Interpretation ID: nht94-3.6

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: May 24, 1994

FROM: Larry L. Wessels -- President, Rocky Mountain Technology Engineering Corporation

TO: John Womak -- Assistant Chief Counsel, NHTSA

TITLE: Request for Interpretation of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

ATTACHMT: Attached to letter dated 7/6/94 from Larry L. Wessels to John Womack (A42; Stds 106)

TEXT: During the past several months we have been in communication with Dr. Gerald Steward of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Dr. Stewart suggested in his letter dated April 18, 1994, that we provide you with pertinent safety and product i nformation regarding our new invention for a safety product, "Handi-Slide", for semitrailers equipped with sliding axle/undercarriage assemblies.

The "Handi-Slide" has the potential to reduce or eliminate existing safety problems as identified in the U.S. Department of Transportation 49 Code of Federal Regulations. Specific Code of Regulations are identified in our information booklet that is enc losed.

We have also enclosed a "Handi-Slide" video that shows and demonstrates the advantages of our pneumatic/air locking pin system compared to the present manual force pin removal system that has been in use since sliding undercarriages were introduced appro ximately 40 years ago. The state-of-the-art "Handi-Slide" system offers the trucking industry improved safety and increased operating efficiency compared to the old manual cantilever system that is currently in use.

We have installed "Handi-Slide" over-the-road test units on several semitrailers. We are receiving numerous favorable comments from truck owners, drivers and trailer manufacturer engineers regarding the "Handi-Slide" test units.

If you have any further questions, please contact us at (303)922-4518. We look forward to receiving your comments regarding our new invention. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Enclosures