Patent ID: 7976051
Filing Date: 2011-07-12
Classification: B60D

Abstract:
1. An alignment guide for use in coupling a trailer-pulling dolly of a two trailer rig, said dolly being connected to a first trailer of the two trailer rig and used to pull a second trailer of the two trailer rig behind the first trailer, said alignment guide facilitating coaxial alignment of the dolly with the first trailer by pulling said first trailer and dolly forward with a tractor, and further facilitating the coaxially aligned first trailer and dolly to be backed up together for hitching the dolly to the second trailer, the alignment guide comprising: telescoping inner and outer tubes, said inner tube having a first end portion for connecting to the first trailer during the coaxial alignment with the dolly and hitching of the second trailer with the dolly, said outer tube having a second end portion for connecting to the dolly, said inner tube having a plurality of spaced apertures; and a remotely operated latching mechanism including— whereby the spring-biased transverse locking pin is maintained in a retracted position by moving the handle portion so as to cause the latch member to engage with said annular groove to prevent the spring-biased transverse locking pin from seating into one of said apertures in said inner tube, and whereby said spring-biased transverse locking pin is released from the retracted position by energizing the solenoid and causing the armature to apply a force to the latch member sufficient enough to cause the latch member to disengage from said annular groove such that the spring-biased transverse locking pin may seat into one of said apertures in the inner tube as the inner and outer tubes telescope as the first trailer and dolly are pulled forward, thereby locking the dolly in coaxial alignment with the first trailer.