Self-aligning trailer
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorCalvin L. Stegemoeller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A trailer hitch assembly and method characterized by having a hitch arm pivotally attached to a trailer such that when the hitch arm is placed in an unlocked position the hitch arm can pivot and when the hitch arm is placed in a locked position it is prevented from rotating.
Claims14
A trailer hitch assembly comprising:
- a kingpin plate having a first end and a second end, wherein said kingpin plate is pivotally attached to a trailer at said first end;
- a rotation limiter configured to limit pivoting of the kingpin plate so as to define a maximum pivot for the kingpin plate relative to the trailer,
- a kingpin attached to said kingpin plate at or near said second end;
- and
- an alignment lock having a locked position in which said kingpin plate is prevented from pivoting at said first end and an unlocked position in which said kingpin plate is free to pivot at said first end.
A method of aligning a trailer with a stationary platform wherein the trailer has a front and a rear and is connected to a vehicle at said front, the method comprising:
- (a) contacting a portion of said rear of said trailer with said stationary platform wherein said trailer has a pivotally attached hitch arm in a locked position such that it does not pivot relative to the trailer, and has a hitch attachment element attached to said hitch arm, which is pivotally connected to a locking assembly on said vehicle to thus connect said trailer and said vehicle;
- (b) placing said hitch arm in an unlocked position such that said hitch arm can pivot relative to the trailer;
- and
- (c) backing said vehicle towards said stationary platform such that said hitch arm pivots thus causing said rear of said trailer to align with said stationary platform.
A method of aligning a trailer with a stationary platform wherein said trailer has a front, a rear and a longitudinal axis and is connected to a vehicle at said front, the method comprising:
- (a) contacting a portion of said rear of said trailer with said stationary platform wherein said trailer has a pivotally attached kingpin plate in a locked position such that it does not pivot relative to the trailer, and has a kingpin attached to said plate, which is pivotally connected to a fifth wheel locking assembly on said vehicle to thus connect said trailer and said vehicle;
- (b) placing said kingpin plate in an unlocked position such that said kingpin plate can pivot relative to the trailer by an amount of pivot;
- (c) backing said vehicle toward said stationary platform such that said kingpin plate pivots thus causing said rear of said trailer to align with said stationary platform;
- (d) restricting the amount of pivot for said kingpin plate when said kingpin plate is in said unlocked position so that said kingpin plate has a maximum pivot from 15 degrees to 25 degrees from said longitudinal axis of said trailer;
- (e) after said trailer has been aligned with said stationary platform, aligning said kingpin plate with a longitudinal axis of said trailer;
- and
- (f) placing said kingpin plate in said locked position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.