• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    A trailer has a two-stage sliding suspension arrangement that moves fore and aft. The trailer may be tilted for easy loading when the suspension is in the forward position. A double acting hydraulic cylinder positioned beneath the trailer deck moves a sliding hydraulic frame to which sheaves are mounted. Cables are connected between the trailer frame and a sliding suspension assembly, the latter of which includes the trailer axles and wheels. When the hydraulic cylinder is activated, the hydraulic frame slides so that the cable and sheave arrangement moves the suspension assembly.
    公开号:CA2289337A1
    申请号:C2289337
    申请日:1999-11-12
    公开日:2000-05-25
    发明作者:Richard M. Norman
    申请人:Fontaine Specialized Inc；
    IPC主号:B60P1-08
    专利说明:
    TRAILER HAVING A TWO-STAGE SLIDING SUSPENSIONS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of Invention The invention relates ~;enerally to transport trailers that carry large specialized vehicles and equipment for construction, i:arming and similar operations, and, more particularly, to a tilting transport trailer having a suspension arrangement that slides under the action of a hydraulic cylinder working with a cable and sheave mechanism.
    2. Description of Related Art Tilting transport trailers with sliding wheel-supported undercarnages are known in the art.Examples of such trailers may be observed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,125,198 and 4,231,710 to Landoll.Prior art trailers, such as those; described in the Landoll patents, feature an undercarnage supported by tandem axles upon which t:he trailer wheels are mounted. The undercarriage is equipped with rollers that engage a rail or track that is attached to the bottom of the trailer deck. The undercarriage and trailer wheels may thus slide forward and backward with respect to the trailer deck. Near the rear of the trailer deck, the rail or track features indentations that the rollers of the undercarriage engage when they are in the roading or transport position. This allows the trailer deck to sit lower to the road as the load is transported.A hydraulic cylinder is. positioned under the trailer deck with one end attached to the trailer deck and the other end attachc;d to the undercarnage. As a result, when the hydraulic cylinder is activated, the trailer wheels may be positioned near the rear of the trailer, in the roading or transport position, or, alternatively, near the middle of the trailer, in a tilting/loading position. With regard to the latter, when the trailer wheels are positioned near the middle of the trailer, a second hydraulic cylinder, positioned between the front of the trailer deck and the trailer tongue, the latter of which is attached to the tow or drafting vehicle, is extended. As a result, the trailer is tilted about its rear-most wheel so that the rear of the trailer deck rests on or near the ground. This allows the trailer to be easily loaded.A difficulty associated with these prior art designs, however, is that the hydraulic cylinder connected between the undercarriage and the trailer deck must be extended or contracted a great distance in order to effectively change the position of the trailer wheels. As a result, telescoping-type hydraulic cylinders must lie used. Telescoping-type cylinders are more costly and require more maintenance than conventional) hydraulic cylinders. In addition, the lengthy extension or contraction of the telescoping-type hydraulic cylinder takes a great amount of time.The prior art arrangements also leave a large portion of the telescoping-type hydraulic cylinder rods, that is, the portions of the telescoping hydraulic cylinder that are withdrawn and extended, exposed during transport. 'Chis may result in damage to the cylinder rods from road debris. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tilting trailer with a sliding undercarnage that does not use a telescoping-type hydraulic cylinder.It is another object of the present invention to provide a tilting trailer with an undercarnage that may be quickly slid and repositioned.It is still another object of the present invention to provide a tilting trailer with a sliding undercarriage that does not leave a large portion of a hydraulic cylinder rod exposed during transport. The following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the appended claims and accompanying drawings, provide a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of the invention.S BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFig. 1 is a top plan view of a trailer equipped with an embodiment of the two-stage sliding suspension of the present invention;Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of a trailer equipped with an embodiment of the two-stage sliding suspension of the present invention;Fig. 3A is an enlarged side elevation view of the rear portion of the trailer of Fig. 2 showing the components of the two-stage sliding suspension in phantom;Fig. 3B is a simplified exploded side elevation view of the trailer of Fig. 3A;Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation view of the front portion of the trailer of Fig. 2;Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevation view showing the suspension assembly of the trailer of Fig. 2;Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the suspension assembly of Fig. 5 with the wheels and axles omitted for clarity;Fig. 7 is rear elevation view of the suspension assembly of Fig. 5 with the hat section troughs illustrated;Fig. 8 is an enlarged side elevation view of the rear portion of the trailer of Fig. 2 showing the ramp portions in phantorr.~;Fig. 9 is a rear elevation view of the suspension assembly of Fig. 5 showing the side rollers;
