Locking mechanism for trailer-pulling assemblies

Abstract

A locking mechanism for an articulating trailer of the type which couples to a king-pin plate provides an arrangement for locking the trailer in a non-articulated position while allowing the king-pin plate to continue pivoting. One or more apertures are formed on one of the trailer and the trailer-pulling unit, and one or more powered locking members are disposed on the other of the trailer and trailer-pulling unit. Each member is moveable between an extended position, wherein it engages with a respective aperture, and a retracted position, wherein the member is disengaged from the aperture. Each member is positioned along a line parallel to the axis about which the king-pin plate pivots, enabling the plate to continue pivoting even when the members are extended. The aperture is also preferably oval shaped to allow for unimpeded pivoting of the trailer attached to the king-pin plate while the locking member is engaged within the aperture. In the preferred embodiment, the aperture is formed on the trailer, and the powered locking member is supported on the trailer-pulling unit. In addition, two sets of powered locking members and associated apertures are preferably used, one set on either side of the king-pin plate. The locking member is preferably pneumatically powered, though hydraulic, mechanical or other alternatives may be employed. The invention is applicable to a variety of implementations, including roll-off type trailers and dump trailers using “joe-dog” configurations.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.