin adapted to said socket, a rotary nut alined with said socket and carried by said means, a non-rotary ejector screw pro pelled longitudinally by said nut to eject said pin from said socket, and a shaft connected to said nut for rotating the same and having manual operating means, said shaft being arranged with its axis concentric with said transverse axis.

26. A vertically separable pivotal connection for detachably joining av tractor and semi-trailer, comprising attaching means, a member providing a vertical king pin socket, a king pin adapted to said socket, a rotary nut alined with said socket and carried by said means, a non-rotary ejector screw propelled longitudinally by said nut to eject said pin from said socket, and a shaft connected to said nut for rotating the same and having manual operating means.

27. A pivotal connection for detachably joining a tractor and a semi trailer, comprising upper and lower members adapted to be secured to the trailer and tractor respectively, and arranged to interlock to provide for relative movement 'on a vertical axial line, said members being vertically separable to detach the trailer from the tractor, one of said members being provided with and carrying a lifting screw arranged to abut the other member and lift the same and the trailer to separate said members and detach the trailer, and manual operating means for said screw.

28. A pivotal connection for detachably joining a tractor and a semi trailer, comprising upper and lower members adapted to be secured to the trailer and tractor respectively, and arranged to interlock to provide for relative movement on'a vertical axial line, said members being vertically separable to detach the trailer from the tractor, means normally maintaining said members against vertical separation, and mechanism for automatically actuating said means to release said members for separation comprising a manually-operated lifting jack arranged to lift the trailer and vertically separate said members for detaching the trailer from the tractor.

joining -a tractor and a trailer comprising a king pin adapted to be secured to the trailer, a member providing a socket for the king pin, said member adapted to be secured to the tractor, a latch carried by said member for 'detachably confining the king pin against vertical Withdrawal from the socket, means for moving said latch from pin confining position, and a lifting jack carried by said member' for lifting the trailer and Withdrawing the king pin from said socket.

30. In a motor vehicle, the combination with a tractor and trailer of a pivotal connection comprising a king pin on the trailer element, a socket member on the tractor element, and va manually actuated ejector mounted with said member for pushing the king pin from its socket.

31. In a motor vehicle, the combination element, a socket member on the tractor element, and a manually actuated king-pinabutting ejector for pushing the king pin from its socket and lifting the trailer element clear of the tractor element.

32. A pivotal connection for detachably joinin a tractor and a trailer, consisting essentially of a fifth Wheel embodying a king pin, and provided with a separate `independent lifting jack included in and carried by the fifth wheel and constructed and arranged to coperate with the king pin to lift the tra-iler and eject said pin.

CLIFFORD s. PEETs. ORLANDO D. sHONNARD. RHEsA G. DU BOIS. [La]

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