WO2017142101A2

WO2017142101A2 - Multi-pivot coupling device for vehicles

Info

Publication number: WO2017142101A2
Application number: PCT/KE2017/000049
Authority: WO
Inventors: Emilio Mugendi NJERU
Original assignee: Njeru Emilio Mugendi
Priority date: 2016-02-18
Filing date: 2017-02-17
Publication date: 2017-08-24
Also published as: WO2017142101A3

Abstract

A multi-pivot coupling device that provides a suspension system for motor vehicles consisting of a York (1) and two Arms (2) is disclosed. The York is a rigid member constructed in the form of an inverted "u" and pivoted onto the chassis at the mid-point by pin (4) to allow for independent rocking motion. Rocking arms are brackets (7) connected by pin (3) and provides a pin-joint assembly and a second type of bracket that retains the free end of the leaf spring allowing it to adjust accordingly. The leaf spring assembly (5) that receives on the underside ends or Axle (6) enabling the two parts to rigidly join with "U" bolts. Both axles may be live or one live and the other dead. At each end of the axle are hexagonal socket shoulder bolts (12) that receive and lock the wheels thereby improving tracking as shown in Fig. 1 below.

Description

PATENT DISCLOSURE

Title: Multi-Pivot Coupling Device for Motor Vehicles

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of semi-trailer coupling means and more particularly to a multiple pivoting trailer coupler device useful in coupling a semi-trailer to a tow vehicle and reducing the load in motor vehicle industry.

Background Art

For decades, trailers are used to haul objects between locations. In some cases, trucks or tractors may be used to pull trailers. Trailers and semi-trailers must be coupled to the prime mover in a safe and efficient manner to prevent accidents that may be dangerous to life and limb. A coupling is a device used to connect two shafts together at their ends for the purpose of transmitting power. Couplings do not normally allow disconnection of shafts during operation, however there are torque limiting couplings which can slip or disconnect when some torque limit is exceeded. The primary purpose of couplings is to join two pieces of rotating equipment while permitting some degree of misalignment or end movement or both. By careful selection, installation and maintenance of couplings, substantial savings can be made in reduced maintenance costs and downtime

The traditional trailer coupler attaches to a tow vehicle by means of a ball bitch, adding extra components between the tow vehicle receiver and the trailer itself. Extra components increase the probability of equipment failure, while also increasing the potential for human error during attachment. Equipment failure due to either of these reasons can have devastating results in the form of trailer de-coupling accidents. A de-coupled trailer while driving, whether by human error or component failure can cause injury or death to individuals or livestock, and/or expensive property damage. Most coupling system apply one, two or three pivoting coupler trailers which pose disadvantages of increased weights and safety concerns during towering. As such, there is need to provide a semi-trailer coupler that eliminates excessive components while ensuring a more secure trailer attachment is desirable. Generally, the fifth-wheel coupling provides the link between a semi-trailer and the towing truck, tractor unit, leading trailer or dolly. Some camper trailers use a fifth- heel configuration, requiring the coupling to be installed in the bed of a pickup truck as a towing vehicle, and "fifth wheel" is therefore sometimes used as a synonym for such campers in North America. The coupling consists of a kingpin, a 2-or-3 1/2-inch-diameter (50.8 or 88.9 mm) steel pin on the front of the semi-trailer, and a horseshoe-shaped coupling device called a fifth wheel on the rear of the towing vehicle. The surface of the semi-trailer (with the kingpin at the center) rotates against the surface of the fixed fifth wheel, which does not rotate. To reduce friction, grease is applied to the surface of the fifth wheel. The configuration is sometimes called a turn- table in Australia and New Zealand, especially if it is a rotating ball-race-bearing type. The advantage of this coupling is improved towing stability.

Usually, a trailer coupler should provide ease of use and, yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable multi-pivoting trailer coupler system to easily, safely, and securely attach a trailer to a tow vehicle, reduce perceived weight and avoid the above-mentioned problems.

Prior Art Patents

Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,808 to Connor; U.S. Pat. No. 3,612,576 to Marler; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,692,150 to Maier. This art is representative of trailer couplers. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.

