Abstract: The present invention relates to display means for systems for guiding a trailer while backing, and in particular to graphical display means to provide information to an operator who is steering, and controlling the accelerator and brakes by suggesting the amount of steering to apply to the towing vehicle to cause the trailer to be directed to where the operator wants the trailer to go.

Abstract: A vehicle including a frame; a motor; at least one ground engaging member; at least one suspension member pivotally connecting the ground engaging member to the frame; at least one double bonded bushing being disposed in an end portion of the at least one suspension member; at least one wear plate disposed between a first end of the at least one double bonded bushing and the frame, the at least one wear plate being rotationally fixed relative to the frame, the first end of the at least one double bonded bushing abutting the at least one wear plate, the at least one wear plate being selectively removable from the vehicle; and at least one shaft extending through a portion of the frame, the at least one double bonded bushing, and the at least one wear plate.

Abstract: A communication system for a working machine includes: a first communication device configured to be attached to a working device detachably disposed on a vehicle body and to transmit, to an outward, device information relating to the working device as a broadcasting signal; and a receiving device having a receiving part configured to receive the device information transmitted in the broadcasting signal.

Abstract: A high visibility detachable safety strap is disclosed. The re detachable tractable safety strap is coupled to a coupling assembly, for instance a tongue, between the trailer and the towing vehicle. The high visibility nature of the strap increases safety for other motorists by making the presence of the coupling between the trailer and towing vehicle more perceivable. A preferably flexible structural support system carries the straps.

Abstract: A hitch apparatus for a vehicle includes a microcontroller unit, a drawbar, and a coupling apparatus secured within the drawbar via a pin. The pin and/or the drawbar includes one or more force sensors, each configured to measure a force vector on the pin and/or drawbar during towing of a trailer or other vehicle attached to the coupling apparatus. Each force sensor is electrically connected to the microcontroller unit, and the microcontroller unit is configured to receive force measurement data from each force sensor and process the data for transfer to a vehicle control system via a controller area network bus associated with the vehicle. The microcontroller unit may determine if one or more threshold forces have been exceeded and trigger one or more corrective actions by the vehicle control system in response to determining that a threshold force has been exceeded.

Abstract: A vehicle has a trailer backup steering input apparatus, a trailer backup assist control module coupled to the a trailer backup steering input apparatus, and an electric power assist steering system coupled to the trailer backup assist control module and. The trailer backup steering input apparatus is configured for outputting a trailer path curvature signal approximating a desired curvature for a path of travel of a trailer towably coupled to the vehicle. The trailer backup assist control module is configured for determining vehicle steering information as a function of the trailer path curvature signa. The electric power assist steering system is configured for controlling steering of steered wheels of the vehicle as a function of the vehicle steering information.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle system can include a first vehicle selectively and pivotally connected to a second vehicle. A first powertrain can be mounted on the first vehicle to drive a wheel mounted on the first vehicle. A second powertrain can be mounted on the second vehicle to drive a wheel mounted on the second vehicle independent from the drive of the wheel of the first vehicle. The vehicle system may also include a controller in electrical communication with each of the first powertrain, second powertrain, and steering mechanism to assist in steering and power distribution, especially when reversing the vehicle system.

Abstract: Improvements in a trailer hitching and tracking steering system are disclosed include a new style RV or wagon style RV that includes an extendable, variable position tow bar that accommodates misalignment of a tow vehicle. The tow bar can be rotated for storage within the RV wagon. Further improvements include a wheel steering mechanism to improve tracking of a towed vehicle using a bi-directional caster front suspension for steering a wagon style RV in both a forward and reverse direction. The caster of the front wheels is automatically re-directed depending upon the direction of travel of the RV. The suspension system includes a steerable rear suspension that minimizes the amount the back wheels will cut the corner when turning. The improvements also include the use of visible light beams to guide a tow vehicle backing up to an RV to be correctly positioned for hitching without assistance.

Abstract: Steering arrangement for a trailer, with a hitch (8) connected with a chassis (17) of the trailer (2), a trailer coupling (4), by which the hitch (8) can be coupled to a tractor (1) in an articulated fashion by forming a composition (3) comprising the tractor (1) and the trailer (2), a drive (24) which is at least indirectly coupled with the trailer coupling (4), by which the articulation angle (?) of the composition (3) can be varied during reverse travel, and a controller (25) coupled with the drive (24), by which the drive (24) can be controlled, wherein the hitch (8) is supported on the chassis (17) for movement in the transverse direction (16) of the trailer (2) and is movable by the drive (24) in this direction relative to the chassis (17).

