US 4,362,312 AGranted

Reach compensator for logging truck and trailer

OwnerFrank Deiaco, Allan J. McInnesinventors

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Abstract

Improved coupling means for connecting a logging truck and a trailer to provide the relative longitudinal movement therebetween to negotiate turns wherein the reachpole of the trailer has a cylindrical sleeve at the forward end thereof and a spring loaded telescopic reach member rotatably mounted therein with its free end connected to the hitch of the truck. These coupling means reduce tight turning and danger of load binding on sharp curves, where most of the accidents happen due to trucks not being able to get around sharp corners. This compensator is easy to maintain, due to fewer moving parts. It remains attached to the trailer, reducing replacement costs of truck, with truck replacement needed twice as often as trailer's. It can also be removed from an old trailer and be re-assembled on a new unit.

Claims3

Dependent claims

In a trailer adapted to be towed by a towing vehicle where said trailer and said towing vehicle are each fitted with means to secure to a common semi-rigid load member that may be fastened to both the trailer and the towing vehicle, a reachpole including a tubular member having a forward end, an elongated cylindrical inner sleeve telescopically received within and movable longitudinally of said tubular end;

spring means urging said sleeve into said reachpole;
said inner sleeve having a front end extending out of said tubular member and having means on said front end for releasably attaching same to said towing vehicle, in which the said inner sleeve is normally free to rotate with respect to the tubular member, further including
a longitudinal bar guide removably secured to the outer surface of said inner sleeve, by fastener means, to prevent rotation thereof in said tubular member, when the trailer and towing vehicle are being loaded.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.