Abstract: The front and rear sections of the vehicle are normally free to rock relative to one another about a fore-and-aft extending, horizontal axis to the extent necessary to compensate for lateral variations in ground contour between the front and rear of the vehicle. However, when a lift on the front of the vehicle is operated and it reaches a predetermined height, a fluid-pressure circuit is activated to frictionally engage a pair of brake parts on the two sections of the vehicle so as to hold the same against free rocking, thereby making the combined masses of the two sections available to counterbalance any tendency of the lifted load to tip the vehicle over sideways as the load is raised.

Abstract: An articulating coupling for connecting two wheeled vehicles includes a pivot connection and a tilt mechanism. The pivot connection is provided between the two vehicles so that they can turn relative to each other in the horizontal plane and be selectively turned relative to each other. The tilt mechanism includes a horizontal pivot connection between the two vehicles so that vertical movement of at least a portion of one vehicle adjacent to the horizontal pivot connection will move a portion of the other vehicle adjacent to the pivot connection in the same direction and cause the other vehicle to pivot about the axis of its wheels.

Abstract: A tractor scraper suspension system having a tractor drive wheel axle frame pivotally connected to a tractor main frame to permit vertical movement of the tractor drive wheels relative to the tractor. A first pair of hydraulic cylinders is coupled between the tractor drive wheel axle frame and the tractor main frame to control and dampen such vertical bounce movement. A pair of arms extends transversely of an axis extending longitudinally of the tractor scraper and are included in a hitch assembly and operatively connected to the tractor drive wheel axle frame through a second pair of hydraulic cylinders for supplementing the first pair of hydraulic cylinders in controlling the vertical movement between the tractor drive wheels and to dampen tilting or rolling motion between the tractor portion and the trailer portion about their common longitudinally extending axis.

Abstract: A drawbar construction for a semitrailer is provided, by means of which the pulling device, such as a tractor, and the trailer form a rigid vehicle combination. This rigid vehicle combination is applicable especially in loading timber, whereby an effective lifting crane can be mounted on the trailer without the risk of insufficient stability exerted by the laterally extending crane. The drawbar construction comprises a rigid drawbar part extending from the trailer and a connection shaft which connects the rigid drawbar part to the pulling vehicle. The rigid drawbar part and the connecting shaft are interconnected by means of a first joint which is turnable only in the horizontal plane. The second joint connecting the connecting shaft to the pulling device is essentially of the same construction as the first joint but turnable only in the vertical plane. The drawbar construction includes preferably also a rotation joint.

Abstract: A bicycle hitch for connection to a trailer including a fork having an upstanding stem to be aligned vertically with respect to the plane through the axles of the bicycle and a rearwardly and downwardly extending pair of members in telescopic relation wherein the inner member is attached to the stem of the fork and the rearward end is headed to captivate the outer member slidably and rotatably thereon and wherein said telescoping members extend rearwardly and downwardly at an angle of 641/2.degree. beyond the rear wheel of a bicycle and is provided with a downwardly extending member to be vertically oriented parallel to said fork and a draw bar is provided extending rearwardly at a connection at the plane defined by the centerlines of the bicycle wheels and anchor means are provided to vertically orient the fork.

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: 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: An articulated construction vehicle, such as a backhoe comprises front and rear frames pivotally interconnected together directly by a universal pivot connection and a link universally interconnected between the frames. The link is disposed vertically below the universal pivot connection whereby the frames are adapted for relative pivotal and vertical movement.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle as herein described wherein the articulated structure between the portions comprises a support frame pivotally mounted at a number of spaced locations in the first portion to be pivotable about an axis parallel to and vertically in line with the longitudinal central axis of the first portion, the second portion of the vehicle being mounted to the support frame to be rotatable thereon about a substantially vertical axis.

Abstract: A towing apparatus for bicycles or the like, comprising a first member; means for attaching the first member to a towing bicycle; a hitch member attached to a towed bicycle; an intermediate member for connecting the hitch member to the first member, adapted to slideably rest on the first member; first means for pivotally and detachably connecting the first member and the intermediate member; and, second means for pivotally and detachably connecting the hitch member and the intermediate member, such that the towed bicycle is towed in an inverted position, with only its rear wheel resting on the ground and its front wheel pivoted and clamped in a rearward position.

