# US 10,766,550 B2 · Load divider dolly with active pitch angle adjustment for on-the-fly load distribution > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,766,550 B2 - Document ID: US10766550B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/986,791 - Filed: 2018-05-22 - Published: 2019-11-28 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-05-22 - Applicants: Lawrence Stross - Inventors: Lawrence Stross - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10766550B2 ## CPC - B62D 53/068: {having devices to equalise or modify the load between the fifth wheel and the rear wheels (adjustable couping saddles per se B62D53/0807; load transfer devices to permit coupling or uncoupling B62D53/0857; anti jack-knifing devices B62D53/0871)} - B62D 61/125: {the retractable wheel being a part of a set of tandem wheels (resilient suspension for a single set of tandem wheels B60G5/00)} - B62D 43/002: {Handling devices, mainly for heavy wheels (via cables and chains B62D43/045)} - B62D 43/02: external to the vehicle body - B62D 53/04: comprising a vehicle carrying an essential part of the other vehicle's load by having supporting means for the front or rear part of the other vehicle - B62D 63/062: {Trailers with one axle or two wheels (semi-trailers B62D53/06)} - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## Abstract A load divider dolly has: a chassis; ground engaging wheels; a tow vehicle mount pivotally mounted to the chassis; a variable volume element mounted to adjust a pitch angle between the chassis and the tow vehicle mount; and a pressure control system configured to, during use, supply and exhaust fluid such as gas to and from the variable volume element to distribute load between a tow vehicle and the ground engaging wheels of the load divider dolly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A load divider dolly comprising: a chassis; ground engaging wheels; a tow vehicle mount pivotally mounted to the chassis; a variable volume element mounted to adjust a pitch angle between the chassis and the tow vehicle mount; and a pressure control system configured to, during use, supply and exhaust gas to and from the variable volume element to distribute load between a tow vehicle and the ground engaging wheels of the load divider dolly; in which the pressure control system is configured to maintain, during use, a pressure in the variable volume element within a predetermined range by reducing and increasing the pressure in the variable volume element when the pressure in the variable volume element is above or below the predetermined range, respectively; in which the pressure control system is configured to adjust the predetermined range during use; in which the pressure control system is configured to set the predetermined range based on the variable volume element being in a neutral intermediate expansion state; and further comprising a position sensor, which is connected to the pressure control system and configured to detect the neutral intermediate expansion state; in which: the position sensor comprises a pitch angle sensor; and the variable volume element is mounted between planar surfaces, with one of the planar surfaces forming part of the tow vehicle mount and another of the planar surfaces forming part of the chassis. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The load divider dolly of claim 1 in which the pressure control system is configured to set the predetermined range based on a load carried by the tow vehicle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The load divider dolly of claim 1 further comprising a control device configured to be operated by a user to instruct the pressure control system to set the predetermined range. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The load divider dolly of claim 3 in which the control device is mounted within a cab of a tow vehicle connected to tow the load divider dolly. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The load divider dolly of claim 1 further comprising a pressure sensor, which is connected to the pressure control system and configured to detect pressure in the variable volume element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The load divider of claim 1 in which: the variable volume element comprises a gas-filled bag; and the gas-filled bag comprises an air bag. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The load divider dolly of claim 6 further comprising an air compressor and an air tank connected to supply air pressure to the variable volume element. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The load divider dolly of claim 6 in which the pressure control system is configured to at least partially exhaust pressure from the variable volume element to the atmosphere to reduce pressure in the variable volume element. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The load divider dolly of claim 1 in which the tow vehicle mount comprises a hitch connector. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An apparatus comprising: a tow vehicle; and the load divider dolly of claim 1 connected to the tow vehicle. ### Claim 11 A method comprising: advancing a tow vehicle over a ground surface, in which a load divider dolly is connected to a rear end of the tow vehicle, the load divider dolly having: a chassis pivotally mounted to the tow vehicle; a variable volume element mounted to adjust a pitch angle between the chassis and the tow vehicle; and wheels mounted to the chassis and engaging the ground surface; while advancing the tow vehicle, supplying and exhausting gas to the variable volume element to distribute load between a tow vehicle and the ground engaging wheels of the load divider dolly; in which supplying and exhausting gas to the variable volume element further comprises: exhausting gas from the variable volume element while the load divider dolly and tow vehicle traverse a section of ground surface corresponding to a positive rate of slope change; and supplying gas to the variable volume element while the load divider dolly and tow vehicle traverse a section of ground surface corresponding to a negative rate of slope change. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 in which supplying and exhausting gas to the variable volume element further comprises maintaining, during use, a pressure in the variable volume element within a predetermined range. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 further comprising setting the predetermined range corresponding to the variable volume element having a neutral intermediate expansion state while the load divider dolly and tow vehicle are on a horizontal ground surface.