USRE17132E - Semitrailer - Google Patents

Description

, INVENTOR ATTORNEYS C. H. -LAND, JR

SEMITRAILER Original Filed Feb. 8, 1924 Nov. 1a, 1923.

Nov. 13, 1-928.

C. H. LAND, JR

SEMITRAILER '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filgd Feb; 8, 1924 Nov. 13; 1928.

C. H. LAND, JR

SEMITRAILER 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Feb. 8, 1924 [Via/460" H [and /[1 4 M M M '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 W fZ/A M c. H. LAND, JR

SEMITRAILER I Original Filed Feb. 8, 1924 Nov. 13, 1928.-

Nov. 13, 1928.

Re. 17,132 c. H. LAND, JR

SEMITRAILER 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed Feb. 8, 1924 III. I WITL ATTO R N EYJ C. H. LAND, JR

Nov. 13, 1928.

SEMI TRAILER Original Filed Feb. 8, 1924 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 lll|.|l|l| lll lllll llhlI l W. E N R O T T A Reissued Nov. 13, 1928.

UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. LAND JR., OF'DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO'FRUEHAUF TRAILER COMLPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

Original No. 1,568,560, dated January 5, 1926, Serial No, 691,342, filed February 8, 1924 reissue filed July' 21, 1926.

' This invention relates to semi-trailers. The subject matter of the invention may be classified as follows:

Wheels are provided on the trailer frame near the front end for running up the inclined approach to the horizontal tracks on the'truck when the truck backs into the trailer, and means are provided for automatically raising these wheels off the horizontal portion of the tracks when the trailer is in its final position on the tractor.

When the tractor backs into the semi-trailer, the latch hooks are automatically positionedto engage withthe locking bar on the truck. This is accomplished by the supporting unit swinging from its forward position to a Vertical position during the travel on the truck tracks of the wheels on the front end of the trailer frame.

The construction of the automatic means for raising the supporting element of the trailer when the truck drives into the trafiler involves a newarrangement whereby the actuating connection. is near the fulcrumlof the swinging supporting element so that only a small amount of movement isrequired to lift the supporting element even if greater power is required, distance being considered more important here than power which is propor tionately large due to the heavy truck.

The brake which has been set in position prior to the time when the truck backs into the trailer is automatically released by the truck at the proper time.

When the truck starts out from under the trailer, it first draws the legs into position and automatically locks them in this position before the uncoupling movement takes place. i

Provision is -made so that the truck can not uncouple from'the trailer until the legs of. the supporting elements are locked in'their upright position, the uncoupling being prevented prior to the locking of said legs in position but allowed to uncouple subsequent- Mechanism is provided which may be operated from the cab of truck for blocking an override brake mech ism to permit-backf ing without setting th brakes. f

The coupling-head involves new and novel devices, one of which'is an arrangement 1 release the locking pin located inf the" coug is backed entirely into the trailer. Fig. 13'i'sa longitudinal section Application in:

S.eria1.No. 124,080.

pling head from the strain incident to the momentum of the truck when the locking pin drops into place. I

There are other features of novelty, but this in a general way summarizes the features to which the claims are directed.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the trailer and the rear portion of the truck including the fifth wheel. The parts are shown before the truck has been completely uncoupled from the trailer.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same parts showing the parts in the same position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentarylongitudinal section of the same parts. f

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section through the coupling head on the trailer.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of the trailer showing the brake operating connections. Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 66 of Fig. 1 showing the tripping lug 17 as it is when the sliding position.

Fig. 7 is a section taken 011 the line 77 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 Fig. 7

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of a trailer and the fifth wheel part of the truck, showing the trailer wheels as raised slightly off the track carried by the truck. Fig. 9 is a lon itudinal sectionthrough the I forward part 0 the trailer when tractor is entirely away showing by dotted lines how the drop of the supporting legs serves to position the-latch hooks in the'path of the lock t 1s.an enlargedvlew of a portion of head is in its rearmost loops but before final coupling. Y v

the coupling 1 f:

Fig. 10 is a front elevation of head.

Fig. 1 1 is a plan view of the same.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the trailer similar to Fig. 1, but showing the trailer and the fifth wheel part of the truck after the truck er and the rear part of the truck parts being omitted for clearness, "showing the parts in the act of coupling. I I

when in'positionffortransport as distin-f guished from Fig. 3 ,'whic'h shows the parts To;

ting the brake temporarily in the initial movement of uiicoupling.

The apparatus is somewhat diflicult to understand and follow due to the large number of relative changes that occur in performing the automatic functions outlined above. It is therefore thought that the easiest way to approach and describe the matter is to describe the operation and the parts together. beginning with the truck acking into the semi-trai er.

In the plan view of the back of the truck shown in-Fig. 14, will be seen the tracks a which are inclined as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, in the manner set forth and claimed in the Pescatore Patent'No. 1,084,820. A pair of bumper loops 1) (Figs. 2 and 3) are provided on the front of the trailer for first striking the inclined track and taking the shock on the trailer. As the inclined track backs further it strikes the rollers a supported on the bottom of the side sills of the trailer by the brackets d. This, of course, reatly facilitates the truck running under t 1e trailer and lifting the same.

