US3362353A

US3362353A - Retractable support and method of using same

Info

Publication number: US3362353A
Application number: US566630A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clarence J Johnson; Keener John
Original assignee: Evans Products Co
Current assignee: Evans Products Co
Priority date: 1966-07-20
Filing date: 1966-07-20
Publication date: 1968-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 1985-01-09

Description

Jan. 9, 1968 c. J. JOHNSON ETAL 3,

RETRACTABLE SUPPORT AND METHOD OF USING SAME Original Filed Nov. 26. 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet. 1

Jan. 9, 1968 c. J. JOHNSON ETAL 3,362,353

RETRACTABLE SUPPORT AND METHOD OF USING SAME Original Filed Nov. 26, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 1968 c. J.JOHNSON ETAL 3,362,353

RETRACTABLE SUPPORT AND METHOD OF USING SAME Original Filed Nov. 26, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 RETRACTABLE SUPPORT AND METHUD OF usmn SAME 4 Sheets-Shem 4 C. J. JOHNSON ETAL Jan. 9, 1968 Original Filed Nov. 26, 1957 United States Patent 0 3,362,353 RETRACTABLE SUPPORT AND METHOD OF USING SAME Clarence J. Johnson, Grimes, and John Keener, Des Moines, Iowa, assignors, by mesne assignments, to Evans Products Company, Plymouth Township, Mich. a corporation of Delaware Continuation of application Ser. No. 392,671, Aug. 10, 191%, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 698,970, Nov. 26, 1957. This application July 20, 1966, Scr. No. 566,630

27 Claims. (Ci. 105-368) The present invention relates to a retractable support and to a method of using the same. More particularly it relates to such a support and method as can be used on a freight car in connection with the railway hauling of highway-type trailers, and this application is a continuation of our copending application, Ser. No. 392,671, filed Aug. 10. I964, now abandoned, of the same title, which application was a continuation of copending application a Ser. No. 698,970, filed Nov. 26, 1957, and having the same title.

In the transportation field, it is becoming increasingly more advantageous to transfer highway truck trailers to railway flat cars for certain hauls. Since the hauls vary in length, availability of returns, loading and unloading facilities at terminals, weather conditions and numerous other factors, the cars used for such Work (commonly referred to as Piggy-Baclr) must be extremely flexible, rugged, dependable, and simple. In addition, adequate protection for the highway vehicle must be provided against the shock loads attendant to making up trains, switching, humping cars, and the like.

In view of the foregoing, it is the general object of the present invention to provide a retractable support for highway vehicles which is simple, sturdy, and easy to 0perate. Another general object is to provide a novel method of loading a highway type trailer on a railway car. More specifically, it is an important object of the invention to furnish a flat car retractable support which lends itself t one-man operation, and to a method of carrying out such operation.

Of paramount importance is the provision of a retractable support which is safe to operate and which safely secures its load against upsetting along a right-of-way or in the path of another train.

Another object of the invention is to furnish a retractable support for mounting on a flat car which does no! permanently convert the fiat car from its geuerai purpose function.

A more detailed objective of the invention is to utilize the power oi the truck tractor which spots the trailer on the tint car to elevate the retracted support into engagemen with the trailer. Our invention therefore contemplates a system or method that so utilizes or employs the tractor power. Also, by the unique placement of springs, the objective of cushioned action in all phases of operation is achieved. Another objective of power-assisted ice breaking and joint freeing is also achieved by positioning the elements so that all moving parts are moved when the support is set up by the towing force.

Still another object of the invention is to furnish a retractable support adapted to engage its highway trailer load at the exact point and in the precise manner for which the highway trailer is designed, thereby minimizing damage to the trailer. A related object is also achieved by securing the trailer in the manner for which it is designed in that the support is as universal in its application as any towing tractor. A still further object of the invention is to provide a retractable support which rests on its associated fiat car in such a manner that it does not Ill ice

interfere with driving the tractors and trailers on and off the train throughout the length of the flat cars.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description of an illustrative embodiment proceeds, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view, partially broken, of the top of a train of fiat cars illustrating the location of the subject retractable supports.

FIG. 2 illustrates a truck and trailer backing onto the train shown in FIGURE I.

FIG. 3 is a broken view of the truck and trailer shown in FIG. 2 as spotted for unloading.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing the trailer after the tractor has been disengaged.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4, illustrating the subsequent use of the tractor in raising the support mechanism.

FIG. 6, a view similar to FlGS. 3 through 5, shows the tractor serving as the power supply for engaging the trailer with the retractable support.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to the preceding series in FIGS. 3 through 6, illustrating how the tractor is used to retract the support device.

FIG. 8 is a to view of the retractable support in its extended, or up, position.

FIG. 9 is a front elevation of the retractable support as shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. i0 is a front elevation in enlarged scale of the retractable support as shown in the up, or engaged, position.

FiG. 11 is a top view of the retractable support shown in the retracted position.

In broad outline, a railroad car or flat car is fitted with the illustrative fifth wheel stand or retractable support 10, depicted in the drawings and to be described in detail hereinafter, which includes or contemplates a fifth wheel plate structure or top plate 25 mounted on a vertical support and upon which the trailer 16 rests. The top plate 25 has a forwardly open iaw which engages the trailer king pin and locks it to the top plate. In addition to being hingedly mounted on one end of the lever forming strut, i.e., on the vertical support, the top plate also is spring cushioned in its mount to the support to accommodate shock toads. The other end of the vertical support is pivotally secured to the railroad car to swing from a lowered inoperative position to a raised operative position in which the fifth wheel plate structure or top plate is disposed in engagement with the kingpin of the vehicle. Trailing support links hinge to the verllcal support and are removably locked at their free trailing ends to the base. A chain drawbar assembly 24 provided at the front of the vertical support permits attachment to the tractor to pull the support into locked engagement with the trailer after it has been spotted on the flat car. An additional counterweight spring assembly 29 cushions the retraction of the support and similarly assists in raising the support.

Before outlining the details of the retractable support illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be helpful to review the use of the retractable support in making up a trainload of piggy-back trailers. Referring now to FIGURE 1, it will be seen that the retractable supports 10 are located at one end, and where necessary, adjacent the middle of each railroad car or flat car 11. Treadways 12, having hinged ends 14, are provided at the ends of each of the flat cars 11 so that a tractor and a trailer type freight vehicle or a trailer can drive from one end of the train to the other along the top of the flat cars 11. Although it is not shown, the end our of the train abuts a ramp or flat dock, so that the truck trailer can be driven directly onto the train. In normal operation, transporting of the truck trailer into position is accomplished by backing it onto one end of the train and then by continuing to back it from there to a selected end of a selected car, as illustrated in FIG. 2. In operation, a relatively skilled driver can back a loaded truck trailer at a fast pace until it reaches the position where the trailer 16 is to be mounted, as shown in FIG. 3. Because the same driver will be loading several trailers onto the train, he will rapidly be able to gauge quite closely where to position or to spot the trailer in relation to the end of the flat car 11. During the aforesaid steps of transporting and backing the fifth wheel or support plate remains depressed on the deck of the car in an inoperative position. After the trailer 16 has been spotted, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the trailer landing gear 19 is lowered onto the floor of the flat car 11 and raised so that the truck 18 can be disconnected or disengaged from the trailer 16. A hinged gauge rod 20 is then raised up and the trailer 16 raised and lowered by means of its landing gear 19, until the trailer support plate 21 and kingpin 22 are at approximately the elevation dictated by the gauge rod 20.

