Semi-trailer Landing Gear Patents (Class 254/419)
  • Patent number: 8393598
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for shoring an airplane in order to facilitate the replacement of one or more airplane parts, such as an airplane's upper skin panels, lower skin panels, and/or window assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael W Sievers, Timothy A George
  • Patent number: 8317225
    Abstract: A semi-trailer landing gear, in particular to support trailers, with a support element which includes an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve and which can be displaced in a telescopic manner in relation to the height. The outer sleeve includes a securing flange which can be applied to a vehicle. The aim of the invention is to develop a semi-trailer landing gear which is economical to produce and can also withstand high loads. The aim is achieved by virtue of the fact that the outer sleeve and the securing flange are made of a single piece of flat steel by edge rolling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Jost-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Müller, Günter Seidel, José Algüera
  • Patent number: 8276885
    Abstract: A support jack, in particular for supporting semitrailers, includes a vertically telescopically displaceable supporting element having an outer sleeve, and an inner sleeve that can be vertically displaced in a telescopic fashion, each sleeve having a rectangular cross-section with four sidewalls. At least the inner sleeve has a wall plate joined to two adjacent side walls with welding seams that improve the bending stiffness of the support jack. The welding seams can be located inside or outside either of the sleeves. Such a support jack can be located on the lower side of any vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Jost-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Müller, Günter Seidel, Jośe Algüera
  • Patent number: 8181983
    Abstract: A jack assembly for adjusting the height of a trailer is provided. The jack assembly is moveable between an operable and a stowed position. The assembly includes a tube having a slot portion and a slide block moveable within the slot portion. A post connected to the slide block protrudes through an opening in the slot portion to engage a clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism is movable between a clamped position where the slide block is clamped to the tube to prevent the jack from moving, and an unclamped position where the slide block is movable within the slot portion to allow the jack assembly to be moved between an operable position and a stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Cequent Trailer Products
    Inventors: Todd Walstrom, Michael Murphy, Frank Drake
  • Patent number: 8181937
    Abstract: An anodized aluminum hydraulic leveling cylinder 10 for a vehicle includes an extruded hollow body 20 having a vehicle attachment portion 24 for attaching the body to the underside of a vehicle. A piston 80 is slidably fitted into the interior of the body. The piston is formed of ductile aluminum capable of being machined to a desirable shape and dimensions. The piston is hard anodized and PTFE coated for durable and silent operation. Hydraulic oil passage means 23a, 23b is formed in the body, and a cap 50 with a pair of dual flow-through passages 53 is attached to the top end 30 of the body for permitting the flow of pressurized hydraulic oil into and out of the interior of the body to effect axial movement of the piston. Hydraulic fluid may be transferred through one or more hollow mounting bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Lippert Components Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Schwindaman, Thomas J. Rogers, Michael W. Howard
  • Patent number: 8136840
    Abstract: A height-adjustable support (10) for semi-trailers or the like, comprising a support outer tube (13) which can be fastened to a chassis of the semi-trailer, a slidable support inner tube (14) arranged in the support outer tube (13), at whose lower end region a foot (15) is fastened and which is connected with a nut (17) located on a spindle (16) which is drivable by means of a transmission wherein the transmission has at least a bevel gear stage (20, 24) and a shiftable transmission area located upstream having gearwheels with spur toothing for a fast-gear operation and a low-gear operation, and wherein the at least present gearwheels and pinions, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: SAF-Holland GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhold Riedl
  • Patent number: 8096529
    Abstract: A semitrailer landing gear, particularly for supporting trailers, including a supporting element, which can be telescopically displaced in the height thereof and which has an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve, the outer sleeve having a fastening flange for placing on a vehicle. The aim of the invention is to develop semitrailer landing gears with a reduced weight as well as with favorable manufacturing costs. To this end, the invention provides that at least one lateral wall of the outer sleeve and/or of the inner sleeve is provided with an angled wall section extending in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Jost-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Müller, Günter Seidel, José Algüera
  • Patent number: 8052125
    Abstract: A motor drive for camper jacks or screw jacks that rapidly operates the screw jack between a retracted position and an extended no load position. A manual operator then operates the screw jack between the extended no load position and an extended loaded position. The motor drive and manual operator share a right angle gear mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Norco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard F. Garceau