Abstract: A terminal tractor for maneuvering a trailer having a fifth wheel component in a confined area has front and rear wheeled sections pivotally connected via an intermediate section for steering the tractor by articulation of the front and intermediate sections relative to each other. The articulation pivot in combination with the fifth wheel pivot connection between the tractor and trailer allows the trailer to be parked by backing with relatively little longitudinal movement of the trailer required. The intermediate section is connected to the rear section by an oscillating connection for allowing the rear section to rotate with respect to the front and intermediate sections along a generally longitudinal axis to allow all of the tractor's wheels to maintain road contact while traveling on irregular road surfaces. The fifth wheel plate of the tractor may be selectively raised to lift the forward ground support of the trailer above the road surface to allow rapid repositioning of the trailers.

Abstract: A hitch of modular construction adaptable for coupling to a tractor any number of implements from one to five, the hitch modules being pivotally interconnected and articulated for following uneven land surfaces, and being further provided with means for adjusting the hitch into a configuration convenient for transportation of the assembled implements.

Abstract: A semi-trailer is connected to an agricultural-type tractor by means of a coupling dolly. The coupling dolly has a chassis which is supported by wheels at its rear end and is connected to a weight transfer hitch at its front end. The semi-trailer is connected to the dolly by means of a universal coupling supported between the ends of the dolly chassis and having mutually intersecting rearwardly disposed pitching, rolling and yawing axes. The weight transfer hitch is pivotally connected to the tractor for articulation about a horizontal forwardly disposed pitching axis extending transversely of the tractor, between the axes of the front and rear wheels of the tractor and below the level of the axis of the rear wheels of the tractor.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle comprising first and second vehicle frames, ground engaging devices on each of the frames for engaging the underlying terrain and supporting the vehicle for movement thereover, a coupling securing the frames together for relative rolling movement about a generally horizontal axis and for relative pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis, a double-acting hydraulic cylinder interconnecting the frames at a location on at least one frame remote from the coupling, a pair of fluid flow restrictions, one connected to each end of the cylinder, and a pair of accumulators, each connected to a corresponding one of the restrictions to receive from or direct hydraulic fluid to the corresponding end of the cylinder through the associated restriction to thereby resist and dampen relative rolling movement of the frames.

Abstract: A draft connection is disclosed for tractor and trailer units or similar articulated vehicles, which is characterized by a vertically disposed hitch pin mounted in the end portion of the trailer gooseneck and a cooperating bearing socket for receiving the pin which constitutes a part of an assembly mounted in the back portion of the frame of the tractor unit, which assembly includes an associated horizontal hitch pivot arrangement.

Abstract: An improved system for coupling together two objects, particularly sea-going vessels, while permitting relative and at least limited movement in at least three axes -- roll, pitch and yaw -- with a one or more vertical elements mounted on the stern of one towing vessel each coupled to a horizontal element mounted on the bow of a second towed vessel to permit formation of a sea-going barge train pulled by a tug. The horizontal element includes a fluid-tight housing which is mounted for limited lateral movement and which defines an internal chamber in which a piston member and an attached rod move. The rod extends outboard to connect to the vertical element and specifically to one of a pair of concentric vertical members, the other of which is fixedly mounted on the towing vessel. The vertical members move slidably in a vertical direction with respect to each other.

Abstract: A rough terrain articulated vehicle wherein one vehicle section is intercected with a second vehicle section for unrestrained relative rotation around the vehicle roll axis. Roll movement enables the respective vehicle sections to shift in accordance with terrain irregularities, thereby minimizing the need for high wheel travel. A locking or latching mechanism is provided to prevent roll rotation when the vehicle is moving over relatively smooth terrain.

Abstract: A self steering two-wheel trailer including frame and hitch means for rigidly securing the trailer to a motor vehicle so as to be pivotable relative thereto in the vertical direction only, and adjustable link means pivotally connected between the wheels, the adjustable link means including tie bars axially aligned and interconnected at their inner ends by damper means suitable for responding to road load conditions upon reversing the direction of travel to automatically accommodate pivoting of the wheels to a toe-in attitude in the new direction of movement.

Abstract: A hitch assembly for detachably connecting an independently operable rotary ground tiller to the rear of a garden tractor or other riding vehicle for towed operation therebehind. Remote tiller clutch and tilling depth controls are mounted on the tractor within easy reach of the tractor operator.The hitch assembly includes a draw bar hitch pivotally mounted to the rear of the garden tractor, a tongue member mounted to and extending forward from the tiller, and a dual pivotal mounting universal joint releasably pivotally mounted to and between the draw bar and tongue. Removable pivot pins provide means for maintaining the universal joint in pivotally mounted relation between the tongue and draw bar.As hitched to the tractor, the rotary ground tiller, when desired, may be easily disconnected for independent walk-behind operation by removing one of the pivot pins from the hitch mounting, disconnecting the remote clutch control cable, and remounting the conventional tiller clutch control to the clutch.

