U.S. patent number 3,680,836 [Application Number 05/078,781] was granted by the patent office on 1972-08-01 for automatic orientation system.
Invention is credited to Joseph A. Amelotte, William B. Costain.
United States Patent |
3,680,836 |
Amelotte , et al. |
August 1, 1972 |
AUTOMATIC ORIENTATION SYSTEM
Abstract
Disclosed is an automatic orientation system for structures.
Utilized in the system is an electrical control circuit which
selectively operates the proper lift device in response to
predetermined signals from an orientation sensor. Provided is an
override circuit permitting orientation at various heights, and a
storage circuit to move the lift devices out of position when not
in use.
Inventors: |
Amelotte; Joseph A.
(Chemlsford, MA), Costain; William B. (Newbury, MA) |
Family
ID: |
22146181 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/078,781 |
Filed: |
October 7, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
254/426;
254/89R |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60P
3/36 (20130101); B60S 9/08 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60S
9/00 (20060101); B60S 9/08 (20060101); B60P
3/32 (20060101); B60P 3/36 (20060101); B60s
009/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;254/45,86R,86H,89R,89H |
Primary Examiner: Riordon; Robert C.
Assistant Examiner: Melton; David R.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An automatic orientation system comprising:
a. a plurality of lift devices mounted in spaced apart positions on
a structure to be oriented, each of said lift devices comprising a
movable lift member for engaging a support surface to produce
movement of said structure relative thereto;
b. power means for actuating said lift member independently;
c. orientation sensing means for sensing the orientation of said
structure; and
d. electrical control circuit means responsive to said orientation
means for energizing said power means to selectively and
independently actuate said lift members so as to produce a desired
orientation for said structure; said control circuit comprising an
orientation circuit including a plurality of contacts connected
with said power means, said plurality of contacts being operatively
coupled with said orientation sensing means so as to be selectively
opened and closed thereby; said control circuit means further
comprising an initiation circuit for simultaneously inducing
actuation of all of said lift devices by said power means and an
electrical relay means for alternatively activating and
deactivating said initiation and orientation circuits.
2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of lift
devices comprises at least three lift devices, and said lift
members thereof project from two-dimensionally spaced positions of
said structure.
3. A system according to claim 1 wherein said control circuit
further comprises an overide circuit means operative to selectively
and independently actuate any of said lift devices with said power
means.
4. A system according to claim 1 wherein each of said lift devices
comprise a force sensor for sensing reaction forces encountered by
said lift members, and said control circuit further comprises
switching circuit means for actuating said relay means to activate
said orientation circuit and deactivate said initiation circuit in
response to sensing of a predetermined reaction force by any of
said force sensors.
5. A system according to claim 4 wherein said control circuit
further comprises an overide circuit means operative to selectively
and independently actuate any of said lift devices with said power
means.
6. A system according to claim 4 wherein each of said lift devices
comprise a retraction sensor for sensing full retracting of said
lift members, and said control circuit further comprises
deactivating circuit means for decoupling said power means from any
of said lift devices in response to sensing by its retraction
sensor of full retraction of its lift member.
7. A system according to claim 6 including storage control means
for moving each of said lift devices between active and inactive
positions, and wherein said control circuit means further comprises
storage control circuit means for automatically actuating said
storage control means to move said lift devices into said inactive
positions in response to sensing by all of said retraction sensors
the full retraction of its associated lift member.
8. A system according to claim 7 wherein said control circuit
further comprises an overide circuit means operative to selectively
and independently actuate any of said lift devices with said power
means.
9. A system according to claim 2 wherein said orientation sensing
means comprises a pendulum member freely suspended from said
structure and adapted for gravity induced movement in response to
changes in the orientation of said structure produced by each of
said lift devices.
10. A system according to claim 9 wherein said control circuit
comprises an orientation circuit including a plurality of contacts
opened and closed by movement of said pendulum member.