The US Patent No. US 3298706 A disclose an Axle load distributing devices for use with heavy motor vehicles and equipment. Axle loads permissible on highways, and distances or spread between axles carrying specified loads, are, in most instances, regulated by laws and ordinances. With heavy mobile equipment, and particularly with equipment of the type wherein most of the load is on the rear axle or axles, this sometimes makes, it impossible to legally move the equipment on the highway or street without dis-assembling it and moving parts of the disassembled equipment on separate vehicles, a procedure which is time consuming and expensive. When Otto Neumann and August Fruehauf invented the semi-trailer in 1914, they created a version of a 5th wheel coupling which they used until 1916. Then they adopted an improved version of the fifth Wheel offered by the Martin Rocking Company in Massachusetts. Martin introduced Farr's invention of the 5th wheel in 1915. Inventor Farr applied for the patent of his own fifth wheel on June 4, 1915 (US Patent No. 1169717). He received that patent January 25, 1916 after going into partnership with Charles H. Martin. In late 1915 they had formed the Martin Rocking Fifth Wheel Co., together. August had invented the semi-trailer in 1914, and by early 1917 Martin was advertising a similar combination.

In 1926, Fruehauf introduced the automatic semi-trailer in which the coupling and the uncoupling of the tractor were accomplished mechanically by the motion of the tractor. A single driver, rather than a crew of men, was able to hitch and unhitch his tractor in minutes saving time and increasing efficiency. This design was instantly recognized by transportation experts as a major contribution to the industry and still today historians remark that it was the most important invention made by Fruehauf. However none of the cited prior art describes a multi-pivot coupling device as detailed in the present invention.

Technical Challenge

There are a number of conventional systems for releasing and coupling the front end of a trailer to the rear end of a tractor to provide pivoting movement there between so that the truck may turn. In one such conventional arrangement a downwardly extending pin at the underside of the front of the trailer is received and locked within an opening in a bearing plate at the rear end of the tractor. The bearing plate or "fifth wheel" which slopes somewhat downwardly at the rear end of the tractor is typically covered with grease or other lubricant to facilitate pivoting movement along the axis of the pin of the front of the trailer relative to the rear of the tractor during turning of the truck. However, the problem with kind of arrangement is that in the conventional tractor and trailer arrangement there is the tendency of the front of the trailer to move relatively quickly toward the inside of the turn as the truck begins a turning movement. This forces the driver of such truck having to "swing the truck wide" during many turns to avoid striking objects at the inside of the turn. Besides being a source of considerable inconvenience, this technical challenge is also a substantial safety hazard in areas such as city streets where the relatively late turning movement of the tractor required at many intersections and driveways may invite autos and other smaller vehicles to advance along the inside of the truck without realizing that the truck is turning. The problem is further complicated by the considerable effort and additional space that are required to back the truck into loading docks in areas of extremely limited space that were designed years ago to accommodate smaller trucks than those presently in existence.

As such, it is desired to solve the above problem by providing an improved truck coupling device with multi-pivot coupling arrangement for the releasable and pivotable coupling of a trailer to a tractor.

Objects of Invention

The first object of the present invention is to provide a new and useful method of rear or front wheel suspension for motor vehicles.

The second object of the present invention is to develop semi-trailer coupling means comprising a multiple pivoting trailer coupler device useful in coupling a semi-trailer to a tow vehicle and reducing the load in motor vehicle industry.

The third object is to avail a multi-pivot coupling device that can be useful in reducing the load in motor vehicle industry.

The third object is to provide an arrangement of measuring devices by means of which an influencing and improvement of the driving behavior of the motor vehicle can be achieved for different loads.

The fourth object is to provide an arrangement of an improved truck coupling device for the releasable and multi-pivotable coupling of a trailer to a tractor.

The fifth object is to provide an improved truck multi-pivot coupling device that improves the tracking of the trailer by delaying the inward movement of the front of the trailer during turning so as to reduce the need for wide turning movement of the tractor during many turns made by the truck. Yet the sixth object of the present invention is to create a vehicle layout by enhancing packaging, traction, and ease of manufacture.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

This invention relates to the connecting devices between automotive chassis and twin-rear axles - both of which may be live, or in some instances only one being live and transferring the drive to the ground - and its object is to provide an alternative power driving arrangement to minimize driving effort and to enhance road traction. This will lead to fuel saving.

This invention consists of a suspension system comprising an upper "U"-shaped member adapted to be secured to the main trailer chassis and Arms extending on both ends of the York. The Arms are appropriately pivoted at the end of the York and constructed to receive and support suspension springs and axels. This sub-assembly holds the hub and wheels in place at each end of the axle. The wheels are held in position by studs pressed onto the hub and retained by nuts to allow for relative motion about the hub centre.