Refer to Fig. 9. When the truck has previously uncoupled itself from the trailer, it has left the latch hooks e in the raised position shown by the full lines and has the leg props inclined forwardly. However, as soon as the truck raises the trailer off the ground latch hooks'e. held in their lifted position by reason of the by backin under it, the forwardly inclined legs f of the supporting element swing from the full line position shown in Fig. 9 to the dotted line position, that is, down to the vertical. The le are connected by the link 9 to the sliding i ar h. This sliding bar is connected at the front with a con ling head a on which are pivoted the two be 1 crank-like These latch hooks were left tail engaging the lug j on the bottom of the bar In, which extends from the front cross channela to the first intermediate channel of the trailer frame (Fig. 1; compare also Fig. 11). This backward movement of the sliding bar It permits the two latch hooks which are connected by the shaft m (Fig. 10) to drop down into the dotted line position shown in Fig. 9. The bill of the latch hook is inclined so that when the lock bar '11., shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9. strikes the inclined bill it throws the swinging latch upwardly and passes under it and into the llet of .the latch which drops backupon t e lock bar There are two of these lock bars n (see 14). The are supported on theupstanding lugs o of t e. cap plate p in the center of the fi h wheel of the truck. This cap plate -p is shown in Fig. 3 and is the upper ca plate,

' by gravity. This is illustrated in Figfi. 1g.

while the lower cap plate g carries the prorod 71.. Thecouplin head is bridge the circular track t from front to back. Four spacing springs u are coiled about these rods and abut against the projecting lugs 1'. This arrangement gives the two center cap plates a floating. action with respect to the larger circular track so that there may be a slight yield and pla in the coupling of the trailer to the truc so as to absorb the shocks.

When we left the truck and trailer, the hooks had dropped over the lockingbar end, but the supporting legs are still in their upright position, having swung down to the vertical. Now, it is desirable to automatically lift these legs out of the way and provide an automatic release for the brake when the operation of coupling the truck and trailer is. complete. In the normal cycle of operation, the brakes are retained in set position at the end of the uncoupling operation by means of a lever w; consequently, it is not necessary under normal conditions to operate the brakes again before couplin But, in case it is desired to move the etached trailer about without the aid ofthe truck, the brakes may be released manually. Of course, it will then be necessary to set the brakes by hand before the truck is backed into the trailer. The means for releasing the brakes manually under these conditions digression and describe the coupling head and the sliding element which serves to perform a number of the automatic operations such as lifting the supporting legs and drawing them down into a vertical position, releasing the brake, and some of the other operations. This coupling head is detailed in Fig. 4. The sliding element is the a two-part member comprising the pin-holding casting a and the hook-carrying-casting 1. An abutment collar 2, is pinned to the sliding element h, and a coiled spring 3 yieldingly spaces the latch hook-carrying casting 1, and yieldingly forces it against the pin-holding cast-- ving z. The latter is pinned to the end of the sliding bar It. Secured to the pin holding casting z of the coupling head is a lever 4, adapted to abut against the lower end of the tapered locking pin 5, when raised. A. locking bar 6 extends from the front cross channel bar to the first intermediate cross channel bar of the trailer frame (see also Fig. 1). This hasanelongated slot 7, in its forward end and a small opening to the rear of this.

When the supporting legs f are in their extreme forward position such as shown in Fig. 2, the pin 5 rests in the forward end of this Slot 7. The length of the slot permits the movement already referred to and illustrated in Fig. 9, where the legs drop the, forward inclined position tothe vertical position for the purpose of positioning the latch hooks. In the condition that we left the trailer and truck, the latch "hooks had engaged with the lock bar and the trailer and truck were coupled together, but the support- 'are locked against this movement head of the trailer,

I arm of the lever is raised.

the locking ing legs had not been drawn up nor the brakes-released. This can only be efi'ected by the travel of the sliding element, coupling head and truck backwardly with respect to the trailer while the trailer remains stationary. But, as we have already seen, these parts of the pin 5 (Fig. 4). being at this time located in the slot 7. However, the fifth wheel of the truck being coupled up 'with the coupling by reason of the latch hooks engaging over the lock bar that is carried by the fifth wheel, the stud 10 is directly under the lever 4. This stud 10 passes through the center of the fifth wheel. lower end is enlarged and'slotted as at 11, and this slot is connected with a lever 12 of the bell crank type, which is connected by the rod 13 with the drivers cab, not shown. By pulling forward on this rod 13, the lower This raises the stud 10 and the lever 4:, which encounters the lower end of the tapered locking pin and thrusts it up against the force of the sprin 1 1. The upper edges of both the holes I and 8 in the lock bar are beveled off as shown in Fig. 4. This lever 4 rises to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 4, and lifts the pin to the dotted line 4, but bear in mind the whole coupling head and pin are now in the elongated slot 7 This releases the sliding elements of the trailer, to wit: the coupling head and the sliding bar, so that they are free now to move relatively backward with respect to the trailer to accomplish the results now to be described.

