MXPA99011734A - Fifth wheel uncoupling apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An accessory apparatus for uncoupling a king pin (30) of a trailer (20) from a locking device on a fifth wheel. The accessory apparatus includes a power device (210) such as a pneumatic cylinder suspended from the bottom surface of the fifth wheel plate to form a fifth wheel assembly. A cam (202) is mounted on the end of the power device's actuating member (222). The cam (202) and actuating member (222) are symmetric. A coil spring (270) is held within the power device's housing (234), and is also symmetric with the longitudinal axes of the cam (202) and actuating member (222). No external guides or springs are needed. The power device (210) may be energized from a remote locationto propel the cam (202) to contact and propel a follower (104) on an operating rod (102) to unlock the fifth wheel jaw (60) to release the king pin (30).

Description

FIFTH-RELEASE DEVICE APPARATUS OPERATED BY COMPRESSED AIR DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to fifth wheels for hooking tractors and trailers including road tractors and maneuver tractors, and more particularly to an apparatus with improved redundant motor to disengage the connection to a trailer. This invention is an improvement of an apparatus shown in the prior US Patent No. 4,871,182 (1989) for Altherr et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,028,067 (1991) for Madura, U.S. Patent No. 5,176,396 (1993) for Ha thorne et al., And US Patent No. 5,472,223 (1995) for Hawthorne et al., The full descriptions of which are incorporated by reference to the present in its entirety. The fifth wheel devices include a plate that supports the front seat plate of a trailer. The axis of rotation is fixed to the trailer seat plate and "extends into a central opening of the fifth wheel plate." The fifth wheels have included a fork pivotally mounted to engage and hold the axis of rotation against horizontal removal Normally, the fork closes and is locked on the axle of rotation as the tractor and the trailer come together, however, there is also a mechanism provided to unlock the fork in order to allow the horizontal release of a pivot shaft and allow Separation of tractor and trailer when the trailer is stationary and the tractor is advanced The mechanism is usually operable manually by a driver and includes protections to prevent accidental release, while there have been previous designs for the automatic release of the tractor. Fifth wheels, for example, see U.S. Patent No. 2,471,854 to Bies et al., experience with transportation. The long-distance road during the last decades has developed an excess of caution against the automatic operation of fifth wheels and, largely for safety reasons, the industry has neglected the release mechanisms that use additional energy. Therefore, the current fifth wheels, such as those shown in US Pat. No. 4,871,182, have incorporated unlocking characteristics that are only operable from outside the tractor cabin and that have not been considered suitable for the operation with energy. additional. However, since trucks have had the tendency to become larger and incorporate aerodynamic characteristics, it has become more difficult to reach the operating mechanism, this problem is aggravated by people of short stature. high, manual operation has caused soiling and tearing of clothing and, for some, may have contributed to back fatigue and the like The inventions described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,028,067, 5,176,396 and 5,472,223 have met the need for release mechanisms safe with additional energy The accessory release devices described in these patents have been redundant systems, operable to manually override the manually operated unlocking mechanism.The accessory unlocking devices have allowed remote activation of the unlocking mechanism of the fork. those accessory unlocking devices, described in the Pa US Nos. 5,176,396 and 5,472,223, have used a reciprocal energy device to move a cam against a fifth wheel operation bar. In both devices, the cam is connected to a reciprocal energy device and a separate guide arrow. The guide shaft is slidable along a guide, and the guide and the reciprocal energy device are connected to a mounting bracket. The cam return means, such as a spring are also included. The mounting bracket, the cam, the reciprocal energy device, the cam return means, the guide shaft and the guide cam are manufactured in an assembly and the fabricated assembly is attached to a plate on the underside of a fifth wheel plate to convert an assembly. of existing fifth wheel with the energized release system. Although such a system has been successful, it has manufacturing disadvantages in the number of parts and the time and cost involved in manufacturing the assembly. The present invention provides a fifth wheel assembly with an accessory unlocking device that allows remote activation of the fork release mechanism. The accessory unlocking device is redundant and can be operated to override the manually operable unlocking mechanism. The accessory unlocking device can be reconverted on a fully manual fifth wheel