Abstract: The trailer steering mechanism automatically steers the trailer wheels in accordance with the tow vehicle steering and articulation between the tow vehicle and trailer during backing maneuvers to facilitate backing maneuvers and to prevent or greatly reduce the possibility of jackknifing between tow vehicle and trailer. The mechanism includes a pivotally attached steering frame connected between the steerable wheels of the trailer and one or more hydraulic cylinders that, when locked, create a very strong link between the tow vehicle and the trailer and its steering system. An alternative embodiment employs two non-powered hydraulic cylinders in tandem. The cylinders are able to withstand great loads, and more importantly, are able to disengage while under great load without jamming. The cylinders provide links that exert lateral force to the trailer to push or pull the trailer into a turn while backing, in addition to controlling the steering mechanism of the trailer.

Abstract: The trailer steering mechanism automatically steers the wheels of a trailer in accordance with the tow vehicle steering and articulation between the tow vehicle and trailer during backing maneuvers in order to facilitate backing maneuvers and to prevent or greatly reduce the possibility of jackknifing between tow vehicle and trailer. The mechanism includes a pivotally attached steering frame connected between the steerable wheels of the trailer and one or more hydraulic cylinders that, when locked, create a very strong link between the tow vehicle and the trailer and its steering system. The hydraulic cylinders are able to withstand great loads, and more importantly, are able to disengage while under great load without jamming. The hydraulic cylinders provide links that exert lateral force to the trailer to push or pull the trailer into a turn while backing, in addition to controlling the steering mechanism of the trailer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a powered towing tongue, and more particularly, to an actuated power tongue consisting of at least two tongue members joined directly or indirectly by an actuator for moving a mount located in the back of a towing hitch from a first position to at least a second position along a radial path. In a second embodiment, the actuated power tongue is attached to a strap joining the at least two tongue members to move the mount located behind a towing hitch from a first position to at least a second position along a radial path commonly referred to as a lateral displacement.

Abstract: A steering damper includes a steering damper body installed in a steering system of a vehicle, and having a fluid path therein, and a pressure control valve for controlling a damping force in the steering system, and provided in the fluid path, wherein the pressure control valve controls the damping force so that an increasing rate of the damping force with respect to a steering angular velocity when the steering angular velocity is large is lower than that when the steering angular velocity is small.

Abstract: A steerable trailer is provided with a trailer hitch which extends forward to attach to a corresponding hitch on the towing vehicle. The towing vehicle hitch further includes an extending arm, referred to as the position arm, to which the end of the piston of a hydraulic master cylinder carried by the trailer is pivotally attached. A slave cylinder carried by the trailer adjacent to the steerable wheels is in hydraulic communication with the master cylinder for turning the steerable wheels. A pair of hydraulic lines communicate between the master cylinder and the slave cylinder to extend or retract the slave cylinder piston rod. The steerable wheels are rotatably and pivotally connected to an axle by conventional steering knuckles. A pivot arm is affixed to the steering knuckle of one of the wheels and to a tie rod extending from the steering knuckle of the opposite wheel. The extending end of the cylinder rod of the slave cylinder carries a steering knuckle to which is pivotally attached the pivot arm.

Abstract: A steering system for steering a vehicle, including a subframe disposed at the rear end of the vehicle for supporting the vehicle, the subframe being pivotably connected to the vehicle, a pair of axles attached in tandem to the subframe, the axles having wheels disposed thereon and a pivot restricting mechanism for partially restricting the pivotable movement of the tandem axle with respect to the vehicle. The pivot restricting mechanism exerts a torsional force on the subframe so as to bias the subframe in such a manner as to align the subframe in an aligned position where the wheels are aligned with the vehicle. The pivot point of the subframe is offset in the direction of one of the axles from the midpoint of the axles with respect to one another.

Abstract: A tow dolly for hauling motor vehicles is provided having a frame with a tow hitch mounted at the forward portion thereof, a pair of wheels mounted on the frame, a crane pivotably mounted on the frame above the axis of the wheels, a bumper bar mounted on the upper portion of the crane substantially parallel with the axis of the wheels and pivotably upwardly and downwardly on the crane, a pair of derrick arms pivotably mounted at the lower portion of the triangular frame, the free end portion of each derrick arm being connected to the bumper bar by a vehicle support strap, hooking means connected respectively to the bumper bar and the free end portions of said derrick arms, means for pivotably lowering the crane, bumper bar, derrick arms and hooks for engaging the vehicle at one end thereof and winching means for pivotably lifting and holding the crane and thus the bumper bar, derrick arms, hooks and the vehicle and upwardly with respect to said dolly wheels to enable towing of the vehicle.