11. A system according to claim 10 wherein said lift devices
comprise jacks, said power means comprise a source of electrical
power and a reversible electric motor operatively coupled to each
of said jacks, and said plurality of contacts are connected between
said electric motors and said source of electrical power.
12. A system according to claim 11 wherein said control circuit
further comprises an initiation circuit for simultaneously
connecting all of said motors to said source of electrical power,
and an electrical relay means for alternatively connecting and
disconnecting said initiation circuit and said orientation circuit
from between said source of electrical power and said electric
motors.
13. A system according to claim 12 wherein each of said lift
devices comprise a force sensor for sensing reaction forces
encountered by said lift members, and said control circuit further
comprises switching circuit means for actuating said relay means to
activate said orientation circuit and deactivate said initiation
circuit in response to sensing of a predetermined reaction force by
any of said force sensors.
14. A system according to claim 4 wherein each of said force
sensors comprise electrical contacts coupled to said relay means by
said switching circuit means, contact actuator means movable to
actuate said contacts in response to reaction force encountered by
said lift member, and biasing means for resisting actuating
movement of said contact actuator means.
15. A system according to claim 14 wherein said contact actuator
comprises a thrust member coupled to said lift member, and said
biasing means comprises a conical spring member resistively
engaging said thrust member.
16. A system according to claim 13 wherein said control circuit
comprises overide circuit means operative to selectively and
independently connect any of said motors to said source of
electrical power.
17. A device according to claim 16 wherein said sensor elements
comprise electrical contacts, and said actuator disc comprises
electrical contact portions disposed to contact said sensor element
contacts in response to predetermined relative orientations between
said frame and said actuator disc.
18. An automatic orientation system comprising:
a. a plurality of lift devices mounted in spaced apart positions on
a structure to be oriented, each of said lift devices comprising a
movable lift member for engaging a support surface to produce
movement of said structure relative thereto; each of said lift
devices comprising a retraction sensor for sensing full retraction
of said lift members;
b. power means for actuating said lift members independently;
c. storage control means for moving each of said lift devices
between active and inactive positions;
d. orientation sensing means for sensing the orientation of said
structure; and
e. electrical control circuit means responsive to said orientation
means for energizing said power means to selectively and
independently actuate said lift members so as to produce a desired
orientation for said structure, said control circuit comprising
deactivating circuit means for decoupling said power means from any
of said lift devices in response to sensing by its retraction
sensor of full retraction of its lift member and storage control
circuit means for automatically actuating said storage control
means to move said lift devices into said inactive positions in
response to sensing by all of said retraction sensors the full
retraction of its associated lift member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to equipment for the orientation of
structures, and more particularly, to equipment for automatically
leveling vehicles such as camping and house trailers.
Certain types of land vehicles, including for example, camping
trailers and self-contained motor homes, generally must be leveled
after having been moved to a location at which they are to be
occupied. Leveling may be desired for a number of reasons,
depending upon the use to which the vehicle will be put. For
example, a complex mobile laboratory may require leveling to assure
proper operation, and a house trailer or camper is leveled for
proper operation of the refrigerator and plumbing, and for the
comfort and convenience of the occupants. Usually, orientation
operations are performed by hand. Manual leveling of any large
vehicle however, is a very laborious, time consuming, trial and
error process. Furthermore, camping trailers are often moved, so
the leveling operation must be performed repeatedly. A fast,
automatic system, therefore, is highly desirable.
Hydraulic automatic leveling system are known, but the use of
hydraulic control for such apparatus has many limitations, and
therefore such systems have not received wide acceptance. The size
and weight of hydraulic systems make them inconvenient for use on
vehicles which often must travel over poor roads or rough terrain.
Also, the bulky and cumbersome pipes used to connect the control
unit to leveling jacks prevent easy retraction thereof.
The object of this invention, therefore, is to provide an automatic
orientation system for land vehicles which is inexpensive to build,
can be put into operation quickly, and does not appreciably
increase the weight of the vehicle. A further object is to provide
a system as described above in which the leveling jacks may be
moved out of position when not in use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is characterized by an automatic orientation system
for land vehicles including a plurality of orientation jacks and a
power source for their operation. All control operations are
performed from one central location, and the control system couples
an orientation sensor to the jacks in such a manner that the proper
jack or jacks will be automatically actuated until correct
orientation is achieved.