to allow the energized unlocking of the redundant fifth wheel fork mechanism to the normal manual unlocking mechanism therein. The accessory unlocking apparatus of the present invention contains fewer parts than the cam operated energized systems of the prior art, with simpler manufacture, to reduce production costs. With fewer parts, the weight of the assembled fifth wheel and the accessory disengagement device is reduced for increased efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an elevation view of a tractor coupled with a trailer through a fifth wheel; Figure 2 is a plan view of a fifth wheel assembly incorporating the accessory unlocking apparatus of the present invention, with a reciprocal wheel retracted and a locking fork in a first closed and locked position; Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the fifth wheel assembly of Figure 2, with the reciprocating cam partially extended and contacting the operation bar; Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the fifth wheel assembly of Figures 2-3, with the reciprocating cam further extending to rotate the operation bar; Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the fifth wheel assembly of Figures 2-4, with the reciprocating cam further extending to push the operation bar to the locked position, with the fork unlocked but closed; Figure 6 is a detailed elevation view of the cam of the accessory release apparatus of Figures 2-5; Figure 7 is an end view of the cam of Figure 6, taken along line 7-7 of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a detailed view of a portion of the compressed air activated accessory disengagement device shown in Figures 2-5, comprising an accessory power device with a reciprocating cam, with the tubular housing shown in cross section to illustrate the internal elements of the energy device; Figure 9 is an elevation of a mounting bracket for mounting the accessory power device in the fifth wheel; Figure 10 is an elevation of a mounting spacer for holding the rear end of the accessory power device on the fifth wheel plate; Figure 11 is a schematic illustration of a power and control system for the present invention; Figure 12 is a detailed view of the actuator member of the accessory power device of Figure 8; Figure 13 is a detailed elevation view of the upper end cover of the accessory power device of Figure 8; Figure 14 is an end view of the end cap of Figure 13, taken along line 14-14 of Figure 13; Figure 15 is a detailed elevation view of a spring retainer of the accessory power device of Figure 8; Figure 16 is an end view of the spring retainer of Figure 15, taken along line 16-16 of Figure 15; Figure 17 is an elevation view of an alternative cam of the accessory unlocking apparatus for use with a fifth wheel having an operation bar that is pulled and raised; Figure 18 is an end view of the alternative cam of Figure 17, taken along line 18-18 of Figure 17; Figure 19 is an elongated side view of a rotary type operation bar for use with a fifth wheel of the type shown in Figures 2-5; Figure 20 is a top plan view of the operation bar of Figure 19; Figure 21 is a side elevation view of the operation bar of Figures 19-20, taken along line 21-21 of Figure 19; Fig. 22 is an elongated side view of a straight line traction type of the operation bar for use with a fifth wheel; Figure 23 is a top plan view of the operation bar of Figure 22; and Figure 24 is a side elevational view of the operation bar of Figures 22-23, taken along line 24-24 of Figure 22. In Figure 1 a trailer and tractor arrangement 20 is shown. 22, whose trailer 20 and tractor 22 are engaged in the fifth wheel 24. The tractor and trailer illustrated comprise a vehicle for long distance, although the present invention can be used with a maneuvering tractor for farmyard maneuvers. As used herein, the term "tractor" includes long-distance tractors and tractors for maneuvering. The fifth wheel 24 may be generally in accordance with U.S. Patent No. 4,871,182; the fifth wheel illustrated in Figures 2-5 has the fifth wheel support plate 25 of US Patent Serial No. 09 / 167,649 filed October 6, 1998 by Golumbiewski et al. As a continuation application in part of Serial No. 08 / 771,106, the description of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety has already been modified to include the accessory release apparatus 200 of the present invention and a trajectory of guide 140 on the underside of the fifth wheel plate. It should be understood that the accessory release apparatus of the present invention can be used with other fifth wheel plate structures such as the structures shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,472,223 and 4,871,182. As shown in Figures 2-5, the fifth wheel plate 25 contains an open "V" slot 42 for receiving (and releasing) the axle of rotation of the trailer 30 and the underside of the fifth wheel plate is reinforced with a skirt 44 and plates 46, 48. A locking fork 60 is pivotally mounted to the underside of the plate and positioned to rotate through the axis of the "V" slot 42. The collar 60 is biforcated into a retainer portion. 