Abstract: A steerable caddy trailer is provided that has an improved structure including a main frame assembly, spindle assemblies attached to each end of the main frame for attachment of a wheel, a pair of swinging arms forwardly extending from the main frame and pivotally attached to the main frame, and tie rods connecting the swinging arms with the spindle assembly such that pivoting of the swinging arms steers the wheel.

Abstract: An architecture is presented that provides a double hinged tow hitch. The tow hitch is attached to a tow vehicle and allows full traction to the ground and complete control of steering. The tow hitch comprises two hinges secured together by a pin positioned at an upper portion of the hinges and a pin positioned at a lower portion of the hinges. The pins secure the hinges together and allow the hinges to flex in two positions. Additionally, the tow hitch comprises springs positioned on either side of the hinges and rubber positioned between the hinges to act as a shock absorber. When pressure is applied to the tow hitch, the springs will collapse into either the upper or lower portions of the hinges, causing the hinges to flex in two positions and pressing against the rubber between the hinges, thus acting as a suspension system for the tow hitch.

Abstract: An architecture is presented that provides a double hinged tow hitch. The tow hitch is attached to a tow vehicle and allows full traction to the ground and complete control of steering. The tow hitch comprises two hinges secured together by a pin positioned at an upper portion of the hinges and a pin positioned at a lower portion of the hinges. The pins secure the hinges together and allow the hinges to flex in two positions. Additionally, the tow hitch comprises springs positioned on either side of the hinges and rubber positioned between the hinges to act as a shock absorber. When pressure is applied to the tow hitch, the springs will collapse into either the upper or lower portions of the hinges, causing the hinges to flex in two positions and pressing against the rubber between the hinges, thus acting as a suspension system for the tow hitch.

Abstract: The invention relates to trailer (1) for towing after a towing after a towing vehicle, said trailer (1) comprising a frame (3) configured for carrying a load and having a front end with a coupling (5) configured for connecting the trailer (1) to the towing vehicle and allowing that the trailer (1) and the towing vehicle are able to assume mutually angular positions during turning about a turning point O; and a rear end. The trailer also has a separate wheel frame (8) that is connected to the frame (3) by means (10) that allow a relative turning of the frame in relation to the wheel frame (8) during turning of the trailer about the turning point, said wheel frame (8) comprising oppositely arranged wheels (4) that support the trailer (1) during the towing and that are arranged at a distance from each other close to a respective longitudinally extending side of the frame (3); and actuator means (15) for producing said relative turning of the frame (3).

Abstract: A steering connection assembly is provided that interconnects a towed implement with a tow vehicle. The steering connection assembly includes a tongue member having a forward end pivotally connected at the tow vehicle so as to rotate about a first vertical axis, and a rearward end fixed relative to the frame of the agricultural implement. A drive linkage has a forward end pivotally connected at the tow vehicle so as to rotate about a second vertical axis. A steering linkage interconnects the rearward end of the drive linkage to a series of caster wheel assemblies in support of the frame of the implement. In response to a turn of the tow vehicle, the drive linkage communicates a turn signal via rotation about the second vertical axis so as to cause the steering linkage to steer the caster wheel assembly in the turn direction of the tow vehicle.

Abstract: The invention provides a stabilizer for a trailer comprising an elongate arm member (10) adapted to extend between a towing vehicle (14) and a trailer (15), the arm member including a first arm section (11) and a second arm (12) section pivotally coupled to one another to permit relative angular movement between the arm sections (11, 12), a cam formation provided (16) on one arm section, in engagement with a follower formation (17) provided on the other arm section, biasing means (18) for biasing the cam formation and follower formation towards one another, the arrangement being one wherein relative angular movement between the first and second arm sections is resisted by the movement of the follower formation on the cam formation against the action of the biasing means, said biasing means being mounted on the arm member.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly for connecting a towing vehicle to a towed trailer having symmetrical anti-sway features. The assembly includes a hitch ball rigidly affixed to a hitch beam extending transversely from the rear of the towing vehicle. A pair of spring-biased telescopic compressible and extendable control rods are connected to each end of the hitch beam and at their other ends to a control beam. A hitch bar is connected to the hitch ball on the towing vehicle and pivotally connected to the forward end of a trailer coupler that intersects and is pivotally connected to the central portion of the control beam by a pivot member. The pivot member is integral with the control beam and includes a control arm having a roller engaged with a downwardly opening slotted rearward end of the hitch bar. The trailer coupler includes a trailer hitch ball to which a trailer coupler socket is connected, with the trailer coupler socket being rigidly affixed to the tongue or frame of the towed vehicle.