One feature of this invention is the utilization of an electric
control system. Among the advantages realized by the use of an
electric system are light weight and the freedom to use a small and
light sensing system. A small sensor is sufficient because only
switch contacts must be actuated, rather than the large, bulky
valves, which are required for hydraulic systems. In addition to
the important advantage of reduced weight, a light sensing unit has
the further advantage of being easily supported. A light weight
sensor may be mounted with an adjustable support, thereby
permitting the relative orientation of the vehicle to be easily
changed. Also, since an electrical sensor will operate with a
relatively short lever arm, it can take any of several forms.
Examples include a small, light weight vertically disposed
pendulum, and a small planar disc, centrally supported and held
horizontally by gravitational force.
Another feature of this invention is the use of relatively high
speed electric motors coupled through gear reduction trains to the
jacks. The gear trains function as brakes and separate brakes on
each jack are therefore not needed.
Yet another feature of this invention is the incorporation of
initiation and automatic switching circuits in the control
mechanism, and thrust sensors in the jacks. Upon actuation of the
initiation circuit, all jacks simultaneously lower until reaching
the ground. Then, upon receipt of a proper signal from the thrust
sensors, the switching circuit disconnects the initiation circuit
and automatic orientation is begun.
Another feature of the invention is the use of a storage system
which swings the jacks into horizontal positions when the vehicle
is not in use. This is advantageous since vehicles upon which this
system will be used are often required to travel off roads or on
unimproved roads. Movement will therefore be facilitated if all
parts of the vehicle are as high above the ground as possible.
Still another feature of the invention is the inclusion of an
override circuit with which the jacks may be independently actuated
and the automatic orientation circuit bypassed. Any one jack can be
set at the final height desired, then the trailer will be leveled
at that height. This circuit is also advantageous in that there are
times when unusual orientations of the vehicle are desired for
short periods of time, yet adjustments or the orientation sensing
device would be inconvenient. In the event of a malfunction of the
sensor or orientation circuit, proper orientation can still be
attained by use of the override circuit.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The objects and features of the present invention will become more
apparent upon an examination of the following description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camping trailer equipped with the
disclosed automatic orientation system;
FIG. 2 is a detail and partial cross-sectional view of a jack and
related coupling mechanism employed by the system;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the orientation sensor used in
a preferred embodiment of the system;
FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a storage mechanism used in
the system; and
FIGS. 5-8 show a diagram of the control circuit employed in the
system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring first to FIG. 1 there is shown a trailer 11 equipped with
an automatic orientation system 12 as disclosed herein. In the
interest of clarity, a body 13 of the trailer 11 has been shown in
outline form only, and attention is directed to a frame 14'
thereof. Mounted on the frame 14' are a pair of brackets 14 that
retain four orientation jacks 15, 16, 17 and 18 supported by
orientation jack mounts 19, 20, 21 and 22, respectively. Also
mounted on the frame 14' is a central control housing 24 and a
storage motor assembly 25, the latter being coupled to the
orientation jacks 15-18 by storage cables which are described
hereinafter. An orientation sensor 26 is mounted below a floor 27
of the trailer 11, a portion of which is shown. Connecting the
jacks 15-18, the central control unit 24, the storage motor 25 and
the orientation sensor 26 are electrical cables, also described
hereinafter. Contained within the central control housing 24 is a
portion of a control circuit 28, comprising an override circuit 23,
an orientation circuit 29, an initiation circuit 30, a storage
control circuit 31, and a switching circuit 32. The control circuit
28 is shown in FIGS. 5-8, and described below. Contained within the
orientation jacks 15-18 and their mountings 19-23 are retraction
sensors 33 and force sensors 34, described below.
