US-12623634-B2 - Systems and methods for switching gears in multiple-speed landing gear

US12623634B2US 12623634 B2US12623634 B2US 12623634B2US-12623634-B2

Abstract

Disclosed are various embodiments of an automated system for moving an input shaft associated with landing gear of a platform, for example, a trailer or ramp, along its longitudinal axis in order to switch gears. One such system, among others, has a controller that is electrically coupled to a gear shifter. The controller is capable of causing the gear shifter to move the landing gear input shaft in first and second opposing longitudinal directions in order to shift between the gears. The gear shifter may implement the longitudinal movement via a linear actuator, solenoid actuator, or other suitable device.

Inventors

Terry Roth

Assignees

EZ Winder, LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20230504

Claims (17)

1 . A system for rotating and longitudinally moving an input shaft of landing gear associated with a movable platform, the landing gear having a telescoping jack leg for raising and lowering the platform when the input shaft is rotated, the landing gear having two speeds with high and low gears that are changed when the input shaft is moved along its longitudinal axis, the system comprising: a lift motor that rotates the landing gear input shaft; a gear shifter, the gear shifter having: a linear actuator, the linear actuator having a reciprocating piston, the piston having an elongated body with a movable working end and a driven end, the linear actuator is designed to move the driven end of the piston in a longitudinal direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the landing gear input shaft; and means for mechanically connecting the movable working end of the piston to the input shaft so that the input shaft is movable along the longitudinal axis as the linear actuator moves the piston; wherein the input shaft capture arm further comprises: a rotatable bushing having a cylindrical peripheral side, right and left sides, and a throughway extending between the right and left sides, the bushing situated about the landing gear input shaft so that the landing gear input shaft extends within the throughway; a screw extending through the cylindrical peripheral side into the landing gear input shaft that secures the bushing to the input shaft so that the bushing rotates when the input shaft rotates, the bushing permitting the input shaft to rotate as well as be moved along its longitudinal axis by the gear shifter; a nonrotating bushing support having left and right eyehole securing members at the left and right sides, respectively, of the bushing that permit rotation of the bushing and the input shaft while confining the bushing in the longitudinal direction; and wherein the connecting means comprises an input shaft capture arm that attaches the movable working end of the piston to the landing gear input shaft.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the connecting means comprises a movable bracket being connected to the lift motor, the movable bracket being attached to the movable working end of the piston, the lift motor being connected to the input shaft, and wherein when the working end is moved with the linear actuator, the combination of the bracket, the lift motor, and input shaft are moved.
3 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a controller that is electrically coupled to the lift motor and a solenoid of the gear shifter, the controller capable of causing the lift motor to rotate in first and second opposing rotational directions, the controller capable of causing the gear shifter to move the landing gear input shaft in first and second opposing longitudinal directions in order to shift between high and low gears.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is designed to: synchronize a motor shaft gear to the high or low gear of the landing gear by rotating the landing gear input shaft with the combination of the motor shaft gear and the motor until the gears bind but do not apply substantial lifting force to the landing gear; and while the landing gear input shaft is rotating or after the landing gear shaft has stopped rotating, moving the landing gear input shaft with the shifter in the longitudinal direction either inwardly or outwardly in order to shift between the high and low gears.
5 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a gear shifter mount that mounts the gear shifter to the platform and that prevents movement of the gear shifter relative to the input shaft.
6 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising the platform with the landing gear with the telescoping jack leg for raising and lowering the platform when the input shaft is rotated.
7 . A system for longitudinally moving an input shaft associated with landing gear of a platform, the landing gear having a telescoping jack leg for raising and lowering a front of the platform when the input shaft is rotated, the landing gear having gears that are changed when the input shaft is moved along its longitudinal axis, the system comprising: gear shifter means for moving the input shaft along its longitudinal axis; and a controller that is electrically coupled to the gear shifter means, the controller capable of causing the gear shifter means to move the landing gear input shaft in first and second opposing longitudinal directions in order to shift between the gears; wherein the input shaft capture arm further comprises: a rotatable bushing having a cylindrical peripheral side, right and left sides, and a throughway extending between the right and left sides, the bushing situated about the landing gear input shaft so that the landing gear input shaft extends through the throughway; a screw extending through the cylindrical peripheral side into the landing gear input shaft that secures the bushing to the input shaft so