62 and an end portion 64 with an opening therebetween. In Figure 2, the fork 60 is shown in a closed and locked position that captures a reduced neck portion of the pivot shaft 30 and prevents removal of the axle 30 from the wheel hub 24. This closed and locked position is assumed automatically when a trailer moves relatively forward on the fifth wheel 24 to advance the axis of rotation 30 through the slot 42 and against the internal portion of the fork end 6. A locking mechanism generally 70 is slidably engageable with the fork detent 62 when the fork is in the closed position, as illustrated in Figure 2, and so it locks the fork 60 closed. The locking mechanism 70 includes a bolt 72 and a head 76 which are held under the fifth wheel plate 25 by a cover guard (not shown) and intersected by a locking lever 90 which is pivotally secured at one end of the body. bottom face of the fifth wheel plate 25. A compression spring 94 biases the pin 72 to move inward towards the fork 60. Therefore when a pivot shaft 30 moves within the fork 60 the spring 94 will urge the pin 72. and the head 76 inward to capture the detent 62 and also move the locking lever 90 inwardly (to the left as seen in Figures 2-5). It is also shown that the free end of the locking lever 90 terminates in a metal eyelet 96 that cooperatively receives a crank arm of a general operating rod 102 that extends outwardly through a port in the skirt 44 toward a handle 108. When the compression spring 94 of the locking mechanism 70 drives the bolt 72 and the locking lever 90 to the left, the operation rod 102 will be brought in the same direction. The inner end of the operation rod 102 terminates as an operation end 104 which cooperates with a guide path 140 on the underside of the fifth wheel plate 25. The guide path 140 is preferably in the form of a track or slot having a generally "Z" shaped configuration of three limbs 142, 144 and 146 that are successively moved to the locking, transition, locking and unlocked locking positions of the generally locking mechanism 70. Typically, as explained in Patent 4,871,182, the working mechanism 70 moves from the locked condition to the unlocked through the aforementioned positions manually through a conductor that holds the handle 108 and rotates and pulls the bar 102 so that the operating extremity 104 moves along the limbs 142, 144146 of the guide path 140. In the present invention, a portion of the operation rod 102, such as the operation end 104, comprises a cam follower, and a generally alternating cam 202 is positioned to push and rotate the cam. follower 104 to follow the same path along the limbs 142 and 144 and the locking attachment portion 146 of the slot 140. As illustrated in Figures 2-5, the present invention provides an accessory disengagement device 200 that can be mounted to the fifth wheel plate 25 to form a fifth wheel assembly 201. The accessory release apparatus 200 includes a cam 202 and an energy device 210, together with a mounting bracket 278 and a mounting spacer 289 in the illustrated modality. Preferably the energy device 210 is a pneumatic cylinder since virtually all tractors have air compressors. However, it is also possible to expand equivalent energy sources such as the hydraulic cylinder or the electric solenoid and the like. As shown in Figures 6-7, the cam 202 of the accessory release apparatus of the present invention has the guide surface 204 for coupling the follower 104. The cam of the present invention is directly connected to the energy device 210 of FIG. so that upon activation of the energy device 210, the cam 202 moves from a retracted position to an extended position. As the cam 202 moves from the retracted portion, the guide surface 204 contacts the follower 104 and urges the follower along the guide path 140 from the locked position shown in Figure 2, and along the limbs 142, 144, 146, reaching the lock fixing position shown in Figure 5, when the cam 202 is fully extended. The illustrated cam 202 is formed to move the follower 104 through a desired travel path to move the locking lever 90 from the locked position to the locked locking position, as shown in Figures 2-5. In the illustrated embodiment, the fifth wheel is of the general type described in U.S. Patent No. 4,871,182, which requires rotation of the operation bar 102 to rotate to a position indicating the device and to move the operation bar longitudinally along of a guide path, and the illustrated cam 202 is formed to rotate the operation rod 102 and drive the operation bar through a guide path 140 to pivot the lock lever 90. It should be understood that the accessory release device 200 of the present invention can be used with other types of wheel cranks also with adjustments to the cam 202. The cam can also be formed to make contact with the lock lever 90 instead of the operation bar, in which case a portion of the locking lever 90 would comprise the cam follower. As described below, the shape of the cam guide surface 204 can be designed for a particular application, or the first cam illustrated can be used for all applications. As shown in Figures 2-5 and 6, the first illustrated cam 202 has a conical portion 212 and an integral cylindrical collar portion 214. The cylindrical collar portion 214 is closer to the energy device 210 and the conical portion. 