Referring now to FIG. 2 there is shown a detail and partial section
of the jack 15 and jack mount 19. It will be understood that the
other orientation jacks 16, 17, 18 are constructed and mounted
similarly. A motor assembly 35 is coupled to an acme screw 36 by an
enclosed gear system. Meshed with the teeth of the screw 36 is a
bronze nut 37 which is firmly secured to an inner ram 38, both of
which are disposed inside an outer shaft 39 in such a manner that
they cannot rotate therein. The lower end of the ram 38 protrudes
from the lower end of the shaft 39, and is connected to a
self-adjusting foot assembly 41. Such self-adjusting feet 41 are
well known and are not considered part of the invention. An
expanding rubber sleeve 42 extends from the lower end of the shaft
39 to the foot 41, covering and protecting the lower end of the ram
38. Jacks of this type are conventional and well known. One feature
which makes this type of jack preferable in the present system is
that no brake is required, and the jack will not slip.
Disposed in the jack 15 is the retraction sensor 33, constructed as
follows. Retained in switch cavity 43 is a switch 44, which is
connected with the storage circuit 31. A tapered portion 45 on the
upper end of the nut 37 operates through an actuation pin 46 to
control the switch 44 as the nut moves vertically.
Extending upwardly from the top of the jack 15 are two lugs 47
aligned one behind the other so that they appear as one in FIG. 2.
Extending downwardly from a mounting block 48 are two more lugs 49,
also aligned. Lugs 47 and 49 are disposed closely adjacent to each
other and secured together by a pivot rod 51. A bell crank 52 is
mounted on the end of the rod 51 with a pin 53. The rod 51 which
may rotate with respect to lugs 49, is fixed with respect to lugs
47. Attached to the end of the bell crank 52 is a storage control
table 54 which is connected to the storage motor mechanism 25.
Mounting block 48 is secured to the bracket 14 by elongated screws
55 which have one sense of freedom, thereby allowing slight
vertical movement of the mounting block. Disposed between the
mounting block 48 and the bracket 14 is a conically shaped disc
spring 56, which resists vertical movement of the jack 15. Above
the mounting block 48 is the thrust sensor 34. Extending upward
from the mounting block 48 into a cavity 57 is a tapered contact
actuator 58. Disposed in a switch cavity 59 in the bracket 14 is a
switch 61 which is connected to the initiation circuit 30 and the
switching circuit 32. Enclosed in a channel 62 between the actuator
58 and the switch 61 are four actuator spheres 63. When the biasing
force exhibited by the disc spring 56 is exceeded, and the actuator
58 moves upward, the spheres 63 are forced to the left and operate
the switch 61.
Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a section of the
orientation sensor 26 mounted on the underside of the floor 27. A
mounting plate 64 is secured to the floor by screws 65. Screws 66
attach a frame 67 to the mounting plate 64 and disposed
therebetween and around the screws are rubber washers 68.
Adjustments in the position of the sensor 26 can be made by
manipulation of the screws 66, which causes compression of the
rubber washers 68 and changes in angle between the frame 67 and the
mounting plate 64. A socket 69 retaining a ball 71 is held in place
in the frame 67 by a ring 72. A lead wire 73 is connected between
the top of the conductive ring 72 and the orientation circuit 29.
Connecting the ball 71 with a metal disc 74 and a weight 75 is a
short lever arm 76. Retaining four annularly disposed contacts
77-77c is a cap 78. Since the ball 71 and lever arm 76 are
electrically conductive, the edges 79 of the disc 74 are
electrically connected to the wire 73 and serve as contacts,
thereby forming four switches 81-81c. The frame 67 and cap 78 are
molded of non-conductive material. Holding the weight 75 and disc
74 in position is a plunger 82 of a solenoid 83. When the solenoid
83 is energized, the plunger 82 moves in a downward direction
releasing the weight 75 and disc 74, which then assume a horizontal
position in response to gravitational force. If the floor 27 is
substantially level, all switches 81-81c remain open; but if the
floor is not level, the switch in the uppermost position will
close. Protecting the entire assembly 26 is a cover 84.
