Abstract: A remotely-steered trailer, and a sensor for sensing the direction of motion of a vehicle towing the trailer. The sensor includes a source of varyng electrical potential, rigidly fastened to the trailer; a pointer in electrical contact with the source of varying electrical potential; and a bar resiliently and perpendicularly connected to the pointer, pivotally connected to the trailer, and held in contact with the towing vehicle by a spring disposed between the pointer and the bar.

Abstract: An extended motor vehicle having steerable wheels at the front and rear ends of the vehicle, and fixed wheels near the middle of the vehicle. The steerable wheels at the rear of the vehicle are forcibly and remotely steered in accordance with the orientation of the steering wheel and the geometry of the motor vehicle. The position of the steering wheel is sensed electrically and transmitted to the steerable rear wheels.

Abstract: An axle assembly and configuration of axle assemblies for a mobile vehicle. The axle assembly includes a fixed axle fastened to the frame of the vehicle so that the axle maintains a fixed orientation with respect to the vehicle frame. A steerable spindle is connected to each end of the axle by a vertical king pin. The axle is straight beam, king pin to king pin, with the king pins lying on the longitudinal axis of the axle, thus eliminating caster. The configuration of axle assemblies includes a fixed axle with fixed wheels and a fixed axle with steerable wheels. The axles are straight beam, king pin to king pin, with the king pins lying on the longitudinal axes of the axles. The axles are separated by a distance of at least about ten feet.

Abstract: Motor vehicles in which steerable wheels aft of the front wheels are steered by the same steering wheel which steers the front wheels. In one aspect the present invention provides an extended motor vehicle thus steered, and in a second aspect a tractor-trailer assembly in which the trailer is steered from the tractor. In one embodiment a mechanical power train is used to forcibly steer the steerable wheels aft of the front wheels. In a second embodiment the wheels are steered electronically, and in a third embodiment they are steered pneumatically. For extended vehicles the steerable wheels aft of the front wheels are forcibly steered in response to the position of the Pitman arm which controls the front wheels. For tractor-trailer assemblies a directional sensor is disposed and held in the V-shaped slot of the fifth wheel of the tractor, and the steerable wheels on the trailer are forcibly steered in response to the direction of motion of the tractor sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: Motor vehicles in which steerable wheels aft of the front wheels are steered by the same steering wheel which steers the front wheels. In one aspect the present invention provides an extended motor vehicle thus steered, and in a second aspect a tractor-trailer assembly in which the trailer is steered from the tractor. In one embodiment a mechanical power train is used to forcibly steer the steerable wheels aft of the front wheels. In a second embodiment the wheels are steered electronically, and in a third embodiment they are steered pneumatically. For extended vehicles the steerable wheels aft of the front wheels are forcibly steered in response to the position of the Pitman arm which controls the front wheels. For tractor-trailer assemblies a directional sensor is disposed and held in the V-shaped slot of the fifth wheel of the tractor, and the steerable wheels on the trailer are forcibly steered in response to the direction of motion of the tractor sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: Motor vehicles in which steerable wheels aft of the front wheels are steered by the same steering wheel which steers the front wheels. In one aspect the present invention provides an extended motor vehicle thus steered, and in a second aspect a tractor-trailer assembly in which the trailer is steered from the tractor. In one embodiment a mechanical power train is used to forcibly steer the steerable wheels aft of the front wheels. In a second embodiment the wheels are steered electronically, and in a third embodiment they are steered pneumatically. For extended vehicles the steerable wheels aft of the front wheels are forcibly steered in response to the position of the Pitman arm which controls the front wheels. For tractor-trailer assemblies a directional sensor is disposed and held in the V-shaped slot of the fifth wheel of the tractor, and the steerable wheels on the trailer are forcibly steered in response to the direction of motion of the tractor sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: Motor vehicles in which steerable wheels aft of the front wheels are steered by the same steering wheel which steers the front wheels. In one aspect the present invention provides an extended motor vehicle thus steered, and in a second aspect a tractor-trailer assembly in which the trailer is steered from the tractor. In one embodiment a mechanical power train is used to forcibly steer the steerable wheels aft of the front wheels. In a second embodiment the wheels are steered electronically, and in a third embodiment they are steered pneumatically. For extended vehicles the steerable wheels aft of the front wheels are forcibly steered in response to the position of the Pitman arm which controls the front wheels. For tractor-trailer assemblies a directional sensor is disposed and held in the V-shaped slot of the fifth wheel of the tractor, and the steerable wheels on the trailer are forcibly steered in response to the direction of motion of the tractor sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: A steering system for use in a towing vehicle-trailer combination, wherein all trailer axles are load-bearing and fixed. The rearmost axle on the trailer has directional wheels that automatically adjust to the direction of motion of the rear wheels of the towing vehicle. The motive force for steering the directional wheels emanates from a sensor nested in the V-slot of the fifth wheel of the towing vehicle. The steering system is designed to be installed as a retrofit to existing trailers, or as optional equipment for trailers not yet manufactured. Abling and disabling the system is automatic. Abling takes place when the fifth wheel is moved into position to couple the king pin under the trailer. The system is disabled when locking lugs for the fifth wheel are released, and the fifth wheel moves away from the king pin.

Abstract: A steering system for use in a towing vehicle-trailer combination, wherein all trailer axles are load-bearing and fixed. The rearmost axle on the trailer has directional wheels that automatically adjust to the direction of motion of the rear wheels of the towing vehicle. The motive force for steering the directional wheels emanates from a sensor nested in the V-slot of the fifth wheel of the towing vehicle. The steering system is designed to be installed as a retrofit to existing trailers, or as optional equipment for trailers not yet manufactured. Abling and disabling the system is automatic. Abling takes place when the fifth wheel is moved into position to couple the king pin under the trailer. The system is disabled when locking lugs for the fifth wheel are released, and the fifth wheel moves away from the king pin.

Abstract: A steering system for use in a towing vehicle-trailer combination, wherein all trailer axles are load-bearing and fixed. The rearmost axle on the trailer has directional wheels that automatically adjust to the direction of motion of the rear wheels of the towing vehicle. The motive force for steering the directional wheels emanates from a sensor nested in the V-slot of the fifth wheel of the towing vehicle. The steering system is designed to be installed as a retrofit to existing trailers, or as optional equipment for trailers not yet manufactured. Abling and disabling the system is automatic. Abling takes place when the fifth wheel is moved into position to couple the king pin under the trailer. The system is disabled when locking lugs for the fifth wheel are released, and the fifth wheel moves away from the king pin.

Abstract: A steering system for use in a towing vehicle-trailer combination, wherein all trailer axles are load bearing and fixed. The rearmost axle on the trailer has fixed wheel mountings, and serves as a pivot for turning the trailer when it moves in either a forward or reverse direction. The axle or axles located forward of the rearmost axle of the trailer and aft of the trailer king pin has or have directional wheels that automatically track and follow in concentric pattern the path of the rear wheels of the towing vehicle. The motive force for steering the directional wheels emanates from a sensor nested in the V-slot of the firth wheel of the towing vehicle. The steering system is designed to be installed as a retrofit to existing trailers, or as optional equipment for trailers not yet manufactured. Abling and disabling the system is automatic. Abling takes place when the fifth wheel is moved into position to couple the king pin under the trailer.