Patent GB-574357-A (GB)
Title: Improved coupling and drive mechanism for vehicles
IPC: F16D3/32
Filed: 1943-04-09
Abstract: 574,357. Driving and coupling gear for vehicles. HOLLOS, Z. April 9, 1943, No. 5757. Convention date, Nov. 3, 1941. [Class 79 (ii)] [Also in Group XXXII] Driving gear for endless-track or wheeled vehicles or vehicle axles connected together by couplings permitting relative movement about a vertical axis or vertical and horizontal axes, comprises driving shafts having shaft couplings supported in an intermediate member which is journalled in the vehicle coupling and is pivoted therein about the coupling pivot axis or axes. In the construction shown, a tractor vehicle 12 and a two-wheeled trailer 13 are connected by a coupling 22, 23, 24 permitting relative movement of the two vehicles about a vertical axis 16 for steering purposes, and an horizontal axis 25 to allow the vehicles to adjust themselves on uneven ground. The coupling comprises a member 22 swivelling in a socket 23 on the tractor 12 and connected by a horizontal pin 25 to a fork 43 integral with a vertical pin 16 rotatable in a socket 24 fixed to the trailer 13. An intermediate member 27 is also rotatable in the socket 24 independently of the pin 16 and supports through trunnions 33 a pair of housings 32 which are secured together by bars 36 and form the bearings for members 45 connected by universal joints 46 to shafts 19<11>, 19<1> and 18, whereby the drive is transmitted from the tractor half-axles 14 to the trailer half-axles 15. The shafts 19<1>, 19<11> are telescopic to allow for the relative movement between the two vehicles. When movement between the two vehicles takes place about the vertical axis 16, the member 27 is automatically adjusted to bisect the angle between the two vehicles, as shown in Figs. 6 and 9 ; similarly, when movement takes place about, the horizontal pivot 25, the housings 32 are adjusted about the trunnions 33, as shown in Fig. 8, the trunnions being coaxial with the pin 25. When the vehicle coupling is midway between the axles 14, 15, as in the construction shown, the movement of the member 27 is effected by gearing 28 ... 31, Fig. 7, interconnecting the parts 16, 24, 27 and giving a 1 : 2 gear ratio between the parts 24, 27. The tilting movement of the housings 32 about the trunnions 33 is effected by links 39, 40 respectively pivoted at 41, 42 to the tractor member 22 and the trailer member 43 and connected together by a pin 38<1> carrying a roller 38 working in a slot 37<1> in an arm 37 loose on the pin 25, this arm having a block 44 sliding between and controlling the bars 36 on the housings 32. The axles 14, 15 may be whole axles, and 14 may drive 15 through a single central jointed shaft 18, 19<1>, 19". In order to prevent damage to the couplings on uneven ground rubber-tyred rollers 47 are mounted coaxially with the trunnions 33. To facilitate coupling and uncoupling the vehicles, the socket 24 on the trailer may be made in two parts 51, 52, Fig. 13, the part 52 being permanently secured to the trailer and the part 51 having a pin 54 adapted to be secured in the part 52 by a nut 53. The part 52 may have flared surfaces or flanges 55 to facilitate guiding the pin 54 into its socket on the part 52.