212 expands toward the energy device 210. As shown in Figures 6-7, the conical portion 212 has a maximum external diameter at its base 213 where it joins the cylindrical collar portion 214. In the embodiment illustrated, the diameter of the base 213 of the conical portion 212 is 4.76 cm (1875 inches) and the height of the conical portion is 2.84 cm. (1.12 inches), so that the external conical guide surface 204 defines an angle of approximately 40 ° with the longitudinal axis 216 of the cam 202. The outer diameter of the cylindrical collar portion 214 is larger than the external diameter of the conical base 213. In the illustrated modality, the outer diameter of the cylindrical collar portion 214 is approximately 6 cm (2.5 inches) and its height is approximately 1.27 cm. (0.5 inches). The upper surface of the cylindrical collar portion 214 at the junction with the base 213 of the conical portion 212 defines an annular rim 218 with a width of 0.792 cm. (0.312 inches) in the illustrated mode. The cam 202 can be made of any suitable material. In the illustrated embodiment, the cam is made of type 1045 steel. As shown in Figures 6-7, the cam 202 has a threaded hole 220 extending from the cylindrical collar portion 214 within the conical portion 212. A Through the threaded hole 220, the cam 202 is mounted on the end of a driver member 222 or cam shaft of the energy device 210. The illustrated actuator member 222 or cam arrow comprises an elongated solid bar having an external diameter of 1.58. cm (5/8 inches) for most of its length of 38.73 cm (15.25 inches), with reduced threaded diameter of the front and rear ends 224, 226. They have a central longitudinal axis 228 that is collinear with the central longitudinal axis 216 of the cam 202 when they are connected. The actuator member 222 is connected to the cam 202 by inserting the threaded front end 224 of the actuator member 222 into the threaded bore 220 of the cam and rotates the actuator member 222 about its central longitudinal axis 228. A lock nut 230 can be used to secure the cam 202 and a actuator member 222 together, and the cam may include a radial hole 232 (see Figures 6-7) for receiving a tool to hold the cam steady as the actuator member 222 or the lock nut 230 is fixed. Other means for fixing the cam and the actuator member together so that they rotate as they can be used; for example, a set screw can be inserted through the cam 202 to make contact with the actuator member 222. In any case, in the illustrated embodiment, the cam and the actuator member are connected in a connection without pivoting, without relative rotation among them. However, the cam 202 and the actuator member 222 can rotate as a unit; Aungue are symmetrical about their longitudinal axes 216, 228, even if there is rotation the follower 104 always rests against the same profile of the cam guide surface 204.

The actuator member 222 may be made of any suitable material. The illustrated actuator member 222 is made of type 304L stainless steel. Other material and material sizes can be used for the actuator member and it should be understood that the plurality of actuator members could be connected to the cam through other connection methods. Whether one or more actuator members are used, in the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the actuator member 222 or members provide a load path for the power device to move the cam, and the only load path for the Load on the cam from the follower 104 is through the actuator member 222 or the actuator members. The loads perpendicular to the axes 216, 218 are typically in the order of about 4.53 kg. (10 pounds), although they can extend up to 18.12 kg. (40 pounds); the actuating member or members must be made of a material and dimensioned to resist those forces without substantial deformation. As shown in Figures 2-5 and 8, in the first illustrated embodiment, the actuating member 222 has an elongate outer surface 229 and is capable of reciprocal movement in parallel directions to the elongated outer surface 229 to extend and retract the cam 202 As shown in Figure 8, the outer surface of the conical portion 212 of the cam 202 defines a non-perpendicular cam guide surface 204a defining a different angle of 90 ° with the elongated outer surface 229 of the actuator member. As shown in Figure 8, at least a portion of the non-perpendicular guide surface 204a is aligned with at least part of the elongated outer surface 229 of the actuator member 222. As shown in Figure 8, in the first In the illustrated embodiment, at least a portion of the actuating member 222, which includes a trailing end 226, are received within an elongated cylindrical tube or housing 234. The illustrated housing 234 has an outer diameter of approximately 5.39 cm (2-1 / 8). inches) and an inner diameter of approximately 5.23 cm (2-1 / 16 inches). The housing may be made of any suitable material, such as 304 stainless steel. At its front end 233, the housing 234 has a front end cover 236 with an outer portion 238, an inner portion 239, and a central hole 240 extending through the internal and external portions. The