Abstract: A bracket, apparatus and method are provided for adapting a simple draw bar and hitch ball arrangement to allow connection to a sway control device. The bracket includes an aperture for receiving the threaded stem of the hitch ball, a notch for receiving and engaging the draw bar and a second aperture for receiving a sway control device connector such as a sway control ball. The bracket allows connection to any number of sway control devices available in the industry so that a simple draw bar and hitch ball may be converted for sway control capability.

Abstract: An improved trailer dolly having a fifth wheel and also carrying a ball-type trailer hitch to give the driver the option of towing either type of trailer and having steering means built into the dolly to provide sure and positive steering and control of the towed trailer.

Abstract: A method of connecting a tow vehicle to a trailer having a front axle assembly which pivots about a vertical axis. The method includes the following steps which will be hereinafter described. Firstly, position a drawbar assembly between the tow vehicle and the trailer. The drawbar assembly has a tow vehicle end and a trailer end. The tow vehicle end is mounted to a single articulation point at a rear of the tow vehicle. The trailer end is pivotally mounted on a substantially horizontal transverse axis thereby accommodating up and down movement while precluding side to side movement of the drawbar assembly. Secondly, position a steering arm assembly between the tow vehicle and the front axle assembly of the trailer. The steering arm assembly includes a pair of steering arms having tow vehicle ends and trailer ends. The tow vehicle ends are adapted for omni-directional attachment to the tow vehicle equidistant from the single articulation point.

Abstract: A tow vehicle (3) and trailer vehicle (5) are connected by a four-bar hitch which has one arm (1) aligned longitudinally with the central longitudinal axes (12,13) of the vehicles, and a steering arm (6) which is laterally spaced from the main arm. Pivots, (7,8) at the front and rear ends of the steering arm are forwardly offset with respect to the corresponding pivots (2,4') of the main arm. The length of the main arm is no greater then about 1.5 times the length of the steering arm. The rear pivot (8) of the steering arm is offset laterally and forwardly from the rear pivot (4') of the main arm, so that the lateral offset is greater than the forward offset. An embodiment is disclosed wherein the forward pivot on the steering arm is laterally shiftable toward the forward pivot on the main arm to reduce the offtracking of the trailer for certain maneuvering and driving situations.

Abstract: A steering system for an articulated vehicle has pivotal wheel steering such as front axle wagon-wheel steering, a hydraulic actuator for pivoting the axle with respect to the vehicle, and a pair of hydraulic actuators for causing articulation of the vehicle. The system includes sensors for providing signals dependent on the degree of front wheel pivot relative to the vehicle and the degree of articulation of the vehicle. These signals are detected by a microprocessor controller which in turn controls the sequence of actuation of the axle and articulation hydraulic actuators. The actuators are operated sequentially so that small directional changes of the vehicles are achieved solely through pivoting of the axle. Operation of the axle and articulation actuators is controlled by a manual steering unit having a conventional hydraulic steering valve, with sequencing being provided through manipulation of a hydraulic fluid diverter valve.

Abstract: The present invention is a steering system for an articulated vehicle which has at least one axle mounted for wagon-wheel steering with respect to the vehicle, a hydraulic actuator for pivoting the axle with respect to the vehicle and a pair of hydraulic actuators for causing articulation of the vehicle. The improved steering system includes sensors for providing signals dependent on the degree of axle pivot relative to the vehicle, the degree of articulation of the vehicle and the desired direction of the vehicle travel. These signals are detected by a controller which in turn controls actuation of the axle and articulation hydraulic actuators. The actuators are operated in a sequential manner so that small directional changes of the vehicle are achieved solely through pivoting of the axle.

Abstract: A four-bar link trailer hitch comprising main and steering members, spaced apart and pivotally connected at their rearward ends to the trailer, and pivotally connected at their forward ends to the rearward end of a truck or the like. The main arm lies substantially upon the center line, as viewed in plan, and the steering arm is placed to one side, closer to the centerline at the forward end than the rear. Most of the towing load and any tongue weight is taken by the main arm. The steering arm serves to locate the trailer laterally.