  • Patent number: 7857290
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an automated jacking system for a motor vehicle that includes: a motorized jack; a rail system, where the rail system provides a means of movement for the motorized jack; and a control means, where the control means controls the movement of the motorized jack about the rail system. In one exemplary embodiment, the control means includes a control panel where the control panel includes at least four control buttons and each button coincides with a position of the motorized jack. During use, the rail system installs to the under carriage of a vehicle and includes a format that enables the motorized jack to position adjacent to a wheel of the vehicle. The present invention also includes a method of installing an automated jacking system to a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventors: Nathaniel Tuff, Leroy Tuff
  • Patent number: 7651114
    Abstract: Towing adjustment and coupling techniques may include a retentive lateral trailer adjustment device of a trailer (1) configured to provide lateral adjustment of the trailer (1). In some embodiments, a trailer (1) may include a coupler element (3) and at least one retentive lateral adjustment device configured to provide adjustment in a lateral direction (8) of the coupler element (3). Embodiments may have configurations directed to couplers such as a gooseneck hitch, a fifthwheel hitch, and a pull-type or tongue hitch. Embodiments may also provide a fore-aft position indicator (44) with or without a fore-aft position sensor (50) through which proper positioning of a source of tow power (54) relative to a trailer (1) may be facilitated in a fore-aft direction (7). Corresponding methods are included as embodiments of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Inventors: Richard Weber, Linda Weber
  • Publication number: 20090321696
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lifting device (10), in particular a semitrailer support or the like, comprising a shank tube (11) and a support tube (12) which is movable with respect to the shank tube, wherein on the shank tube a lifting gear mechanism (26) is arranged which comprises an input shaft arrangement (27) for connecting a drive device and an output shaft arrangement (28) for driving a lifting spindle (20) which is arranged within the support tube, wherein the input shaft arrangement and the output shaft arrangement each comprise at least one large-diameter gearwheel (70, 80) and one small-diameter gearwheel (62, 81) which can be put in force-fitting engagement with one another to generate different transmission ratios, wherein the input shaft arrangement comprises a hollow shaft (86) supported in a gear housing (68), and an axially movable gearshift shaft (85) which is arranged coaxially with respect to the hollow shaft and which is supported in the gear housing, wherein the hollow shaft serves for th
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: Haacon Hebetechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Birkholz, Robert Miltenberger, Ralf Natterer, Gerhard Trunk
  • Patent number: 7575249
    Abstract: A height adjustable support comprising a stationary outer support tube, an inner support tube arranged in a longitudinally displaceable manner in the outer support tube, a gearbox output shaft mounted for rotational movement in the outer support tube, a bevel gear fixed to the gearbox output shaft, a spindle drive engaged with the bevel gear for displacing the inner support tube within the outer support tube, a gearwheel fixed to the gearbox output shaft and engaging a pinion of a drive motor, for driving the gearwheel, the gearbox output shaft, the bevel gear and the spindle drive for moving the inner support tube, and a switch off device which deactivates the drive motor when an end of the inner support tube abuts a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Verkehrstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhold Riedl
  • Publication number: 20090090896
    Abstract: A semitrailer landing gear, particularly for supporting trailers, including a supporting element, which can be telescopically displaced in the height thereof and which has an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve, the outer sleeve having a fastening flange for placing on a vehicle. The aim of the invention is to develop semitrailer landing gears with a reduced weight as well as with favorable manufacturing costs. To this end, the invention provides that at least one lateral wall of the outer sleeve and/or of the inner sleeve is provided with an angled wall section extending in an axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: JOST-WERKE GMBH
    Inventors: Gerald Muller, Gunter Seidel, Jose Alguera
  • Publication number: 20090008917
    Abstract: A lifting device is provided for raising and lowering of heavy objects, including trailer landing gear and outriggers. The lifting devices may comprise one or more jacks where each jack is comprised of telescoping legs. In each jack, an expandable hydraulic cylinder may be expanded or extended by a pneumatically actuated pump or pumps that pump hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic fluid source mounted on the jack to the expandable hydraulic cylinder so as to motivate extension of each telescoping jack. A control mechanism may be provided to actuate one or more pneumatically actuated pumps to introduce hydraulic fluid into the hydraulic cylinders. Methods of use and operation are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Jeffrey K. Daniel
  • Publication number: 20080224113
