 |
Claims  |
|
|
What we claim is:
1. A power-actuated locking and unlocking system for two relatively-movable
objects which can be selectively locked together for conjoint movement or
which can be unlocked for movement relative to each other, said objects
being an automotive trailer and a wheel-supporting slider for said
automotive trailer which is adjacent the rear of said automotive trailer,
said system comprising interacting relatively-movable surfaces on said
objects which can permit relative forward or rearward movement of said
objects, a power-actuated locking and unlocking member that is mounted on
and movable with one of said objects, a plurality of longitudinally-spaced
surfaces on the other of said objects that can be selectively engaged by
said power-actuated locking and unlocking member, said power-actuated
locking and unlocking member being selectively responsive to the
application of power to move into locking engagement with various of said
longitudinally-spaced surfaces on said other of said objects to lock said
objects together in various longitudinally-spaced positions, said
power-actuated locking and unlocking member being selectively responsive
to the application of power to move to a position wherein it is out of
locking engagement with all of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces on said
other of said objects to free said objects for relative forward or
rearward movement, and said power-actuated locking and unlocking member
and any one of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces being adapted to
prevent relative forward or rearward movement of said objects and hence to
insure conjoint movement of said objects whenever said power-actuated
locking and unlocking member responds to the application of power to move
into locking engagement with said one of said longitudinally-spaced
surfaces, said power-actuated locking and unlocking member being separate
from, and being independent of, all braking systems for said automotive
trailer.
2. A power-actuated locking and unlocking system as claimed in claim 1
wherein said power-actuated locking and unlocking member includes a
pneumatic cylinder, wherein said longitudinally-spaced surfaces are the
bounding portions of openings, wherein said pneumatic cylinder selectively
responds to the application of compressed air to move a locking surface
into various of said openings, and wherein said pneumatic cylinder
selectively responds to the application of compressed air to move said
locking surface out of said various openings.
3. A power-actuated locking and unlocking system as claimed in claim 1
wherein said power-actuated locking and unlocking member includes a
pneumatic cylinder that is directed transversely of said one of said
objects, wherein said longitudinally-spaced surfaces are the bounding
portions of openings within a longitudinally-extending structural member
of said other of said objects, wherein said pneumatic cylinder selectively
responds to the application of compressed air to move a locking surface
into various of said openings, and wherein said pneumatic cylinder
selectively responds to the application of compressed air to move said
locking surface out of said various openings.
4. A power-actuated locking and unlocking system as claimed in claim 1
wherein said power-actuated locking and unlocking member includes a
pneumatic cylinder, wherein a valve for said pneumatic cylinder
selectively permits compressed air to enter and exhaust from said
pneumatic cylinder, wherein said longitudinally-spaced surfaces are the
bounding portions of openings, wherein said pneumatic cylinder selectively
responds to the application of compressed air to move a locking surface
into various of said openings, wherein said pneumatic cylinder selectively
responds to the application of compressed air to move said locking surface
out of said various openings, and wherein said valve will hold compressed
air within said pneumatic cylinder and thereby cause said pneumatic
cylinder to hold said locking surface in any adjacent opening in the event
the supply of compressed air, which is supplied to said valve for
application to said pneumatic cylinder, is discontinued.
5. A power-actuated locking and unlocking system as claimed in claim 1
wherein said power-actuated locking and unlocking member is located
between, and hence is shielded and protected by, said objects.
6. A power-actuated locking and unlocking system as claimed in claim 1
wherein said power-actuated locking and unlocking member includes a
pneumatic cylinder, wherein said pneumatic cylinder selectively responds
to the application of compressed air to move a locking surface into
various of said openings, wherein said pneumatic cylinder selectively
responds to the application of compressed air to move said locking surface
out of said various openings, wherein said locking surface is a locking
pin secured to the piston of said pneumatic cylinder, and wherein said
locking pin is confined and guided for reciprocal movement relative to
various of said openings by a guide member.