The driver of'the' truck now backs up the truck slightly. The truck together with the sliding elements on the trailer move'back wardly. The tapered end-of the locking pin in connection with the beveled edge of the slots serving to cause the locking pin to climb out of the slot. The parts continue their relative movement along locking bar until the opening 8 of the locking bar is reached by this opening, the helical spring 14 causes it to shoot into this opening. If this were to immediately' li'kelyshear. but thisis nicely takenrare 'of bythe inertia resisting arrangemei talforded byreason Its.

position shown in Fig.

trailer bein pin 5. When'it registers with arrest the-truck, the ;pin would the coupling hooks" on the casting 1. The

consequence is that the coil springS allows these two parts of the coupling head to separate slightly so that the inertia of the truck may be stopped by the spring 3 in a gradual fashion rather than by being suddenly arrested by the pin 5. In short, this constitutes a nicely arranged spring butter in the coupler to prevent the shearing of the pin 5. v

This relative movement of the sliding elements on the trailer accomplishes these results: it forces the sliding'bar h to the rear. Refer to Fig. 3. The sliding bar is connected by the link 9 with the supporting legs f. This connection is made as close to the fulcrum of the legs as possible so that a minimum amount of travel of the bar it will be required to swing the legs up to their folded position, such as shown in Fig. 13. This is one result. The second result is that the sliding bar it releases the brakes, it being remembered that these were set manually by the lever to the trailer. Referring to Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 15, the brake rod a connecting the'brakes with the lever 'w is divided into front and rear sec- ,tions arranged to be connected by a toothed beforethe truck was backed under portion 15 on the rear section normallyenand lift the projection 15 upwardly out of engagement with the toothed portion 15 (see Fig. 6), thereb disconnecting the brake rod sections. By this time a brake control cam 40 on the sl'idable rod H (see 1 5) will have moved into its rearmost position out of operative engagement with an arm 25 on the brake rock shaft 26. The spring 18 immediately forces the brake rod forwardly which releases the brakes, the'truck and I v b at this time coupled together and ready for combined operation." I r A third resu'ltfaccomplished bythe backward sliding movement of the sliding elements of the trailer is to di'sengage'theroll- On the stationary bar k ers; c. from the vtracks so as togive a' slight clearance to provide a free movement of the v rollers 19 (Fig. 8) on the fifth wheel track t.

shafts n (Fig-Q 11 4) Secured to the inside of f These rollersltl are nearthe ends of the lock adapted to straddle the rollers 21 on: thej extreme ends of the lock bars n. Q

l/Vh en thcse sliding elements reach therea r' YA,

of their movement these rollers strike the inclined face 22 (Fig. 3) of this U bracket and this serves to raise the trailer frame just slightly with respect to'the truck. This lifts the rollers off the track just sufliciently as shownin Fig. 8 so as to clear the same. The

' ment 23, which is adapted to strike the shoultinue on were it not for this brake.

der 24 on the coupling head 1 in case the truck is suddenly slowed or stopped or the trailer suddenly accelerated, the spring .3 permitting this override action. This is a very useful function in stopping, as then of course the application of the brakes to the truck leaves the trailer perfectly free to con- This override braking arrangement hence provides suitable brakes to stop the trailer coincidently with the application of the brakes to the truck. i

We now turn to the uncoupling of the truck from the trailer. The truck driver pulls on the rod 13 (Fig. 4). This raises the stud 10, the lever 4, and in turn raises the locking pin 5 to its uppermost position shown in the dotted lines of this figure. The dr'ver then starts the truck forward, which ulls the coupling head and bar it forwardly. In such movement the lug 17 permits the ,for-

- ward section of the brake rod u to fall down into engagement with the forwardly inclined teeth on the part 15, and shortly thereafter the forward end of a cam 40 (see Fig. carried by the rod It strikes an arm on'the brake rock shaft 26 thereby moving the rear section of the brake rod u rearwardly while the forward section remains in its set position. Thus, the brakes will be set automatically during the initial movement of the head during uncoupling, and further movement of the head will carry the cam forwardly so that its rear end will pass out of engagement with the arm 25. 'When this occurs the lever w acting through the part 15 and the segment '15 will become effective to hold the brakes in the set position into which the cam 40 has moved them. It will be remembered that the lever 10 was moved into or retained in brake setting position prior to the coupling of the truck and'trailer and that this lever together with the forward section of the brake rodu has been retained in brake setting position by the p awl and rack y and m.

during normal coupling and uncoupling operations. If it is now desired to release the brakes so as to permit the detached trailer to be moved about without the aid of the truck, the lever w which isnow acting to hold the brake set may be released manually.

The sliding elements, to wit: the sliding bar h and the coupling head on the trailer, now moveforward relatively with respect to the trailer which remains stationary. The lock pin 5 by reason of its tapered lower end, climbs out of the hole 8 and rides alongthe locking bar until it drops in the elongated slot 7 in the bar (Fig. 4). In making this relative travel forward, the sliding elements accomplish several results. One result is to automatically uncouple the latch hooks from the lock bar,-in short, uncouple the trailer from the truck. Referring to Fig. 9, it will be seen how this is accomplished. As

the hooks move forward with the slidingcoupling head the tails 27 strike the lu on the bar is (see also Fig. 11); this kic s the hooks up as shown in the full lines in Fig. 9, thereby permitting the locking bars n to draw away. A second result accomplished by the relative travel of the sliding elements forward on the trailer is to pull the legs down.- wardly, as these are directly tied to the sliding bar 71. by the links 9.

By comparing the different parts in Fig. 9,

it will be apparent that the hooks are not kicked off the locking bars until the legs have gone beyond a perpendicular position. It is only in the final travel from the perpendicular position to the slightly inclined forward final position that the hooks are thrown from the locking bars. This travel takes place by reason of the elongated slot 7 (see Fig. 4), that is,the pin 5 drops into the rear of this slot and ,hence absolutely prevents the legs from folding up before the hooks are kicked off the lock-bars. This absolutely prevents any accident as for instance, the legs dropping back or folding up slightly so that, when the truck draws away from the tractor, the forward end of the trailer would fall. This cannot happen, as it is only by the slight amount of movement allowed by the elongated slot that the hooks are kicked off. To further prevent any accidental throwing of the hooks by any other force, it will be seen-fromreferring to Fig. 11 that one of the hooks is provided with an upwardly projecting lug 29. This is adapted to ride along the underside of the bar I; so that these hooks can only be released when they are in their forward position opposite the slot 30, in the bar In.