    Abstract: A support jack, in particular for supporting semitrailers, includes a vertically telescopically displaceable supporting element having an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve, each sleeve having a rectangular cross-section with four sidewalls in each case. At least one sidewall at least of the inner sleeve has an additional wall plate. Another alternative proposes that at least one sidewall at least of the inner sleeve consists of a wall plate which the two adjacent sidewalls are fixed. An arrangement of such a support jack on the lower side of a vehicle is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Gerald Muller, Gunter Siedel, Jose Alguera
  • Patent number: 7398959
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a trailer of a tractor semitrailer has a supporting element that is telescopically adjustable by way of a gear shifting mechanism having a gear input shaft running vertically onto a spindle. In this way, the supporting element has an especially compact construction and can be installed very easily. The gear shift also has a free floating gear between two shift positions and can be shifted very conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Jost-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ervin VanDenberg, Jose Manuel Alguera Gallego, Gerald Muller, Steffen Pfister
  • Patent number: 7380825
    Abstract: Landing gear for selectively supporting a semitrailer and a method of assembly of the landing gear is provided. The landing gear includes a leg having an upper section and a lower section telescopingly received in the upper section. A lead screw extends and retracts the upper and lower sections relative to each other upon rotation thereof. An input shaft applies a torque to the lead screw to drive rotation thereof, the input shaft being rotatable about a rotation axis and movable in translation along the rotation axis for shifting between a first position for low gear operation and a second position for high gear operation. An output shaft, axially aligned with the input shaft, has an output gear for transmitting torque to the lead screw. A gearing subassembly is received in the upper leg section and is configured to augment lift when the input shaft is in the first position and augment speed in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: SAF-Holland, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Peveler
  • Patent number: 7377488
    Abstract: A landing gear assembly comprises a first leg member adapted to couple to a vehicle frame member, and a second member operably coupled to the first leg member and moveable between a raised storage position and a lowered in-use position. The landing gear assembly further comprises a flexible member operably coupled with the drive mechanism and the second leg, such that the drive mechanism extends the flexible member and moves the second leg from the storage position to the in-use position, and wherein the flexible member is adapted to support a weight exerted on the first and second legs. In certain embodiments disclosed herein, the flexible member comprises a ribbon constructed of natural fibers. Other embodiments comprise additional pulleys and flexible members adapted to raise the second leg member from the in-use position to the raised storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: SAF-Holland, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy L. Schutt
  • Patent number: 7370844
    Abstract: The “Universal Utility Trailer” Tilter is designed to be portable and lightweight. This will enable the user to insert it into a standard 2? receiver hitch on a tow vehicle. Upon attaching the Trailer Tilter to the vehicle the operator can attach any one of a number of Utility Trailers to the Trailer Tilters 2? ball. By removing the locking pin and operating the mechanism the operator can raise the front of the Utility Trailer thus lowering the rear to a desired level for loading equipment, cars or material. The lowering of the rear of the Utility Trailer until the ramps are level with the bed will prevent the equipment from dragging on either the front or middle while loading. Once loaded the operator can lower the Tilter back to its locking position and insert the locking pin for towing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Platt McGriff
  • Patent number: 7325786
    Abstract: A mechanical jack that is used with trailers that has a functional combination of several working gears as well as a drop leg feature is disclosed. The mechanical jack has a gearbox having gears that not only have the capacity to handle a relatively heavy load, but also have the ability to handle small and midsize loads while maintaining sufficient and commercially acceptable cranking speeds without excessive force required. The jack includes a crank or handle for use with the mechanical jack that assists in both effective raising and lowering of the jack, as well as efficient transition from one working gear to another. The jack may also utilize an electric motor as the source of input power to the jack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Cequent Trailer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank J. Drake, III
  • Patent number: 7311332
    Abstract: A speed crank locking device automatically secures a hand crank in its operative position to an input shaft of a gearing mechanism, with the locking device being easily disengaged to move the crank from its operative position to a stored position following rotation of the crank in the operation of the mechanism, the locked device also holding the crank in the stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Baxter Properties, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David A. Baxter, Bobby G. Baxter
  • Patent number: 7303210
    Abstract: A secured crank locking device automatically secures a hand crank in its operative position to an input shaft of a gearing mechanism, with the locking device being easily disengaged to move the crank from its operative position to a stored position following rotation of the crank in the operation of the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Baxter Properties, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Bobby G. Baxter, David A. Baxter
