초록 ▼

A method of connecting a trailer with a rigid drawbar and at least one centrally positioned axle to a tow vehicle is described. The method includes the following described steps. Firstly, connect the trailer drawbar to an intermediate hitch support having rotatably mounted ground engaging wheels, su

A method of connecting a trailer with a rigid drawbar and at least one centrally positioned axle to a tow vehicle is described. The method includes the following described steps. Firstly, connect the trailer drawbar to an intermediate hitch support having rotatably mounted ground engaging wheels, such that the hitch weight is borne by the intermediate hitch support. Secondly, pivotally connect an intermediate drawbar to the trailer drawbar for movement about a transverse horizontal axis. Thirdly, connect the intermediate drawbar to a hitch support mounted on a tow vehicle, such that a towing force is transmitted through the intermediate drawbar to the trailer drawbar. Fourthly, couple the tow vehicle and the intermediate hitch support through a pair of spaced apart steering arms. The steering arms have tow vehicle ends and intermediate hitch support ends. The tow vehicle ends are spaced equidistant from an intermediate drawbar hitch point on the tow vehicle hitch support. The intermediate hitch support ends are spaced equidistant from a trailer drawbar hitch point on the intermediate hitch support. As the tow vehicle turns the steering arms cause a proportionate change in the angular positioning of the intermediate hitch support to maintain correct steering geometry. The steering arms are attached to provide for omnidirectional movement thereby accommodating relative changes in attitude between the tow vehicle, the intermediate hitch support and the trailer.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for connecting a trailer with a rigid drawbar and at least one centrally positioned axle to a tow vehicle, comprising; a. an intermediate hitch support having rotatably mounted ground engaging wheels, the intermediate hitch support having a trailer drawbar hitch point whereby a trailer

An apparatus for connecting a trailer with a rigid drawbar and at least one centrally positioned axle to a tow vehicle, comprising; a. an intermediate hitch support having rotatably mounted ground engaging wheels, the intermediate hitch support having a trailer drawbar hitch point whereby a trailer drawbar is attached to the intermediate hitch support such that hitch weight is borne by the intermediate hitch support, the intermediate hitch support having an axle that is free to move fore and aft relative to the trailer drawbar hitch point; b. an intermediate drawbar having one end pivotally mounted to a trailer drawbar for movement about a transverse horizontal axis, and an opposed end with means for attachment to a tow vehicle; c. a pair of spaced apart rigid steering arms of a fixed length, the steering arms having tow vehicle ends and intermediate hitch support ends, the tow vehicle ends having means for attachment to a tow vehicle spaced equidistant from an intermediate drawbar hitch point, the intermediate hitch support ends being attached to the intermediate hitch support adjacent to the axle and spaced equidistant from the trailer drawbar hitch point on the intermediate hitch support, means of attachment of the steering arms being provided which is capable of omnidirectional movement thereby accommodating relative changes in attitude between the tow vehicle, the intermediate hitch support and the trailer, the fore and aft movement of the axle of the intermediate hitch support relative to the trailer drawbar hitch point accommodating simultaneous fore movement and simultaneous aft movement of the intermediate hitch support ends of the steering arms, with the steering arms serving to control the amount of fore movement and aft movement of the axle.