The gauge rod is then dropped, and the tractor 18, as illustrated in FIG. 5, is hacked to a point where the chain assembly 24 can be hooked to the tractor 18. The fifth wheel or top plate is then swung up into operative position by employing the motive power of the tractor to drive the tractor 18 forward, as shown in FIG. 6, until the retractable support 10 is in the vertical position and its top support plate 25 engages the support plate 21 and kingpin 22 of the trailer 16. The trailing

links

26, 28 are then secured or releasably locked at their free ends, in a manner to be detailed hereinafter, and the trailer 18 is then securely locked to the flat car 11 in a manner most similar to its normal attachment to the tractor 18.

When the trailers 16 are to be unloaded, the kingpin 22 is unlocked. The landing gear 19 is then dropped and the trailer 16 raised until the trailer support plate 21 is above the retractable support plate 25. The trailing

links

26, 28 are then unlocked. The retractable support counterweight spring assembly 29 secures the mechanism against retraction. The tractor 18 is then backed in under the trailer and physically pushes the retractable support rearwardly until the spring-loaded assembly 29 no longer offsets the weight of the support, and thereafter full retraction is accomplished by gravity. The trailer 16 is then coupled to the tractor 18 by lowering the landing gear 19 just as would be done if the trailer 16 were stored in any freight yard.

The foregoing work can be accomplished by one man, and requires approximately seven minutes per trailer. No external winches, hoists, or other gear are requiredthe entire action being powered by the tractor itself. As will appear subsequently, the relationship between the chain assembly 24 and the top plate 25 is such that they comblue to actuate the stiffened hinge joints of the retractable support 10, and will even break loose a heavy coating of ice.

The details of construction are more clearly depicted in FIGS. 8 through 11. Referring now to FIG. 9, where the retractable support mechanism 10 is shown in its raised position, it will be seen that all of the elements of the retractable support are secured to a fiat base plate 30, formed advantageously from a steel plate. A vertical stand portion includes a support member in the form of vertical support bars 74, 75 and a support or top late 25. The trailing

links

26, 28 are secured at their trailing or free ends 32, 34 by means of the

locking mechanism

36, 38. A pair of guide channels 39, extend rearwardly from and are cooperatively attached to the locking mechanisms 36, 33.

The trailing links are locked in position by means of drift-type lock pins 4], 42 which penetrate mating holes in the trailing

links

26, 28. It will be observed that the butt pins 44, 45 are pivoted at their ends on an axis near the midpoint of the trailing

link guide channels

39, 40. Thus, prior to setting up, the butt pins 44, 45 are flipped over the trailing links so that they will fall into the butt pin slots 46, 48 after the ends 45, 50 of the trailing links have passed the slots 46, 48. The butt pins then serve in locating the proper positioning of the support plate 25 when the retractable mechanism is pulled forward by the tractor 18, as illustrated in FIG, 6. The trailing links are secured against backing up after the butt pins have dropped into the slots. The driver knows he has gone as far forward as he should when the vertical support runs up against the forward stop 82. Thereafter, the driver backs the truck tractor 18 until it pushes gently against the retractable support mechanism 10. This action shoves the far ends 49, 50 of the trailing

links

26, 28 against the butt pins 44, 45 when they serve their function as locators. At that point, the holes in the locking mechanism 36 and trailing

links

26, 28 will be registered in order to drive the drift-type locking pins 41, 42 into position, thereby releasably locking the fifth wheel stand 10 in the raised operative position.

The chain drawbar assembly 24 is more fully illustrated in FIG. 10. The principal elements of the drawbar assembly 24 are the drawbar plate 51 to which a pair of

anchor chains

52, 53 are attached at the rear portion. The

anchor chains

52, 53 are secure-d at their rear portions by means of

links

54, 55 to a drawbar chain anchor 56. The drawbar chain anchor 56 is a rod traversing the vertical support member of the retractable support. U-links 58, 59 secure the

drawbar chain

52, 53 to the drawbar 51. At its central portion and extending forwardly, the drawbar is attached to the draw chain 60 at the end of which is the draw chain hook 61. A swiveled U-tym link 62 secures the draw chain 60 to the drawbar 51.

The length of the

anchor chains

52, 53 and the pro portion of the drawbar 51 is such that the

forward tips

64, 65 of the support plate 25 overlap the drawbar when in the folded down position, as illustrated in FIG. 11, In this manner, the outer counterweight springs 66, and the inner counterweight springs 68, are protected from the points of the top plate in retraction. Most importantly, however, when the retractable support has been lying in the retracted position for some time in the yards, particularly in the winter, it may become clogged with ice, snow, dirt, and other debris. By locating the drawbar 51 beneath the

tips

64, 65 when the tractor commences pulling on the draw chain assembly 24, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the first reaction is to raise the drawbar 51 against the

top plate tips

64, 65 and begin swiveling the top plate 25 about its hinged joints. A pair of rollers 69 provided at the rear edge of the top plate 25 contact the base plate 30 and the unit begins to rise. As the

anchor chains

52, 53 begin to take over directly on the drawbar 56, any ice obstructions, or other freezing of the hinge points at the top plate, will have been freed so that the top plate will readily conform to its locked relationship with the support plate 21 and kingpin 22 of the trailer 16. A leveling spring 71 attached to the rear underside of the top support plate 25 extends forwardly to the side sway support plate 72. The leveling spring 71 serves to offset the out-of-balance effect which the forwardly extending

tips

64, 65 import to the top support plate 25.

Referring now to FIG. 10 it will be seen that the vertical support assembly comprises a plurality of bent clc ments of fiat stock, preferably welded together and tied against sway by the side sway support plate 72. Th backbone of the vertical support assembly is a pair of vertical support bars 74, 75 to each of which an inner offset

bar

76, 78 is attached to define a hinge yoke assembly for the top plate hinge, The trailing link hinge yoke is defined by a second pair of offset bars 77 secured to the outside of the long vertical support bars 74, 75. The trailing link hinge pins 79, which are inserted into bored holes in the trailing link hinge yoke, are held in place by means of removable lock covers 80. These lock covers may be removed for lubricating, disassembling, and otherwise servicing the retractable support mechamsm.

