Patent ID: 8505949

Claim:
A coupling system for operably interconnecting at least one of an electrical system and a pneumatic system of a road tractor to a trailer when the road tractor and the trailer are connected together by a fifth wheel assembly and a kingpin to define a generally vertical pivot axis, the coupling system comprising: a curved track configured to be mounted to a frame of a road tractor; a cart structure movably connected to the curved track for powered movement along a generally horizontal curved path; a connector assembly movably and releasably connected to the cart structure for powered movement in a direction that is transverse to the curved path, the connector assembly including at least one of a first electrical connector configured to be connected to an electrical system of a road tractor and a first pneumatic connector configured to be connected to a pneumatic system of a road tractor; at least one of a second electrical connector configured to be electrically coupled to an electrical system of a trailer and a second pneumatic connector configured to be connected to a pneumatic brake system of a trailer; and wherein: in use the one second electrical connector or second pneumatic connector are mounted to a trailer, and, after connection of a trailer kingpin to a fifth wheel assembly, the cart moves from a first position along the curved path until the connector assembly is positioned in registry with the one second electrical connector or second pneumatic connector, followed by movement of the connector assembly relative to the cart structure to couple the one first electrical or pneumatic connector to the one second electrical or pneumatic connector whereby at least one of a tractor electrical and pneumatic system is operably coupled to at least one of a trailer electrical and pneumatic system, respectively, and wherein the connector assembly disconnects from the cart structure after coupling of the electrical or pneumatic connectors.