Abstract: The invention involves a connector apparatus for attaching a trailer to a towing vehicle. The invention has a base structure with a kingpin-receiving plate attached with respect to the top of the base structure and pivotable with respect thereto about a substantially horizontal cross-axis.

Abstract: A docking assembly configured to allow a first medical device to move with a second medical device includes a hitch, a base, and a connector. The hitch is configured to be coupled to the first medical device. The base is spaced apart from the hitch and is configured to be coupled to the second medical device. The connector interconnects the hitch and the base and permits movement of the hitch relative to the base.

Abstract: A trailer hitch apparatus (10) for dampening shocks and surges between a towing vehicle (2) and a trailer (1) is disclosed. The hitch apparatus (10) includes a draw bar (20) for removably coupling to a towing vehicle (2), a hitch ball assembly (16) for coupling to a tongue of a trailer, and a torsional spring apparatus (30) pivotally coupling the draw bar to the hitch ball assembly. The torsional spring apparatus is adapted to resist the pivoting motion of the hitch ball assembly with respect to the draw bar thereby dampening shocks and surges transmitted between the towing vehicle and the trailer. The torsional spring further includes an incremental scale (13) and indicator (12) working in conjunction with the torsional spring apparatus for weighing the tongue weight of a trailer.

Abstract: An under-cart type guided tractor comprising a frame provided with a driving unit including driving wheels on the underside thereof, the guided tractor being adapted to travel guided by a guide signal sent out from a guide element, such as a magnetic tape laid along a traveling path on a floor surface, and to draw a cart provided with free wheels and loaded with goods, with the guided tractor located under a load-carrying platform of the cart. The frame of the guided tractor has a height that allows the guided tractor to move under the frame of the cart, and a structure that does not allow the vertical load of the cart to act on the guided tractor. The frame of the guided tractor comprises at least two separate frame components that are arranged in line with the travelling direction of the guided tractor and joined by a pin in a manner such that the frame components are allowed to take an upward or downward bent formation.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly having a connecting arm disposed within a sleeve and pivotally coupled within the sleeve by a bolt. A tongue at the distal end of the arm rests on one or more air cushions which provide damping or shock absorption to the coupled arm and sleeve during travel. The air cushions are mounted between the tongue and a cross brace of a trailer frame assembly. A hitch coupling is included at a distal end of the arm for engaging a hitch on a towing vehicle. Inflation or deflation of the air cushions allows adjustment of the amount of shock absorption according to the trailer load or road surface conditions.

Abstract: A hitching device is provided for connecting a trailer to a towing vehicle. The device reduces shocks and vibrations that can be transmitted between the trailer and the towing vehicle. The hitching device mounts on the rear section of the towing vehicle. A swing plate has hitching means attached to it for connection with the trailer. The swing plate is connected to swing means which allow the plate to swing forward or rearward. As the swing plate moves forward and rearward the hitching means remain at a constant angular orientation. The swing plate has a central position wherein the swing plate is at a lowest level. As the swing plate swings forward or rearward out of the central position it moves to a higher level. Gravity tends to force the swing plate back to the central position when the swing plate is displaced from the central position. The swing of the swing plate reduces shocks that typically are transmitted between the trailer and the towing vehicle.

Abstract: An improved vehicle suspension system compensates for flexure of the frame of the vehicle by permitting the front and rear frame structures to pivot with respect to one another. The pivoting of the front and rear structures is controlled to maintain the structures above the ground and to dampen the pivoting movement of the structures when the structures attempt to move away from a selected orientation with respect to one another.

Abstract: A hitch or towing device to connect a trailer having at least two swivelable ground-contacting wheels to an automobile or similar prime mover includes two arms to connect the trailer to the prime mover. The arms are flexible in a vertical direction but rigid in a longitudinal and in a sidewise direction. This permits the automobile to push the trailer backwards and also permits relative motion between the trailer and the automobile in roll and pitch but not in yaw. In a preferred embodiment the arms connecting the trailer to the automobile are leaf springs, and couplings permanently fastened to the automobile engage the front end of the springs in a hinge-like manner, the hinge-pin being easily removable to facilitate connecting and disconnecting of trailer and automobile.