Referring now to FIG. 9, it will be seen that the vertical support leg 75 is hinged at its lower end to another hinge yoke assembly 81 which has a forward stop 82. The lower end 84 of the vertical support leg 75 is rounded so that the vertical support leg can be moved into the vertical position, but is stopped at that point by the stop block 82. Vertical support hinge pins 85 run through the hinge 81 and are provided with a safety pin hole 86, or otherwise secured against lateral travel.

Because railroad cars are subjected to numerous shock loads resulting from starting, stopping, humping, flying, switching, and the like, a unique longitudinal floating arrangement is provided for the top plate 25. Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, it will be seen that each of the hinge joints with the vertical supports 74, 75 cooperates with a constrained pair of compression springs. Beneath the top plate 25 and between the yoke defined b the upper legs 74, 76; 75, 78; are a pair of

longitudinal boxes

86, 88. These

spring retaining boxes

86, 88 are closed at both ends and provided with a pair of longitudinal hinge pin slots 89 at their midpoints. A floating spring abutment block 90, bored through its mid-portion to receive the hinge pins 91, 92 abuts the fore and aft compression springs 94, 95. Thus, irrespective of whether the shock load is from the front of the freight car or the rear of the freight car, or whether the trailer is traveling in a forward direction or a rearward direction, the floating longitudinal mount for the vertical support plate 25 will cushion the blow.

In the event the retractable support mechanism 10 is to be removed from its associated freight car, a pair of lifting rings 96 have been provided on the base plate 30. Similarly, to facilitate operation, the lock pins 41, 42 have been provided with

lock pin chains

98, 99 secured to the head of the lock pin and welded to the base of the retractable support to prevent the lock pins from becom ing lost or inadvertently pocketed by the operators.

The butt pin bracket 1G0 similarly receives the butt pins 44, 45 and the butt pin lock pin 101 secures the butt pins permanently in place. After the locking pins 41, 42 have been inserted in place, the lock

pin safety pins

101, 102 are inserted in the hole provided therefor at the tapered end of the lock pins. Lock

pin safety chains

104, 105 secure the lock pin safety pins from removal.

In connection with locking the trailer kingpin 22 to the support plate 25, an automatic kingpin lock mechanism (illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 11) has been provided. The automatic kingpin lock mechanism contemplates a pivoted hook 111 which has an externally extending handle portion 112 and a hooked end portion 114. The hook is supported by the hook pivot bracket 115 through which the hook pivot pin 116 is inserted. The pivoted hook lock mechanism 118 includes an unlocking externally extending handle 119 and an elongate shaft portion 120 which terminates in a locking block 121 which engages the locking shoulder 122 on the hook body 111. The shaft 120 is mounted by means of the internal mounting bracket 124 and the external mounting bracket 125. A compression spring 126 constantly urges the locking block 121 inwardly. The locking mechanism is shown in the locked position in FIG. 8. When the operator wishes to unlock the kingpin, he pulls the unlocking handle 119 which removes the lock block 121 from its contact with the locking hook shoulder 122, and the unlocking spring 126 then pulls the locking hook handle toward the unlocking mechanism, which in turn removes the hooked end portion 114 from its engagement with the kingpin 22. Vthen the kingpin locking mechanism is sought to be locked, the kingpin is pushed rearwardly until it engages the rear portion of the locking book which pivots the locking hook about its pivot hook 116. The locking block 121 rides on the curved rear portion 128 of the locking hook until it snaps into lace against the locking shoulder 122 on the lock device Thus, the operator need at no atime while the mech anism is in motion be near the locking or unlocking devices, but rather enjoy the safety of the cab of his tractor. This feature additionally implements the one-man nature of the entire operation.

In review, it will be seen that the illustrated structure admits of single-handed operation in securing a highway trailer to a flat car for rail shipment. When retracted on the freight car, the silhouette of one commercial embodiment is less than 5 inches, which readily clears the 9-inch gap between the bottom of the banjo housing on the average truck tractor and the floor of the freight car. This low silhouette, devoid of upstanding hooks and the like, also clears trailer brake arms, air tanks, and other low-hanging appurtenances of the tractors and trailers, The unique orientation of the various chains, drawbar plate and springs, in folding, not only contribute to the low silhouette, but additionally assist in trouble-free, singlehanded, raising of the support plate and engagement with the trailer. Finally, all elements have been firmly fixed to the retractable support 10 by safety chain and the like, so that the pins, stops, and the like, required for operation are at hand at any location.

Another aspect of the invention involves the method of utilizing the power of the truck tractor to position or spot the trailer on the flat car and then to elevate the retracted support from the inoperative position in or on the deck of the freight car to an operative position to engage the kingpin of the trailer. The method includes backing the tractor-trailer combination onto the railroad car, positioning the trailer so that the kingpin thereof is positioned for engagement by the top plate structure when the latter is raised to operative position, lowering the landing gear oi the trailer to support the same, and then disconnecting the vehicle from the tractor followed by the steps of connecting the tractor to the retractable support 19 and employing the motive power of the tractor to swing the retractable support and more particularly the top plate into engagement with the king spin. Subsequent to these operations the retractab e support, or fifth wheel stand, is releascdly locked into its raised operative position.

What is claimed is:

1. For use on a freight car for carrying highway vehitries, a retractable support comprising, in combination, a base, a vertical stand portion, said vertical stand portion including a support member, and a support plate having pintlc receiving means extending forwardly of the base, hinge means at the upper portion of the support member securing the support plate hingedly and intermediate its ends to the support member. second hinge means at the base of the support member securing said support member in hinged relation to the base for retraction rearwardly of the base, locking means cooperating with the pintle receiving means in the support p a e to receive and secure a highway trailer locking nintlc. a trailing support link extending rearwarclly of the base. means hinging said trailing support link to the support member intermediate the ends thereof, locking means in spaced rearward relation to the vertical stand portion to removably receive and lock the free end of the trailing link, and a hitching member anchored to the vertical stand portion whereby a towing vehicle may be attached to the hitching member to pull the hinged vertical stand portion forwardly into locked relation with the associated highway vehicle whereupon the trailing link is fixed in place by the locking means to secure the highway vehicle to the freight car.