inner part 239 of the body of the end cover 236 is received within the interior of the housing 234. At its opposite rear end 242, the housing 234 is closed and has a port 272 for connection to a source of pressurized fluid such as air. Within the housing, the illustrated power device 210 has a piston head 244 which is mounted on the rear end 226 of the actuator member 222. The piston may be a standard structure. In the illustrated mode, the front annular end cover 236"has a length of approximately 10.79 cm (4.25 inches), and its central hole 240 extends the full length of the end cover.The actuator member 222 extends through the central hole 240. Within the hole 240, the end cover has a pair of spaced annular bearings 246, 248, each having a length of approximately 2.54 cm (one inch), an outer diameter of approximately 1.90 cm (3/4 inch) and a internal diameter of approximately 1.58 cm. (5/8 inch). The internal diameters of the bearings 246, 248 and the outer surface 229 of the actuator member 222 are machined to narrow tolerances so that the actuator member can be alternated through the bearings and also guided by the bearings to maintain a linear displacement path . The bearings also serve to guide the movement of the actuator member and the external guidance means are not necessary; together, the actuator member and the guide bearings in the movement of the cam; the external guide shaft or guide is not necessary, although the invention is not limited to the absence of external guides unless the claims are expressly limited. The outer and inner portions 238, 239 of the end cover 236 are integral and the inner portion 239 comprises integral front and rear portions 250, 251. The inner front portion 250 has a diameter sized to adjust the internal diameter of the housing 234; in the illustrated mode, this diameter is 5.12 cm. (2,017 inches). Adjacent to this front portion 250, the inner rear portion 251 has a reduced diameter having an external surface spaced apart from the inner walls of the housing 234 so as to define an annular spring seat 254. The illustrated front end cover 236 is made of aluminum. The end cover 236 has a port 255 that extends further back from the spring seat 254 so that the spring does not block the port. Within the energy device 210, the piston head 244 and the actuator member 222 can be connected through a threaded connection, and a fastening nut 258 can be used to connect them, as shown in Figure 8. In the embodiment illustrated , to reduce wear on the piston head 244, an annular spring retainer 245 is provided. The illustrated spring retainer 245 has a central portion 260 with a diameter of 4.92 cm. (1,940 inches), to fit and slide within the internal diameter of the housing 234. An integral front portion 262 has a reduced diameter to define an annular spring seat 264 on the spring retainer 245. An integral back portion 263 rests on the head of piston 244. The spring retainer 245 has a central hole 265 through which the actuator member 222 is received. The illustrated power device 210 also includes a retraction mechanism. In the illustrated embodiment, the retraction mechanism comprises a coil spring 270 seated on the separate spring seats 254, 264 of the front end cover 236 and the spring retainer -245. The illustrated coil spring 270 comprises a type 302 stainless steel spring, ASTM A313 with an external diameter of 4.92 cm. (1.94 inches). The illustrated spring has an initial free length of 34.92 cm. (13-3 / 4 inches), reduced to approximately 30.48 cm. (12 inches) after experiencing five cycles. The illustrated spring has a solid spring height of 6.03 cm. (2-3 / 8 inch) and a wire diameter of 0.375 cm. (0.148 inches). In the illustrated energy device 210, the spring 270 is' housed completely within the housing 234. It should be understood that this spring is identified for purposes of illustration only; the invention is not limited to such a spring or to such a retraction mechanism unless stated expressly in the claims. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring 270 and the actuator member 222 are substantially concentric in the housing 234. Thus, the cam 202 and the energy device 210 are substantially symmetrical about the longitudinal axis 216, 228 of the cam 202 and the actuator member 222. The rear end of the illustrated housing 234 includes a supply port 272. The supply port 272 is connected to a hose or conduit and supplies pressurized fluid, such as air, within a space in the housing between the piston head 244 and the rear end of the housing. When the fluid is introduced into the housing 234 through the supply port 272, the pressure drives the combined piston head 244 and the actuator member 222 toward the front end cover 236, together with the spring retainer 245, compressing in this way the spring 270 and extending the actuator member and the cam out of the housing 234. As the pressure is released, the spring 270 pushes the spring retainer 245, the piston head 244 and the actuator member 222 back to the rear end of the housing 234 to retract the drive member and the cam into the housing. Therefore, the load paths for the extension and retraction forces are substantially equal.