7. A locking and unlocking system for two relatively-movable objects which
can be selectively locked together for conjoint movement or which can be
unlocked for movement relative to each other, said objects being an
automotive trailer and a wheel-supporting slider for said automotive
trailer which is adjacent the rear of said automotive trailer, said system
comprising interacting relatively-movable surfaces on said objects which
can permit relative forward or rearward movement of said objects, a
locking member that is mounted on and movable with one of said objects, a
plurality of longitudinally-spaced surfaces on the other of said objects
that can be selectively engaged by said locking member to lock said
objects together in various longitudinally-spaced positions, and said
locking member and any one of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces being
adapted to prevent relative forward or rearward movement of said objects
and hence to insure conjoint movement of said objects whenever said
locking member is in locking engagement with said one of said
longitudinally-spaced surfaces, a sensor which senses the position of said
locking member longitudinally of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces and
which can indicate when said locking member is in register with a
predetermined one of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces, an indicator
which can respond to said sensor to indicate when said locking member is
in register with said predetermined one of said longitudinally-spaced
surfaces, and selectively-operated means which can actuate said locking
member to cause said locking member to move into locking engagement with
said predetermined one of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces.
8. A locking and unlocking system for two relatively-movable objects which
can be selectively locked together for conjoint movement or which can be
unlocked for movement relative to each other, said objects being an
automotive trailer and a wheel-supporting slider for said automotive
trailer which is adjacent the rear of said automotive trailer, said system
comprising interacting relatively-movable surfaces on said objects which
can permit relative forward or rearward movement of said objects, a
locking member that is mounted on and movable with one of said objects, a
plurality of longitudinally-spaced surfaces on the other of said objects
that can be selectively engaged by said locking member to lock said
objects together in various longitudinally-spaced positions, and said
locking member and any one of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces being
adapted to prevent relative forward or rearward movement of said objects
and hence to insure conjoint movement of said objects whenever said
locking member is in locking engagement with said one of said
longitudinally-spaced surfaces, a sensor which senses the position of said
locking member longitudinally of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces and
which can indicate when said locking member is in register with a
predetermined one of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces, said sensor
being mounted adjacent said objects, and an indicator which responds to
said sensor but which is remote from said objects, said indicator being
located so it is within the sensing range of the driver of the automotive
tractor which pulls said automotive trailer.
9. A locking and unlocking system for two relatively-movable objects which
can be selectively locked together for conjoint movement or which can be
unlocked for movement relative to each other, said objects being an
automotive trailer and a wheel-supporting slider for said automotive
trailer which is adjacent the rear of said automotive trailer, said system
comprising interacting relatively-movable surfaces on said objects which
can permit relative forward or rearward movement of said objects, a
locking member that is mounted on and movable with one of said objects, a
plurality of longitudinally-spaced surfaces on the other of said objects
that can be selectively engaged by said locking member to lock said
objects together in various longitudinally-spaced positions, and said
locking member and any one of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces being
adapted to prevent relative forward or rearward movement of said objects
and hence to insure conjoint movement of said objects whenever said
locking member is in locking engagement with said one of said
longitudinally-spaced surfaces, a sensor which senses the position of said
locking member longitudinally of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces and
which can indicate when said locking member is in register with a
predetermined one of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces, further sensors
which can indicate when said locking member is in register with further
predetermined ones of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces, the first said
and said further sensors being mounted adjacent said objects, and an
indicator which responds to said sensors but which is remote from said
objects, said indicator being located so it is within the sensing range of
the driver of the automotive tractor which pulls said automotive trailer.
10. A locking and unlocking system for two relatively-movable objects which
can be selectively locked together for conjoint movement or which can be
unlocked for movement relative to each other, said objects being an
automotive trailer and a wheel-supporting slider for said automotive
trailer which is adjacent the rear of said automotive trailer, said system
comprising interacting relatively-movable surfaces on said objects which
can permit relative forward or rearward movement of said objects, a
locking member that is mounted on and movable with one of said objects, a
plurality of longitudinally-spaced surfaces on the other of said objects
that can be selectively engaged by said locking member to lock said
objects together in various longitudinally-spaced positions, and said
locking member and any one of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces being
adapted to prevent relative forward or rearward movement of said objects
and hence to insure conjoint movement of said objects whenever said
locking member is in locking engagement with said one of said
longitudinally-spaced surfaces, a sensor which senses the position of said
locking member longitudinally of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces and
which can indicate when said locking member is in register with a
predetermined one of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces, further sensors
which can indicate when said locking member is in register with further
predetermined ones of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces, said sensors
being circuit-closing devices, and said sensors being mounted adjacent
said objects, and an indicator which responds to said sensors but which is
remote from said objects, said indicator being located so it is within the
sensing range of the driver of the automotive tractor which pulls said
automotive trailer.