In this invention, the truck multi-pivot coupling device in accordance provides releasable and pivotable coupling of the front of a trailer to the rear of a tractor in a manner which relocates the pivot axis back toward the rear of the tractor while at the same time maintaining the downward force on the tractor at a forward location. This delays the inward movement of the front of the trailer during a turn, thereby improving the tracking of the trailer and providing considerably more clearance between the truck and objects located at the inside of the turn. This rearward multi-pivot position provides for a longer portion of the trailer being forward of the pivot axis which in effect delays the front of the trailer from following the direction of the tractor in a turning movement. Thus, the longer the portions of the trailer in front of the pivot axis, the greater the delay in turning relative to the tractor.

Brief Description of Drawings Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of this improved suspension system.

Figure 2 shows the plan layout of motor vehicles. Figure 3 is the end elevation of vehicle. Figure 4 shows the front elevation of the arrangement of a vehicle.

Figure 5 is a side view of a truck employing a multi-pivot coupling device in accordance with the invention.

Figure 6 the invention presents a flowchart illustrating method of use for multi-pivoting trailer coupler device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Based on the above revelations, embodiments of the present invention relate to a semi-trailer coupler system with a device that has a multi-pivoting trailer coupler system as used to improve the ease of use and security of tow vehicle and trailer connections. Generally speaking, the multiple-pivoting trailer coupler system of the present invention is a at least a triple-pivoting trailer hitch alignment assembly for swiveling the coupling assembly to easily align and couple a trailer to tow-vehicles. The steel-fabricated joint system will mount directly onto the trailer frame and attach to most trucks and SUV's frame mounted receiver hitch. The bottom of the mounting point will sit in the coupler and have about 360 degree pivot point for the trailer to rotate during a turn from the tow vehicle. There may be three size variations depending upon the class of trailer-based on the weight of the vehicle being towered.

A multiple-pivoting trailer coupler system is also disclosed herein having two more axis of movement over and above what is offered via the double-pivoting trailer coupler version; wherein a first axis of movement in the triple-pivoting embodiment allows a trailer to follow in a turn; a second allows the trailer to 'pitch' for inclines and a third allows the trailer to 'roll'.

The flexibility of the suspension system for heavy commercial vehicles is critical and dependent on the degrees of freedom dictated by the number of pivots and other flexible joints connecting the different parts together.

In the first embodiment according Fig 1, 2, 3 and 4, the present invention describes a multi- pivot coupling device provides a novel suspension system consisting of a York (1) and two Arms (2). The York is a rigid member constructed in the form of an inverted "U" and pivoted onto the chassis at the mid-point by Pin (4) to allow for independent rocking motion. On either ends of the rocking Arms are brackets (7) connected by Pin (3). These rocking Arms provide a pin-joint assembly through Bolts, Nuts and Washers (parts 8, 9, and 10 respectively) to the eyelet of the main leaf spring, and a second type of bracket (11) that retains the free end of the leaf spring allowing it to adjust to length variations and guide the free end along a defined path. This action accommodates independent variations on the road conditions without affecting the stability of the load, the level of the chassis, and the overall driving load.

The Leaf Spring Assembly (5) receives on the underside ends of Axle (6). The two parts are rigidly joined together with "U" bolts appropriately locked using plate and nuts. Both axles may be live - in which case they are appropriately coupled to the engine located below the York (1) - or one live and the other dead or having no positive drive connection. At each end of the axle are Hexagonal Socket Shoulder Bolts (12) that receive and lock in position the wheels.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, Figures 1-4 are shown in in various views as used within multi-pivoting trailer coupler assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring now to Fig. 1, an isomeric view illustrating multi-pivoting trailer coupler device with leaf spring assembly system (5) in an in-use condition proximity to the 2nd brackets (11) and axle (10) according to another embodiment of the present invention. The said multi-pivoting trailer coupler device comprises first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh pivoting trailer coupler assembly having housing, an inner volume, outer enclosure, first end, second end, third end, fourth end and fifth end.

The present invention further preferably comprises first aperture, second aperture, third pin aperture, fourth aperture and fifth aperture and also first pin aperture, second pin aperture, third pin aperture, fourth pin aperture, fifth pin aperture, sixth pin aperture and seventh pin aperture with an allowance to increase pin apertures up to eleven. There is provided a pivoting tongue assembly comprising proximate end, distal end, first pin, second pin, third pin, fourth pin and fifth pin (7). Further, the device comprises first bearing assembly, second bearing assembly, third bearing assembly, and fourth bearing assembly.