Abstract: A tow bar for a trailer comprises forward and rear sections which are pivotable relative to one another about a substantially horizontal axis, to reduce the stresses to which the tow bar is subjected when travelling across rough terrain. An axially compressible spring, such as a stack of Belleville springs mounted on a cylindrical shaft, extends between the two tow bar sections to absorb some of the stresses caused by pitching movement of the trailer relative to the towing vehicle.

Abstract: The combination of a bicycle and a trailer therefore is provided including a pivotal coupling between the bicycle and the trailer allowing for relative inclination of the trailer and bicycle about an horizontal axis transverse to the bicycle and turning movement of the trailer relative to the bicycle about an upstanding pivot axis stationary with the trailer. The pivot connection further includes structure, by which upon relative turning angular displacement of the bicycle and trailer of approximately 45 degrees, angular displacement of the upstanding axis of relative turning movement of the bicycle and trailer may not be freely pivoted about a horizontal axis transverse to the bicycle.

Abstract: An apparatus including a primary support tube mounting a trailer post pivotally thereon. A leaf spring pivotally mounted within the trailer mounting post is directed rearwardly of the primary support tube and mounted to a spring shackle adjacent an upper terminal end of the primary support tube. The trailer mounting post includes spaced parallel top and bottom walls including "U" shaped wall terminal ends to pivotally receive the forward end of the spring therewithin and permit pivotment of the trailer mounting post relative to the primary support tube to dampen vibration transmitted through the primary support tube to an associated trailer.

Abstract: A vehicle hitch for automatically connecting a vehicle to a trailer or connecting two vehicles for pushing or pulling one or the other. The hitch includes a coupling member mounted for pivotal movement in generally horizontal and vertical planes and provided with a shock absorber for cushioning certain forces and movements. An attachement pin has a cam surface to permit automatic coupling and can be locked in a disconnect position to simplify decoupling of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention provides for a trailer coupling which includes one or more torque elements having pads of elastic material interposed between an inner angular member and an outer angular member. The pads of the elastic material permit but resist relative vertical movement between the inner and the outer members. The inner and outer members are connected by linkages to attachment plates. The coupling can be attached to and between a draughting vehicle and a trailer to transmit traction force to the trailer. The resilient deformation of the pads of elastic material dampen relative vertical movement between the draughting vehicle and the trailer.

Abstract: A towing hitch is disclosed which has a housing for receiving a tow bar such that said housing can be pivotally connected to said tow bar. A tongue is coupled to the housing for receiving a towing element. The housing has a pin which project into said tow bar and said pin has a resilient block mounted thereon such that said block is arranged between said pin and said tow bar to dampen or absorb shock or vibration transmitted to said towing hitch.

Abstract: The invention provides for a trailer coupling which includes one or more torque elements having pads of elastic material interposed between an inner angular member and an outer angular member. The pads of elastic material permit but resist relative movement between the inner and the outer members. The inner and outer members are connected by linkages to attachment plates. The coupling can be attached to an between a draughting vehicle and a trailer to transmit traction force to the trailer. The resilient deformation of the pads of elastic material dampen relative movement between the draughting vehicle and the trailer.

Abstract: A main frame is provided including front and rear end portions and the front end portion includes a pair of laterally spaced apart hitch structures for releasable hitching to a pair of complementary hitch portions carried by the rear of an associated towing vehicle. The rear end portion of the frame includes a pair of laterally spaced apart dependingly supported caster wheel assemblies which are each mounted from the frame for full 360.degree. angular displacement relative to the frame about an upstanding axis. Connecting structure interconnects the caster wheel assemblies together for equal and simultaneous angular displacement relative to the frame and friction brake structure is operatively connected between the frame and at least one of the caster wheel assemblies frictionally resisting angular displacement thereof relative to the frame.