2. For use on a freight car for carrying highway vehicles, a retractable support comprising, in combination,

a base, a vertical stand portion, said vertical stand portion including a sup-port member, and a support plate having an open jaw extending forwardly of the base: hinge means at the upper portion of the support member securing the support plate hingedly and intermediate its ends to the support member, second hinge means at the base of the support member securing said support member in hinged relation to the base for retraction rearwardly of the base, locking means cooperating with the open jaw in the support plate to receive and secure a highway trailer locking pintle, a trailing support link extending rearwardly of the base, means hlnging said trailing support link to the support member intermediate the ends thereof, pivoted stop means secured to the base to rest atop the trailing link upon raising and fall in place at the free end of the trailing link when raising is completed, locking means in spaced rearward relation to the vertical stand portion to removably receive and lock the free end of the trailing link, and a hitching member anchored to the vertical stand portion whereby a towing vehicle may be attached to the hitching member to pull the hinged vertical stand portion forwardly into locked relation with the associated highway vehicle whereupon the trailing link is fixed in place by the locking means to secure the highway vehicle to the freight car.

3. For use on a freight car for carrying highway vehiclcs, a retractable support comprising, in combination, a base, a vertical stand portion, said vertical stand portion including a support member, and a support plate having an open jaw extending forwardly of the base; hinge means at the upper portion of the support member securing the support plate hingedly and intermediate its ends to the support member, second hinge means at the base of the support member securing said support member in hinged relation to the base for retraction rearwardiy of the base, locking means cooperating with the open jaw in the support plate to receive and secure a highway trailer locking pintle, a pair of trailing support links extending rearwardly of the base, means hinging said trailing support links to the support member intermediate the ends thereof, a pair of guide channels on the base to receive the free ends of the trailing links and guide the same during retraction, locking means in spaced rearward relation to the vertical stand portion to rcmovably receive and lock the free end of the trailing links, and a hitching member anchored to the vertical stand portion whereby a towing vehicle may be attached to the hitching member to pull the hinged vertical stand portion forwardly into locked relation with the associated highway vehicle whereupon the trailing links are fixed in place by the locking means to secure the highway vehicle to the freight car.

4. For use on a freight car for carrying highway vehiclcs, a retractable support comprising in combination, a base, a vertical stand portion, said vertical stand portion including a support member, and a support piate having pintle receiving means extending forwardly of the base; hinge means at the upper portion of the support member securing the support plate hingedly and intermediate its ends to the support member, second hinge means at the base of the support member securing said support member in hinged relation to the base for retraction rearwardly of the base, locking means co operating with the pintle receiving means in the support plate to receive and secure a highway trailer locking pintle, a trailing support link extending rearwardly of the base, means hinging said trailing support link to the support member intermediate the ends thereof, locking means in spaced rearward relation to the vertizal stand portion to removably receive and lock the free end of the trailing link, a hitching member anchored to the vertical stand portion, a draw bar on said hitching men her, said draw bar being oriented on the hitching rncmbcr to nest beneath the support plate upon retrzuztiou, whereby a towing vehicle may be attached to the hitch ing member to pull the hinged vertical stand portion forwardly into locked relation with the associated highway vehicle, the draw bar serving to raise the support plate, whereupon the trailing link is fixed in place by the locking means to secure the highway vehicle to the freight car.

5. For use on a freight car for carrying highway vehicles, a retractable support comprising, in combination, a base, a vertical stand portion, said vertical stand portion including a support member, and a support plate having an open jaw extending forwardly of the base; hinge means at the upper portion of the support member securing the support plate hingcdly and intermediate its ends to the support member, second hinge means at the base of the support member securing said support member in hinged relation to the base for retraction rearwardly of the base, locking means cooperating with the open jaw in the support plate to receive and secure a highway trailer locking pintle, a trailing support link extending rcarwardly of the base, means hinging said trailing support link to the support member intermediate the ends thereof, locking means in spaced relation to the vertical stand portion to removably receive and lock the free end of the trailing link, yicldable means secured to the vertical stand portion and base to counterweight the vertical stand portion in retraction and assist in raising the same, and a hitching member anchored to the vertical stand portion whereby a towing vehicle may be attached to the hitching member to pull the hinged vertical stand portion forwardly into locked relation with the associated highway vehicle whereupon the trailing link is fixed in place by the locking means to secure the highway vehicle to the freight car.

6. For use on a freight car for carrying highway vehicles, a retractable support comprising, in combination, a base, a vertical stand portion, said vertical stand portion including a support member, and a support plate having an open jaw extending forwardly of the base; hinge means at the upper portion of the support member securing the support plate hingedly and intermediate its ends to the support member, second hinge means at the base of the support member securing said support member in hinged relation to the base for retraction rearwardly of the base, locking means cooperating with the open jaw in the support plate to receive and secure a highway trailer locking pintle, a trailing support link extending rearwardiy of the base, means hinging said trailing support link to the support member intermediate the ends thereof, locking means in spaced rearward relation to the vertical stand portion to removably receive and lock the free end of the trailing link, roller means at the rear of the support plate to engage the base upon retraction and hinge the support plate into its retracted relation with support member and trailing link, and a hitching member anchored to the vertical stand portion whereby a towing vehicle may be attached to the hitching member to pull the hinged vertical stand portion forwardly into locked relation with the associated highway vehicle whereupon the trailing link is fixed in place by the locking means to secure the highway vehicle to the freight car.

7. For use on a freight car for carrying highway ve hicles, a retractable support comprising, in combination, a base, a vertical stand portion. said vertical stand portion including a support member, and a support plate having an open jaw extending forwardly of the base; hinge means at the upper portion of the support member securing the support plate hingedly and intermediate its ends to the support member, second hinge means at the base of the support member securing said support member in hinged relation to the base for retraction rearwardly of the base, locking means cooperating with the open jaw in the support plate to receive and secure a highway trailer locking pintle, a pair of trailing support links cittending rearwardly cf the base, a pair of channels on the base to receive and guide the trailing links during retraction, means hinging said trailing support links to the support member intermediate the ends thereof, locking means in spaced rearward relation to the vertical stand portion to removably receive and lock the free end of the trailing links, yieltlable means secured to the base and vertical stand portion to resist retraction and assist in raising the vertical stand portion, and a hitching member anchored to the vertical stand portion whereby a towing vehicle may be attached to the hitching member to pull the hinged vertical stand portion forwardly into locked relation with the associated highway vehicle whereupon the trailing links are fixed in place by the locking means to secure the highway vehicle to the freight car.