According to Fig. 2, an exploded plan view illustrating multi-pivoting trailer coupler device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Vehicle coupling assembly comprises front end, back end, coupler pin aperture, and receiver pin aperture. Multi-pivoting trailer coupler device comprises in combination: York (1) with a pin joint (7) attached to the main body by an arm (2), an axle (10) connected by bolts (12) and nuts (9) to the coupling device, housing, pivoting tongue assembly, and vehicle coupling assembly. In another embodiment according to Fig. 3, the present invention presents an end view of a multi-pivot vehicle coupling device, comprising a York (1) fixed to the main member by means of nuts (9) and bolts (12), leaf spring assembly (5) attached to first brackets (7) in proximity with washer (10) to allow movement of the axle (6), 2^nd brackets (8) at the rear end of the device, pivoting tongue assembly and housing case to occupy the same plane when a trailer is being pulled.

Yet in another embodiment according Fig. 4, the present invention illustrates front view of a multi -pivot coupling device comprising a York (1) with pin-joints (4), and attached to the device by bolts (8), nuts (9), washer (10) and brackets (7), hexagonal socket shoulder bolts (12) fixed at the end of the device, main axle body (6) and an inner volume of housing as defined by outer enclosure. Outer enclosure of housing preferably comprises square tubing, attachable to trailer frame. The opening of second end of housing is able to receive trailer frame for fixable attachment. Outer enclosure of housing has first - seventh apertures for placement of mounting bolts to trailer frame.

Casing of the multi-pivot coupling assembly and vehicle coupling assembly comprise ferrous material in preferred embodiment due to the durable nature and ease of manufacture/repair. The multi-pivot vehicle coupling device may comprise solid square stock for strength and safety in use. First end of casing is recessed to receive pivoting tongue assembly. First pin aperture and second pin aperture of casing are able to rotate while attached to distal end of pivoting tongue device via second, third, fourth or fifth pin, with at least third bearing assembly and fourth bearing assembly. In combination they act in a capacity of a first universal joint.

Third bearing device and fourth bearing device are parallel to each other and horizontally oriented in first pin joint (4) aperture and second pin aperture of casing. Proximate end of pivoting tongue assembly can rotate while attached to back end of vehicle coupling device via any of the seven coupler pin aperture joints (4). First pin, first bearing assembly and second bearing device are able to act in a capacity of a second universal joint and so on. First bearing assembly and second bearing device are oriented parallel to each other, and vertically oriented in coupler pin aperture of vehicle coupling device axle (6). The first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh universal joint(s) (4) work in combination to promote ease of swiveling and decrease turning radius.

Still referring now to Fig. 3, an end view illustrating multi-pivoting trailer coupler device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first pin (4) and second pin are retained in casing by snap rings 138. Double-pivoting trailer coupler assembly allows security and ease of connection with a tow vehicle via multi-pivoting action. Vehicle coupling device comprises brake safety switch, receiver pin, and receiver pin aperture for removable attachment to a vehicle receiver. Multi-pivoting trailer coupler device does not have a ball connector. Front end of vehicle coupling device attaches to a vehicle receiver, being coupled with receiver pin. Casing attaches directly to trailer frame via mounting bolts (12), completing the attachment. Vehicle coupling assembly is available in three standard sizes of at least 1", 1¼", 2", 2½" 3" and 3 ^{1 2}" square material to fit the vehicle receiver. Vehicle coupling device and casing are in coupled communication through the pivoting tongue device.

Referring now to Fig. 4, a front view illustrating multi-pivoting trailer coupler device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the device is useful in promoting ease of movement when towing a pull-trailer, thereby increasing safety and allowing for a shorter turning radius when in an in-use condition. Multi-pivoting trailer coupler device may further comprise kit including the following parts: at least one double-pivoting trailer coupler device, one receiver pin (4), two mounting bolts (8), two mounting bolt nuts (9), and at least one set of user instructions for installation. Multi-pivoting trailer coupler device may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different pin/fastener/retaining means and combinations thereof, parts may be sold separately. Multi-pivoting trailer coupler device may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of trailering/towing/pulling applications.