Abstract: A suspension for a scraper-tractor. The tractor has an axle housing which is supported on a frame by hydraulic cylinders connected to a hydraulic circuit that includes a gas-filled accumulator to provide cushioning of the frame with respect to the axle housing. A pair of longitudinal arms are connected at one end by ball joints to the frame. At their other ends, the arms are connected by vertical pivot pins to the axle housing. A transverse track bar is connected between the frame and the housing.

Abstract: A towing hitch having a main frame for attachment to a vehicle, a tongue force transmitting member pivotally coupled to the main frame, and a resilient member supporting said force transmitting member so as to absorb shock forces applied to the last mentioned member.

Abstract: A tractor-trailer unit (10,26) including a trailer (26) having wheels (30) at its rear and adapted to have its front supported by a hitch (16) to a tractor (10), a draft assembly (20) having spaced elongated arms (24) extending from the front rearwardly along the sides of the trailer, each arm being pivotally connected (34) to the trailer on a common horizontal axis intermediate the front and the rear, each arm further being jointed (54) intermediate its end to define front and rear sections (50,52) and dampeners (56,74,76) interconnecting the front and rear sections of each of the arms.

Abstract: In this arrangement, the pitching, rolling and steering movements that take place between a motor car and a trailer are separately accommodated, with the pitching movements being accommodated by a horizontal transverse hinge structure arranged to be nearest the towing vehicle and comprising two relatively moving parts, motion therebetween occurring through an elastic member. A device is provided for stressing the elastic member in a variable and controlled manner whereby weight may be taken off the rear axle of the car to a desired extent and distributed to the front axle of the car and to the trailer axle. The rolling movements are accommodated by a stub-shaft at the front of the trailer, rotatably inserted into a longitudinally extending horizontal hole provided in the second of the above moving parts, and the steering movements are accommodated by an eye at the rear end of the stub-shaft, pivotally engaged in a fork-like member, carried by the trailer towbar, for motion about a vertical axis.

Abstract: A trailer assembly for carrying overwidth loads such as large rectangular concrete slabs. The trailer includes two separate units, a front unit and a rear unit. Each unit includes a frame mounted on a set of tandem wheels. The front unit has upper and lower frames rotatably connected together, allowing the wheels to turn with respect to the upper frame. A tongue is hingedly connected to the front unit. It has a hitch for connection to the towing vehicle and a compression device to apply weight to the hitch for compressive connection with the towing vehicle. Longitudinal cross members are mounted across the front and rear units to support the load. The cross members can be removed and stored parallel to the length of the units for legal width return trip towing. On return trip, the rear unit is towed reverse to the direction towed while loaded. Also disclosed is an embodiment employing two units the same or similar to the front unit to enable being moved laterally to facilitate parking in close space.

Abstract: A towbar for a trailer including an elongated towing member pivotally securable to the trailer for relative movement thereto in the vertical plane, and damping structure extending between the member and the trailer. The towbar has two members diverging from the hitch point to the trailer. Each member is pivotally connected to the trailer for movement in a vertical plane, and each member has a damping device extending between the member and the trailer, which is connected to the trailer at a point directly above the pivotal connection of the members to the trailer.

Abstract: An agricultural implement such as a disc or treader is provided with a counterpoise connection between the frame of the implement and the tongue for holding the tongue in a normal operative position. The counterpoise employs a spring-loaded compensator link of normally fixed length which prevents relative movement of the tongue and frame under the reaction forces against the tillage tools produced by the resistance of the soil, but the springs permit the length of the link to change to allow the tongue to self-adjust in response to the higher forces against the tongue encountered when uneven terrain is traversed. The design provides for the use of a selected number of springs in a symmetrical cluster with each spring being employed in both the extension and shortening of the link. The illustrated embodiment is a double offset disc wherein the front gangs of discs cut a furrow in the soil in which the center transport wheels of the implement are forced to run.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system for controlling bouncing and pitching movement of a tractor and trailer unit. The suspension system comprises a four-bar linkage which cushions the vehicle ride by connecting the vehicle axle through the four-bar linkage to permit axle movement which cushions the tractor ride. The four-bar linkage comprises a scraper link, a final drive link, a power module link and a stabilizer link.

