The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 13, 1993
Filed:
May. 31, 1991
Bruce C Noah, W. Lafayette, IN (US);
William H Fouch, Crystal Lake, IL (US);
TRW Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for reducing the magnitude of changes in a vertical force transmitted to a tractor from a trailer through a fifth wheel hitch. The changes in vertical force are caused by the trailer reacting as an inertial mass as the trailer is moved over uneven pavement during pulling of the trailer by the tractor. The apparatus includes a sensor for providing a signal. The signal is indicative of the vertical force transmitted from the trailer through the fifth wheel hitch. An actuator is disposed between the fifth wheel hitch and the tractor. The actuator applies a vertical force to the fifth wheel hitch and the tractor. A control device operates the actuator for varying the amount of vertical force applied to the fifth wheel hitch by the actuator. The operation of the actuator is responsive to the signal indicative of the vertical force transmitted from the trailer through the fifth wheel hitch.