Oftentimes it is desirable to back the truck and trailer. However, this would always apply the override brake except for the arrangement I have provided for blocking off the override brake on these occasions. The operator of the car need simply thrust back on the rod 13. This carries the lever 12, (Fig. 4) to the lowermost position shown in this figure. This pulls down the stud 10, which has a col- 1M 31, which engages the tail 32 oft-he lever 33 and throws this lever up against the under side of the lock bars 6, so that the same is in with respect to the outer wheel and consequently not enough movement so that the or rear position.

shoulder 24 can strike the abutment 23 brake rod to apply the brakes.

A feature of this trailer and truck to which I desire to call attention" is that there is no draft through the coupling device that is op- ;erated from the cab and which looks the sliding elements of the trailer in either forward The draft is entirely through the locking member-on the truck and the latching hooks on the trailer, and these are automatically controlled by the relative movement of the sliding parts of the trailer with respect to the trailer itself.

I claim as my invention:

'1. In a truck and a semi-trailer, the combination of a truck providedwith inclinedtracks at the back, a semi-trailer frame, rollers supported on the trailer frame adapted to run up the tracks, lock bars on the truck having rollers at the ends, and U brackets depending from the trailer frame arranged to engage the rollers on the ends of the locking bars to slightly raise the trailer with respect to the truck when the truck backs clear into the trailer for the purpose of causing the rollers to clear the track.

2. In atruckandasemi-trailer,thecombination of a truck provided with a locking member, a trailer frame, a sliding reach and a slidable coupling connected together and supported on the trailer frame, the latter provided with means for engaging the locking member, a swinging supporting element supported by the trailer frame, and a connection between the supporting unit and the sliding reach connecting with the supporting unit relatively close to the fulcrum.

3. In a truck and a semi-trailer, the combination of a truck provided with a locking member, a trailer frame, a sliding coupling head provided with a latching member adapted to engage the locking member on the truck, a sliding reach connectedwith the coupling member, a swinging supporting unit pivoted on the trailer frame, a sliding member slidable in the trailer frame and connected with the lower end of the supporting unit to actas a tension member, and a connecting link between the sliding reach and the supporting unit near its fulcrum.

4:. In a truck and a semi-trailer, the combination of a truck provided with a locking member, a semi-trailer frame provided with a latching member adapted to engage the locking member on the truck but which is left. out of thepath of the locking member when the truck is uncoupled from the trailer, and means automatically operated for throwing the latch on the when the truck hacks into the trailer,

ed on the trailer frame and connected with theof the path of the locking member when the truck is uncoupled from the trailer, and means automatically operated for throwing the latch back into the path of the locking member the trailer operating by means of the truck lifting the trailer.

6. In a truck anda semi-trailer, the combination of a truck provided with a locking member, a trailer frame provided with a stop, a latching member on the trailer frame ordinarily left in a raised position out of the path of the locking member when the truck is uncoupled from the trailer, a sliding element in a swinging supporting unit pivotsliding element, the said swinging supporting element when in a supporting position being somewhat forward of a vertical position, the

said latching member being held in its raised position by abutting against the stop and being also connected with the sliding element whereby when the truck backs into the trailer and raises the trailer, the swinging supporting element swings to the vertical, pulls the sliding element and the latch out of engagement with the stop and permits the latch to dropinto the path of the locking member of the truck. I l 7. In a truck and a semi-trailer, the combination of a truck provided with a locking member, a trailer frame, a swinging gravity latch in the form of a hook having an inclined face bill, said hook arranged to slide on the trailer, a stop by which said hook is kicked up to its release position, a swinging supporting member occupying a position somewhatlnclined to the vertical forward of a vertical line through its fulcrum when the same is acting as a support for the trailer frame, and connections between said swingingsupporting member and the slidingly mounted hook whereby when the truck drives under the trailer and raises the same the supporting unit swings to the vertical and draws the hook away from the stop and allows the same to fall into the path oft-he oncoming locking member.

8. In a truck and semi-trailer, the combination of a truck provided with a locking member, a trailer frame, and a two-part coupling memberprovided with means for engaging the locking member, the two-part coupling member having the parts yieldably separable, and means for arresting one of the coupling members in a sliding movement that both have zwith respect to the trailer frame whereby the other part of the coupling member its yielding separating action mav absorb the inertia shock in arresting the relative movement.

9. In a truck and semi-trailer, the combination of a truck provided with a locking memher, a trailer frame, a two-part slidable coupling havin a relative sliding movement on the trailer rame, one of the parts provided withmeans for coupling onto the locking member of the truck, a yieldable connection between the two parts, the other parts provided with a locking pin, and means for arresting the locking pin whereby the arresting of the locking pin part of the coupling permits the other part of the coupling to sepa-' rate slightly and absorb the inertia shock in arresting the relative movement of the coupling with respect to the trailer.

10. In a truck and semi-trailer, the combination of a truck provided with a locking member, a trailer frame, a locking bar provided with an opening therein, a two-part coupling slidable along the locking bar, the

two parts being held together by a spring, a locking pin on the forward part of the couplinghead and a latching member secured on the rear part of the coupling head, said locking pin dropping into the opening in the locking bar when it registers therewith while the inertia of the truck and the other part of the coupling is absorbed by the springswhen the "yielding separation takes place between the two coupler parts when the shooting of the pin into the hole arrests one part of the couler.