Abstract: Improvements in trailer hitch apparatus of the type used in heavy hauling, particularly for the transport of mobile home structures. The apparatus includes hydraulically elongatable tongue structure with height adjustable connector ball assembly as supported from the main rear truck frame structure; the apparatus is utilized in combination with a leaf-coil rear wheel spring structure that provides primary truck suspension. The trailer hitch is operable to support its towed structure in any of the open or closed elongated positions in order to better enable certain vehicle maneuvers, achieve optimum handling in emergency situations, and provide a more rugged, yet smoother riding connection to the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A resilient hitch linkage between a towing vehicle such as a tractor and an implement or attachment such as, for example, a rotary tiller, towed by the towing vehicle. The resilient hitch linkage serves to reduce the transmission of impact or shock loads and/or vibrations between the implement and the tractor and includes a front link pivotally connected to a hitch point on the tractor and a rear link pivotally connected to the attachment being towed. One of the pivoted links, such as the rear link, has a member with multiple flat exterior surfaces such as a member of rectangular cross section (a "square tube") secured thereto and extending laterally therefrom. The other pivoted link, such as the front link, has a first U-shaped clamp member secured thereto and lying on one side of the "square tube" carried by the one link. A pair of rubber cylinders are retained by the first clamp member.

Abstract: A hitch of a work vehicle having first and second vehicle portions has a first hitch apparatus for horizontally pivotally connecting the vehicle portions and a second apparatus with biasing for vertically, pivotally connecting the vehicle portions and suppressing vertical movement of one portion relative to the other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel trailer tongue assembly and a method of mounting a tongue frame on a trailer vehicle. A generally V-shaped tongue frame is pivotally coupled with the trailer vehicle at a point located below the trailer main frame and substantially co-planar with the supporting wheel and axle assembly. An elongated strut member is rigidly coupled with the tongue frame and extends toward the trailer vehicle along a vertical plane bisecting the two legs of the tongue frame. A leaf spring is coupled with the strut member and in turn is coupled with the trailer vehicle. The leaf spring is disposed so that its major plane of flexure will be perpendicular to the plane of the tongue frame.

Abstract: An improved tongue support device comprises a cantilever leaf spring positioned within the tongue member attached to a wagon. A second tongue member is biased upwardly by the leaf spring about a pivot axis connecting the first and second tongue members.

Abstract: A control system for the hydraulically powered auger of a self-loading auger scraper that has a hydraulic cushion hitch which is locked out when the scraper is loading. A multiposition manually controlled pilot selector valve which is used to lock out the cushion hitch also initiates operation of the auger. The control system includes a pilot operated, normally open auger control valve through which flow of a signal line for a normally open unloading relief valve goes to drain. Moving the pilot selector valve from a first to a second position pressurizes the pilot line to close the auger control valve and thus isolate the signal line from drain, closing the unloading relief valve to isolate a pump for the auger motor from drain and cause it to power the motor.

Abstract: A reversible warehouse wagon is provided with a jointed bed, tandem-mounted center support wheels, steerable wheels supporting both the ends of the bed and hitch means at both ends of the bed to provide a warehouse wagon that is towable from either end having a short turning radius, high directional stability, improved tracking of a towing vehicle and improved support and control for going up and down ramps.

Abstract: A control system for the hydraulically powered .Iadd.conveyor, such as an .Iaddend.auger, of a self-loading .[.auger.]. scraper that has a hydraulic cushion hitch which is locked out when the scraper is loading. A multi-position manually controlled pilot selector valve which is used to lock out the cushion hitch also initiates operation of the auger. The control system includes a pilot operated, normally open auger control valve through which flow of a signal line for a normally open unloading relief valve goes to drain. Moving the pilot selector valve from a first to a second position pressurizes the pilot line to close the auger control valve and thus isolate the signal line from drain, closing the unloading relief valve to isolate a pump for the auger motor from drain and cause it to power the motor.