8. For a use on a freight car for carrying highway vehicies, a retractable support comprising, in combination, a base, a vertical stand portion, said vertical stand portion including a support member, and a support plate having an open jaw extending forwardly of the base; hinge means at the upper portion of the support member securing the support plate hingcdly and intermediate its ends to the support member, yicldable means connecting the rear portion of the support plate and the support member to urge the open jaw of the support plate upwardly, second hinge means at the base of the support member securing said support member in hinged relation to the base for retraction rearwardly of the base, locking means cooperating with the open jaw in the support plate to reccivc and secure highway trailer locking pintle, a trailing support linlr extending rearwardly of the base, means hinging said trailing support link to the support member intermediate the ends thereof, locking means in spaced rearward relation to the vertical stand portion to removably receive and lock the free end of the trailing link, and a hitching member anchored to the vertical stand portion whereby a towing vehicle may be attached to the hitching member to pull the hinged vertical stand por lion forwardly into locked relation with the associated highway vehicle whereupon the trailing link is fixed in place by the locking means to secure the highway vehicle to the freight 9. For use on a freight car for carrying highway vehicles, a retractable support comprising, in combination, a base, a vertical stand portion, said vertical stand portion including a support member, and a support plate having an open jaw extending forwardly of the base; hinge means at the upper portion of the support member securthe support plate hingedly and intermediate its ends to the support member, second hinge means at the base of the support member securing said support member in hinged relation to the base, locking means cooperating with the open jaw in the support plate to receive and secure a highway trailer locking pintle, a trailing support link, means hinging said trailing support link to the support member intermediate the ends thereof, locking means in spaced rearward relation to the vertical stand portion to rcrnovably receive and lock the free end of the trailing link, and a hitching member anchored to the vertical stand portion whereby a towing vehicle may be attached to the hitching member to pull the hinged vertical stand portion forwardly into locked relation with the associated highway vehicle whereupon the trailing link is fixed in lace by the locking means to secure the highway vehicle to the freight car.

if A retractable support comprising, in combination, a base, a vertical stand portion, said vertical stand porlion including a support member, and a support plate having an open jaw extending forwardly of the base; hinge means at the upper portion of the support member securing support plate hingcdly and intermediate its ends to the support member, second hinge means at the base of the support member securing said support memher in hinged relation to the base for retraction rearwardly of the base, locking means cooperating with the open jaw in the support plate, a trailing support link extending rearwardly of the base, means hinging said trailing support link to the support member intermediate the ends thereof, locking means in spaced rearward relation to the vertical stand portion to removably receive and lock the free end of the trailing link, and a hitching member anchored to the vertical stand portion whereby the hinged vertical stand portion may be pulled forwardly and the trailing link is fixed in place by the locking means.

11. For use on a freight car for carrying highway vehicles, a retractable support comprising, in combination, a base, a vertical stand portion, said vertical stand portion including a support member, and a support plate having pintie receiving means extending forwardly of the base; hinge means at the upper portion of the support member securing the support plate hingedly to the support member, second hinge means at the base of the support member securing said support member in hinged relation to the base for retraction rcarwardly of the base, locking means cooperating with the pintle receiving means in the support plate to receive and secure a highway trailer locking pintle, a trailing support link extending renrwardly of the base, said link having a hinged end and a locking end, means hinging said trailing support link at its hinged end to the support member intermediate the ends thereof, locking means in spaced rearward relation to the vertical stand portion to receive and lock the locking end of the trailing link, and hitching means secured to the vertical stand portion whereby the hitching means may be attached to a towing vehicle to poll the hinged vertical stand portion forwardly into locked relation with the associated highway vehicle whereupon the trailing link is fixed in place by the locking means to secure the highway vehicle to the freight car.

12. For use on a freight car for carrying highway vehieles, a retractable support comprising, in combination, a base, a vertical stand portion, said vertical stand portion including a support member, and a support plate having pintle receiving means extending forwardly of the base; hinge means at the upper portion of the support member securing the support plate hingedly to the support memher, second hinge means at the base of the support member securing said support member in hinged relation to the base for retraction rearwardly of the base, locking means cooperating with the pintle receiving means in the support plate to receive and secure a highway trailer loeking pintle, a trailing support link extending rearwardly of the base, said link having a hinged end and a locking end, means hinging said trailing support link at its hinged end to the support member intermediate the ends thereof, locking means to spaced rearward relation to the vertical stand portion to receive and lock the free end of the trailing link, means yieldable to fore and aft motion between the pintle locking means and the base, and a hitching member secured to the vertical stand portion whereby the hitching member may be attached to a towing vehicle to pull the hinged vertical stand portion forwardly into locked relation with the associated highway vehicle whereupon the trailing link is fixed in place by the locking means to secure the highway vehicle to the freight car.

13. A retractable support comprising, in combination, a base, a vertical stand portion, said vertical stand portion including a support member, and a support plate having an open jaw extending forwardly of the base; first hinge means at the upper portion of the support member securing the support plate hingedly to the support member, second hinge means at the base of the support member securing said support member in hinged relation to the base for retraction rearwardly of the base, locking means cooperating with the open jaw in the support plate, yieldebie means in the support plate between the locking means and the first hinge means to cushion the support plate against fore and aft motion, a trailing support link extending rearwardly of the base, means hinging said trailing support link to the support member intermediate the ends thereof, locking means in spaced rearward relation to the vertical stand portion to receive and lock the free end of the trailing link, and a hitching member attached to the vertical stand portion whereby the hinged vertical stand portion may be pulled forwardly and the trailing link is fixed in place by the locking means.

14. In combination with a railroad car, a retractable support for a trailer having a kingpin for connecting to the fifth wheel of a tractor, said support comprising the combination of a filth wheel stand that includes a fifth wheel plate having an open kingpin receiving jaw extending forwardly; kingpin locking means carried by said fifth wheel plate for releasably engaging a trailer kingpin responsive to positioning of said kingpin Within said jaw; a base for connection to the railroad car; and a lever forming strut hingedly connected at one end to said base and hingedly connected at the opposite end to said fifth wheel plate, said strut being swingable from a lowered inoperative position to a raised vertical operative position in a direction the same as said open jaw; and means connected to said fifth wheel stand for effecting a detachable connection to a tractor; link means hingedly connected to said fifth wheel stand for assuming a diagonal position relative to said base and said lever forming strut in response to movement of said lever forming strut to a vertical position; guide means supported on said base and engaging said link means for slidably guiding and supporting said link means; whereby said fifth wheel stand is elevated from a lowered inoperative position to a raised operative position by connecting said means for effecting a connection to a tractor and applying the motive force of the tractor in the direction of said open jaw; and latch means for retaining said retractable support in its raised operative position, said latch means being movable to its engaged position in response to movement of said retractable support into its raised operative position to retain said retractable support in its raised operative position.

