Freely Laterally Shiftable Patents (Class 280/447)
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Telescopic mechanism in telescopic hitch buffer device for use in high speed electric multiple units
Patent number: 9616904Abstract: The patent was disclosed a telescopic mechanism in a telescopic hitch buffer device for use in high speed electric multiple unit (EMU) trains. The telescopic mechanism comprises a compression rod (2) located inside a movable housing (1) of said hitch buffer device, one end of said compression rod (2) being connected to the movable housing (1), and a bearing connector (3) encasing the compression rod (2). A guiding barrel (4) is fixedly mounted outside the bearing connector (3). An extension/retraction driving mechanism (9) is provided between the guiding barrel (4) and the movable housing (1). A locking mechanism comprises protrusions (6) distributed at the other end of the compression rod (2), and grooves (7) in engagement with protrusions (6) on the inner wall of the bearing connector (3).Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2014Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: CRRC QINGDAO SIFANG ROLLING STOCK RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO., LTD.Inventors: Xiaozhong Lv, Hui Liu, Kai Chen -
Patent number: 7988178Abstract: A motorcycle hitch assembly is disclosed for attachment to a hitch support on a motorcycle for towing a trailer. The hitch assembly comprises a base and a pivotal trailer ball carried by the base for being coupled with the trailer coupling. The trailer ball includes a ball element and a ball shank extending from the ball element having a free end. A pivot support connects the base and the ball shaft so that the trailer ball and base pivot relative to each other generally in a vertical plane so that the trailer ball remains generally vertical as the motorcycle and base lean during turning. A clearance space defined between the free end of the shank and a bottom of the base allow the trailer ball to pivot freely in a vertical plane. Binding between the trailer coupler and the trailer ball element is reduced during turning.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Inventors: Troy Shockley, Daniel M. Shockley, James D. Shockley
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Patent number: 7891690Abstract: A trailer hitch for a vehicle includes an attachment bar and post for attaching the hitch to a vehicle and a base suspended from the attachment post to allow limited lateral movement of the base with respect to the attachment. A universal pivot connector, such as a hitch ball, is mounted on the base to move with the base for mating connection to a tongue of a trailer to be connected to the vehicle. The trailer tongue is biased against rotational movement with respect to the pivot connector whereby the allowed lateral movement of the suspended base and the pivot connector and the resistance to rotational movement of the trailer tongue with respect to the pivot connector combine to move the effective pivot point of the tongue on the universal pivot connector approximately to the center of the rear axle of the towing vehicle to simulate the towing movement of a fifth wheel trailer hitch.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2008Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Inventor: Norman K. Bryce
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Patent number: 7425011Abstract: A trailer hitch which will resist fishtailing and increase stability of the towing vehicle-trailer combination is mounted at the rear of the towing vehicle. The hitch includes a pivot connector, such as a ball, which receives the mating end of a tongue extending from the trailer to be towed. However, the rotation of the trailer about the pivot connector is resisted, but not prevented, and the trailer tongue is biased to a preset position with respect to the pivot connector. The trailer hitch can provide limited lateral movement of the pivot connector to move the pivot point forwardly of the rear of the towing vehicle. The resistance to pivoting of the trailer with respect to the pivot connector results first in lateral movement of the pivot connector before resisted pivoting about the pivot connector. Lateral movement of the connector can be promoted during certain conditions and resisted during other conditions.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2006Date of Patent: September 16, 2008Inventor: Norman K. Bryce
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Patent number: 6932182Abstract: A traveling carriage equipped with a traveling means to travel on and along a surface of an object. A frame of the traveling carriage is composed of two divided frames to the right and to the left in the forward traveling direction, one frame having an arc-shaped sliding rail which forms an arc viewed from the side. The arc-shaped sliding rail is supported by a sliding guide installed onto the other frame as to be capable of sliding along the arc-shaped sliding rail.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2001Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Inventor: Fukashi Urakami
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Patent number: 6220618Abstract: A Trailer hitch for towing a four wheeled vehicle. The hitch has a fixed in place portion attached to the towing vehicle and a translatable portion attached to the vehicle being towed. The translatable portion is spring biased to a center position. A damper is attached between the fixed portion and the translatable portion to prevent abrupt movement of the translatable portion. The hitch provides controlled lateral movement between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle to diminish wear on the front end parts and tires of the towed vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventors: Philip Smith, Joann Smith
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Patent number: 6073953Abstract: An arrangement of a track laying combat vehicle towing a trailer utilizes a curved rail affixed to the aft end of the combat vehicle and generally tered about a vertical axis passing near the volumetric center of the combat vehicle. The hitch connection between the combat vehicle and the trailer includes a wheeled carriage that rides on the rail. Because of the rail and carriage, the outward swing of the combat vehicle aft end, which is in the opposite direction from the combat vehicle's turn direction, do not appreciably affect the trailer.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventor: Donald H. Kendall
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Patent number: 6056309Abstract: A semi-trailer converter dolly having a dolly wheel axle assembly and a fifth wheel assembly is provided with a mounting assembly for convenient adjustment of the distance between adjacent trailers to optimize the load distribution, maneuverability, and aerodynamics of the trailer rig. The mounting assembly includes mounting brackets that support and interconnect the dolly wheel axle assembly and the fifth wheel assembly for concurrent adjustment of the dolly wheel axle assembly and the fifth wheel assembly along the converter dolly.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1998Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Assignee: Silver Eagle Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Scott T. Brown