11. A locking and unlocking system for two relatively-movable objects which
can be selectively locked together for conjoint movement or which can be
unlocked for movement relative to each other, said objects being an
automotive trailer and a wheel-supporting slider for said automotive
trailer which is adjacent the rear of said automotive trailer, said system
comprising interacting relatively-movable surfaces on said objects which
can permit relative forward or rearward movement of said objects, a
locking member that is mounted on and movable with one of said objects, a
plurality of longitudinally-spaced surfaces on the other of said objects
that can be selectively engaged by said locking member to lock said
objects together in various longitudinally-spaced positions, and said
locking member and any one of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces being
adapted to prevent relative forward or rearward movement of said objects
and hence to insure conjoint movement of said objects whenever said
locking member is in locking engagement with said one of said
longitudinally-spaced surfaces, said locking member including a pneumatic
cylinder, said longitudinally-spaced surfaces being the bounding portions
of openings, said pneumatic cylinder selectively moving a locking surface
into or out of various of said openings, a sensor which senses the
position of said locking member longitudinally of said
longitudinally-spaced surfaces and which can indicate when said locking
member is in register with a predetermined one of said openings, a further
sensor which can indicate when said locking surface is within any one of
said openings, and an indicator which responds to said sensors but which
is remote from said objects, said indicator being located so it is within
the sensing range of the driver of the automotive tractor which pulls said
automotive trailer.
12. A locking and unlocking system for two relatively-movable objects which
can be selectively locked together for conjoint movement or which can be
unlocked for movement relative to each other, said objects being an
automotive trailer and a wheel-supporting slider for said automotive
trailer which is adjacent the rear of said automotive trailer, said system
comprising interacting relatively-movable surfaces on said objects which
can permit relative forward or rearward movement of said objects, a
locking member that is mounted on and movable with one of said objects, a
plurality of longitudinally-spaced surfaces on the other of said objects
that can be selectively engaged by said locking member to lock said
objects together in various longitudinally-spaced positions, and said
locking member and any one of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces being
adapted to prevent relative forward or rearward movement of said objects
and hence to insure conjoint movement of said objects whenever said
locking member is in locking engagement with said one of said
longitudinally-spaced surfaces, said locking member including a pneumatic
cylinder, said longidutinally-spaced surfaces being the bounding portions
of openings, said pneumatic cylinder selectively moving a locking surface
into or out of various of said openings, a sensor which senses the
position of said locking member longitudinally of said
longitudinally-spaced surfaces and which can indicate when said locking
member is in register with a predetermined one of said openings, a further
sensor which can indicate when said locking surface is within any one of
said openings, an indicator which responds to said sensors but is remote
from said objects, the first said sensor being electrical, said further
sensor being electrical, and said indicator being electrical, said
indicator being located so it is within the sensing range of the driver of
the automotive tractor which pulls said automotive trailer.
13. A locking and unlocking system for two relatively-movable objects which
can be selectively locked together for conjoint movement or which can be
unlocked for movement relative to each other, said objects being an
automotive trailer and a wheel-supporting slider for said automotive
trailer which is adjacent the rear of said automotive trailer, said system
comprising interacting relatively-movable surfaces on said objects which
can permit relative forward or rearward movement of said objects, a
locking member that is mounted on and movable with one of said objects, a
plurality of longitudinally-spaced surfaces on the other of said objects
that can be selectively engaged by said locking member to lock said
objects together in various longitudinally-spaced positions, and said
locking member and any one of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces being
adapted to prevent relative forward or rearward movement of said objects
and hence to insure conjoint movement of said objects whenever said
locking member is in locking engagement with said one of said
longitudinally-spaced surfaces, said locking member including a pneumatic
cylinder, said longitudinally-spaced surfaces being the bounding portions
of openings, said pneumatic cylinder selectively moving a locking surface
into or out of various of said openings, a sensor which senses the
position of said locking member longitudinally of said
longitudinally-spaced surfaces and which can indicate when said locking
member is in register with a predetermined one of said
longitudinally-spaced surfaces, said sensor being displaced from said
predetermined one of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces, and an indicator
which responds to said sensor but which is remote from said objects, said
indicator being located so it is within the sensing range of the driver of
the automotive tractor which pulls said automotive trailer.