11. In a truck and semi-trailer, the combination of a trailer frame, a locking bar supported thereon with an opening at the rear and an elongated opening .in the front, a sliding coupling head slidable with respect to the trailer frame, a supporting unit raised or lowered by the sliding action of the coupler, the coupler provided with a latching member arranged to be automatically released as the sliding coupler nears the completion of itsforward relative movement with respect tothe trailer frame, and a locking pin on the coupler arranged to engage in the rear opening of the lock bar'to hold the supporting unit in its inoperative position and dropping into the'elongated slot to lock the supporting unit in its operative position but permitting slight further relative movement .forward for the purpose of permitting the latching member to be automatically disengaged.

12. In a truck and a semi-trailer, the combination of a trailerframe, a coupler head slidable thereon provided with. a latching hook having a tail on one end, and a trip plug on the trailer frame for engaging the tail of the latch hook to throw the same for automatically releasing the hook when the'coupler travels forward with respect to 'the trailer.

13'. In a truck and a semi-trailer, thg comward but no movement backward, a trip on the trailer, said latch member striking the trip to throw the latching member to a releasin osit-ion-after the forward position of the 100 mg means sets the coupler against any backward movement but permits motion forward, and a supporting unit raised and low ered by the relative movement of the coupler head, locked in its upright position when the forward position of the locking means locks against backard sliding movement of the coupler.

14. In a truck and a semi-trailer, the combination of a truck provided with'a fifth wheel carrying a locking member, atrailer frame, a coupler head slidable thereon, to effect certain operations, a locking element on the trailer frame, said coupler provided with a latching member arranged to engage the locking element in the forward and rear ends of its sliding movement, and a control member running up through the'fifth Wheel on the truck for disengaging the interlock between the coupler head and the locking element on the trailer.

15. In a truck and a semi-trailer, the combination of a truck provided with a fifth wheel, a trailer frame, a coupler head slidable longitudinally on the trailer frame to perform certain automatic operations, a locking bar provided with two openings for locking the coupler head at the-forward and rear end of its movement, a locking pin for engaging in said openings, and a control mcm-.

wheel, a trailer frame, a locking bar-provided with two openings, a slidable coupler head whose sliding movement serves to perform certain automatic operations, a pin in the coupling head for en aging in the openings to lock the coupling l xead in the forwarder rear end of its movement, a lever on the coupling head, and a stud operating through the center of thefifth wheel which may engage the lever Which'is thereby swung to disengage the pin from the opening in the locking bar. a

17. In a truck and a semi-trailer, the combination of a' truck provided with a fifth wheel, a trailer, a sliding coupler head whose sliding movement controls certain automatic operations, means for locking the same at the forward or rear end ofits movement, overlride brake mechanism on the trailer frame automatically operated when the trailer moves forward with respect to the truck, means for blocking such overridingaction to prevent the action of the override brake, and means passing up through the fifth wheel of the truck WlllCh may be used both tov disengage the locking means of the coupler head or optionally to throw in the blocking mechanism to prevent the operation of the override brake. I

18. In a truck and a semi-trailer, the combination of a truck provided with a fifth wheel, a trailer frame, a sliding coupling head slidable on the trailer frame to perform certain automatic operations. means for locking the same at the rear and front of its movement, an override brake mechanism on the trailer operated to apply the brakes when the trailer overrides the truck, a stop supported on the trailer, a lever carried by the coupler head, and means passing up through the fifth wheel of the truck which may be optionally operated to disengage the locking 1 means of the coupler head or throw the lever into the path of the stop to block the overriding of the trailer on the truck and thus prevent the operation of the overriding brake.

19. In a truck and a semi-trailer, the combination of a truck provided with a fifth "wheel, a trailer frame, a slidable coupling head movable longitudinally of the trailer frame to perform certain autoniatic operations, a locking bar provided with a pair of openings and along which the coupler head moves, a locking pin carried by the coupler head and adapted'to drop into said openings,

a stop-on the locking bar, a lever on the coupler, and a stud running up through .the cen-. ter of the fifth wheel which may be raised to disengage the lockin'g'pin from the locking bar opening and may be lowered to throw the lever into the pathof the stop, and a overriding brake mechanism operated by the overriding of the trailer frame on the truck, said brake being blocked whenthe said lever is thrown up into the path of the stop to prevent overriding.

20. In a truck and a semi-trailer, the combination of a truck provided with a fifth Wheel, a trailer having a yieldable connection through such fifth wheel of the truck, .override brake mechanism operated by said trailer moving forwardon such yiel'dable, connection with respect to the truck, means for blocking such overriding action, and a con trol device therefor running through the cenride brake mechanism on thetrailer, a stop member on the trailer, a lever pivoted on the .of its movement. into the trailer.

trailer which can be thrown into the path of the stop to prevent overriding action of the traileron the truck, and a stud passing engagement between them, and means actu-, ated in the final movement of the'truck during coupling to break the connection between said parts. i

in combination, a

23. In a truck and a semi-trailer, the combination of a truck, a trailer which is coupled with the truck when the truck backs into the trailer, brake mechanism on the trailer iiieluding two brakeirod portions. connected by a toothed segment and a toothed engagement, and means operated. at the finish of the movement of the truck into the trailer for throwing the tooth out of the toothed segment to release the brakes.

