Highway trailer of selectively variable width
AssigneeJ. B. Nicolas France S.A.
InventorJean-Claude Pautrat
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A highway trailer of selectively variable width has two side structures each having at least one longitudinal row of axles provided with ground contacting wheels. Hydraulic jacks are provided for moving the side structures between an inner position corresponding to minimum width and an outer position corresponding to maximum width of the trailer. A hitching pole is rotatably connected to a cross-beam slidably connecting the side structures and controls fluid steering cylinders located symmetrically each between the steering cross-beam and the hitching pole. One pair of auxiliary fluid jacks are connected each to a corresponding one of the steering jacks. Each auxiliary jack angularly moves a corresponding axle.
Claims9
A highway trailer of selectively variable width, having:
- two side structures each having at least one longitudinal row of axles provided with ground contacting wheels;
- transverse means connecting said side structures, enabling movement of said side structures in the direction transverse to the direction of movement of the trailer and including a steering cross-beam;
- motor means for moving the side structures between an inner position corresponding to minimum width and track of the trailer and an outer position corresponding to maximum width and track;
- a hitching member rotatably connected to said transverse means and adapted to be connected to a driving vehicle;
- and steering means for some at least of said axles, comprising a pair of fluid steering jacks located symmetrically each between said steering cross-beam and said hitching member, whereby the fluid compartments of said jacks are subjected to variations in volume responsive to rotation of the hitching member, and at least one pair of auxiliary fluid jacks each connected by pipe means to a corresponding one of said steering jacks and each located between one of said side structures and a steering arm of a corresponding one of said axles.
A highway gooseneck trailer of selectively variable width, comprising:
- a front part of fixed width provided with a hitching plate adapted to be connected to a driving vehicle;
- a rear part including two side structures each having at least one longitudinal row of axles provided with ground contacting wheels;
- transverse means of connecting said side structures, enabling movement of said side structures in the direction transverse to the direction of movement of the trailer and motor means for moving the side structures between an inner position corresponding to minimum width and track of the trailer and an outer position corresponding to maximum width and track;
- and
- steering means for some at least of said axles, comprising a pair of fluid steering jacks located symmetrically with respect to the hitching plate and so arranged that the fluid compartments of said jacks are subjected to variations in volume responsive to rotation of the hitching plate, and at least one pair of auxiliary fluid jacks each connected by pipe means to a corresponding one of said steering jacks and each located between one of said side structures and a steering arm of a corresponding one of said axles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.