Abstract: A rigid side extension draft bar locates to one side of a propelled implement the hitch for a tongue of a pulled implement. Preferably, the pulled implement has caster wheels. Pivots located at the ends of the tongue permit the pulled implement and the propelled implement to travel over different contours at different levels but maintain the fore-to-aft axes of the implements in the same direction so that they turn and back as a unit and maintain the amount of overlap of their paths uniform.

Abstract: Apparatus for limiting relative tilting between a tractor unit and a trailer unit of an articulated vehicle comprising a horizontal hitch pivot fixed to the tractor to permit relative tilting movement between the tractor and trailer units. A pair of right and left stationary stop members are each fixed to the tractor frame and spaced from the pivot device. Two pairs of movable upper and lower stop engaging members are fixedly connected to the horizontal pivot device to contact opposite sides of each stationary stop member to limit relative tilting movement between the tractor and trailer. During the relative tilting between the units, one of the movable upper stop engaging members contacts the upper surface of one of the stationary stop members and simultaneously therewith the opposite movable lower stop engaging members contacts the lower surface of the opposite stationary stop members to evenly distribute stresses exerted on the components when limiting the tilt between the tractor and trailer units.

Abstract: An articulated self-propelled drilling and workover rig capable of using and racking three-joint sections of drillpipe and featuring high mobility and ease of setup utilizes an hydraulically actuated telescoping mast mounted on a tandem rig with the power supply mounted on a tractor and arranged to alternately propel the rig on the highway and power the drawworks at the drilling site.

Abstract: A material handling vehicle is provided with an articulating and an oscillating hitch assembly between a tractor portion and a trailer portion thereof. The hitch assembly telescopes a pinion gear support or trunnion housing carried by a differential gear housing into an oscillation housing. The oscillation housing is pivotally connected to the tractor and permits the tractor to pivot about a generally vertical axis and to oscillate about a longitudinal axis of the housing, both oscillation and pivoting being relative to the trailer as the vehicle is propelled over a terrain. The telescoping of the pinion gear or trunnion housing and oscillation housing makes it possible to eliminate parts and effectively shorten the length of the vehicle without sacrificing any flexibility or strength in the hitch assembly between the tractor and the trailer.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly for attaching the tongue of a trailer mower or the like to the drawbar of a tow vehicle, such as a tractor. The assembly includes a first clevis attached to the forward end of the tongue of the trailer for 360.degree. relative rotation therewith. The attachment is by means of a first pin extending generally horizontally and generally parallel with the line of travel of the tractor and mower to thereby accommodate roll type relative movement therebetween. The apparatus also includes a swivel member in the form of a double clevis, with one clevis thereof arranged for rotational attachment to the first clevis by means of a second pin extending generally horizontally and transverse to said line of travel to thereby accommodate pitch type relative movement therebetween. The other clevis of said swivel member is arranged for rotational attachment to the drawworks by means of a generally vertically extending pin, to thereby accommodate yaw type relative movement therebetween.

Abstract: A two-wheeled trailer for towing behind a cycle having a tongue which extends forwardly and on one side of the rear end of the rear wheel of the cycle. The forward end of the tongue is provided with a conveniently disconnectable hitch which is mounted on one side of the cycle and usually adjacent the rear wheel axle of same. The hitch comprises a resilient member having a pivotal connection disposed between the tongue and the cycle which provides the trailer with freedom of movement about one axis relative to the cycle, the resilience of the member providing the trailer with freedom of movement about the other two axes relative to the cycle.

Abstract: To facilitate transporting heavy equipment on forest service roads and the like by means of a low-bed trailer having a gooseneck drawbar, the customary fifth wheel pivotal connection between the towing tractor and trailer is immobilized relative to horizontal or side pivoting and the pivotal connection between the tractor and trailer is placed rearwardly of the tractor adjacent the bottom of the gooseneck. As a result, the tendency for the trailer to "cut the corner" on a sharp curve is substantially eliminated and the trailer will substantially follow the tracks of the tractor around such corners.

Abstract: Two members of a vehicle coupling are respectively connected to a tractor and a trailer. The member connected to the tractor comprises an "A"-frame which is pivotable about a horizontal transverse axis disposed between the front and rear axles of the tractor below the plane defined by the axes of these axles. A first bearing journalled on a first spindle projecting from the upper end of the A-frame carries, on its opposite sides, two diametrically aligned bearings which receive second spindles secured to connecting means for connecting the two members of the coupling. When the members are connected, the axes of the first and second spindles extend horizontally and vertically and define a plane which is perpendicular to the horizontal transverse axis of the connection between the A-frame and the tractor and the bearings mounted on the first and second spindles accommodate rolling and yawing movement between the members.