Patent ID: 6318746
Filing Date: 2001-11-20
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A connector system for coupling a suspension frame device to a rear part of a suspension frame of a transport trailer having longitudinally extending frame members, said suspension frame device including a rigid main frame portion and wheel means for supporting said frame portion for road travel in combination with said suspension frame of said transport trailer, said connector system comprising;a forwardly located first connector attached to said suspension frame device,a second connector carried by said rear part of said suspension frame of said transport trailer,said first connector including first lock means carried by said frame portion of said suspension frame device for forming an interlock,said second connector including second lock means carried by said frame members of said suspension frame of said transport trailer and positioned for forming an interlock with said first lock means as said first and second connectors are moved to a final hitching position relative to each other,a locator affixed to one of said first and said second connectors and including actuator means for pulling the other of said first and second connectors from a preliminary hitching condition to locate said first connector in said final hitching position relative to said second connector,said first and second lock means including selectively actuable means for engaging and disengaging said interlock of said first and second lock means for preventing longitudinal departure of said frame portion of said suspension frame device from said rear part of said suspension frame of said transport trailer when said interlock is engaged,said first connector further including forwardly exposed engagement surface means located above said first lock means,said second connector further including rearwardly exposed engagement surface means located above said second lock means for contacting said forwardly exposed engagement surface means of said first connector upon said interlock being formed,whereby said frame portion of said suspension frame device and said suspension frame of said transport trailer when interlocked function as a continuous suspension beam in that compression bending moments are transferred through engagement of said rearwardly and forwardly exposed engagement surface means and tension bending moments are transferred through said interlock of said first and second lock means.