that the bushing rotates when the input shaft rotates, the bushing permitting the input shaft to rotate as well as be moved along its longitudinal axis by the gear shifter; and a nonrotating bushing support having left and right eyehole securing members at the left and right sides, respectively of the bushing that permit rotation of the bushing and the input shaft while confining the bushing in the longitudinal direction; and wherein the gear shifter means comprises: a linear actuator, the linear actuator having a reciprocating piston, the piston having an elongated body with a movable working end and a driven end, the linear actuator is designed to move the driven end of the piston in a longitudinal direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the landing gear input shaft; and means for mechanically connecting the movable working end of the piston to the input shaft so that the input shaft is movable along the longitudinal axis as the solenoid moves the combination of the linear shifting piston and the input shaft capture arm, wherein the connecting means for mechanically connecting comprises an input shaft capture arm that attaches the movable working end of the piston to the landing gear input shaft.
8 . The system of claim 7 , further comprising: a lift motor that rotates the landing gear input shaft; and wherein the controller that is electrically coupled to the lift motor, the controller capable of causing the lift motor to rotate in first and second opposing rotational directions.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the controller is designed to: synchronize a motor shaft gear to the high or low gear of the landing gear by rotating the landing gear input shaft with the combination of the motor shaft gear and the motor until the gears bind but do not apply substantial lifting force to the landing gear; and while the landing gear input shaft is rotating or after the landing gear shaft has stopped rotating, moving the landing gear input shaft with the shifter in the longitudinal direction either inwardly or outwardly in order to shift between the high and low gears.
10 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the connecting means comprises a movable bracket being connected to the lift motor, the movable bracket being attached to the movable working end of the piston, the motor being connected to the input shaft, and wherein when the working end is moved with the linear actuator, the combination of the bracket, the lift motor, and input shaft are moved.
11 . The system of claim 7 , further comprising a gear shifter mount that mounts the gear shifter means to the platform and that prevents movement of the gear shifter means relative to the input shaft.
12 . The system of claim 7 , further comprising the platform with the landing gear with the telescoping jack leg for raising and lowering the front of the platform when the input shaft is rotated.
13 . A system for longitudinally moving an input shaft associated with landing gear of a platform, the landing gear having a telescoping jack leg for raising and lowering a front of the platform when the input shaft is rotated, the landing gear having gears that are changed when the input shaft is moved along its longitudinal axis, the system comprising: gear shifter means for moving the input shaft along its longitudinal axis; and a controller that is electrically coupled to the gear shifter means, the controller capable of causing the gear shifter means to move the landing gear input shaft in first and second opposing longitudinal directions in order to shift between the gears; wherein the gear shifter means comprises: a rotatable bushing having a cylindrical peripheral side, right and left sides, and a throughway extending between the right and left sides, the bushing situated about the landing gear input shaft so that the landing gear input shaft extends through the throughway; a screw extending through the cylindrical peripheral side into the landing gear input shaft that secures the bushing to the input shaft so that the bushing rotates when the input shaft rotates, the bushing permitting the input shaft to rotate as well as be moved along its longitudinal axis by the gear shifter; a solenoid actuator having a cylindrical throughway extending from a first side to a second side, the input shaft extending through and capable of rotation within the throughway, the solenoid actuator being mounted to a part of the landing gear and situated between a mounted location and the bushing; and wherein the input shaft is movable along its longitudinal axis by the solenoid actuator acting upon the input shaft within the throughway.
14 . A system for longitudinally moving an input shaft associated with landing gear, the landing gear having a telescoping jack leg for raising and lowering a platform when the input shaft is rotated, the landing gear having gears that are changed when the input shaft is moved along its longitudinal axis, the system comprising: a rotatable bushing having a cylindrical peripheral side, right and left sides, and a throughway extending between the right and left sides, the bushing situated about the landing gear input shaft so that the landing gear input shaft extends through the throughway; a screw extending through the cylindrical peripheral side into the landing gear input shaft that secures the bushing to the input shaft so that the bushing rotates when the input shaft rotates, the bushing permitting the input shaft to rotate as well as be moved along its longitudinal axis by the gear shifter; a solenoid actuator having a cylindrical throughway extending from a first side to a second side, the input shaft extending through and capable of rotation within the throughway, the solenoid actuator being mounted to a part of the landing gear and situated between a mounted location and the bushing; and wherein the input shaft is movable along its longitudinal axis by the solenoid actuator acting upon the input shaft within the throughway.
