| 摘要 |
A vehicle coupling device comprises a coupling plate (12) provided with a slot (24) for reception of a waisted portion (25) of a king-pin (28) of a trailer, a pivotally mounted coupler jaw (30) for holding the king-pin (28) in the slot (24) and a locking bar (46) for locking the coupler jaw (30) in its closed position. The locking bar (46) is pivotally mounted at the opposite side of the slot (24) to the mounting of the coupler jaw. This decreases the load required to manually set the locking mechanism in its cocked position (ready for engagement of a king-pin (28) by a coupler jaw (30)). The coupler jaw comprises a sensor arm (34) extending in a different (lower) plane to a hook (32). The arm (34), in use, is contacted by a lower flange (29) of a correctly aligned king-pin (28), and causes the jaw (30) to pivot so that the hook (32) engages the waist of the king-pin. By this dual alignment of hook and arm, there is achieved a failsafe means of preventing a king-pin (28), which enters the slot (24) at the wrong height, form causing actuation of the jaw and the lock bar (46).
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