  • Patent number: 7290799
    Abstract: “DISPOSITION INTRODUCED TO HYDROPNEUMATIC JACK”, according to description of the report and the annexed illustrations, it is about a new disposition for a hydropneumatic device that is used to lift and support hauler and semi-haulers, whereby the device was designed to offer more operational easiness to the driver through the increase of speed, as well as the durability of the set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Inventor: Vitor Hugo Duarte Santos
  • Patent number: 7260902
    Abstract: Jack for raising and lowering a working implement such as hydraulically driven snow blades or other utilitarian accessories. Actuation of the jack allows for proper vertical alignment of the lift assembly for engagement to a vehicle chassis. Once engaged, the jack can be actuated into an inoperative position until the lift assembly is to be removed from the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Curtis Industries LLC
    Inventor: Marc D. Curtis
  • Patent number: 7163207
    Abstract: A demountable drive mechanism for coupling to a drive shaft of an operating device, the drive mechanism being directly secured to the drive shaft to cause the drive shaft to rotate, the drive mechanism comprising a geared electric motor having an output for coupling to the drive shaft, the drive mechanism having a torque arm adapted to engage a reaction surface so that the electric motor can impart torque to the drive shaft, and a controller to control operation of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Razor International Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Darryl W. Baird, Geoffrey R. Watson
  • Patent number: 7152848
    Abstract: A thrust bearing for receiving thrust loads along the axis of a rotating shaft. The thrust bearing comprising a first bearing member having a race, a second bearing member having a race and ball bearings received in the races of the first and second bearing members for permitting relative rotating motion of the first and second bearing members. The second bearing member being formed to engage a rotating shaft to transmit axial forces between the shaft and the thrust bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: The Holland Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Pfleging, Jr., Matthew P. Tubbe, Gary D. Hensiek, Kim G. Baechler
  • Patent number: 7097158
    Abstract: A lift mechanism for a fifth wheel trailer tube and foot pad that is both functional and accessible. A tee handle is made with curved ends and a smooth finish, making it comfortable to grip when lowering or raising the foot pad assembly. A telescoping tube is hollow, allowing a cable to be guided through it and around a pully to an eye bolt that is attached to the foot pad. A cover is provided over the pully to keep the cable securly in the pully groove and direct it to the foot pad using the slotted cutouts in the cover. A main “L” shaped bracket allows the telescoping tube to be mounted at an angle, making it easier for operator reach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: Rocco BarBaruolo
  • Patent number: 7083196
    Abstract: A height-adjustable support for semitrailers, having a stationary outer support tube, an inner support tube, which is arranged in a longitudinally displaceable manner therein, and a gearbox output shaft, on which is seated in a rotationally fixed manner a bevel wheel of relatively small diameter which belongs to a bevel wheel gear stage which drives the spindle drive for the purpose of displacing the inner support tube, the drive shaft being hollow at least in its end region opposite the drive side or having a hollow extension fitted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Verkehrstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhold Riedl
  • Patent number: 7055859
    Abstract: Landing gear for selectively supporting a semitrailer and a method of assembly of the landing gear is provided. The landing gear includes a leg having an upper section and a lower section telescopingly received in the upper section. A lead screw extends and retracts the upper and lower sections relative to each other upon rotation thereof. An input shaft applies a torque to the lead screw to drive rotation thereof, the input shaft being rotatable about a rotation axis and movable in translation along the rotation axis for shifting between a first position for low gear operation and a second position for high gear operation. An output shaft, axially aligned with the input shaft, has an output gear for transmitting torque to the lead screw. A gearing subassembly is received in the upper leg section and is configured to augment lift when the input shaft is in the first position and augment speed in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: The Holland Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Peveler
  • Patent number: 7025332
    Abstract: A mechanical arm includes a base that mount on a selected support. A proximal arm member has a proximal end portion pivotally secured to the base and a distal end portion pivotally secured to a distal arm member. The base has a first fixed gear element disposed thereon, and a second fixed gear element is disposed on the distal arm member. A drive shaft is rotatably disposed on the proximal arm member and includes a first end portion provided with a first drive gear engaging the first fixed gear element and a second drive gear provided with a second drive gear engaging the second fixed gear element such that rotation of the drive shaft acts to pivot the arm members. A drive acts to rotate the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: RV Safety Products, LLC