24:. In a truck and a semi-trailer, the combination of a truck, atrailer that is coupled to the truck when the truck backs into the trailer, brake mechanism on the trailer including a severable connection, and a sliding member on the trailer operated by the'move: ment of the truck backward intmthe trailer for disengaging said severable connection to release the brakes as the truck reaches the end 25. In a truck and a semi-trailer, the com-- bination of a truck, a trailer which is coupled with the truck when the truck backs into the same, brake mechanism on the trailer includ ing a severable rod in two parts, one part of which runs through a lever with an eye, and i a sliding member operated with the movement of the truck and located on the trailer adapted to engage under the lever to -lift the same and break the severable connection to release the brakes.

26. In a truck and a semi-trailer, the combination of a truck provided with a locking member, a trailer frame, a coupling head having .a sliding movement along the trailer frame to perform certain automatic operations, saidcounler head provided with a latching member engaging with the lockingmenr her on the truck to couple it together, and

means for automatically disengaging the' latching member from the lockingmember when the coupling head approaches thetex-.

treme front of its movement.

27. In a truck and a semi-trailer, the combination of a truck provided a with a locking member, a trailer frame, a sliding coupling head on the trailer frame which performs certain automatic operations by its sliding movement, a latching member on the coupler head in the form of a bell-crank hook, and'a trip lug supported by the trailer frame, adapted to engage the tail of the bell crank hook when the coupling head nears the forward end of its slide to release the book from the locking member on the truck.

28. In a truck and a semi-trailer, the combination of a truck provided with a locking member, a trailer frame, a sliding Coupling head on the trailer frame whose sliding movement performs certain operations, a latching member on the coupling head engaging the locking member and automatically released when it reaches the front of the end of the sliding movement of the coupling, and means latch from the locking member.

30. In a truck and a semi-trailer, the combination "of a truck provided with a locking member, a trailer, a coupling head slidable on the trailer to perform certain operations, a latching member carried on the coupler head, a bar supported by the trailer frame along the vpath of movement of the latch, and a trip supported by the bar to disengage the latch from the locking member, said bar serving to hold the latch in engagement with the locking member until the latch reaches the forward end of its travel on the coupling head, the bar being provided at this point with an opening to allow the latch to release itself from the locking member. a v

31.-In a truck and a semi-trailer, the combination of a truck, a trailer which may be coupled with the truck'when the truck backs into the trailer, having sliding-elements arranged to automatically uncouple the draft connections when the lock on these sliding elements is released, brakes on the trailer, and means for first automatically setting t-he brakes when the truck drives forward with respect to the trailer preliminary to automatically uncoupling the draft connections.

32. In a truck and a semi-trailer, the com- .bination of a truck, a trailer which may be coupled with the truck when the truck drives into the trailer and provided with sliding elements including the coupling head on the trailer for performing certain operations and for uncoupling the draft connections between the trailer and the truck at the forward end of the sliding movement of the coupling head, a brake on the trailer, and means whereby the movement forward of the sliding elements on the trailer first automatically sets .the brakes to permit the uncoupling of the draft connections. a

33. In a truck and a semi-trailer, the combination of a truck, a trailer coupled to the truck when the truck backs into the trailer, a sliding coupling head on the trailer slidable to perform certain operations, means for locking the sliding coupler head at the forward end of its sliding movement, a brake on the trailer, and means tripped by the sliding elements on-the trailer to apply the brake when the sliding elements move forward, the said movement forward of the sliding elements serving to first set said brakes and then to automatically uncouple the draft connections between the trailer and the truck at the forward end of the sliding movement.

34. In a truck and a semi-trailer, the combination of a truck, a trailer, a coupling member provided with two parts which have relative movement and which are connected one to the truck and one to the trailer, an override brake in the trailer arranged to engage against the coupling part attached to the truck when the trailer tends to override the truck whereby the coupling parts separate and apply the brakes.

35. In a combined vehicle of the character described, comprising a truck and a trailer, the combination of trailer brakes, brake controlling means, mechanism for coupling the truck and trailer together including a member mounted on the trailer and movable in opposite directions upon relative movement between the truck and trailer during coupling and uncoupling, and means to lock said coupling mechanism in coupled position, said member being arranged to control the operation of said locking means and said brake controlling means approximately at thecompletion of the movement of said member in one direction whereby to release said brakes described, comprising a truck and a trailer,

the combination of coupling mechanism including an element mounted on the trailer to move back and forth during coupling and uncoupling of the truck and trailer, means operable to lock said element in the trailer frame at the completion of it's coupling stroke, brakes for the trailer, manually operable brake-setting means, and trip means arranged to be actuated by said element approximately simultaneously with the operation of said locking means thereby rendering said brakesetting means ineffectual as a means for holding the brakes in set position.

37. In a combined vehicle of the character described, comprising a truck and trailer,

the combination of trailer-brakecontrolling lif- ' element to the trailer in the operation of coupling and uncoupling the truck and trailer, means controlled by said element for automatically locking said approximately at one end of the movement of said element,and means for actuating said trailer-brake-controlling means to release the brakes approximately simultaneously with the operation of said locking means.

38. In a combined vehicle of the character described, comprising a truck and a trailer, the combination of an element mounted on the trailer to be moved back and forth during the operation of coupling and uncoupling the truck and trailer, brakes for the trailer, manually operable means by which said brakes may be set, and means automatically operable by said element for rendering said manually operable means inefl'ectual and thereby releasing the brakes approximately atone end of the movement of said element.