14. A locking and unlocking system for two relatively-movable objects which
can be selectively locked together for conjoint movement or which can be
unlocked for movement relative to each other, said objects being an
automotive trailer and a wheel-supporting slider for said automotive
trailer which is adjacent the rear of said automotive trailer, said system
comprising interacting relatively-movable surfaces on said objects which
can permit relative forward or rearward movement of said objects, a
locking member that is mounted on and movable with one of said objects, a
plurality of longitudinally-spaced surfaces on the other of said objects
that can be selectively engaged by said locking member to lock said
objects together in various longitudinally-spaced positions, and said
locking member and any one of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces being
adapted to prevent relative forward or rearward movement of said objects
and hence to insure conjoint movement of said objects whenever said
locking member is in locking engagement with said one of said
longitudinally-spaced surfaces, said locking member including a pneumatic
cylinder, said longitudinally-spaced surfaces being the bounding portions
of openings, said pneumatic cylinder selectively moving a locking surface
into or out of various of said openings, a plurality of sensors which
sense the position of said locking member longitudinally of said
longitudinally-spaced surfaces and which can indicate when said locking
member is in register with said longitudinally-spaced surfaces, said
sensors being displaced from said longitudinally-spaced surfaces but
having spacings and orientations which are similar to the spacings and
orientations of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces, and an indicator
which responds to said sensors but which is remote from said objects, said
indicator being located so it is within the sensing range of the driver of
the automotive tractor which pulls said automotive trailer.
15. A locking and unlocking system for two relatively-movable objects which
can be selectively locked together for conjoint movement or which can be
unlocked for movement relative to each other, said objects being an
automotive trailer and a wheel-supporting slider for said automotive
trailer which is adjacent the rear of said automotive trailer, said system
comprising interacting relatively-movable surfaces on said objects which
can permit relative forward or rearward movement of said objects, a
locking member that is mounted on and movable with one of said objects, a
plurality of longitudinally-spaced surfaces on the other of said objects
that can be selectively engaged by said locking member to lock said
objects together in various longitudinally-spaced positions, and said
locking member and any one of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces being
adapted to prevent relative forward or rearward movement of said objects
and hence to insure conjoint movement of said objects whenever said
locking member is in locking engagement with said one of said
longitudinally-spaced surfaces, a sensor which senses the position of said
locking member longitudinally of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces and
which can indicate when said locking member is in register with a
predetermined one of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces, a further sensor
which can indicate when said locking member is in engagement with said
predetermined one longitudinally-spaced surface, and said sensors being
adjacent said objects.
16. A locking and unlocking system for two relatively-movable objects which
can be selectively locked together for conjoint movement or which can be
unlocked for movement relative to each other, said objects being an
automotive trailer and a wheel-supporting slider for said automotive
trailer which is adjacent the rear of said automotive trailer, said system
comprising interacting relatively-movable surfaces on said objects which
can permit relative forward or rearward movement of said objects, a
locking member that is mounted on and movable with one of said objects, a
plurality of longitudinally-spaced surfaces on the other of said objects
that can be selectively engaged by said locking member to lock said
objects together in various longitudinally-spaced positions, and said
locking member and any one of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces being
adapted to prevent relative forward or rearward movement of said objects
and hence to insure conjoint movement of said objects whenever said
locking member is in locking engagement with said one of said
longitudinally-spaced surfaces, a sensor which senses the position of said
locking member longitudinally of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces and
which can indicate when said locking member is in register with a
predetermined one of said longitudinally-spaced surfaces, a further sensor
which can indicate when said locking member is in engagement with said
predetermined one longitudinally-spaced surface, said sensors being
adjacent said objects, indicating means which can respond to the first
said sensor to provide an indication when said locking member is in
register with said predetermined one longitudinally-spaced surface and
also can respond to said further sensor to provide an indication when said
locking member is in engagement with said predetermined one
longitudinally-spaced surface, and said indicating means being remote from
said objects and being within the sensing range of the driver of the
automotive tractor which pulls said automotive trailer. |
|
 |
|
 |
Claims |
|
|
|
Description |
|
|
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Automotive trailers customarily are equipped with sliders which support the
rear wheels of, and which can be shifted limited distances forwardly and
rearwardly relative to, those trailers. Each such trailer has
longitudinally-extending structural members with spaced openings therein,
and the slider has locking pins that can be selectively moved into those
openings to lock the trailer and slider together for conjoint movement or
can be withdrawn from those openings to permit limited relative movement
between that trailer and that slider. A large manually-operated lever is
mounted on the slider; and it can be operated by the truck driver or by a
helper to selectively withdraw the locking pins from the openings therefor
and to subsequently force the locking pins into those openings.
