U.S. patent application number 12/987562 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-05 for container trailer.
This patent application is currently assigned to James W. Welch. Invention is credited to James W. Welch, Claude D. White, JR..
Application Number | 20110103925 12/987562 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41728472 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110103925 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Welch; James W. ; et
al. |
May 5, 2011 |
CONTAINER TRAILER
Abstract
A trailer includes a coupling to attach the trailer to a
tractor, and a frame attached to the coupling. The frame is
positionable as a single unit about a container such that the frame
can be attached to the container in four regions of the container
to lift the container. The trailer has road wheels for long-haul
transportation over road systems. The trailer frame can be
positioned about the container by laterally expanding and
retracting, pivoting about a horizontal axis, and pivoting about a
vertical axis.
Inventors: |
Welch; James W.;
(Germantown, TN) ; White, JR.; Claude D.;
(Cordova, TN) |
Assignee: |
Welch; James W.
Germantown
TN
|
Family ID: |
41728472 |
Appl. No.: |
12/987562 |
Filed: |
January 10, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12326643 |
Dec 2, 2008 |
7866933 |
|
|
12987562 |
|
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|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
414/498 ;
414/812 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60P 1/6445
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
414/498 ;
414/812 |
International
Class: |
B60P 1/64 20060101
B60P001/64 |
Claims
1. A trailer, comprising: a coupling configured and arranged to
attach the trailer to a tractor; and a frame attached to the
coupling, the frame being positionable as a single unit about a
container such that the frame can be attached to the container in
four regions of the container to lift the container.
2. The trailer of claim 1 wherein the frame comprises road wheels
for long-haul transportation of the trailer over conventional road
systems.
3. The trailer of claim 1 wherein the frame is configured to
laterally expand and contract, the frame being positionable as a
single unit about the container by advancement of the frame
relative to the container when expanded, and the frame being
positioned for transport of the container when retracted.
4. The trailer of claim 1 wherein the frame comprises a frame
member configured to pivot about an axis between a first position
and a second position, the frame being positionable as a single
unit about the container by advancement of the frame relative to
the container when in the first position, and the frame being
positioned for transport of the container when in the second
position.
5. The trailer of claim 4 wherein the axis is a horizontal axis and
the frame member pivots upward toward the first position.
6. The trailer of claim 4 wherein the axis is a vertical axis and
the frame member pivots outward toward the first position.
7. The trailer of claim 6 wherein the frame member comprises two
members that each pivot outward in opposite directions.
8. The trailer of claim 2 wherein the frame comprises at least one
supporting wheel that supports the frame when the road wheels are
off the ground.
9. A method comprising: positioning a trailer as a single unit
about a container; attaching the trailer to regions of four lower
corners of the container; lifting the container off the ground
using the trailer; and attaching the trailer to a tractor, the
trailer having road wheels for long-haul transportation of the
trailer over conventional road systems.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising expanding the frame to
position the trailer about the container as a single unit.
11. The method of claim 9 further comprising pivoting the frame to
position the trailer about the container as a single unit.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the frame is pivoted about a
horizontal axis.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein the frame is pivoted about a
vertical axis.
14. A trailer frame comprising: two longitudinal members, a third
member connecting the two longitudinal members, the third member
being actuatable to laterally expand and retract the frame such
that the frame is positionable as a single unit about a container
for attaching the frame to the container in four regions of the
container to lift the container; and at least two road wheels for
long-haul transportation of the trailer over conventional road
systems.
15. The trailer frame of claim 14 wherein the frame further
comprises at least one support wheel supporting the frame when the
frame moves laterally.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation (and claims the benefit
of priority under 35 USC 120) of U.S. application Ser. No.
12/326,643, filed Dec. 2, 2008, and which will issue as U.S. Pat.
No. 7,866,933 on Jan. 11, 2011. The disclosure of the prior
application is considered part of (and is incorporated by reference
in) the disclosure of this application.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Containers are used to transport goods between locations.
The container is placed at a source location and loaded with goods,
and the loaded container is transported to a destination location
for drop off. Typically, to transport the container, the container
is lifted by a fork-lift and placed onto a trailer and the trailer
is hauled to the destination location using a tractor. At the
destination location, the container is again lifted by a fork-lift
to unload the container from the trailer.