Referring next to FIG. 4 there is shown a bottom view of a jack
storage control mechanism mounted on the frame 14'. Mounted near
the center of the frame 14' is the storage motor assembly 25 which
includes a motor 85 and gear train enclosed in a housing 86.
Through the gear train, the motor 85 is connected to a storage disc
87 on which are mounted two disc pulleys 88 and two switch
actuators 89 and 91. Switches 92 and 93 are controlled by the
actuators 89 and 91 respectively and connected to the storage
circuit 31. Connecting the bellcrank 52 with a bellcrank 52a is the
storage cable 54, and connecting a bellcrank 52b with another
bellcrank 52c is another storage cable 94. Between bellcrank 52 and
bellcrank 52a, cable 54 passes around two frame pulleys 96 and an
end pulley 97. Cable 94 passes through corresponding pulleys.
Connecting end pulleys 97 is a central cable 98, which is wrapped
around disc pulleys 88 and two disc guide pulleys 99.
Referring next to FIGS. 5-8, there is shown a schematic diagram of
the control circuit 28 contained in the housing 24. Connecting a
battery 101 with a pilot light 102 and the control circuit 28 is an
on-off switch 103. Completing the complement of switches in the
control circuit 28 are four override switches 104, 105, 106 and
107, an initiation-orientation switch 108 and a jack storage
control switch 109. Override switches 104-107 are single
pole-single throw, and the initiation-orientation switch 108 and
the storage control switch 109 are single pole-double throw types.
One contact of each of the override switches 104-107 and the center
contacts 110, 111 of switches 108, 109, respectively, are connected
to a common positive buss 112. Connecting the control circuit 28
with the left rear jack assembly 15 are wires 113 thru 120.
Switches 44 and 61 are of the type known as double pole-double
throw and each have two common contacts 121, 122 and 123, 124,
respectively, and associated contacts 125, 126 and 127, 128 on
switch 44 and 129, 130 and 131, 132 on switch 61. The motor
assembly 35 has three terminals including a common negative 133, a
positive terminal 134 to be energized when upward motion is desired
and another positive terminal 135 to be energized when downward
motion is desired. Jacks 16 thru 18 are constructed and wired
similarly, and corresponding contacts and wires are numbered
similarly except that for jack 16 numbers are suffixed with an a,
for jack 17 with a b and for jack 18 with a c.
Connecting the orientation sensor 26 and control circuit 28 are
wires 73 and 136 thru 140. Switches 81-81c include, respectively,
contacts 77-77c and common contact 79. Solenoid 83 comprises a
positive terminal 141 and a negative terminal 142.
Storage motor assembly 25 is connected to the control circuit 28 by
wires 143 thru 147. Motor 85 has three terminals including a common
negative terminal 148 and two positive terminals 149 and 151 one of
which must be energized when upward or downward motion,
respectively, is desired.
Returning now to the control circuit 28, there are shown contacts
152 and 153 of switch 108 and contacts 154 and 155 of switch 109. A
relay 156, which is connected to the switching circuit 32, is a
single pole-double throw type, and has a common contact 157 and
relay contacts 158 and 159. A relay coil 161 has a positive
terminal 162 and a negative terminal 163.
During operation of the preferred embodiment, the vehicle, for
example the trailer 11 shown in FIG. 1, is first parked in a
desired location. Switch 103 is then turned to the "on" positive
igniting lamp 102 and energizing positive common buss 112 and
applying negative potential to wires 117a, 119-119c, 136 and 143.
Negative potential is therefore applied to terminals 133-133c, 142
and 148. The jacks 15-18, which during movement of the trailer 11
were retained in an inactive position, parallel to the floor 27,
must first be moved to active position. With the jacks 15-18 in the
inactive position, switches 92 and 93 are as shown by the broken
line in FIG. 5; that is, switch 92 is closed and switch 93 is open.