If a helper is available, he can use the large manually-operated lever to
withdraw the locking pins from the openings in the
longitudinally-extending structural members of the trailer. Thereafter,
the driver can actuate a switch in the cab of the tractor to lock the
slider-supported wheels against movement, and then use the motive power of
the tractor to move the trailer forwardly or rearwardly relative to the
slider. The helper can indicate to the driver when the desired openings in
the longitudinally-extending structural members of the trailer have been
moved into register with the locking pins; and then the driver can brake
the tractor to hold those pins and openings in register while the helper
uses the manually-operated lever to force the pins into the adjacent
openings in the longitudinally-extending structural members. It is
desirable for the driver to have a helper available to him when the
trailer is to be shifted relative to the slider, because a very
considerable force usually is required to operate the lever to pull the
pins out of the openings in the longitudinally-extending structural
members of the trailer. Also, a helper is useful in determining when the
appropriate openings are in register with the locking pins. If a driver
does not have a helper, he may find it extremely difficult, and even
impossible, to apply sufficient force to the lever to withdraw the pins
from the openings in the longitudinally-extending structural members of
the trailer. Thereafter, he would have to alight from the cab, check the
position of the desired openings in the longitudinally-extending
structural members of the trailer relative to the locking pins on the
slider, and re-enter the cab to "inch" the trailer relative to the slider,
and then repeat the procedure until the desired openings are in exact
registry with the locking pins.
It is never easy to use the manually-operated lever to unlock and re-lock a
slider relative to a trailer--even when the driver has a helper. It is
much more difficult to use the manually-operated lever to effect the
unlocking and re-locking of the trailer and slider when the driver does
not have a helper. When the driver--with or without a helper--must provide
relative movement between the trailer and the slider in icy or rainy
weather, the task of using the manually-operated lever to effect an
unlocking and re-locking of the trailer and slider becomes unpleasant as
well as very difficult.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention provides a slider, to which the rear wheels of an
automotive trailer are secured, with power-operated locking pins which can
be forced into openings in longitudinal members of that trailer to lock
that slider to that trailer, or which can be withdrawn from those openings
to free that trailer for limited movement relative to that slider. Sensors
are provided along a portion of the length of the trailer; and a readout
is mounted in the cab of the tractor to enable the driver to precisely
determine the relative positions of the slider and trailer and to effect
power-controlled unlocking and locking of that trailer and slider. As a
result, a driver can effect a desired amount of relative movement between
a slider and a trailer without having to leave the tractor cab. It is,
therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a slider, to
which the rear wheels of an automotive trailer are secured, with
power-operated locking pins which can be forced into openings to lock that
slider to that trailer or which can be withdrawn from those openings to
free that trailer for limited movement relative to that slider, and also
to provide sensors and a readout which will enable a driver to effect a
desired amount of relative movement between a slider and a trailer without
having to leave the tractor cab.
Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention should
become apparent from an examination of the drawing and accompanying
description.