    Fig. 10 is an enlarged top plan view showing the hydraulic slide assembly of the trailer of Fig. 2; Fig. 11 is a side elevation view of the hydraulic slide assembly of Fig. 10;Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the hydraulic cylinder of Fig. 10; Fig. 13 is a side elevation view of the hydraulic cylinder of Fig. 12;Fig. 14 is a left end elf;vation view of the hydraulic cylinder assembly of Fig. 11;Fig. 15 is a sectional view of the hydraulic cylinder assembly of Fig. 11 taken along line 15-with the hat section troughs illustrated;Fig. 16 is a right end elevation view of the hydraulic cylinder assembly of Fig. 11;10 Fig. 17 is the end elevation view of the hydraulic cylinder assembly of Fig. 14 with the hat section troughs illustrated;Fig. 18 is an enlarged side elevation view of the rear portion of the trailer of Fig. 2 with the trailer deck removed showing the cables in phantom;Fig. 19 is an enlarged 'bottom plan view of the deck of the trailer of Fig. 2;15 Figs. 20A and 20B show side elevation views of the trailer of Fig. 2 in the tilt/loading and roading/transport configurations, respectively.DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSWith reference to Figs. 1 and 2, a tilting trailer equipped with an embodiment of the two-stage sliding suspension of the present invention, with its suspension assembly 28 in the travel position, is indicated generally at 20. The trailer features a deck 22 upon which a large construction or agricultural vehicle, or similar equipment, may be carried. The trailer features a tongue, 40, which is connected to a suitable tow or drafting vehicle such as a tractor truck (not shown). As illustrated in Figs. 3A and 3B, the primary components of the two-stage sliding suspension are mounted beneath the top surface of deck 22 of the trailer. These components include hat section trough 70;a hydraulic slide assembly 26 including hydraulic slide frame 30, hydraulic cylinder 90 and opposing sheaves 24; a moveable suspension assembly 28 upon which the wheels of the trailer 29 are mounted and cables 32 and 34. The installation and operation of these components will be described below.As shown in Fig. 4, tlhe front of the trailer deck 22 is attached to a tongue 40 via pivot connection 41. Tongue 40 is attached to the tow or drafting vehicle (not shown). Connected between the front of the trailer deck and the tongue is a hydraulic cylinder 42, shown in Fig. 4 in its contracted position. The hydraulic cylinder 42 may be actuated so that it extends to raise the front of the trailer. This causes the trailer to tilt as illustrated in Fig. 20A. The trailer wheels 29 are slid forward prior to the actuation of hydraulic cylinder 42 by way of the mechanism described below.The suspension assembly of the trailer is indicated generally at 28 in Figs. 5 and 6. Note that the wheels and tandem axles have been omitted from Fig. 6. for clallty. In addition to the axles and wheels, the suspension assembly includes a suspension frame, indicated at 50, which features, as illustrated in Fig. 6, longitudinal members 49 and 51, Gross members 52 and 54 and rear bumper 56.A number of top rollers 60 and side rollers 62 are rotatably attached to fraune 50. It is to be noted that alternative numbers and locations for the top and side rollers may be used. The suspension assembly also features a pair of cable brackets 64.As shown in Fig. 7, the top rollers 60 roll through channels formed by hat section troughs 70 and 72. The side rollers hame been omitted for clarity from Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 8, the hat section troughs 70 and 72 am connected to the bottom of the trailer deck 22. As a result, the suspension assembly may slide along the bottom of the trailer deck 22. Furthermore, each hat section trough 70 and 72 featw-es a pair of ramp portions 76 and 78. Fig. 7 shows the position of top rollers 60 relative to the hat section troughs when they are not within the ramp portions 76 and 78.Figs. 8 and 9 show the positions of rollers 60 when they are within the ramp portions 76 and 78. In addition, Fig. 9 shows how the side rollers 62 travel along the outer edges of hat section troughs 70 and 72. The trailer wheels and suspension assembly are in the transport or roading position when they are configLU-ed as shown in Figs. 8 and 9 (and Figs. 2 and 3). This configuration allows the trailer deck 22 to be positioned closer to the road so that earned equipment with a taller profile will more easily clear underpasses, bridges, tunnels and the like on highways. When