15 . The system of claim 14 , further comprising a lift motor that rotates the landing gear input shaft.
16 . The system of claim 15 , further comprising a controller that is electrically coupled to the lift motor and the linear actuator, the controller capable of causing the lift motor to rotate in first and second opposing rotational directions, the controller capable of causing the linear actuator to move the input shaft in first and second opposing longitudinal directions in order to shift between the gears.
17 . The system of claim 14 , further comprising a controller that is electrically coupled to the solenoid actuator, the controller capable of causing the solenoid actuator to move the input shaft in first and second opposing longitudinal directions in order to shift between the gears.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to an automated system for operating landing gear associated with a movable platform, such as a trailer, ramp, etc., and more particularly, to systems and methods for switching gears in landing gear having multiple speeds. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many trailers have front landing gear for vertical support of the front of the trailer when the tractor, or truck, is detached. Such landing gear has at least one, but generally two, telescoping or jack-type landing gear legs and corresponding feet that extend downwardly from the floor or frame of the trailer, bolted, clamped or welded. Each leg is operatively attached to a screw and follower or a rack and pinion gear arrangement, which is in turn driven by a landing gear shaft that extends between the legs and which causes extension or retraction of the legs and feet depending on the direction in which it is rotated. It is typically rotated manually by a person with a crank handle that is attached to an input shaft, or shift shaft. Heavy duty 5th wheel, gooseneck, and class 5 hitch/pintle mount trailers, such as large utility, dump, flatbed, deck-over, and specialty trailers, have 10,000 lb. to 35,000 lb. lifting capacity landing gear with a single or dual landing gear configuration and single or dual speed crank to achieve the lift rating necessary to raise or lower the front of the trailer to the necessary height for attaching the trailer to a tow vehicle. Then there are the heavier duty OTR (over the road) heavier duty commercial and industrial trailers that carry an astounding GVWR rating up to 60,000 lbs and in some cases 80,000 lbs or more with DOT exemptions. This heavy weight makes these trailers particularly hard to raise and tiresome to lower when loaded, using the manually operated crank handle. The need for landing gear cranking assistance is imperative as many of these trailers have single speed landing gear that makes it almost impossible to crank when loaded. Even trailers with a two speed landing gear setup still require the need to crank the landing gear, putting undue strain on one's shoulder, arm, and back. With aging drivers/owners, this can create health, safety problems and over time, forcing driver/owners to retire early or reduce the number of jobs they can take on. For the younger trailer owners, they want things simpler and with less strenuous work. There are some existing options available to assist owners and alleviate strain on cranking landing gears on less than 60,000 lb. trailers. One option is to install a Bulldog 12,000 lb. landing gear motor that requires the change out of the main pinion gear and input shaft to install the motor and is limited to 12,0000 lb. load. Another option is to install a full hydraulic landing gear system that requires specialized hydraulic landing gear, hydraulic pumps, and hydraulic lines that require continuous maintenance and complex installation. Yet another option is to install a pneumatic landing gear system that requires an electric air pump, air canister, and specialty landing gear or motor. Finally, still another option is to install a motorized system. As examples, an electric motorized system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,807,571 and in application No. 63/343,240, filed May 18, 2022, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and which involve attaching a small electric lift motor with gearbox to the input shaft of the landing gear of the trailer. The aforementioned electric motorized systems are capable of working on trailers with landing gear rated from as low as 10,000 lbs. to as high as 65,000 lbs. or more. Furthermore, these motorized systems are commercially available for purchase from EZ-Winder, LLC, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.A., the assignee of the present application. Furthermore, some designs of landing gear have multiple speeds of operation involving multiple gears, e.g., a high gear and a low gear. Typically, the input shaft is manually moved along its longitudinal axis (either inward or outward, depending upon the design) in order to switch between a high gear and a low gear for slower and faster speeds, respectively. When in high gear, the input shaft can be rotated with lower torque than when in low gear. When in low gear, the input shaft can be rotated with higher torque than when in high gear. The landing gear is usually in its low gear, or the high speed position, as this is the gear used when the landing gear is off the ground or just touching the ground and not needing to be extended further. When a person, such as a truck driver, needs to hook onto or pick up a trailer and the height of the trailer is too low or too high, then the driver must first switch from low gear to high gear by manually move the landing gear input shaft, inwardly or outwardly, because most landing gear manufacturers recommend putting the landing gear in high gear before cranking the landing gear when the landing ge