SUMMARY
[0003] To facilitate transport of containers by tractor-trailers, a
trailer that enables loading of the container onto the trailer
without the need for a separate lifting machine is desirable. The
disclosed trailer includes a frame and a coupling. The frame can be
positioned about the container as a single unit, attached to the
container to lift the container and support the container during
transport, and attached to a tractor to haul the trailer during
transportation, including long-haul transportation.
[0004] In one aspect, a trailer includes a coupling configured and
arranged to attach the trailer to a tractor, and a frame attached
to the coupling. The frame is positionable as a single unit about a
container such that the frame can be attached to the container in
four regions of the container to lift the container.
[0005] This, and other aspects, may include one or more of the
following features. The frame includes road wheels for long-haul
transportation of the trailer over conventional road systems. The
frame is configured to laterally expand and contract. The frame is
positionable as a single unit about the container by advancement of
the frame relative to the container when expanded. The frame is
positioned for transport of the container when retracted.
[0006] In illustrated embodiments, the frame includes a frame
member configured to pivot about an axis between a first position
and a second position. The frame is positionable as a single unit
about the container by advancement of the frame relative to the
container when in the first position. The frame is positioned for
transport of the container when in the second position. The axis is
a horizontal axis and the frame member pivots upward toward the
first position. The axis is a vertical axis and the frame member
pivots outward toward the first position. The frame member includes
two members that each pivot outward in opposite directions. The
frame includes at least one supporting wheel that supports the
frame when the road wheels are off the ground.
[0007] In another aspect, a method includes positioning a trailer
as a single unit about a container, attaching the trailer to
regions of four lower corners of the container, lifting the
container off the ground using the trailer, and attaching the
trailer to a tractor. The trailer has road wheels for long-haul
transportation of the trailer over conventional road systems.
[0008] This, and other aspects, may include one or more of the
following features. The method further includes expanding the frame
to position the trailer about the container as a single unit. Also,
the method includes pivoting the frame to position the trailer
about the container as a single unit. The frame is pivoted about a
horizontal axis or a vertical axis.
[0009] In another aspect, a trailer frame includes two longitudinal
members, and a third member connecting the two longitudinal
members. The third member is actuatable to laterally expand and
retract the frame such that the frame is positionable as a single
unit about a container for attaching the frame to the container in
four regions of the container to lift the container. The trailer
frame includes at least two road wheels for long-haul
transportation of the trailer over conventional road systems.
[0010] This, and other aspects, may include one or more of the
following features. The frame further includes at least one support
wheel supporting the frame when the frame moves laterally.
[0011] In another aspect, a trailer frame includes a member
configured and arranged to pivot about a horizontal axis such that
the frame is positionable as a single unit about a container for
attaching the frame to the container in four regions of the
container to lift and the container, and at least two road wheels
for long-haul transportation of the trailer over conventional road
systems.
[0012] This, and other aspects, may include one or more of the
following features. The frame further includes a support member to
support the frame when the road wheels are off the ground. The
support member is pivotable between a support position and a
transport position.
[0013] In another aspect, a trailer frame includes first and second
members each configured and arranged to pivot about a vertical axis
such that the frame is positionable as a single unit about a
container for attaching the frame to the container in four regions
of the container to lift the container, and at least two road
wheels for long-haul transportation of the trailer over
conventional road systems.
[0014] This, and other aspects, can include one or more of the
following features. The frame further includes a first support
wheel associated with the first member and a second support wheel
associated with the second member to support the frame when the
road wheels are off the ground.
[0015] The details of one or more implementations of the
specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the
description below. Other features and aspects of the specification
will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic of a trailer for lifting and
transporting a container.
[0017] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the trailer shown in a
retracted configuration.
[0018] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the trailer shown in an
expanded configuration and positioned about a container.
[0019] FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the trailer shown lifting
the container.
[0020] FIG. 2D is a perspective view of the trailer and container
in position for transport.
[0021] FIG. 3A is a front view of a mechanism for connecting road
wheels to the frame.
[0022] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the mechanism of FIG.
3A.
[0023] FIG. 3C is a side view of the mechanism of FIG. 3A.
[0024] FIG. 4A is a front view of a mechanism for connecting road
wheels to the frame.
[0025] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the mechanism of FIG.
4A.
[0026] FIG. 4C is a side view of the mechanism of FIG. 4A.
[0027] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
trailer shown with a rear support member in a vertical
configuration.