39. A combined vtruck and trailer vehicle of the character described comprising, in combination, trailerbrakes, brake-operating mechanism by which the brakes may be set, an element on the trailer arranged to be automatically moved in the operation of coupling or uncoupling the truck and trailer, and means automaticallyvoperable in the movement of said elementfor acting on said brakeoperating mechanism to permit one portion of said brake-operating mechanism to move the brake-releasing position without afi'ecting the brake-setting position of the other portion of said operating mechanism.

40. The combination with a truck and a trailer, of brakes for thetrailer, operating means therefor, means providing an operative connection between said brakes and operating means, a trip device operable to -break said connection to release said brakes,

and means rendered active by relative movement between the truck and trailer during coupling to operate said trip device.

41. The combination with a trailer and a truck adapted to be coupled together for combined operation, of brakes for the trailer, manually operable-means for setting said brakes, a device mounted on the trailer to move in opposite directions during couplin and uncoupling, and means actuated by said device near one end of its movement for rendering said setting means inefl'ectual.

42. The combination with a truck and trailer, of brakes for the trailer, means for setting said brakes and retaining them in set position during coupling of the truck and trailer, and means controlled by relative movement between the truck and trailer during coupling to render said setting means ineffectual.

43. The combination with a truck and trailer arranged to be coup ed together for combined operation, of brake means for, the trailer, manually controlled means adaptedto set said brake means and hold it in set position,

and means operable automatically upon coupling of the truck and trailer for releasing said brake means while said setting means remains in active position.

44. The combination with a trailer, of brakes therefor, brake control mechanism, means arrangedito act on said mechanism to release said brakes automatically, and manually operable means for setting said brakes and simultaneously conditioning said mechanism for automatic operation thereof by said releasing means, said setting means serving to hold said brakes in set position until the operation of said releasing means.

45. A vehicle having, in combination, a trailer, a truck adap-t-edto be connected to the trailer, a brake for the trailer, means for holding said brake in set position during during coupling of the .truck and trailer, means providing an operative connection between said brake and said holding means including a clutch device having two interengageable parts, and means operated by relative movement between the truck and trailer to disengage said parts thereby breaking the connection between the brakes and said holding means.

46. In a combined vehicle of the character described comprising a truck and a trailer, the combination of a device to be operated, manually controlled operating means normally having a mechanical connection with said device for operating the same, a member mounted to slide back and forth on the trailer and arranged to be actuated as the tractor moves relative to the trailer in the operation of coupling to the trailer, and

.means operated by said member during its coupling stroke to break the connection between said device and said operating means whereby to permit operation of the said de+ vice independently of said manually conwhich is shiftable forward and back along the trailer, and means to permit the openingv of the coupling means at the forward end of its shifting movement and for closing the coupling means as the latter moves rearwardly from its forward position.

49. The combination of a tractor having a coupling element at its rear end, a semi-trailer having coupling means mounted on its forward portion and arranged to be slid forwardly and rearwardly by the tractor, means for locking the coupling means in its rear position, and means for holding the coupling means closed in any position other than its forward position and for permitting opening of the coupling mean-s'when in its forward position and allowing escape therefrom of said coupling element on the tractor.

50. The combination of a tractor having a coupling element at its rear end, a semitrailer, coupling means movably mounted on the forward portion of the semi-trailer and arranged to engage said element on the tractor and be moved forwardand back thereby, means. for locking said coupling means in its rearmost position, means for locking said couplin means in its foremost position, and means or holding said coupling means in operative condition except when in its foremost position and for permitting movement of the said coupling means when in its foremost position to allow escape of said coupling element therefrom, the said means for locking said coupling means in its foremost position operating automatically to effect a lock and being operable to release the lock effect and permit rearward travel of the coupling means when the tractor backs under the trailer.

51. A combined vehicle of'the character described comprising, in combination, a tractor, a trailer, a carriage slidably mounted on the forward end of the trailer, a coupling member on the tractor, means on said carriage for engaging said coupling member whereby said carriage will be pulled forward by the tractor in uncoupling from the trailer, and means operating automatically near the end of the uncoupling operation to free said coupling member.

52. A combined vehicle of the character described comprising, in combination, a tractor, a trailer, a movable member on the trailer for supporting the forward end of the trailer when detached from the tractor, a movable element on the trailer operatively associated with said support, two coupling devices one carried by the tractor and the other by said element, said devices being arranged for engagement as the tractor is backed under the trailer whereby to connect said element to the tractor and for disengagement automatically when said member reaches its forward limit of travel during uncoupling of the tractor and trailer, and means to hold said element against movement on the trailer during combined operation of the tractor and trailer.

53. A combined vehicle of the character described comprising, in combination, a tractor, a trailer, a carria e mounted on the trailer to move back and orth during coupling and uncoupling respectively, and coupling means on said carriage operable automatically during coupling and uncoupling respectively to connect and disconnect said tractor and said carriage.

'54. A combined vehicle of the character described comprising, in combination, a tractor, a trailer, an' element movably mounted on the trailer, means providing a connection between said element and the tractor while the tractor is being uncoupled from the trailer, the power of the tractor being thereby applied positively to actuate said element, and means operating automatically near the end of the uncoupling operation for rendering said connecting means ineifective.

