Method for coupling a tractor with a semi-trailer and semi-truck with a tractor and a semi-trailer.

Method for coupling a tractor with a semi-trailer and semi-truck with a tractor and a semi-trailer.

A pole cradle is disclosed. The pole cradle including a first leg; a second leg; a third leg positioned between and pivotally connected to the first and second legs by a pivot connector extending through the first, second, and third legs; and wherein the third leg pivots relative to the first and second legs between a first position where the first, second, and third legs lie in plane to form a flat surface and a second position where the first, second, and third legs form a V-shaped receiving section.

A pole cradle is disclosed. The pole cradle including a first leg; a second leg; a third leg positioned between and pivotally connected to the first and second legs by a pivot connector extending through the first, second, and third legs; and wherein the third leg pivots relative to the first and second legs between a first position where the first, second, and third legs lie in plane to form a flat surface and a second position where the first, second, and third legs form a V-shaped receiving section.

An automatic vehicle jack assembly includes a plurality of scissor jacks that is each mounted to a bottom side of a vehicle. Each of the scissor jacks is positioned adjacent to a respective one of a plurality of wheels on the vehicle for lifting the respective wheel upwardly from a support surface. Conversely, each of the scissor jacks is actuatable into a retracted position thereby facilitating the respective wheel to roll along the support surface. A control panel is positioned within a cab of the vehicle such that the control panel is accessible to a driver of the vehicle. The control panel is in communication with each of the scissor jacks thereby facilitating the control panel to independently or simultaneously actuate each of the scissor jacks between the extended position or the retracted position.

An automatic vehicle jack assembly includes a plurality of scissor jacks that is each mounted to a bottom side of a vehicle. Each of the scissor jacks is positioned adjacent to a respective one of a plurality of wheels on the vehicle for lifting the respective wheel upwardly from a support surface. Conversely, each of the scissor jacks is actuatable into a retracted position thereby facilitating the respective wheel to roll along the support surface. A control panel is positioned within a cab of the vehicle such that the control panel is accessible to a driver of the vehicle. The control panel is in communication with each of the scissor jacks thereby facilitating the control panel to independently or simultaneously actuate each of the scissor jacks between the extended position or the retracted position.

A lifting system for generating a lifting force on a portion of a vehicle includes a vehicle wheel and a force-generating mechanism structured to be received inside a rim cavity of the wheel. The force-generating mechanism is also structured to be operably connected to a frame of a vehicle. A bearing member is operably connected to the force-generating mechanism. The bearing member is structured to transmit a force generated by the force-generating mechanism to a surface in physical contact with the bearing member. The bearing member is also structured for operably connecting the wheel to the force-generating mechanism. Force applied by the force-generating mechanism may be sufficient to lift a portion of the vehicle off of a ground surface, or the force may only be sufficient to apply a parking brake force without lifting the vehicle.

A lifting system for generating a lifting force on a portion of a vehicle includes a vehicle wheel and a force-generating mechanism structured to be received inside a rim cavity of the wheel. The force-generating mechanism is also structured to be operably connected to a frame of a vehicle. A bearing member is operably connected to the force-generating mechanism. The bearing member is structured to transmit a force generated by the force-generating mechanism to a surface in physical contact with the bearing member. The bearing member is also structured for operably connecting the wheel to the force-generating mechanism. Force applied by the force-generating mechanism may be sufficient to lift a portion of the vehicle off of a ground surface, or the force may only be sufficient to apply a parking brake force without lifting the vehicle.

A support system includes supporting legs, adjustable at least vertically in their longitudinal extent, to provide support on a substrate, a controller for controlling drives of the supporting legs using control commands, and an inclinometer for sensing an inclination of a carrier vehicle and/or of a lifting apparatus relative to at least one predetermined or predeterminable spatial direction and/or spatial plane. A method for supporting the carrier vehicle, parked on the substrate, for a lifting apparatus with a support system includes a calculation method step in which a sequence of control commands is calculated, and a levelling method step in which sequential and time-limited control of individual drives of the supporting legs takes place so as to minimize the inclination. The calculation method step and the levelling method step being repeated in a loop.

A support system includes supporting legs, adjustable at least vertically in their longitudinal extent, to provide support on a substrate, a controller for controlling drives of the supporting legs using control commands, and an inclinometer for sensing an inclination of a carrier vehicle and/or of a lifting apparatus relative to at least one predetermined or predeterminable spatial direction and/or spatial plane. A method for supporting the carrier vehicle, parked on the substrate, for a lifting apparatus with a support system includes a calculation method step in which a sequence of control commands is calculated, and a levelling method step in which sequential and time-limited control of individual drives of the supporting legs takes place so as to minimize the inclination. The calculation method step and the levelling method step being repeated in a loop.