Switch 109 is placed in the "down" position connecting contacts 111
and 154 thereby energizing the storage circuit 31 by applying
positive potential to wire 145, which passes through switch 92 to
terminal 151, energizing motor 85. Operation of motor 85 causes the
storage disc 87, shown in FIG. 4, to rotate in a counterclockwise
direction allowing end pulleys 97 to move away from the storage
motor assembly 25. The effective lengths of cables 54 and 94
between frame pulleys 96 and bell cranks 52-52c are increased,
causing rods 51 to rotate and thereby allowing jacks 15-18 to lower
by gravitational force, into an active vertical position. As the
jacks 15-18 assume the active positions, the storage disc 87
reaches a position which causes actuator 89 to contact and throw
switch 92. Positive potential is disconnected from terminal 151
when switch 92 is opened thereby stopping motor 85. Since actuator
91 has now moved away from switch 93, the present position of
switches 92 and 93 is shown by the solid lines in FIG. 5. Switch
109 is now returned to the neutral position. All jacks 15-18 are
now in the active, i.e. vertical, position, but none is in contact
with the ground.
Next, the initiation circuit 30 is actuated by placing switch 108
in the "down" position, thereby connecting contacts 110 and 152 and
applying positive potential to contacts 157 and 162 of the relay
156. Since none of the jacks 15-18 is in contact with the ground,
thrust sensors 34-34c are not actuated and switches 61-61c are as
shown by the solid lines in FIG. 5. Relay contact 163 is connected
to contact 123b by wire 117b. Since contact 123b is connected to
dummy contact 130b, relay 156 does not change state when switch 108
is thrown. Positive potential is applied to contact 158 and thereby
to wires 116-116c, which are connected with terminals 135-135c
through contact pairs 124 and 132, 124a and 132a, 124b and 132b,
and 124c and 132c. Motors 35-35c are therefore energized to operate
all jacks 15-18. For example, in jack 15 the acme screw 36 (shown
in FIG. 2) is rotated causing the bronze nut 37 and inner ram 38 to
move in a downward direction. When any jack, for example 15,
contacts the ground and the resistance of the disc spring 56
overcome, the mounting plate 48 and actuator 58 are driven in an
upward direction moving switch 61. This action can be initiated at
any desired force level by selecting a disc spring 56 having
suitable characteristics. Actuation of switch 61 moves contact 124
from 132 to contact 131, stopping motor 35. Contact 123 is moved to
engage contact 129 as shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 5.
When the fourth jack contacts the ground, the jack motors 35a-35c
are similarly deenergized. Also the contact pairs 123 and 129, 123a
and 129a, 123b and 129b, and 123c and 129c have been closed
completing the switching circuit 32, comprising wire 117a, contacts
123a, 129a, wires 118a, 117, contacts 123, 129 wires 118, 118c,
contacts 129c, 123c, wires 117c, 118b, contacts 129b, 123b, and
wire 117b which applies negative potential to relay contact 163,
thereby causing relay 156 to change state.
The hereinbefore described change of state of relay 156 energizes
the orientation circuit 29 by connecting contacts 157 and 159 and
applying positive potential to wire 73, which is connected to
contact 79 and solenoid terminal 141. Solenoid 83 is thereby
energized, and draws plunger 82 down into the position shown by the
dashed lines in FIG. 3. The disc 74 is nowreleased and will seek a
position which is level, and if the sensor frame 67 is not level,
contact 79 will operatively engage a contact 77-77c completing a
circuit. The degree of disorientation required to actuate the
sensor 26 can be varied according to the construction of the
sensor, but magnitudes of one degree are typical. The contact which
will be connected with edge 79 is the one which is highest. Assume,
for example, that the front right corner of the trailer 11 is low.
The sensor 26 is in such a position that contact 77b will be
nearest to the rear left corner and therefore the highest. In this
situation, contact 79 will engage contact 77b applying positive
potential to wire 139 which is connected with wire 115b and in turn
to terminal 135b. Motor 35b is thereby energized lifting the right
front corner of the trailer 11 until the orientation of sensor
frame 67 causes contacts 77b and 79 to open, deenergizing motor
35b. This procedure will continue with different jacks until disc
74 is freely suspended in a horizontal position, and not touching
any of contacts 77-77c. The trailer 11 is then level. Switch 108 is
then returned to the neutral position, and switch 103 turned "off."
