Reactive Steering, Instant Center, Twin Linkage System For Use With Tag Trailers For Improved Towability And Safety
OwnerJohn T. Whitney, JR.inventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for coupling a tag trailer to a towing vehicle includes first and second elongate linkages each having respective first and second ends. The first ends are coupled with respective coupling structures on the towing vehicle, and the second ends are pivotally coupled with a tow support at respective first and second positions such that the first and second linkages are angled with respect to one another to define an instant center of rotation between the towing vehicle and the trailer at a location spaced from the first and second coupling structures on the trailer.
Claims16
Apparatus for coupling a tag trailer to a towing vehicle having first and second spaced apart coupling structures for joining the trailer to the towing vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
- a first elongate linkage having first and second terminal ends;
- a second elongate linkage having first and second terminal ends;
- the first ends of the first and second linkages each including a coupling complementary to and engagable with the respective first and second coupling structure on the towing vehicle;
- and
- a tow support configured to be secured to the trailer;
- the second end of the first linkage pivotally coupled with the tow support at a first position, and the second linkage pivotally coupled with the tow support at a second position spaced from the first position such that the first and second linkages are angled with respect to one another to thereby define an instant center of rotation between the towing vehicle and the trailer at a location spaced from the first and second coupling structures on the towing vehicle.
A method of securing a tag trailer to a towing vehicle, the method comprising:
- coupling a first end of a first linkage to a first coupling structure on the towing vehicle for pivotal movement relative to the first coupling structure;
- coupling a first end of a second linkage to a second coupling structure on the towing vehicle for pivotal movement relative to the second coupling structure, the second coupling structure spaced apart from the first coupling structure;
- coupling a second end of the first linkage to a first position on the trailer for pivotal movement relative to the first position;
- and
- coupling a second end of the second linkage to a second position on the trailer for pivotal movement relative to the second position;
- the second position on the trailer spaced apart from the first position on the trailer such that the first and second linkages are angled with respect to one another to thereby define an instant center of rotation between the towing vehicle and the trailer at a location spaced from the first and second coupling structures.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.