Robert D Pilcher

US Patent:

40170942, Apr 12, 1977

Filed:

Oct 16, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/622849

Inventors:

Robert Dwayne Pilcher - Denver CO

International Classification:

B60P 340

US Classification:

280404

Abstract:

The total apparatus for transporting long loads includes a tractor, a first steering converter trailer truck, and a second load-bearing trailer truck. Forward and aft bolsters are mounted on the tractor and the second truck for rotation about vertical axes to support the load and be tied to it. The first truck has a steering converter coupler with a terminal at its forward end engaged with a pivotal connector on the tractor located well aft of the bolster pivot. The second truck has a follower coupler with its forward end pivotally connected to the first truck, which does not contact the load and is free to move to either side. Lateral movement of the pivotal connector when the tractor turns directs the first truck to the outside of the curve away from the centerline of the load and the second truck follows it. The outboard position of the first truck counteracts any tipping tendency on a fast turn. Both trucks tend to follow closely in the path of the tractor, which avoids "corner cutting" and enables the tractor to negotiate turns of much smaller radius than would otherwise be possible.