Leveling at any desired elevation may be achieved by use of the
override circuit 23. Beginning with switches 104-109 in open or
neutral positions and switch 103 "on," the left front jack 16, for
example, is actuated. Closing switch 105 applied potential to wire
115a, and therefore to terminal 135a, starting motor 35a, thereby
raising the front left corner. When the front left corner has
achieved the desired elevation, switch 105 is released and jack 35a
shuts off. Switch 108 is then placed in the "down" position, and
the trailer is leveled as hereinbefore described. When the trailer
11 is leveled at the desired elevation, switch 108 is returned to
the neutral position, and switch 103 is turned off.
When the vehicle is to be moved, the jacks 15-18 are returned to
their inactive positions. First, switch 103 is turned "on," and
switch 108 is moved to the "up" position connecting contacts 110
and 153, thereby applying positive potential to wires 114-114c.
Retraction sensors 33-33c are not at this time actuated and are as
shown by the solid lines in FIG. 5. Positive potential is then
applied to terminals 134-134c thru contacts sets 122 and 127, 122a
and 127a, 122b and 127b and 122c and 127c. This potential causes
the motors 35-35c to rotate in directions opposite that which was
described above. For example, opposite rotation of motor 35 raises
the bronze nut 37 and inner ram 38 shown in FIG. 2. When the ram 38
is fully withdrawn, the actuator 46 is moved putting the switch 44
in the position shown by the dotted line in FIG. 5, thereby turning
off motor 35. After full retraction of all jacks 15-18, all
switches 44-44c will have changed state as described above to
deenergize all motors 35-35c. This operation of switches 44-44c
also completes a series circuit comprising wire 113b, contacts
121b, 126b, wires 120b, 113c, contacts 121c, 126c, wires 120c, 147,
switch 93, wires 146, 120, contacts 126, 121, wires 113, 120a,
contacts 126a, 121a and wires 113a and 144. Having no further need
for the motors 35-35c, the orientation circuit can now be
deactivated by moving switch 108 to the neutral position. Switches
92 and 93 are presently in the positions shown by the solid lines
in FIG. 5. Next, the storage circuit 31 is activated to withdraw
the jacks 15-18 into their inactive positions. Switch 109 is then
thrown into the "up" position connecting contacts 111 and 155,
thereby applying a positive potential to wire 113b and to terminal
149 of motor 85. Rotation of motor 85 now causes storage disc 87,
shown in FIG. 4, to rotate in a clockwise direction. End pulleys 97
are thereby drawn in toward the storage motor mechanism 25. The
effective lengths of the storage cables 54 and 94 between bell
cranks 52-52c and frame pulleys 96 are thereby shortened, rotating
the jacks 15-18 into inactive positions. When the jacks 15-18 have
reached inactive positions, disc 87 will have reached a position
such that the actuator 91 will change switch 93 to the position
shown by dotted lines in FIG. 5, thereby deactivating the storage
circuit 31 and stopping motor 85. The jacks 15-18 are now fully
withdrawn and in inactive positions, and switch 109 is placed in
the neutral position and switch 103 in the "off" position. The
trailer 11 is now prepared for transportation to a new
destination.
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present
invention are possible in light of the above teachings. For
example, the disclosed orientation system could be used on vehicles
or structures other than a trailer. Also, other forms of sensors,
for example a common pendulum, could be used, but the described
disc sensor is highly preferred since it is more compact. Other
numbers of jacks such as two or three could be used, and wheel
jacks could be added to the override circuit to facilitate changing
of tires. Also, by the incorporation of suitable solenoid valves,
the present control system can be used to activate other types of
lift devices including, for example, hydraulic, pneumatic or
mechanical lifts. It is to be understood, therefore, that the
invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described.
* * * * *