A Multi-pivoting trailer coupler system, as shown in Fig. 1 comprises triple coupling device with two more axis of movement over and above what is offered via the double-pivoting trailer coupler version but with similar components but extra necessary bearing, pins (4) and the like as indicated in the present figure; wherein a first axis of movement in the triple-pivoting embodiment allows a trailer to follow in a turn; a second axis of movement allows the trailer to 'pitch' for inclines and a third axis of movement allows the trailer to 'roll'.

According to the invention, Fig. 5 illustrates a truck (13) employing a multi-pivot coupling device (12a) in accordance with the invention. The truck (13) includes a tractor (14) and a trailer (16). The tractor (14) and the trailer (16) are of conventional design except for the presence of the said coupling arrangement (12a) according to the invention.

The multi-pivot coupling device (12a) permits pivoting movement of the tractor (14) relative to the trailer (16) during turning movement of the truck (13), and in particular relocates the pivot axis toward the rear (18) of the tractor (14) while at the same time maintaining the load on the rearward portion of the tractor (14) at a forward location. The rear (18) is located opposite a front (20) of the tractor (14) and mounts a pair of rear wheels (22) just forward thereof.

The trailer (16) has a relatively flat, downwardly facing surface at a front (26) thereof. A plurality of wheels (28) are mounted just forward of an opposite rear (30) of the trailer (16). As described hereafter the multi-pivot coupling arrangement (13) has the effect of moving the axis about which the trailer (16) pivots relative to the tractor (14) to the rear (18) of the tractor (14) while at the same time maintaining the effect of the loading force from the forward portion of the trailer (16) at a forward location along the rearward portion of the tractor (14). The said coupling arrangement thus delays the inward movement of the front (26) of the trailer (16) during a turning movement of the truck (13).

The multi-pivot coupling device (12a) includes an elongated bracket (32) which mounts a conventional bearing plate or "fifth wheel" (34) at a front end thereof. The bearing plate (34) is pivotally mounted on the front end of the bracket (32, 8 and 7) by a shaft 38 which extends across the front end of the bracket (32). The shaft permits the bearing plate (34) to tilt to and fro in conventional fashion. This allows the trailer (16) to tilt relative to the tractor (14) in order to accommodate non-level road surfaces.

According to Fig. 6, the invention presents a flowchart illustrating method of use for multi- pivoting trailer coupler device. A method of using the muti-pivoting trailer coupler device comprises the steps of: step one 6a attaching a multi-pivoting trailer coupler device to a trailer frame; step two 6b backing a tow- vehicle to the front of the pull-type trailer; step three 6c attaching the multi-pivoting trailer coupler device to the vehicle coupling device; step four 6d towing the trailer; step five 6e disconnecting the double-pivoting trailer coupler device from the tow-vehicle.

It should be noted that step 6e is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Best Mode of Carrying out the Invention

This invention relates to the connecting devices between automotive chassis and twin-rear axles- both of which may be live, or in some instances only one being live and transferring the drive to the ground - and its object is to provide an alternative power driving arrangement to minimize driving effort and to enhance road traction. This will lead to fuel saving.

It further consists of the details of construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an isometric view of this improved suspension system. Figure 2 shows the plan layout. Figure 3 is the End Elevation while Figure 4 shows the Front Elevation of the arrangement. Similar reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

The demand for a higher payload, efficient engine performance and robust suspension system is a highly desirable characteristic for heavy commercial vehicles. A good combination of this should ensure that the engine performs optimally while at the same time reactions to the variations in conditions of the road are adequately catered for so as not to add load to the engine.

The flexibility of the suspension system for heavy commercial vehicles is critical and dependent on the degrees of freedom dictated by the number of pivots and other flexible joints connecting the different parts together. The present multi-pivot coupling device provides a novel suspension system consisting of a York (1) and two Arms (2). The York is a rigid member constructed in the form of an inverted "U" and pivoted onto the chassis at the mid-point by Pin (4) to allow for independent rocking motion. On either ends of the rocking Arms are brackets (7) connected by Pin (3). These rocking Arms provide a pin-joint assembly through Bolts, Nuts and Washers (parts 8, 9, and 10 respectively) to the eyelet of the main leaf spring, and a second type of bracket (11) that retains the free end of the leaf spring allowing it to adjust to length variations and guide the free end along a defined path. This action accommodates independent variations on the road conditions without affecting the stability of the load, the level of the chassis, and the overall driving load.