It should be understood that other retraction mechanisms could be used. For example, an annular elastomer could be provided in the housing. 0, a coil spring could be attached to the housing and to the piston head or drive member to pull the actuating member rearwardly into the housing. The spring should be located outside the housing, although it is preferred to keep the spring inside the housing 234 for durability and ease of fabrication. The spring could act directly against the piston head 244, although the use of the spring retainer 245 should decrease the wear on the piston head 244. To mount the accessory release apparatus 200 on the fifth wheel plate 25, a support assembly 278 of the type shown in Figure 9 can be used. The illustrated mounting bracket 278 is formed as an L, and has a load 280 with a hole 282 through which the actuator member 222 can be extended, along with two other holes 284 to receive the mounting screws to the end cover 236 for thereby mounting the energy device 210 to the mounting bracket 278. The perpendicular face 286 of the mounting bracket 278 has holes for receiving screws or bolts for mounting the bracket to the lower surface 290 of the fifth wheel plate 25, the surface lower 290 which is perpendicular to plates 46, 48 and skirt 44. As shown in Figure 9, an edge 287 of support 278 can be shaped to prevent interference with the movement of fork 60. To maintain the rear end 242 of the housing 234, a mounting spacer 289, such as that shown in FIG. 10, can be fixed to the housing 234 by welding and can be fixed in a manner similar to the surface. Lower member 290 of the fifth wheel plate 25. The fifth wheel plate 25 may have threaded holes for hanging the mounting bracket 278 and the spacer 289 from the lower surface 290 of the plate 25 with screws, and preferably with a locking material threaded to avoid loosening due to vibrations. Alternatively, a recess may be formed in the upper surface (not shown) of the fifth wheel plate 25, with a hole through the plate to receive a bolt adjustment; a nut can be adjusted on the underside of the fifth wheel plate, and the edges of the recess can serve to prevent the bolt head from rotating as the nut is adjusted; The nuts can be lock nuts, or lock washers can be used to prevent loosening due to vibration. The accessory disengagement device 200 can be connected to the truck in another way as in the prior art. A diagram illustrating an appropriate connection is shown in Figure 11. As shown there, the energy device 210 comprises an air cylinder. When the power device 210 is pneumatic, it is preferred that it be single acting to extend the actuator member 222 to the introduction of the compressed air through the fluid conduit 350 connected to a supply port 354 of a reversing valve 360. supply port 362 on the reversing valve 360 is connected through a conduit 364 to a pressurized air supply line 370 of the tractor air compressor 372. A spring loaded control valve 366 can be conveniently located in the the tractor cab and be diverted to a normally closed position to inhibit the undesirable passage of air from the pressurized line 350. Therefore, the valve 366 must be manually held open by the handle or button 378 to open the connection to the high line. pressure 370 and to introduce pressurized air into the fitting connected to the air cylinder supply port 272. The Handle 378 closes valve 366 and connection to 360 reversing valve and simultaneously connects the accessory and the air cylinder supply port 272 to the discharge port 376 on the valve 366. The control port 380 on the reversing plate 360 is connected via the conduit 382 to the brake control valve tractor parking 386. The reversing valve 360 is a bi-directional pilot operated valve having an internal spring loaded piston (not shown) that operates internally to control the air flow between the supply port 354 and the supply port 362 and to alternatively connect the supply port 354 to either the supply port 362 or the discharge port 390 at one end of the valve body. The internal piston of the valve 360 is driven to close the connection between the supply port 362 and the delivery port 354, and for connecting the latter to the discharge conduit 382 to the control port 380. As an example, a commercially available reversing valve for the control system is described as being the Bendix Heavy Vehicle Systems Group TR-3 model. -Signal, Inc. of Morristown, New Jersey. As an example, a suitable spring loaded control valve 366 is a Bachman RA-529 or equivalent available from Bachman Valve Corp. of Bristol, Tennessee. While the tractor parking brake is not applied, that is, during all the occasions when the tractor is able to move, the pressurized air will continue to be pressurized towards the control port 380, as the usual brake system for the Tractors is a fail-safe design that uses pressurized air to keep the brakes in a decoupled mode. Therefore, the reversing valve 360 will connect the fluid conduit 350 and the energy device 210 to the discharge opening 290 of the reversing valve 360 and block the supply of pressurized air to the energy device 210 until the Tractor parking brake control 386 is engaged. The coupling of the valve 386 cuts off the flow of pressurized air to the control port 380 and the reversing valve 360 connects the conduits 364 and 350, so that the supply of pressurized air to the energy device 210 as long as the spring loaded valve 366 is kept open by manually operating the button 378. Therefore, the alternate drive member 222 and the cam 202 can be extended to unlock the fork 60, as in Figure 5, only when the brake engages When the engine 378 is released and the valve 366 is closed, the spring 270 will return the cam 202, the actuator member 222 and the piston head 244 to the retracted or removed position shown in Figure 2. and the pressurized air within the housing 234 of the energy device 210 will be ejected through the discharge port 376 on the control valve 366. The air will be