Apparatus for coupling a tractor, a dump trailer and a dump truck

An apparatus for coupling a tractor, a dump trailer and a dump truck, comprising:

• an arm member pivotally connected to said tractor, said arm member being pivotable in the vertical direction;
• first coupling means provided at the leading end of said arm member, said first coupling means comprising a pair of grippers arranged opposite to each other, each having a partial-spherical engaging hole formed therein at the opposing surfaces thereof, spring means mounted between said grippers so as to normally urge said pair of grippers away from each other at the leading ends thereof, cotter means engageable with said grippers when said grippers are closed thereby maintaining said grippers in the closed condition, and cylinder means coupled to said cotter means for moving said cotter means to engage and disengage said cotter means and said grippers;
• a draw bar pivotally connected to said dump trailer, said draw bar having second coupling means formed thereon, said second coupling means comprising a trunnion having a partial-spherical surface adapted to be engageable with the engaging holes of said grippers to enable said dump trailer to be drawn by said tractor and rotate vertically and horizontally with respect thereto;
• third coupling means formed on said draw-bar, said third coupling means comprising at least one hole formed in the leading end portion of said draw bar;
• and
• fourth coupling means pivotally mounted on a rear axle of said dump truck said fourth coupling means being adapted to engage with said third coupling means to enable said dump trailer to be drawn by said dump truck after disconnecting said dump trailer from said tractor wherein said fourth coupling means comprises a coupler mounted on the rear axle of said dump truck so as to pivot in the vertical direction, said coupler having a hole formed therein at the trailing end portion thereof, a pair of damper means for supporting said coupler approximately in horizontal position, and fluid cylinder means mounted on said coupler means, said fluid cylinder means having a coupler pin connected with a piston rod thereof, said coupler pin being adapted to be inserted into said at least one hole of said third coupling means and said coupler so as to connect said dump trailer with said dump truck.