It Takes Only 90 Seconds
Page 21
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
New Carrimore Semi-trailer Employing New Design of Coupling and Uncoupling Mechanism
F°Rthe past two years that well-known maker of trailers, Carrimoi-e Six Wheelers; Ltd., North Finchley, Londen, N.12, has had on the road a semi-trailer outfit incorporating .a new design of coupling and uncoupling. mechanism. During this period every effort has been made to try to damage the device, but without success An accompanying drawing shows clearly the main components of the essential-mechanism, and it will be seen.. that the functioning of the device centres around a pivotally mounted locking fork. The centre of interest lies in the simple and-ingenious manner in which this fork embra•zes or releases the toWing pin, which is mounted an a hinged box-like cross-member on the trailer.
As shown in the di-awing, the fork is .in the running position and thee must he no question of it moving by accident. It will be seen that the tail Of the loel.ing fork is' resting on an abutment formed in the uncoupling lever, and as this lever is both spring-held'aini positively locked, • it is impossible for the fork to move. The positive means for.hoIding the lever is in the form of a safety catch, which muSt be released before the trailer can be uncoupled.
To release the pin, the trailer is first braked and the jockey wheels lowered through the agency of an easily operated. screw jack. The uncoupling lever is then moved forward—to do which, the safety catch must first be until the end of the fork trips over the abutment. At this. point a spring causes the locking 'fork to release-the pin, the new positions Of the fork and uncoupling lever being as indicated. in broken hOc,. .
Coupling up is automatic. As the pin comes into contact with the sloping face of the extended arm on tbe fork, the tail end of the fork swings over until clear Of the abutment in the • uncoupling lever, which then flies back and locks itself.
Considerable thought has been put into the design of . the guide ramps, in order to give progressive loading to the rear springs of the tractive unit as coupling-up is taking place. The brake light and rear lamp are automatically connected up through the agency of spring contact arms, and the same. applies to the vacuum brake line.
When the jockey wheels are inflthe "travel " position, they are restrained from swinging about, and when on the ground they can he used to steer the trailer.
Without endeavouring to set up a record, we saw one of these Carrimore 'units uncoupled and
coupled up in less than 90 secs. The action of the screw' jack is particularly light; in fact, the handle tends to run away from the operative, The jack handle, when not in use, is swung over to rest in a channel member, where it is not only out of the way, but it obviously cannot turn.
The whole design of this semi-trailer-unit is simple, but intensely practicable, and we are not surprised to learn that results under working conditions have been highly satisfactory. Such units are available to civilian operators hilt, of course, only against permits.