extracted into the housing 234 on the non-pressurized side of the piston 144 through the port 255 in the end cover 236. It should be understood that the circuit described above is provided by way of example only; other control circuits and arrangements can also be used and are functional to operate accessory unlocking apparatus 200. When pressurized air is introduced through port 272 into the interior of housing 234 of power device 210, pressurized air forces the head of piston 244 towards the front of the housing 234, forcing the actuator member 222 and the cam 202 beyond the front of the housing 234, from the position shown in Figure 2 so as to show in Figure 3, where the cam 202 makes contact first with the server 104. As the pressurized air pushes the piston head 244 past the front end of the housing 234, the actuator member 222 and the cam 202 are pushed beyond the housing. The follower 104 moves along the conical portion of the cam guide surface 204 and the operating grip 102 is rotated or turned to drive the end of the bar out of the first end 142 of the guide path 140, as shown in Figure 4. As the pressurized air pushes the piston head 244 toward the front end of the housing 234, the actuator member 222 and the cam 202 are pushed past the housing, and the follower 104 moves toward the flange. annular 218 of the cam, and the follower is urged by the cam along the front wall 145 of the end 144 of the guide path 140 until the follower reaches the lock fixing position shown in Figure 5, where the cam 202 drives the end of the operation rod 102 within the locking locking operation at the last extremity 146 of the guide path. The movement of the follower 104 moves the operation bar outwardly and pivots the lock lever 90 in a direction to the right in Figures 2-5. As the lock lever 90 is pivoted, the bolt 76 of the lock 70 is retracted to the detent position 62 of the fork 60 which is substantially decoupled and rotatable. When the operator releases the button 278 to close the valve 366, the air pressure in the housing 234 is released and the spring 270 acts to push against the spring retainer 245 to urge the piston head 244 toward the rear end 242 of the housing 234, thereby removing part of the actuator member 222 within the housing and returning the actuator member and the cam to the position shown in Figure 2. In the locked locking position, the fork 60 remains closed and has not been turned yet. , although the pivot shaft 30 can be removed by pulling the truck forward so that the pivot shaft 30 pushes against the fork 60 to rotate the fork in the unlocked or open position, as shown in Figure 7 of the US Pat. No. 4,871,182. The accessory unlocking apparatus 200 may also be used with fifth wheels having operation rods that do not rotate, but are pulled outward and then raised to place the operating rod 102 in the locked locking position as in the fifth wheels. shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,472,223. For such uses, the accessory unlocking apparatus may use an alternating cam 402, shown in Figures 17-18, in place of the cam shown in Figures 6-7. The illustrated alternating cam 402 is disk-shaped, or cylindrical, with a diameter of approximately 4.44 cm (1-3 / 4 inch) and a height of approximately 3.17 cm. 1-1 / 4 inch). This cam 402 may also be made of the steel type 1045, and may have a central threaded hole 403 for assemblies on the upper end of the actuating member 222 of the power device 210, replacing the cam 202 of the first embodiment in Figure 8. In the second embodiment of Figures 17-18, the front flat face 404 serves as the cam guide surface; as in the first embodiment, at least a portion of this face 404 is aligned with the elongated outer surface 229 of the drive member 222.

When mounting the accessory unlocking device for a fifth wheel that is of the vertical pull type, a mounting bracket similar to that shown in Figure 9 can be used, although the dimensions may vary. The distance between the fifth wheel plate and the energy device may be larger, for example approximately 1.27 cm. (half an inch) . The portion of the accessory release device and the shape of the cam must cooperate to raise the operation bar to the desired lock setting position after the bar has been pushed out. It should be understood that other cam shapes may be used with the accessory release apparatus of the present invention, and that the invention is not limited to a particular form of cam unless stated in the claims. For a fifth wheel of rotary type, the operation bar of Figures 19-21 - can be used. The operation 102 includes the operating end 104 comprising the follower and the handle 108. A lower bar portion -410 extends the length of the bar 102 and an upper bar portion 412 is fixed to the lower bar portion by welding or some other suitable method. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper bar portion 412 is another bar length of the same diameter and material as the lower bar 410, with a slight angulation 414. In the illustrated embodiment both bars are 1.27 cm. (0.50 inches) diameter steel C-1040. The upper bar portion illustrated 412 has a length of 23.64 cm. (9.31 inches), and the angulation is 7.62 cm. (3 inches from one end). The angulation 414 raises part of the upper bar portion 0.317 cm. (0.125 inches) from the rest of the surface, as shown at 415 in Figure 21. The end 104 of the operation bar is angled approximately 5 ° as shown at 416 in Figure 19. As shown in the Figure 21, the illustrated operation handle 108 defines an angle 418 of about 98 ° with the center plane of the operation end 104. The alternating operation bar 420 shown in Figures 22-24 for use in a wheel wheel that does not use a guide path as shown at 140 in Figures 2-5. Instead, the operation bar of Figures 22-24 is pulled in a straight line outwardly and raised to place the locking mechanism in the locked locking position. In this operation bar 420, there is a handle 422, a lower bar 424, a hook end 426 for connection