US 11,981,171 B2
Automated trailer coupling arrangement
Marc R. Johnson, Muskegon, MI (US); Bryan A. Redeker, Grand Haven, MI (US); and Larry D. Hewitt, Whitehall, MI (US)
Assigned to SAF-Holland, Inc., Muskegon, MI (US)
Filed by SAF-HOLLAND, Inc., Muskegon, MI (US)
Filed on Jan. 3, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/149,370.
Application 18/149,370 is a continuation of application No. 16/549,607, filed on Aug. 23, 2019, granted, now 11,618,289.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/731,483, filed on Sep. 14, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0132866 A1, May 4, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B60D 1/36 (2006.01); B60D 1/01 (2006.01); B60D 1/42 (2006.01); B60D 1/62 (2006.01)
CPC B60D 1/36 (2013.01) [B60D 1/01 (2013.01); B60D 1/363 (2013.01); B60D 1/42 (2013.01); B60D 1/62 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automated trailer coupling arrangement, comprising:
a receiver member fixed to a towed vehicle and including a first pneumatic coupler and a first electrical coupler;
a shuttle member including a second pneumatic coupler configured to couple to a pneumatic supply source of a towing vehicle, and a second electrical coupler configured to couple to an electrical supply source of the towing vehicle; and
a control arm assembly supported on the towing vehicle, comprising:
a carrier member configured to operably couple and uncouple with the shuttle member;
an actuator pivotably coupled to the carrier member and configured to move the carrier member between a first position where the carrier member is coupled with the shuttle member and the shuttle member is spaced from the receiver member, and a second position where the second pneumatic coupler is coupled with the first pneumatic coupler and the second electrical coupler is coupled with the first electrical coupler and the carrier member is coupled with the shuttle member, and a third position where the second pneumatic coupler is coupled with the first pneumatic coupler and the second electrical coupler is coupled with the first electrical coupler and the carrier member is uncoupled and spaced from the shuttle member; and
wherein the control arm is configured to move the carrier member in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction as the carrier member is moved from the first position to the second position.