55. A combined vehicle of the character described comprising, in combination, a tractor, a trailer, an element movably mounted on the trailer and arranged to be connected to the tractor, means operating to maintain a connection between the tractor and said element while the tractor is being detached from the trailer and then to disconnectthe tractor and said .element automatically near the end of the detaching operation.

56. A combined vehicle of the character described comprising, in combination, a tractor, a trailer, an element movably mounted on the trailer, means for connecting said element and the tractor so that the element will be moved by the tractor while the tractor is being detached from the trailer, and means operating on said connecting means to maintain the connection between the tractor and said element during the major portion of the uncoupling operation and to automatically release said connecting means.

57. A combined vehicle of the character described comprising, in combination, a tractor, a trailer, an element movably mounted on the trailer, a support for thetrailer operatively associated with said element, means for connecting said element to the tractor, and cam means acting on said connecting means during uncoupling of the tractor and trailer to maintain an engagement between said element and the tractor until said support has been moved into active position and then to'render said connecting means ineffective.

58. A combined vehicle of the character described comprising, in combination, a tractor, a trailer, an element movably mounted on the trailer, a membercarried by the trailer and operatively associated with said element, said member being arranged to be moved into a position to support the trailer when detached from the tractor, means to connect said element to the tractor whereby the power of tively to move said member into supporting position, and means operating automatically after said member has reached its supporting. position to release said connecting means the tractor will be applied posi-' thereby freeing said tractor from said element.

59. A combined vehicle of the character described comprising, in combination, a tractor, a trailer, coupling mechanism through which the tractive force of the tractor is applied to the trailer for drawing the part on the tractor near the beginning of the coupling operation and automatically disconnected therefrom near the end of the uncoupling operation, a second locking means by which the head is rigidly connected to the trailer frame at the end of its coupling stroke, a land-engaging member for supporting the forward endof said member being mounted on the trailer and movable between supporting and non-supporting positions, and connecting means between said head and said member operable to pull said member into active position in the movement of said I head during its uncoupling stroke.

.tractor and trailer,

60. A combined vehicle ofthe character described comprising, in combination, a.

tractor, a trailer, a head mounted, on the trailer to move rearwardly during coupling and forwardly during uncoupling of. the a movable supporting member on the trailer operatively associated with said head so as to be moved out of and into land-engaging position during the coupling and uncoupling strokes of said head re-' spectively, inter-engageable coupling devices one on the tractor and the other on'said head adapted to provide a rigid connection between the tractor and the head, stationary cam means on the trailer operable in the.

movement of said head to ment between said devices pling stroke of said head until said member has een moved into supporting position and then to permit disengagement of said devices whereby to free the tractor from-the trailer, and means for locking said head in its rearmost or coupled position.

61. In a combined vehicle of the character described comprising a tractor and a trailer, a couphng mechanism comprising, in combination, a coupling device on the tractor, a con ling device movably mounted on the trai er and adapted for engagement with said tractor coupling device, means for actuating saidtrailer coupling device automatically to cause it to engage and disengage said tractor device at the beginning of the coupling operation and at the end of theuncoupling operation respectively including a head operatlvely connected with said trailer coupling device and adapted-to be reciprocated back apd forth maintain engageduring the uncouthe trailer when detached from the tractor,

on the trailer as the tractor moves'toward and away from the trailer during coupling and uncoupling and insuch reciprocation to actuate said trailer coupling device and locking means operable to hold said head in its rearward or coupled position so that the tractive force of the tractor may be applied to the trailer through the medium of said coupling devices and said head.

62. The combination with a tractor and a semi-trailer arranged for automatic connec tion and disconnection, of brakes for the semitrailer, a brake operating element on the trailer, a separate movable element which is movable into and out of cooperating relation with the brake operating element, and a trip device arranged for engagement with the movable element which eflects movement of said element upon relative movement of the tractor and trailer in the action of'disconnecting, so that the movable element engages the said brake operating element to hold the brakes applied independently of the trip device, while the tractor and semi-trailer remain disconnected.

63. The combination with a tractor and a semi-trailer arranged for automatic connection and disconnection, of brakes for the semitrailer, brake operating mechanism including two parts, one of which is connected to the brakes and the second of which is separate from the first and movable into and out of holding position as re ards the first part, and means for moving the said second part into and out of holding position upon relative movement between the truck and trailer as they disconnect and connect respectively, whereby the brakes are held applied while the semi-trailer 'is disconnected and released when the semi-trailer is connected to the tractor. I

64. The combination with a tractor and a semi-trailer arranged for automatic connection and disconnection, of brakes for the semitrailer, brake operating mechanism including two parts, one of which is connected to the brakes and the second of which is separate from the first and movable into and out of holding position as regards the first part, a trip device arranged for contact with the second part for effecting movement of the said second part into holding position as regards the first part upon relative movement between the tractor and trailer during the disconnecting action to hold the brakes applied While the semi-trailer is disconnected from the tractor.

65. The combination with a tractor and a semi-trailer arranged for automatic connectionand disconnection, of brakes for the semitrailer, brake operating mechanism including two parts, one of which is connected to the brakes and the second of which is separate from the first and movable into and out of holding position as regards the first part,

a trip device arranged to contact With the second part for eflz'ectlng movement of the said second part into holding position as regards the first part upon relative movement be- 5 tween the tractor and trailer during the disconnecting action to hold the brakes applied while the semi-trailer is disconnected from the tractor, said movable part being movable to non-holding position upon relative movement between the tractor and trailer during connection.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

CHARLES H. LAND, J R.

Images