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Patent number: 5620054Abstract: An adjustable hitch having a body, the body connected to a first vehicle at a central point about which the body is rotatable. The body also includes a radially offset connecting point at which the body is rotatably connected to a second vehicle. The rotatable connections of the body to the first and second vehicles accomodates vertical offset between one or more links connecting the vehicle. The arc of rotation of the body may limited by a pair of protruding stops.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1995Date of Patent: April 15, 1997Inventor: Charles L. Dannar
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Patent number: 5468007Abstract: A towing hitch for attaching a towing vehicle to a towed object includes an arcuate guide attached around the back of the towing vehicle. A traveller, which moves freely along the guide, is hinged to a coupling which is, in turn, rotatably attached to the towed object. Steering the towing vehicle in either a clockwise or counter clockwise direction causes the traveller to move along the guide in the opposite direction, and the steering of the towing vehicle is facilitated. If the hitch includes a drive to power the traveller along the guide, the hitch alone can steer the towing vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1993Date of Patent: November 21, 1995Assignee: The Shop Industrial 510851 Ontario Ltd.Inventor: Ronald Kanerva
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Patent number: 4722542Abstract: A hitch assembly for coupling a trailer to a tow vehicle includes a mounting member positioned firmly at the rear of the tow vehicle, another mounting member connected to the tongue of the trailer such that it will not turn relative to the trailer about a vertical axis, and a pair of short connecting links which extend between the two mounting members and are pivotally connected to each. The connecting links are of equal length and converge forwardly. This has the effect of placing the effective pivot point for the trailer ahead of the actual hitch assembly, which in turn enhances the stability of the combination tow vehicle and trailer, rendering it less susceptible to swaying or fishtailing in the presence of side winds.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 1986Date of Patent: February 2, 1988Inventor: James C. Hensley
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Patent number: 4579362Abstract: A laterally yieldable or "bendable" hitch pole is provided for the steering mechanism of a trailing vehicle to minimize or prevent breakage of the hitch pole during sharp turns negotiated by the draft vehicle, especially during backing of the trailer. The invention is especially applicable to trailers having steering mechanisms of the Ackerman type. The hitch pole is typically swingable between right and left stops and breakage or other damage occurs when the pole encounters one or the other of the stops and turning forces are still applied. The invention provides a two-piece hitch pole having its end-to-end parts connected in such manner as to enable "bending" of the hitch pole in those situations with subsequent recovery of the pole to its normal attitude.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1984Date of Patent: April 1, 1986Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Kenneth L. Kirkpatrick
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Patent number: 4575110Abstract: The invention relates to a device for damping pendulum oscillations of a trailer hitched to a coupling of a motor vehicle. For this purpose, the coupling at the rear of the motor vehicle is horizontally adjustable at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and damping means serve for adjusting the coupling, in proportion to the deflection of the trailer drawbar, from a position lying on the longitudinal axis of the vehicle in the direction of the side of the motor vehicle into which the trailer is swerving.Transverse movements of the coupling relatively to the superstructure of the motor vehicle cause a continuous shifting in the instantaneous fulcrum or center of rotation of the trailer drawbar forwardly along the longitudinal vehicle axis, whereby interfering forces impairing the driving direction of the trailer are counteracted and driving stability is ensured.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 1983Date of Patent: March 11, 1986Assignee: Daimler-Benz AktiengesellschaftInventors: Wolfgang Kuhn, Karl-Heinz Richter
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Patent number: 4509769Abstract: A vehicle hitch which is adjustable for extension, elevation, and lateral positioning and which has a frame of A-shape which carries a draw bar which is adjustable with respect to the frame in extension and lateral positioning. Telescoping adjustment, extending between the frame and a vehicle, enable elevation adjustment and provides for holding the frame in erect unobtrusive position on the vehicle when not in use.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1982Date of Patent: April 9, 1985Inventor: Arthur E. Weber
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Patent number: 4331345Abstract: An implement hitch arrangement comprising a fore carriage extension on the implement connected to a turntable above the rear axle of the tractor whereby the implement is supported at its front end on the tractor. The implement is drawn by a conventional draw bar, so that the weight of the implement is not taken by the draw bar, but by the fore carriage extension.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1979Date of Patent: May 25, 1982Inventor: Malcolm L. Williams
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Patent number: 4212483Abstract: The steering assembly disclosed has means for sensing changes in both lateral offset and angle between a towed and a towing vehicle, means for generating angle and offset signals responsive to such changes, means for combining the angle and offset signals to produce a joint steering input, and means for turning a steerable wheel of the towed vehicle in response to the joint steering input. The assembly has two operating modes, one in which offset signals and angle signals are subtracted to produce a joint steering input for forward travel of the vehicles and another in which offset signals and angle signals are added to produce a joint steering input for backing of the vehicles. The assembly also includes steerable wheel means, means for detachably coupling the vehicles together, and means for remotely shifting between the two operating modes.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1978Date of Patent: July 15, 1980Inventor: Durrell U. Howard