Dennis M Lange

US Patent:

6581951, Jun 24, 2003

Filed:

Mar 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/800032

Inventors:

Dennis Lange - Waterford WI 53185

International Classification:

B62D 5306

US Classification:

280440, 280339, 280489

Abstract:

The invention involves a connector apparatus for attaching a trailer to a towing vehicle. The invention has a base structure with a kingpin-receiving plate attached with respect to the top of the base structure and pivotable with respect thereto about a substantially horizontal cross-axis. The invention also has a front bottom deck with an upper surface, attached with respect to the front side of the base structure; a rear bottom deck with an upper surface, attached with respect to the rear side of the base structure; a front top deck with a lower surface, attached with respect to the front side of the kingpin-receiving plate thereby defining a gap of a distance between the upper surface of the front bottom deck and the lower surface of the front top deck; a rear top deck with a lower surface, attached with respect to the rear side of the kingpin-receiving plate thereby defining a gap of a distance between the upper surface of the front bottom deck and the lower surface of the front top deck; and resilient, motion-dampening devices between the upper surfaces of the bottom decks and the lower surfaces of the top deck whereby a change in the distance between the upper surface of the bottom deck and the lower surface of the top deck is resisted.

US Patent:

47704306, Sep 13, 1988

Filed:

Aug 11, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/084626

Inventors:

Dennis M. Lange - Union Grove WI

International Classification:

B62D 6112

US Classification:

280 81A

Abstract:

The self-steering axle assembly includes a transverse axle member extending below the vehicle frame, either forwardly or rearwardly of the vehicle rear wheels, a king pin assembly on each of the opposite, outer end portions of the axle member, a wheel rotatably mounted on each of the king pin assemblies for steering movement and a tie rod interconnecting the wheels so they steer together. The axle member is supported from the vehicle frame for pivotal movement of the king pin assemblies relative to the frame between a forward position wherein the longitudinal axes of the king pin assemblies are upwardly inclined in a rearward direction at a forward angle of less than about 30. degree. relative to a vertical plane passing through the rotational axes of the wheels and a reverse position wherein the longitudinal axes are upwardly inclined in a forward direction at an angle of less than about 30. degree. The king pin assemblies are selectively moved between the forward position for forward movement of the vehicle and the reverse position for backing, so that the wheels track vehicle movement in both directions.

US Patent:

43737382, Feb 15, 1983

Filed:

Apr 19, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/369933

Inventors:

Dennis M. Lange - Sturtevant WI

International Classification:

B62D 1300

US Classification:

280 815

Abstract:

The auxiliary wheel assembly includes a transverse axle member extending below the vehicle frame members, either forwardly or rearwardly of the vehicle rear wheels, a king pin assembly on each of the outer end portions of the axle member, an auxiliary wheel rotatably mounted on each of the king pin assemblies for steering movement and a tie rod interconnecting the auxiliary wheels so they steer together. The axle member is carried on one end of a pair of laterally spaced arms, the other end of which is pivotally mounted on the vehicle frame member between an operating position and a retracted position. The axle member has a generally U-shape with a central portion and upwardly offset outer end portions carrying the king pin assemblies so that the axle member can be retracted to a location with the central portion immediately adjacent to and the rotational axis of the auxiliary wheels located above the bottom edges of the vehicle frame members to thereby provide above-the-ground clearance of 11-12 inches or more. In one embodiment, the auxiliary wheels are connected to the vehicle front wheels through a hydraulic actuation system which is arranged so that the auxiliary wheels are steered along with the vehicle front wheels.