    Inventor: Richard G. Rincoe
  • Patent number: 7017701
    Abstract: An inclination-measuring apparatus for use with a motor vehicle includes a rotary sensor connected to the motor vehicle, the rotary sensor selected from one of a rotary position sensor and a rotary angle sensor, a pendulum and a controller. The pendulum has a pendulous mass being oriented to hang substantially aligned with the earth's gravitational forces. The movement of the pendulum providing an input to the rotary sensor to generate a signal to ascertain the inclination of the vehicle relative to the earth's gravitational forces. The signal is processed by the controller that is operatively connected to control one of an electric park brake, a chassis leveling device while parked, a lateral inclination device while the vehicle is operational and a longitudinal inclination device while the vehicle is operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles L. Flynn, Casimir R. Kiczek
  • Patent number: 6994325
    Abstract: A height-adjustable support for semitrailers, having a stationary outer support tube, an inner support tube, which is arranged in a longitudinally displaceable manner therein, and a gearbox output shaft, on which is seated in a rotationally fixed manner a bevel wheel of relatively small diameter which belongs to a bevel wheel gear stage which drives the spindle drive for the purpose of displacing the inner support tube. Two large-diameter gearwheels are arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the gearbox output shaft, the gearwheel being located exclusively within the flux of force of the manual drive, which is initiated via the hand crank, and the gearwheel only transmitting the flux of force which is brought about by the motor, which, in a known manner, may be arranged inside or outside the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Verkehrstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhold Riedl
  • Patent number: 6926305
    Abstract: A trailer landing gear drive system in which pneumatic, hydraulic and electric motors, as well as the traditional hand crank, are easily interchangeable. The landing gear jack mechanism is disposed to easily connect to any one of these drive motors. The system can utilize any one of the three motor combinations without making any change to the jack itself. Each drive motor output shaft is keyed to connect to the input shaft driving the worm gear of the jack. The output shaft of each type of motor is keyed the same so that the motors are swappable with respect to the input shaft of the landing gear. The hand crank shaft is also keyed to be the same as the keyed motor output shafts. Each motor may include a flange to permit it to be secured to the landing gear. The system eliminates the gear reduction box and replaced it with a worm gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventor: Jeffrey Daniel
  • Patent number: 6926261
    Abstract: A trailer tongue jack includes a grease (or zerk) fitting for providing grease to internal parts The jack includes an outer tube and an inner telescoping tube. A threaded insert (or nut) is fixedly attached inside an upper end of the inner telescoping tube. A screw shaft threadedly cooperates with the insert to extend or retract the inner telescoping tube from a lower end of the outer tube. A crank is provided to turn the screw shaft either directly or through gears, and a thrust bearing carries a vertical load between the screw shaft and the outer tube. The grease fitting allows the internal parts, and the thrust bearing in particular, to be easily lubricated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Kaper II, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald H. Renshaw
  • Patent number: 6896289
    Abstract: A vertically adjustable landing gear system for a trailer includes a pair of vertically adjustable lifts, a hydraulic motor having a pair of rotational outputs and a pair of landing gear drive shafts, each rotationally engaging one of the respective lifts and one of the respective rotational outputs to vertically adjust the lifts. A relief valve relieves hydraulic pressure to allow manual operation of the lifts in case of hydraulic system failure. An alternate landing gear system includes a single landing gear drive shaft rotationally engaging the pair of lifts and a drive shaft engagement mechanism engaging the rotational outputs and the drive shaft to transfer rotational motion from the rotational output to the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Inventor: Larry A. Gross
  • Patent number: 6893006
    Abstract: A mechanical jack that is used with trailers that has a functional combination of several working gears as well as a drop leg feature is disclosed. The mechanical jack has a gearbox having gears that not only have the capacity to handle a relatively heavy load, but also have the ability to handle small and midsize loads while maintaining sufficient and commercially acceptable cranking speeds without excessive force required. The jack includes a crank or handle for use with the mechanical jack that assists in both effective raising and lowering of the jack, as well as efficient transition from one working gear to another. The crank provides an efficient way to change from one operating gear of the jack to another, and facilitates operator use of the mechanical jack to which it is connected, in order to provide improved cranking and improved changing of one operating gear to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Cequent Trailer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank J. Drake, III
  • Patent number: 6846016