to the locking lever 90 of the fifth wheel, and an upper bar 428. Both the lower bar 424 and the upper bar 428 are made of the same material, which comprises a C-1040 steel of 1.27 cm. (0.50 inches) in diameter in the illustrated mode. The upper bar -428 has a length of approximately 15.24 cm. (6 inches) and is fixed to the lower bar 424 by welding or other suitable fixing method. At one end, the upper bar 428 is angled as shown at 430 to approximately 45 ° for a distance of approximately 1.27 cm (0.5 inches) shown at 432. It should be understood that the two operation bars are provided by way of example only. . The exact shape and dimensions of the operation rods will depend on the type of fifth wheel plate, the shape and dimensions of the fifth wheel plate, the structure and operation of any indicator, and the particular assembly of the accessory unlocking device. While used for fifth wheel rotary or vertical drive types, the accessory unlocking apparatus of the present invention advantageously reduces the number of parts to simplify assembly, and preferably encloses the retraction mechanism so that the Retraction mechanism is protected against damage. In addition, instead of using an external guiding mechanism, the present invention provides an internal guiding mechanism so that the wear and interference of the contamination must be reduced. The assembly of the fifth wheel with the accessory release is also simplified. The weight of the accessory unlocking apparatus and the wheel-guiding assembly are also advantageously reduced compared to the previous designs. While only specific embodiments of the invention have been described and shown, it is evident that several alterations and modifications can be made in it. Therefore, it is the intention of the appended claims to cover all those modifications and alternatives that may fall within the true scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

1. CLAIMS 1. An accessory unlocking device for a fifth wheel for coupling to a tractor and a trailer, the accessory unlocking apparatus comprising: a cam; an energy device comprising a housing; an elongated drive member having a portion in the housing and extending out of the housing, the actuator member that is reciprocable in the housing; the cam that is outside the housing and connected to the actuating member; the power device further including a piston in the housing for extending the drive member and the cam and a spring for retracting the drive member and the cam; wherein the load path for the load exerted by the spring to retract the drive member is substantially the same as the load path exerted by the piston to extend the drive member.
2. 2. The accessory unlocking device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is mounted on a fifth wheel to form a fifth wheel assembly, the fifth wheel that includes: a fifth wheel plate for mounting on the tractor and having a opening for receiving a trailer axle; a locking lever that can be moved between the locked and unlocked positions; a manual operation bar for moving the locking lever between the locked and unlocked positions; and a follower that moves with the movement of the locking lever and the manual operation bar.
3. 3. A fifth-wheel assembly for coupling to a tractor and a trailer, the fifth-wheel assembly characterized in that it also includes: a fifth-wheel plate for mounting on the tractor and having an opening for receiving a shaft of rotation of a trailer; a locking lever that moves between the locked and unlocked positions; an operation bar for moving the locking lever between the locked and unlocked positions; a follower that moves with the movement of the locking lever and the manual operation bar; an accessory unlocking apparatus mounted on the fifth wheel plate, the accessory unlocking apparatus comprising a cam having a central longitudinal axis and a power device connected to move said cam from a retracted position to an extended position to drive the bar of manual operation from one locked position to another separated from the locked locking position; wherein the accessory uncoupling apparatus is substantially symmetrical about the central longitudinal axis of the cam.
4. The fifth wheel assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the power device includes a housing, an elongated drive member having a portion in the housing and extending out of the housing, the actuating member that is alternatively in the housing and a spring for retracting the actuating member.
5. 5. The fifth wheel assembly according to any of claims 2 or 4, characterized in that the follower rests against the cam as the cam extends through the power device, the only load path for the load on the cam from the follower as the cam is extended through the drive member of the power device.
6. The fifth wheel assembly according to any of claims 2-5, characterized in that the energy device is suspended from the lower surface of the fifth wheel plate.
7. The accessory uncoupling apparatus according to claim 1 or the fifth wheel assembly according to any of claims 3-6, characterized in that the drive member and the cam are rotatable as a unit about the longitudinal axis of the member. drive.
8. 8. The accessory unlocking apparatus according to claim 1, or the wheel guiding assembly according to any of claims 3-7, characterized in that the spring is inside the housing. The accessory uncoupling apparatus according to claim 1 or the fifth wheel assembly according to any of claims 3-8, characterized in that the cam is symmetrical about the central longitudinal axis. The accessory uncoupling apparatus according to claim 1 or the fifth wheel assembly according to any of claims 3-9, characterized in that the cam has a conical portion having a base and an external diameter in the base, the cam which further includes an annular axis at the base of the conical portion, the external diameter of the axis which is greater than the outer diameter of the base of the conical portion.