15. In combination with a vehicle for carrying and transporting trailers, a retractable support for a trailer having a kingpin for connecting to the fifth wheel of a tractor, said support comprising the combination of a fifth Wheel stand that includes a fifth wheel plate having an open kingpin receiving jaw extending forwardly; kingpin locking means, carried by said fifth wheel plate, for releasably engaging a trailer kingpin responsive to positioning of said kingpin within said jaw; a base for connection to the vehicle for carrying and transporting trailers; and a lever forming strut hingedly connected at one end to said base and hingedly connected at the opposite end to said fifth wheel plate, said strut being swingable from a lowered inoperative position to a raised vertical operative position in a direction the same as said open jaw, and means connected to said llfth wheel stand for effecting a detachable connection to a tractor; link means hingedly connected to said fifth wheel stand, for assuming a diagonal position relative to said base and said lever forming strut in response to movement of said lever forming strut to a vertical position; and guide means sup ported on said base and engaging said link means for slidably guiding and supporting said link means; whereby said fifth wheel stand is elevated from a lowered inoperative position to a raised operative position by connecting said means for effecting a connection to a tractor and applying the motive force of the tractor in the direction of said open jaw.

16. In combination with a railroad car adapted to be connected to a series of such cars to form a train of cars adapted to carry trailers which are driven thereon by a tractor to which the trailer is connected by a kingpin at the forward end of the trailer and connected to the fifth wheel of the tractor, a retractable support mounted on said car for supporting said forward end of said trailer and comprising a fifth wheel stand including a fifth wheel plate having a kingpin receiving jaw opening, kingpin locking means carried by said fifth wheel plate for releasably engaging a trailer kingpin responsive to positioning of said kingpin within said jaw, and a lever fo ming strrt hingedly connected at one end to said fifth wheel plate, means mounting its opposite end on said car for iivotnl movement relative thereto from a lowered inoperative position to a raised operative position and in a direction the same as that in which said jaw opening faces, link means hingcdly connected to said fifth wheel stand for assuming a diagonal position relative to said lever forming strut and said car in response to movement of said lever forming strut to said raised operative position, guide inc ms supported on said car and eng 'ng said link means for slidably guiding and supporting said link means, and means connected to said fifth wheel stand 15 for effecting a detachable connection to a tractor used to spot said trailer on said railroad car and which is on the train of cars adjacent said forward end of SfliLl trailer l r pulling said fifth wheel stand from its said lowered inoperative position to its said raised operative position and in the direction said Oren jaw faces, in response to movcment of said tractor as it moves away from said trailer.

17. A railroad car adapted to carry a trailer which is driven thereon by a tractor to which the trailer is connected by a kingpin at the forward end of the trailer and connected to the fifth wheel of the tractor comprising a railroad car body adapted to have a trailer driven there' along, a retractable support mounted on said car for supporting said forward end of said trailer and comprhing a fifth wheel stand including a filth wheel plate having a kingpin reeciving jaw copening, kingpin locking means carried by said tifth vxhccl plate for re gaging a trailer kingpin responsive to po ition l kingpin within said jaw, and a lever forming, strut hingedly connected at one end to said fifth wheel plate. means mounting its oprwitc end on said car body for pivotal movement relatixe thereto from a lowered inoperative position to a raised operative position and in a direction the same as that in which said jaw opening faces, link means hingedly connected to said fifth wheel stand tor assuming a diagonal position relative to said le er forming Strut and said car body in response to movement of said lever forming strut to said raised operative position, guide means on said car body and engaging said link means for slidably guiding and supporting said link means, and means connected to said l'itth wheel stand for effecting a detachable connection to a tractor used to spot said trailer on said railroad car and whi h is at least partially on said car and a "cent said forirart'l end of said trailer for pulling said fifth wheel stand from its said lowered inoperative position to its said raised opera tive position and in the direction said jaw opening faces in response to movement of said tractor as it moves away from said trailer.

18. A railroad car adapted to carry a trailer which driven thereon by a tractor to which the trailer i L' illnected by a kingpin at the forward end of the trailer and connected to the fifth wheel of the tractor corarcing a railroad car body adapted to have a trailer drh n therc along, a rctractabie support mounted on said ear for supporting the forward end of the trailer and comp i ing a fifth wl eel stand including a fifth wheel plate havirg a kingpin receiving jaw opening facing longitudinally of said car, kingpin locking means carried by said fifth \vhtel plate for releasably engaging a trailer l:ingp n recpnr he to positioning of said kingpin within said jaw, and a le er forming strut hingedly connected at one end to said Ft'th wheel plate, means mounting its opposite end on said our body for pivotal movement in a vertical plane eaten longitudinally of said car from a lowered inoperative position to a raised oneri'it'ive position and in direction the same as that in which said jaw opening ice li'ik means hingcdly connected to said fifth wheel stand l li' assuming a diagonal p: sition relative to said lever forming strut and said car lody in response to movement of said lever forming strut to said raised operative position,

r, it

guide means on said car body and engaging said link means for slidably guiding and supporting said link means, latch means for retaining said retractable support in its raised operative position, and means connected to said fifth wheel stand for effecting a detachable connection to a tractor used to spot said trailer on said railroad car and which is adjacent said forward end of said trailer and in line with said fifth wheel stand and in said plane of movement thereof for pulling said fifth wheel stand from its said lowered inoperative position to its said raised operative position and in the direction said jaw opening faces in response to movement of said tractor as it moves away from said trailer, said latch means being movable to its engaged position in response to movement of said retractable support into its raised operative position to retain said retractable support in its raised operative position.

19. A railroad car adapted to carry a trailer which is driven thereon by a tractor to which the trailer is connected by a kingpin at the forward end of the trailer and connected to the fifth wheel of the tractor comprising a railroad car body adapted to have a trailer driven therealong, a retractable support mounted on said car for supporting said forward end of said trailer and comprising a fifth wheel stand including a fifth wheel plate having a kingpin receiving opening, kingpin locking means carried by said fifth Wheel plate for releasably engaging a trailer kingpin received in said opening, and a lever forming strut hingedly connected at one end to said fifth wheel plate, means mounting its opposite end on said car body for pivotal movement in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of said car from a lowered inoperative position to a raised operative position, link means hingedly connected to said fifth wheel stand for assuming a diagonal position relative to said lever forming strut and said car body in response to movement of said lever forming strut to said raised operative position, guide means on said car body and engaging said link means for slidably guiding and supporting said link means, and means connected to said fifth wheel stand for effecting the detachable connection to a tractor used to spot said trailer on said railroad car and which is at least partially on said car in line with said fifth wheel stand and in said plane of movement thereof and adjacent said forward end of said trailer for pulling said fifth wheel stand from its said lowered inoperative position to its said raised operative position in response to movement of said tractor as it moves away from said trailer.