    Abstract: A landing gear assembly for a semitrailer includes a pair of legs that may be simultaneously raised or lowered by turning a single crank. Each of the legs is configured to be able to be mounted in either an inboard or outboard configuration. This is achieved by providing both sides of each leg with no protrusions that extend beyond the space provided in the mounting bracket and the mounting hole used to connect the landing gear to the semitrailer. The gear assembly of the landing gear includes a unique floor base that receives and supports the input shaft. A cover is used to support the input ends of the input shaft and the output shaft. The cover is connected to the input side of the upper tube of the leg and allows the gear assembly to be easily assembled within the perimeter of the upper leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Jost-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ervin VanDenberg, Josè Manuel Algüerá Gallego, Gerald Müller, Steffen Pfister
  • Patent number: 6764065
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting in the operation of a conventional trailer jack. The jack assistance apparatus is attached to a conventional trailer jack having telescoping tubes with a coarse adjustment and a fine adjustment. The apparatus includes a lever arm that engages a locking pin handle on the jack, and a guide tube that contains a chain or other flexible member with one end attached to the jack base and the other attached to a handle. The lever arm and handle are located for convenient access by an operator for coarse vertical adjustment of the jack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Randy A. Fox
  • Patent number: 6684726
    Abstract: Landing gears of support devices for articulated vehicle trailers are frequently left in neutral position while the articulated vehicle is being driven. The vibrations which occur during driving can cause the landing gear to descend unintentionally, touch the ground and be damaged. The invention provides a support device with a landing gear which is reliably prevented from descending. To this end, the toothed ring of the input shaft (1) has two longitudinal sections (1a, 1b) of different diameters while having constant tooth spacing throughout. The tooth length in both sections (1a, 1b) is dimensioned in such a way that in neutral position, the input shaft (1) can rotate while the toothed wheel (3a) remains stationary but is prevented from rotating while the input shaft (1) remains stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Jost-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Schmidt, Jose Manuel Alguera Gallego
  • Patent number: 6623035
    Abstract: A landing gear leg adapted for mounting to a vehicle has an outer member, and a middle member telescoped slidably into the outer member. The middle member has a first end and a second end. The first end extends beyond the outer member. An inner member telescoped slidably into the middle member has a first end positioned within the outer member and a second end extending beyond the outer member. A locking mechanism locks the middle member in a fixed relationship with the inner member, and a drive mechanism slidably drives the inner member in relationship with the outer member from a retracted position to an extended position. A rack and pinion drive may be used to slidably move the leg between an extended and retracted position providing a simplified drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventor: Robert H. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20030168648
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a trailer of a tractor semitrailer has a supporting element that is telescopically adjustable by way of a gear shifting mechanism having a gear input shaft running vertically onto a spindle. In this way, the supporting element has an especially compact construction and can be installed very easily. The gear shift also has a free floating gear between two shift positions and can be shifted very conveniently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Jose Manuel Alguera Gallego, Gerald Muller, Steffen Pfister, Ervin VanDenberg
  • Patent number: 6598886
    Abstract: A demountable drive mechanism for the landing gear of a semi-trailer, the landing gear including legs that are extendable and retractable by rotation of a drive shaft through a gear mechanism, the drive shaft being axially displaceable to change the ratio of the gear mechanism, the drive mechanism comprising an electric motor having an output shaft adapted to be coupled to the drive shaft of the landing gear assembly, the electric motor being coupled to the landing gear through a torque arm so that the electric motor can impart torque to the drive shaft, means to axially displace the drive shaft to change the gear ratio, and means to control operation of the electric motor and axial displacement of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Inventors: Darryl W. Baird, Geoffrey R. Watson
  • Patent number: 6499258
    Abstract: A portable bleacher construction includes a wheeled framework for supporting a plurality of bleacher seats thereon in a mobile travel condition and a stationary seating condition. At least one pair of leveling jacks is located on opposite sides of the framework for stabilizing and leveling the framework upon a ground surface when the portable bleacher construction is in the stationary seating condition. The jacks are arranged to provide a four-point stance for the framework, and have a high sway load capacity to provide lateral stability. A control arrangement is associated with one of the jacks in each pair for separately controlling the leveling of both of the jacks. The control arrangement is located on one side of the bleacher construction, and enables operation of leveling jacks on both sides. The control arrangement includes a pair of transfer rods and a separate operating handle interconnected with each transfer rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventor: Keith Borglum