In the drawing and accompanying description, a preferred embodiment of the
present invention is shown and described but it is to be understood that
the drawing and accompanying description are for the purpose of
illustration only and do not limit the invention and that the invention
will be defined by the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In the drawing,
FIG. 1 is a broken side elevational view of an automotive tractor and
trailer in which the invention of the present invention has been
incorporated.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram which shows sensors that are displaced
longitudinally of the trailer in proximity to the slider for that trailer,
which shows pneumatic cylinders that are directed transversely of that
trailer and that are mounted on that slider, which shows a readout that is
mounted in the tractor cab, and which shows various pneumatic and
electrical equipment used with that trailer and slider,
FIG. 3 is a sectional view, on a larger scale, and it is taken along the
plane indicated by the line 3--3 in FIG. 1,
FIG. 4 is a sectional view on a still larger scale, and it is taken along
the plane indicated by the line 4--4 in FIG. 3, and
FIG. 5 is a sectional view on the scale of FIG. 4, and it is taken along
the plane indicated by the line 5--5 in FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawing in detail, the numeral 10 generally denotes an
automotive semi-tractor of standard and usual manufacture and design; and
the numeral 12 denotes an automotive trailer of standard and usual
manufacture and design which is connectable to, and which can be pulled
by, the semi-tractor 10. The overall design and construction of the
semi-tractor 10 and the overall design and construction of the trailer 12
are not, per se, parts of the present invention. As a result, almost all
conceivable semi-tractors and the trailers therefor can be equipped with
the present invention.
The numeral 14 denotes an elongated structural member which is an integral
part of the trailer 12; and that member has openings 16, 18, 20, 22, 24,
26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 and 38 therein plus two further openings which are
not visible in FIG. 1. Those openings are the standard and usual openings
that are customarily provided in the longitudinally-extending structural
members of automotive trailers which are equipped with sliders. The
numeral 42 denotes an elongated structural member which is a mirror image
of the elongated structural member 14. The openings in the elongated
structural member 42 are coaxial with the openings in the elongated
structural member 14. As shown particularly by FIG. 3, the elongated
structural members 14 and 42 are spaced apart, but they are parallel to
each other. Those structural members are spaced inwardly from the sides of
the trailer 12. Although those structural members are shown as large
I-beams, their design, construction and dimensions will be determined by
the manufacturer of the trailer 12. Transversely-directed connecting beams
44, 46 and 48 are aligned with each other and are suitably secured, as by
welds, to the longitudinal-extending structural members 14 and 42. As
indicated particularly by FIG. 3, the beam 44 extends outwardly from the
outer face of the web of the structural member 42, the beam 46 extends
between and interconnects the confronting faces of the webs of the
structural members 14 and 42, and the beam 48 extends outwardly from the
outer face of the web of the structural member 14.
As indicated particularly by FIG. 4, additional groups of connecting beams
are spaced along the length of the trailer 12. Thus, a
transversely-directed connecting beam 50 is located forwardly of the
transversely-directed connecting beam 46; and outer transversely-directed
connecting beams, which are not shown but which are similar to the outer
transversely-directed connecting beams 44 and 48, will be aligned with the
transversely-directed connecting beam 50. A transversely-directed
connecting beam 52 is located rearwardly of the transversely-extending
connecting beam 46; and outer transversely-directed connecting beams,
which are not shown but which are similar to the outer
transversely-directed connecting beams 44 and 48, will be aligned with the
transversely-directed connecting beam 52. The number, the size, and the
spacing of the various transversely-directed connecting beams that are
used in the trailer 12 will be determined by the manufacturer of the
trailer and are not a part of the present invention.
The numeral 54 generally denotes the slider for the trailer 12; and that
slider can closely resemble the standard and usual sliders which are
currently used with automotive trailers. The numeral 56 denotes an
elongated, longitudinally-directed formed support which has a sliding
surface 58 that underlies and bears against the bottom flange of the
elongated structural member 14. The numeral 60 denotes a wall-like portion
of the support 56 which extends several inches upwardly above the level of
the sliding surface 58. The numeral 62 denotes a flange which extends
inwardly from the top edge of the wall 60. The numeral 64 denotes a flange
on the support 56 which extends upwardly above the level of the sliding
surface 58; and the numeral 66 denotes a lip which extends inwardly from
the upper edge of that flange. The numeral 68 denotes a block which has a
horizontally-directed hole 70 therein; and that hole is spaced far enough
above the sliding surface 58 to dispose it in register with any one of the
openings 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 and 38 in the
elongated structural member 14.