26. For use on a railroad car adapted to be connected to a series of such cars to form a train of cars adapted to carry trailers which are driven thereon by a tractor to which the trailer is connected by a kingpin at the forward end of the trailer and connected to the fifth wheel of the tractor, a retractable support adapted to be mounted on said car for supporting said forward end of said trailer and comprising a fifth wheel stand including a fifth wheel plate having a kingpin receiving jaw opening, kingpin locking means carried by said fifth wheel plate for releasably engaging a trailer kingpin responsive to positioning of said kingpin within said jaw, and a lever forming strut hingediy connected at one end to said fifth wheel plate, means for mounting its opposite end on said car for pivotal movement relative thereto from a lowered inoperative position to a raised operative position and in a direction the same as that in which said jaw opening faces, link means hingedly connected to said fifth wheel stand for assuming a diagonal position relative to said fever forming strut and said car in response to movement of said lever forming strut to said raised operative position, guide means adapted to be supported on said car and engaging said link means for slidably guiding and supporting said link means, and means connected to said fifth wheel stand for effecting a detachable connection to a tractor used to spot said trailer on said railroad car and which is on the train of cars adjacent said forward end of said trailer for pulling said fifth wheel stand from its said lowered inoperative position to its said raised operative position and in the direction said open jaw faces in response to said tractor as it moves away from said trailer.

21. For use on a railroad car adapted to carry a trailer which is driven thereon by a tractor to which the trailer is connected by a kingpin at the forward end of the trailer and connected to the fifth wheel of the tractor, a retractable support adapted to be mounted on said car for supporting said forward end of said trailer and comprising a fifth wheel stand including a fifth wheel plate having a kingpin receiving jaw opening, kingpin locking means carricd by said fifth wheel plate for releasably engaging a trailer kingpin responsive to positioning of said kingpin within said jaw, and a lever forming strut hingedly connected at one end to said fifth wheel plate, means for mounting its opposite end on said car for pivotal movement relative thereto from a lowered inoperative position to a raised operative position and in a direction the same as that in which said jaw opening faces, link means hinged- ]y connected to said fifth wheel stand for assuming a diagonal position relative to said lever forming strut and said car in response to movement of said lever forming strut to said raised operative position, guide means adapted to be mounted on said car and engaging said link means for slidably guiding and supporting said link means, and means connected to said fifth wheel stand for effecting a detachable connection to a tractor used to spot said trailer on said railroad car and which is at least partially on said car and adjacent said forward end of said trailer for pulling said fifth wheel stand from its said lowered inoperative position to its said raised operative position and in the direction said jaw opening faces in response to movement of said tractor as it moves away from said trailer.

22. For use on a railroad car adapted to carry a trailer which is driven thereon by a tractor to which the trailer is connected by a kingpin at the forward end of the trailer and connected to the fifth wheel of the tractor, a. retractable support adapted to be mounted on said car for supporting the forward end of the trailer and comprising a fifth wheel stand including a fifth wheel plate having a kingpin receiving opening facing longitudinally of said car, kingpin locking means carried by said fifth wheel plate for releasably engaging a trailer kingpin responsive to positioning of said kingpin within said jaw, and a lever forming strut hingedly connected at one end to said fifth wheel plate, means for mounting its opposite end on said car for pivotal movement in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of said car from a lowered inoperative position to a raised operative position and in a direction the same as that in which said jaw opening faces, link means hingedly connected to said fifth wheel stand for assuming a diagonal position relative to said lever forming strut and said car in response to movement of said lever forming strut to said raised operative position, guide means adapted to be mounted on said car and engaging said link means for slidably guiding and supporting said link, latch means for retaining said retractable support in its raised operative position and means connected to said fifth wheel stand for effecting a detachable connection to a tractor used to spot said trailer on said railroad car and which is adjacent said forward end of said trailer and in line with said fifth wheel stand and in said plane of movement thereof for pulling said fifth wheel stand from its said lowered inoperative position to its said raised operative position and in the direction said jaw opening faces in response to movement of said tractor as it moves away from said trailer, said latch means being movable to its engaged position in response to movement of said retractable support into its raised operative position to retain said retractable support in its raised operative position.

23. For use on a railroad car adapted to carry a trailer which is driven thereon by a tractor to which the trailer is connected by a kingpin at the forward end of the trailer and connected to the fifth wheel of the tractor, a retractable support adapted to be mounted on said car for supporting said forward end of said trailer and comprising a fifth wheel stand including a fifth wheel plate having a kingpin receiving opening, kingpin locking means carried by said fifth wheel plate for releasably engaging a trailer kingpin received in said opening, and a lever forming strut hingedly connected at one end to said fifth wheel plate, means for mounting its opposite end on said car for pivotal movement in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of said car from a lowered inoperative position to a raised operative position, link means hingcdly con nected to said fifth wheel stand for assuming a diagonal position relative to said lever forming strut and said car in response to movement of said lever forming strut to said raised operative position, guide means adapted to be mounted on said car and engaging said link means for slidably guiding and supporting said link means, and means connected to said fifth wheel stand for effecting a detachable connection to a tractor used to spot said trailer on said railroad car and which is at least partially on said car in line with said fifth wheel stand and in said plane of movement thereof and adjacent said forward end of said trailer for pulling said fifth wheel stand from said lowered inoperative position to its said raised operative position in response to movement of said tractor as it moves away from said trailer.

24. For use on a railroad car adapted to carry a trailer which is driven thereon by a tractor to which the trailer is connected by a kingpin at the forward end of the trailer and connected to the fifth wheel of the tractor, a retractable support adapted to be mounted on said car for sup porting said forward end of said trailer and comprising a fifth wheel stand including a fifth wheel plate having a kingpin receiving opening, kingpin locking means carried by said fifth wheel plate for releasably engaging a trailer kingpin received in said opening, and a lever forming strut hingcdly connected at one end to said fifth wheel plate. means for mounting its opposite end on said car for pivotai movement in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of said car from a lowered inoperative position to a raised operative position, link means hingedly connccted at one of its ends to said fifth wheel stand for assuming a diagonal position relative to said lever forming strut and said car in response to movement of said lever forming strut to said raised operative position, guide means adapted to be mounted on said car and engaging the other end of said link means for guiding and supporting said other end of said link means for movement of said other end longitudinally of said car from a retracted position to an operative position in a predetermined path upon movement of said lever forming strut to said raised operative position, and means connected to said fifth wheel stand for effecting a detachable connection to a tractor used to spot said trailer on said railroad car and which is at least partially on said car in line with said fifth wheel stand and in said plane of movement thereof and adjacent said forward end of said trailer for pulling said fifth wheel stand from its said lowered inoperative position to its said raised operative position in response to movement of said tractor as it moves away from said trailer.

