Tractor-trailer connector means with retractable coupling pins

In a trailer assembly including a trailer bed and a gooseneck having a first end adapted for engagement to a fifth wheel of a tractor and a rear end for engagement with the front section of the trailer bed, a coupling mechanism comprising:

• a tail member attached to said rear end of said gooseneck, said tail member defining an engaging keeper;
• a pair of stirrups connected to said rear end of said gooseneck, each of said stirrups being provided with an opening, and said stirrups being affixed on each side of said tail member;
• the rear section of said trailer bed being provided with ground-engaging wheels disposed thereon in supporting relationship;
• the front section of said trailer bed having an aperture disposed on the upper side thereof;
• latch means including a latching surface extendable through said aperture for attachment to said keeper;
• a pair of dowels slidably mounted to extend horizontally from said front section of said trailer bed, said dowels being spaced apart and laterally situated from said latch means, with said pair of dowels being in alignment to engage and disengage with said stirrups;
• means connected through said frame for activating said latch means to couple with said keeper;
• and
• means for activating said pair of dowels for engaging and disengaging the same from said stirrups.

In a trailer assembly including a trailer bed and a gooseneck having a front end adapted for engagement to a fifth wheel of a tractor and a rear end adopted for engagement with the front section of a trailer bed, a coupling mechanism comprising:

• a tail member attached centrally to said rear end of said gooseneck, said tail member defining an engaging bar;
• a pair of stirrups connected to said rear end of said gooseneck, each of said stirrups being provided with an opening, and said stirrups being affixed on each side of said tail member;
• said rear section of said trailer bed being provided with ground-engaging wheels disposed thereon in supporting relationship;
• said front section of said trailer bed having an aperature disposed on the upper side thereof;
• guide means having side walls affixed to said upper side and soping upwardly, said guide means being complementary to said tail member and engageable therewith;
• claw means mounted internally in said front section and proximate said aperture, said claw means including a hook-shaped engaging member pivotly mounted to said frame to extend through said aperture for attachment and detachment with said bar;
• a pair of dowels slidably mounted to project horizontally from said front end of said trailer bed, said dowels being spaced apart and laterally situated from said claw means, and said pair of dowels being in alignment so as to engage and disengage the openings of said stirrups;
• means for activating said pair of dowels for engagement and disengagement therewith;
• and
• means connected to said frame for activating said claw means to couple and uncouple said engaging bar.

In a tractor-trailer combination including a trailer having a body, which includes a bed and a floor, and wheel means supporting the rear end of the body, a tractor having an upwardly exposed fifth wheel assembly mounted thereon, and a gooseneck detachably connected at its higher portion to said fifth wheel assembly and at its lower portion to the front end of said body, connecting means, comprising:

• a tail member attached to the lower portion of said gooseneck, said member having spaced apart sections and a bar secured therebetween;
• a pair of stirrups connected to said lower portion, each of said stirrups being provided with an opening, and said stirrups being spaced apart on each side of said tail member;
• said front section of said body having an aperture disposed on the upper side thereof;
• claw means mounted on said front section proximate said aperture, said claw means including a hook-shaped engaging member portably mounted to said body to extend through aperture for attachment and detachment to said bar;
• a pair of dowels slidably mounted to project horizontally from said front end of said body, said dowels being spaced apart and laterally situated from said claw means, and said pair of dowels being in alignment so as to engage and disengage the openings of said stirrups;
• means for activating said pair of dowels for engagement and disengagement of the dowels from said stirrups;
• and
• means connected to said body for activating said claw means to couple and uncouple with said bar.