The numeral 72 denotes a further formed support which is a mirror image of
the formed support 56. As indicated particularly by FIG. 3, the
vertically-directed wall of the formed member 72 has a block 73 that is a
mirror image of the block 68; and the openings in those blocks are
coaxial. Also as indicated by FIG. 3, the vertically-directed walls of the
formed supports 56 and 72 confront each other; and the flanges which
extend inwardly from the top edges of those walls extend toward each
other. Those formed supports can be moved limited distances forwardly or
rearwardly relative to the longitudinal-extending structural members 14
and 42.
The numeral 74 denotes a transversely-extending spacing member which is
fixedly secured, as by welds, to the formed supports 56 and 72. Further
transversely-extending spacing members, not shown, also are fixedly
secured, as by welds, to those formed supports. The numeral 76 denotes a
transversely-extending spacing member which is below the level of, but
which is parallel to, the spacing member 74. Further spacing members, not
shown, are provided for the slider 54. The number, position and dimensions
of the spacing members that are used in making that slider are determined
by the manufacturer of the trailer 12 and they can be the same as the
number, position and dimensions of the spacing members currently in use on
the sliders for automotive trailers. The numeral 78 denotes a tubular
spacer which is close to the bottom of the slider 54. Vertical members 80
and 82, which are shown as deep channels, are secured to the spacing
member 74 and to the spacing member 76. The vertical member 80 also is
secured to the formed support 72; and the vertical member 82 also is
secured to the formed support 56. A sturdy metal plate 84 is secured to
the rear face of the spacing member 74, as indicated particularly by FIGS.
3 and 4.
The numeral 86 denotes a hanger, of standard and usual design, which is a
part of the slider 54. One end of each of the spacers 74 and 76 and one
end of the tubular spacer 78 are fixedly connected to that hanger. The
numeral 88 denotes another hanger of standard and usual design; and the
opposite ends of the spacers 74, 76 and 78 are fixedly connected to that
hanger. Further similar hangers 94 and 96 are secured to the slider 54;
and those further hangers are located rearwardly of, but in longitudinal
alignment with, the hanger 88. Additional similar hangers, not shown, are
secured to the slider 54; and those additional hangers are in longitudinal
alignment with the hanger 86 while being in transverse registry with the
hangers 94 and 96. The numeral 90 denotes a leaf spring which has the
forward end thereof supported by the hanger 86 and which has the rear end
thereof supported by the hanger, not shown, that is in transverse registry
with the hanger 94. The numeral 92 denotes a leaf spring which has the
forward end thereof supported by the hanger 88 and which has the rear end
thereof supported by the hanger 94. A further leaf spring, not shown, has
the ends thereof supported by the hangers 94 and 96; and an additional
leaf spring, not shown, has the ends thereof supported by the hangers
which are in transverse registry with the hangers 94 and 96.
The numeral 98 denotes an axle which is supported by the leaf springs 90
and 92. The numeral 100 denotes an axle which is supported by leaf
springs, not shown, which are supported by the hangers 94 and 96 and by
the hangers, not shown, which are in transverse registry with those
hangers. A set of dual wheels 89 is supported at one end of the axle 98
and a set of dual wheels 91 is supported at the other end of that axle. A
set of dual wheels 93 is supported by one end of the axle 100, and a
further set of dual wheels, not shown, is supported by the other end of
that axle.
The hangers, leaf springs, axles and dual wheels that are associated with
the slider 54 are of standard and usual design. In addition, that slider
is equipped with air brakes, air hoses, bearings, and pneumatic fittings
of standard and usual kind. The nature, size and positioning of the
hangers, leaf springs, axles, dual wheels, brakes, hoses, bearings and
fittings are determined by the manufacturer of the trailer, and they are
not, per se, parts of the present invention.
The slider 54 differs from customary and usual sliders by being equipped
with the plate 84, the blocks 68 and 73, an air tank 102, a valve housing
104 which is connected to that tank, double-acting air cylinders 110 and
114, pistons 112 and 116 for those cylinders, valves 122, 124, 128 and
130, a bracket 192, a permanent magnet 194 mounted on that bracket, a
switch 196, and pneumatic fittings and hoses for those cylinders. As shown
particularly by FIGS. 3 and 4, supports 118 and 120, for the cylinders 110
and 114, are secured to the front (right-hand) surface of the plate 84 so
the pistons 112 and 116 of those cylinders will have the axes thereof at
the level of the aligned axes of the various openings in the elongated
supporting members 14 and 42. The outer ends of those pistons are threaded
and are seated within threaded sockets in the inner ends of locking pins
113 and 117. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
diameter of each piston is about one inch, and the diameter of each
locking pin is one and five-eighths of an inch. Each piston has a stroke
of two inches, and each locking pin is six inches long. The outer ends of
those locking pins are dimensioned to extend into various of the aligned
openings in the elongated structural members 14 and 42.