The Leaf Spring Assembly (5) receives on the underside ends of Axle (6). The two parts are rigidly joined together with "U" bolts appropriately locked using plate and nuts. Both axles may be live - in which case they are appropriately coupled to the engine located below the York (1) - or one live and the other dead or having no positive drive connection. At each end of the axle are Hexagonal Socket Shoulder Bolts (12) that receive and lock in position the wheels. The details and proportions of this Multi-pivot Coupling Device may all be changed by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the following claims The details and proportions of this Multi-pivot Coupling Device may all be changed by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the following claims. It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing invention and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

The present invention provides a new and useful method of rear or front wheel suspension. It avails a multi-pivot coupling device that can be useful in reducing the load in motor vehicle industry. The said device is applicable in hybrid electric cars. The said arrangement provides an improved truck coupling device for the releasable and multi-pivotable coupling of a trailer to a tractor. In addition, the said invention provides a truck multi-pivot coupling device that improves the tracking of the trailer by delaying the inward movement of the front of the trailer during turning so as to reduce the need for wide turning movement of the tractor during many turns made by the truck.

Claims

CLAIMS I claim:

1. A multi-pivot coupling device for motor vehicles, comprising:

a novel suspension system consisting of a York and two Arms, and a main member.

2. The multi-pivot coupling device as in claim 1, characterized in that the York is a rigid member constructed in the form of an inverted "U" and pivoted onto the chassis at the mid-point by Pin to allow for independent rocking motion.

3. The multi-pivot coupling device as in claim 1, characterized in that in combination, the main member is perpendicular to and pin-jointed to the main chassis, and supports the entire coupling device only allows for controlled rocking motion about this pin joint.

4. The multi-pivot coupling device as in claim 3, characterized in that the main member has its ends curved and facing downwards to receive arms that are laid parallel to each other and in line with the axis of the chassis along its length.

5. The multi-pivot coupling device as in claim 1, characterized in that in combination, the suspension system with seven pin-joints each allowing for restrained motions in one degree of freedom.

6. The multi-pivot coupling device as in claim 5, characterized in that the pin-joints may be increased to range from 7 to 11 in total number to ensure that the vehicle will easily go round obstacles.

7. The multi-pivot coupling device as in claim 5, characterized in that in combination, the suspension system incorporates an internal combustion engine appropriately mounted and located below the York and coupled to either one or both Axles.

8. The multi-pivot coupling device as in any of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the location of the device is adapted in such a way that the double axles support the weight of the trailer and providing positive road traction.

9. A multi-pivot coupling device for vehicles, comprising:

a. a main member that is perpendicular to and pin-jointed to the main chassis that supports the entire coupling device and adapted to only allow for controlled rocking motion about this pin joint characterized in that the said main member has its ends curved and facing downwards to receive arms that are laid parallel to each other and in line with the axis of the chassis along its length, and b. a suspension system with seven (7) pin-joints each allowing for restrained motions in one degree of freedom, and capable of enabling the total number of pin-joints may be increased to eleven (11) to ensure that the vehicle will easily go round obstacles.

10. The multi-pivot coupling device as in claim 9, characterized in that:

the said main member has its ends curved and facing downwards to receive arms that are laid parallel to each other and in line with the axis of the chassis along its length.

in combination, the said suspension system incorporates an internal combustion engine appropriately mounted and located below the York and coupled to either one or both Axles.

the location of the device such that the double axles support the weight of the trailer and providing positive road traction.

11. A multi-pivot coupling device for use with a truck, comprising: a first coupling device at the rear of a tractor and a second coupling device at the front of a trailer, wherein one of the first and second coupling devices including an elongated bracket mounted on the tractor at a rear end thereof for up to seven components of pivoting movement about a generally vertical pivot axis and extending in a forward direction relative to the tractor and the trailer and terminating in a front end opposite the rear end, and the other one of the first and second coupling devices including means for non-rotatably coupling the front end of the elongated bracket thereto.

12. A method of using the multi-pivoting trailer coupler device, comprising the steps of: a. attaching a multi-pivoting trailer coupler device to a trailer frame;

b. backing a tow-vehicle to the front of the pull-type trailer;

c. attaching the multi-pivoting trailer coupler device to the vehicle coupling device;

d. towing the trailer;

e. disconnecting the multi -pivoting trailer coupler device from the tow- vehicle.