  • Patent number: 6439545
    Abstract: A motor-driven trailer swivel jack is described that includes a detachable steering assembly. The steering assembly is fastened to the jack by both electrical and mechanical fasteners. The mechanical fastener allows the steering assembly to freely pivot in the vertical direction, which allows the user to maintain a grip on the steering as the jack moves over rough terrain. The mechanical fastener provides a rigid connection in the horizontal direction, which allows steering forces to be transferred to the jack without loss. The electrical connector is mounted between the motor and its power source. All the wiring necessary to connect the motor to the power source and the switch to control the motor is located in, or attached to, the removable steering assembly. When the steering assembly is removed, the de-energized motor effectively brakes the wheel of the jack, which complements the absence of a steering mechanism to make the jack difficult to accidentally move or tamper with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Fredrick M. Hansen
  • Patent number: 6311954
    Abstract: A trailer tongue includes a support and a support leg slidingly and pivotally engaged with the support. When the support leg is raised or lowered the trailer tongue moves in a substantially vertical direction. In a preferred embodiment, the trailer tongue includes a rigid strut having first and second ends and a mechanism for extending and retracting the support leg pivotally connect to the support and the support leg. The first end of the rigid strut is pivotally connected to the support leg and the second end is pivotally connected to the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: U-Haul International, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick W. Breslin, Thomas D. Carney, Roderick L. Evans
  • Patent number: 6267357
    Abstract: This document describes a drop foot jack, also known as a vehicle landing gear or landing gear jack. A drop foot is telescopically borne within an inner sleeve, which is in turn telescopically borne within an outer sleeve. A rotatable screw is situated within the outer sleeve, and it engages the top surface of the inner sleeve so that rotation of the screw will move the outer sleeve and inner sleeve with respect to each other. The drop foot, inner sleeve, and outer sleeve preferably each have a circumference having multiple discrete sides, e.g., each may have a polygonal cross-section. Apertures are spaced along the lengths of the drop foot and the inner sleeve, and a latch plate having a generally planar configuration which can be selectively moved into aligned apertures in the inner sleeve and the drop foot to thereby engage the drop foot with respect to the inner sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Fulton Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Wayne Ebey, Robert Edward Proudfoot
  • Patent number: 6231081
    Abstract: A semitrailer landing gear shoe for reducing pits, cracks, marks and depressions in pavements and extending the lives of pavements at truck terminals and delivery sites. In a first aspect of the invention, the average stress of a landing gear on a pavement is reduced by attaching enlarged plates to existing landing gear shoe with pairs of brackets and pairs of threaded fasteners. Concentrated stresses are reduced by bonding a compressible pad to lower surface of the enlarged plate. In a second aspect of the invention, average and concentrated stresses are reduced by replacing an existing landing gear shoe with a shoe having an enlarged lower portion and a compressible pad bonded or otherwise attached to the lower portion. Alternate constructions for the improved landing gear shoe and the compressible pad are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventors: Joseph J. Berke, Charles T. Michael
  • Patent number: 6224103
    Abstract: A powered landing gear drive system for a trailer for selectively extending and retracting the landing gear legs of the trailer. An electric motor is powered by a battery carried by a tractor or by the trailer and provides the power for an electric motor. A control system is provided as a security measure to permit limited, coded entry access to the system, and motor operating parameters are sensed to prevent exceeding operating limits of the system. The powered landing gear system can be provided as original equipment, or it can be retrofitted to existing trailers to permit powered landing gear operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventor: Edwin Bruce Hatcher
  • Patent number: 6176470
    Abstract: A trailer tongue includes a support and a support leg slidingly and pivotally engaged with the support. When the support leg is raised or lowered the trailer tongue moves in a substantially vertical direction. In a preferred embodiment, the trailer tongue includes a rigid strut having first and second ends and a mechanism for extending and retracting the support leg pivotally connect to the support and the support leg. The first end of the rigid strut is pivotally connected to the support leg and the second end is pivotally connected to the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: U-Haul International, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick W. Breslin, Thomas D. Carney, Roderick L. Evans
  • Patent number: 6145813
    Abstract: A vehicular jack system is provided including a mounting bracket fixedly coupled to a frame of a vehicle. Also included is a jack assembly connected to the mounting bracket for elevating the vehicle. A jack arm is provided for manually elevating the vehicle via the jack assembly by way of a reciprocating motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Inventor: Marcus W. Anderson