As shown particularly by FIG. 5, the switch 196 is mounted on, and is
reciprocal with, the locking pin 117. The actuator of that switch will
engage the wall portion of the formed support 56, and hence will be forced
to "close" that switch, whenever that locking pin has its outer end
disposed within one of the longitudinally-spaced openings in the
longitudinally-extending structural member 14. However, the actuator will
be out of engagement with that wall portion, and hence will permit that
switch to "open", whenever that locking pin has its outer end retracted so
it cannot be disposed within any of those openings.
The valve 122 communicates with the outer end of the cylinder 110; and it
is a pressure protection valve which would cause compressed air within
that cylinder to hold the piston 112 in its extended position in the event
the supply of air in the compressed air line 126 were to fail. The valve
128 communicates with the inner end of that cylinder, and it is a pressure
protection valve which also would cause compressed air within that
cylinder to hold the piston 112 in its extended position in the event the
supply of air in the compressed air line 132 were to fail. The valve 124
communicates with the outer end of the cylinder 114; and it is a pressure
protection valve which would cause compressed air within that cylinder to
hold the piston 116 in its extended position in the event the supply of
air in the compressed air line 126 were to fail. The valve 130
communicates with the inner end of that cylinder, and it is a pressure
protection valve which also would cause compressed air within that
cylinder to hold the piston 116 in its extended position in the event the
supply of air in the compressed air line 132 were to fail.
The air line 126 is T-shaped; and it is made from standard and usual
pneumatic hoses and fittings. The air line 132 also is made from standard
and usual pneumatic hoses and fittings. The air line 126 extends from the
valve housing 104 to the valves 122 and 124. A four-way disc valve 138 is
connected to the valve 104 by an air line 106, and also is connected to
the latter valve by an air line 108. That four-way disc valve can be set
in a pin-withdrawing position or in a pin-inserting position. When the
valve 138 is set in its pin-withdrawing (UNLOCKED) position, the air line
126 and the valves 122 and 124 will permit air from valve 104 and tank 102
to enter the outer ends of the cylinders 110 and 114 and force the pistons
112 and 116, respectively, to withdraw the locking pins 113 and 117 from
various of the aligned openings in the elongated structural members 14 and
42. At such time, the valves 128 and 130, the air line 132 and the valve
104 will permit air to escape from the inner ends of those cylinders.
Also, the air line 106, the valve 138, and a venting tube connected to the
latter valve will permit air to vent to the atmosphere. When the valve 138
is set in its pin-inserting (LOCKED) position, the air line 132 and the
valves 128 and 130 will permit air from valve 104 and tank 102 to enter
the inner ends of the cylinders 110 and 114 and force the pistons 112 and
116, respectively, to move the locking pins 113 and 117 into various of
the aligned openings in the elongated structural members 14 and 42. At
such time, the valves 122 and 124, the air line 126 and the valve 104 will
permit air to escape from the outer ends of those cylinders. Also, the air
line 108, the valve 138, and the venting tube connected to the latter
valve will permit air to vent to the atmosphere.
The air line 106 extends from the valve 138 to the air valve 104 to
selectively supply air to the tank 102 and to the latter valve. That air
line has a quick-connect, quick-disconnect coupling 134 in it of standard
and usual design. The air line 108 also extends from the valve 138 to the
air valve 104 to selectively supply air to the tank 102 and to the latter
valve. That air line has a quick-connect, quick-disconnect coupling 136 in
it of standard and usual design. Those quick-connect, quick-disconnect
couplings facilitate ready connecting and disconnecting of those air lines
whenever the trailer 12 is to be connected to, or separated from, the
semi-tractor 10. An air line 141 and a valve 140 connect the main air tank
142 to the valve 138 to enable that tank to supply air to the latter
valve.
Various valves could be used as the | | |