it is desired to tilt the trailer, the suspension assembly 28 is slid out of the transport or roading position and towards the middle of the trailer deck, as illustrated in Fig. 20A. An additional pair of ramp portions may be added to the hat section troughs 70 and 72 towards the middle of the trailer, as illustrated at 81 in Figs. 18 and 19, to seat the suspension assembly when the trailer is to be tilted.To summarize thus far, the trailer of the present invention features a suspension assembly that may be moved along the bottom of its deck. This allows the suspension assembly 28 to be moved between a transport/roading position illustrated in Fig. 20A and a tilting/loading position illustrated in Fig. 20B. The components that slide the suspension assembly will now be described.The hydraulic slide assembly of the suspension is indicated generally at 26 in Figs. 10 and 11. The hydraulic slide assembly features hydraulic slide frame 30 including a pair of longitudinal frame rails 80 and 82 that are connected by Gross members 84 and 86. A hydraulic cylinder 90 (see also Figs. 12 and 13) is mounted between the frame rails 80 and 82 and is pivotally connected by one end to Gross member 84. 'Che retractable rod 92 of the hydraulic cylinder passes through a hole through the opposing Gross member 8Ei. Sheaves 24 are connected to each corner of the hydraulic slide frame 30.Tandem rollers 100 and side rollers 102 are pivotally attached to the frame rails 80 and 82 of hydraulic slide frame 30 (se;e Figs. 14-15). As a result, as illustrated in Fig. 17, the tandem rollers 100 engage the inner rims of hat section troughs 70 and 72 so that the hydraulic slide assembly (26 in Figs. 10 and 11) may slide; along the underside of the trailer deck in a manner similar to the suspension assembly (28 in Fi,g. 5). 'The side rollers 102 engage the sides of the hat section troughs as shown in Fig. 15.Cables 32 and 34 are wrapped around the sheaves 24 as illustrated in Figs. 11 and 18. It should be noted that the trailer deck has been omitted from Fig. 18 for clarity. In reference to Fig.18, cable 32 is connected at one end to the cable bracket 64 of the suspension assembly 28, passed through the leading sheave 24 of the hydraulic slide assembly (the hydraulic slide frame has been omitted for clarity) and is connected by cable end 110 to the trailer deck via bracket 112 (also shown in Fig. 19). Similarly, cable 34 is connected by cable end 114 to the trailer deck bracket 112, passed through the trailing sheave 24 of the hydraulic slide assembly and is connected to the suspension assembly 28 via bracket 64. A similar cable arrangement exists on the opposite side of the trailer (see bracket 119 in Fig. 19).As illustrated in Fig. 3B, the rod 92 of hydraulic cylinder 90 is connected to the trailer deck via bracket 116. As a result, when hydraulic cylinder 90 is actuated so that it expands, hydraulic slide assembly 26 (Figs. 10 and 11), along with sheaves 24, moves forward. As best shown in Fig.18, when the sheaves 24 move; forward, cable 32 is placed in tension so that suspension assembly 28 is pulled and slid forward. .Alternatively, when the hydraulic cylinder assembly is contracted, the hydraulic slide assembly 26, a.nd sheaves 24, move towards the back of the trailer so that cable 34 is placed in tension. This results in the suspension assembly 28 sliding towards the rear of the trailer.The system just described thus provides a "two-stage" sliding operation. That is, the hydraulic cylinder 90 actuates (rod 92 extends or retracts) which in turn causes the hydraulic slide frame to slide along the trailer deck bottom which in turn causes the suspension assembly to slide along the trailer deck bottom due to the action of the sheaves and cables. The distance traveled by the suspension assembly 28 is thus a multiple of the distance traveled by the hydraulic slide frame 30. This allows a conventional (non-telescoping type) hydraulic cylinder 90 to be utilized. In addition, the system of the present invention increases the speed with which the suspension assembly 28 (and thus the trailer wheels 29) may be moved between a tilting/loading position illustrated in Fig. 20A and a transport/roading position illustrated in Fig. 20B.While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (20)
    [1] 1. A trailer comprising:a) a tongue;b) a trailer deck;c) a mechanism for raising; the trailer deck relative to the tongue so that the trailer deck tilts for loading;d) a hydraulic slide frame slidingly mounted to said trailer deck;e) a plurality of sheaves recounted on the hydraulic slide frame;f) a suspension assembly slidingly mounted to said trailer deck;g) a first cable and a second cable each attached by one end to the trailer deck and the other end to the suspension assembly, each cable also passing through one of said sheaves; and h) a hydraulic cylinder connected between said trailer deck and said hydraulic slide frame so that when said hydraulic cylinder is actuated, said hydraulic slide frame slides along said trailer deck so that at least one of said cables is tensioned so that said suspension assembly is slid along said trailer deck.