25. In combination with a vehicle for carrying and transporting trailers, a retractable support for a trailer having a kingpin for connection to the fifth wheel of a tractor, said support including a fifth wheel plate having an open kingpin receiving jaw, kingpin locking means for releasably engaging a trailer kingpin received within said jaw, means operatively connected to the vehicle for supporting and guiding said fifth wheel plate for movement in a predetermined path and in the direction of the open jaw faces from a retracted storage position adjacent the vehicle to an erected operative position for engagement of a trailer kingpin by said kingpin locking means. said supporting and guiding means supporting and guiding said late for movement in the direction opposite to the direction in which the jaw faces from the erected position to the retracted position, latch means for retaining said fifth wheel plate in its erected operative position, and means for providing a detachable connection between said tractor and said retractable support for erecting said fifth wheel plate from its retracted position to its operative position in response to movement of said tractor as it moves away from said trailer, the movement of said fifth wheel plate from its storage to its operative position taking place in the same direction as the direction of movement of said tractor away from said trailer, said latch means being movable to its engaged position in response to movement of said fifth wheel plate into its on erative position to retain said fifth wheel plate in its operative position.

25. In combination with a vehicle for carrying and transporting trailers, a retractable support for a trailer having a kingpin for connection to the fifth wheel of a tractor, said support including a fifth wheel plate having an open kingpin receiving jaw, kingpin locking means for releasably engaging a trailer kingpin received within said jaw, means operatively connected to the vehicle for supporting and guiding said fifth wheel plate for movemerit in a predetermined path and in the direction the open jaw faces from a retracted storage position adjacent the vehicle to an erected operative position for engagement of a trailer kingpin by said kingpin locking means, said supporting and guiding means supporting and guiding said plate for movement in the direction opposite to the direction in which the jaw faces from the erected position to the retracted position, stop means for limiting the movement of said fifth wheel plate from its retracted position to its erected operative position, latch means for retaining said fifth wheel plate in its erected operative position, and means for providing a detachable connection between said tractor and said retractable support for erecting said fifth wheel plate from its retracted position to its operative position in response to movement of said tractor as it moves away from said trailer, the movement of said fifth wheel plate from its storage to its operative position taking place in the same direction as the direction of movement of said tractor away from said trailer, said stop means being effective to preclude further movement of said fifth wheel plate in the direction of movement of the tractor when said fifth wheel plate reaches its erected operative position, said latch means being movable to its engaged position in response to movement of said fifth wheel plate into its operative position to retain said fifth wheel plate in its operative position.

27. in combination with a vehicle for carrying and transporting trailers, a retractable support for a trailer having a kingpin for connection to the fifth wheel of a tractor, said support including a fifth wheel plate having an open kingpin receiving jaw, kingpin locking means for releasably engaging a trailer kingpin received within said jaw, means operatively connected to the vehicle for supporting and guiding said fifth wheel plate for movement in a predetermined path and in the direction the open jaw faces from a retracted storage position adjacent the vehicle to an erected operative position for engagement of a trailer kingpin by said kingpin locking means, said supporting and guiding means supporting and guiding said plate for movement in the direction opposite to the direction in which the jaw faces from the erected position to the retracted position, stop means for limiting the movement of said fifth wheel plate from its retracted position to its erected operative position, latch means for retaining said fifth wheel plate in its erected operative position, and resilient cushioning means interposed between said kingpin locking means and the vehicle for cushioning the connection between the trailer kingpin and the transporting vehicle provided for by said retractable support, and means for providing a detachable connection between said tractor and said retractable support for erecting said fifth wheel plate from its retracted position to its operative position in response to movement of said tractor as it moves away from said trailer, the movement of said fifth wheel plate from its storage to its operative position taking place in the same direction as the direction of movement of said tractor away from said trailer, said stop means being effective to preclude further movement of said fifth wheel plate in the direction of movement of the tractor when said fifth wheel plate reaches its erected operative position, said latch means being movable to its engaged position in response to movement of said fifth whee-i piate into its operative position to retain said fifth wheel plate in its operative position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Beasley 214-354 Evans 10536'8 Dorsey 28033.l Butterworth 105-368 Menhall 105-368 Aileri 105368 Sherman 28033.1 Levy 2148l Owen 214-354 ARTHUR L. LA POINT, Primary Examiner.

D. E. HOFFMAN, Assistant Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,362,353 January 9, 1968 Clarence J. Johnson et al.

corrected below.

Column 3, line 67, for "late" read plate column 6, line 6, for "atime" read time line 45, for "spin" read pin column 10, line 51, for "to", first occurrence, read in column 12, line 30, for "reeciving" read receiving same line 30, for "copening" read opening column 13, line 40, for "the" read a column 14, line 3, after "to" insert movement of column 18, line 5, after "Dorsey" insert Jr.

Signed and sealed this 11th day of February 1969.

(SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, It. EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims

25. IN COMBINATION WITH A VEHICLE FOR CARRYING AND TRANSPORTING TRAILERS, A RETRACTABLE SUPPORT FOR A TRAILER HAVING A KINGPIN FOR CONNECTION TO THE FIFTH WHEEL OF A TRACTOR, SAID SUPPORT INCLUDING A FIFTH WHEEL PLATE HAVING AN OPEN KINGPIN RECEIVING JAW, KINGPIN LOCKING MEANS FOR RELEASABLY ENGAGING A TRAILER KINGPIN RECEIVED WITHIN SAID JAW, MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO THE VEHICLE FOR SUPPORTING AND GUIDING SAID FIFTH WHEEL PLATE FOR MOVEMENT IN A PREDETERMINED PATH AND IN THE DIRECTION OF THE OPEN JAW FACES FROM A RETRACTED STORAGE POSITION ADJACENT THE VEHICLE TO AN ERECTED OPERATIVE POSITION FOR ENGAGEMENT OF A TRAILER KINGPIN BY SAID KINGPIN LOCKING MEANS, SAID SUPPORTING AND GUIDING MEANS SUPPORTING AND GUIDING SAID PLATE FOR MOVEMENT IN THE DIRECTION OPPOSITION TO THE DIRECTION IN WHICH THE JAW FACES FROM THE ERECTED POSITION TO THE RETRACTED POSITION, LATCH MEANS FOR RETAINING SAID FIFTH WHEEL PLATE IN ITS ERECTED OPERATIVE POSITION, AND MEANS FOR PROVIDING A DETACHABLE CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID TRACTOR AND SAID RETRACTABLE SUPPORT FOR ERECTING SAID FIFTH WHEEL PLATE FROM ITS RETRACTED POSITION TO ITS OPERATIVE POSITION IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF SAID TRACTOR AS IT MOVES AWAY FROM SAID TRAILER, THE MOVEMENT OF SAID FIFTH WHEEL PLATE FROM ITS STORAGE TO ITS OPERATIVE POSITION TAKING PLACE IN THE SAME DIRECTION AS THE DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF SAID TRACTOR AWAY FROM SAID TRAILER, SAID LATCH MEANS BEING MOVEABLE TO ITS ENGAGED POSITION IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF SAID FIFTH WHEEL PLATE INTO ITS OPERATIVE POSITION TO RETAIN SAID FIFTH WHEEL PLATE IN ITS OPERATIVE POSITION.