GB475674A - Improved locking gear for the coupling mechanism of tractor and trailer vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

475,674. Vehicle couplings. BAKER, H. T., HUGH, P. G., NORTH, O. D., and SCAMMELL LORRIES, Ltd. July 7, 1936, No. 18859. [Class 103 (v)] In a tractor-trailer coupling of the type in which one vehicle is fitted with ramps 7 adapted to co-operate with rollers or equivalent members 5 on the other vehicle so as to guide a coupling-element, e.g. a transverse pin 4 carrying rollers 3, into engagement with a locking hook or catch 9, a safety or supplementary hook 8, preferably formed integrally with the main hook, is provided to the rear of the latter so as automatically to engage the rollers 3 in case they become accidentally disengaged from the main hook. As shown, the hooks 8, 9 are provided in duplicate on the limbs of a forked frame 1, Fig. 2, which is pivoted to the tractor frame upon bolts 11 and is influenced by a spring 15 to retain the hooks 9 in engagement with a pair of rollers 3 on a transverse pin 4. Release of the hooks 9 is effected by a pull upon a rod 21 connected to a pivoted lever 19 which has an abutment 19a adapted to engage an extension 13 of the frame 1. When a coupling is being effected the rollers 5 are adapted to enter pivoted U- shaped members 22, which bear against buffer or cushioning springs 24. Should the rollers 3 engage only the safety hooks 8 initially, they will subsequently pass into the hooks 9 when the trailer tends to overrun the tractor. Specification 409,417, [Group XXXI], is referred to.