    [2] 2. The trailer of claim 1 wherein the tongue is connected to the trailer deck by a pivot connection and the mechanism for raising the trailer deck includes a hydraulic cylinder connected between the tongue and the trailer deck.
    [3] 3. The trailer of claim 1 further comprising a trough attached beneath the trailer deck and wherein said hydraulic slide frame includes a roller that engages the trough and said suspension assembly includes a roller that engages the trough.
    [4] 4. The trailer of claim 3 wherein the trough includes a ramp portion that is engaged by the rollers of the suspension assembly when the suspension assembly is in a transport position.
    [5] 5. The trailer of claim 3 wherein the trough includes a ramp portion that is engaged by the rollers of the suspension assembly when the suspension assembly is in a loading position.
    [6] 6. The trailer of claim 3 wherein the trough features a hat-shaped cross section.
    [7] 7. The trailer of claim 1 wherein the suspension assembly includes a plurality of wheels for supporting the trailer on a surface.
    [8] 8. A trailer that may be tilted for loading comprising:a) a trailer deck;b) a sheave movably mounted to the trailer deck;d) a mechanism for moving the sheaves e) a suspension assembly slidably attached to the trailer frame;f) a cable connected between the trailer deck and the suspension assembly, said cable passing through the sheave so that when the mechanism for moving the sheave is activated, said cable is tensioned so that the suspension assembly is moved between loading and transport positions; and g) a mechanism for tilting the trailer deck when the suspension assembly is in the loading position.
    [9] 9. The trailer of claim 8 further comprising a tongue that is pivotally connected to the trailer deck and wherein the mechanism for tilting the trailer deck includes a hydraulic cylinder connected between the trailer deck and the tongue.
    [10] 10. The trailer of claim 8 further comprising a trough attached beneath the trailer deck and wherein said suspension assembly includes rollers that engage the trough.
    [11] 11. The trailer of claim 10 wherein said trough features a hat-shaped cross section.
    [12] 12. The trailer of claim 10 wherein the trough includes a ramp portion that is engaged by the rollers of said suspension assembly when the suspension assembly is in the transport position.
    [13] 13. The trailer of claim 10 wherein the trough includes a ramp portion that is engaged by the rollers of said suspension assembly when the suspension assembly is in the loading position.
    [14] 14. The trailer of claim 8 wherein the suspension assembly includes a plurality of wheels for supporting the trailer on a surface.
    [15] 15. The trailer of claim 8 wherein the mechanism for moving the sheave includes a hydraulic cylinder connected between the sheave and the trailer deck.
    [16] 16. The trailer of claim 8 wherein the sheave is attached to a slide frame that is slidably mounted to the trailer deck.
    [17] 17. The trailer of claim 8 wherein the sheave is attached to a slide frame that is slidably mounted to the trailer deck and the mechanism for moving the sheave includes a hydraulic cylinder connected between the slide frame and. the trailer deck.
    [18] 18. A trailer comprising:a) a trailer deck;b) a slide frame slidably mounted to said trailer deck;c) a plurality of sheaves mounted on the slide frame;d) a suspension assembly slidably mounted to said trailer deck;e) a first cable and a second cable each attached by one end to the trailer deck and the other end to the suspension assembly, each cable also passing through one of said sheaves mounted on the slide frame;f) a mechanism fir moving the slide frame so that one of said first and second cables is tensioned so that the suspension assembly is moved between loading and transport positions; and g) a mechanism for tilting the trailer deck for loading when the suspension assembly is in the loading position.
    [19] 19. The trailer of claim 18 wherein the mechanism for moving the slide frame is a hydraulic cylinder connected between the trailer deck and the slide frame.
    [20] 20. The trailer of claim 18 further comprising a tongue pivotally connected to the trailer deck and wherein the mechanism for raising the trailer deck includes a hydraulic cylinder connected between the tongue and the trailer deck.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    CN102358220A|2011-09-09|2012-02-22|江苏银宝专用车有限公司|Side-overturning auxiliary frame assembly of self-discharging semi-trailer|
    法律状态:
    2001-11-13| FZDE| Dead|
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US10977198P| true| 1998-11-25|1998-11-25||
    US60/109,771||1998-11-25||
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