[0028] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the trailer of FIG. 5A
shown with the rear support member in a horizontal
configuration.
[0029] FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the trailer of FIG. 5A
shown positioned about a container.
[0030] FIG. 5D is a perspective view of the trailer of FIG. 5A and
the container in position for transport.
[0031] FIG. 6A is a perspective view another embodiment of a
trailer shown with rear vertical members in an aligned
configuration.
[0032] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the trailer of FIG. 6A
shown with the rear vertical members rotated out of alignment and
positioned about a container.
[0033] FIG. 6C is a perspective view of the trailer of FIG. 6A and
the container in position for transport.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] Referring to FIG. 1, a trailer 110 to load, unload, and
transport a container 115 includes a coupling 125 that attaches the
trailer 110 to a conventional tractor 105. The trailer 110 includes
a frame 120, attached to the coupling 125. The frame 120 is
positionable as a single unit about the container 115 to attach the
frame to the container 115 to transport the container 115. The
coupling 125 is, for example, a conventional converter dolly that
couples the tractor and trailer by, for example, a 5th wheel.
[0035] After the frame is positioned about the container, as
discussed further below, the container is lifted by attaching the
frame 120 to the container 115 in regions 136, 138 of the lower
four lower corners 132, 134 of the container 115 (only two corners
being shown), and actuating the frame 120 to lift the container 115
off the ground. Upon lifting, the frame 120 provides support to and
secures the container 115 when the trailer 110 is hauled by the
tractor 105 in conventional short and long haul trucking. To do so,
in various implementations described below, the frame 120 includes
road wheels, castor wheels, and inter-connected members that
expand, contract, and/or pivot about horizontal or vertical
axes.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 2A, in one implementation, a trailer 110a
to load, unload, and transport a container 115, for example, an ISO
container of standard dimensions, includes a frame 120a having a
plurality of interconnected members, for example, two longitudinal
members 205 and 210, four vertical members 244, 246, 248, and 250,
three transverse members 220, 270, and 272 connecting the
longitudinal and vertical members, and a further transverse member
282. The transverse member 282 is located between the front ends
207, 212 of the two longitudinal members 205, 210, respectively,
and the coupling 125 is attached to the transverse member 282. The
transverse members 220, 270, 272, and 282 are actuated, as
described below, to laterally expand and retract the frame
120a.
[0037] The frame 120a includes road wheels 215 coupled to each of
the two longitudinal members 205 and 210 to permit the tractor 105
to haul the trailer 110a during conventional transportation of the
container 115 over roadways and the like. To support the frame 110a
during lateral expansion and retraction, the frame 110a includes
two castor wheels 240 and 242 attached to the first longitudinal
member 205 and oriented in a transverse direction. During lateral
expansion and retraction of the frame 120, the castor wheels 240
and 242 contact the ground, and the road wheels 215 are raised off
the ground. When the trailer 110a is hauled by the tractor 105, the
castor wheels 240 and 242 are off the ground and the road wheels
215 contact the ground.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 2B, to position the frame 120a as a single
unit about the container 115, the user aligns the back end of the
frame 120a adjacent the front face of the container 115, raises the
road wheels 215 on the longitudinal member 205 to lower the frame
120a onto the castor wheels 240 and 242 and lifts the road wheels
215 off the ground. Then, the user laterally expands the frame
120a, lowers the road wheels 215 to the ground raising the castor
wheels 240 and 242 off the ground, and backs the trailer 110a
around the container 115. Referring to FIG. 2C, to load the
container 115 on the frame 120a, the user attaches cables 255,
discussed below, to the four lower corners of the container 115,
and lifts the container 115 off the ground. Referring to FIG. 2D,
to prepare the container 115 for transportation, the user raises
the road wheels 215 lowering the castor wheels 240 and 242 to the
ground, and retracts the frame 120a to position the frame below the
container. Then, the user lowers the road wheels 215 to the ground
raising the castor wheels 240 and 242 off the ground. The user then
lowers the container 115 onto the frame 120a, for example, onto the
longitudinal members 205 and 210, and secures the container 115 to
the frame 120a. For example, the user secures the container 115 to
the frame 120a using a twistlock such as TANDEMLOC.TM. twistlock
tiedowns (TANDEMLOC, Inc., Havelock, N.C.).
[0039] To enable the raising and lowering of the frame 120a and the
lowering and raising of the road wheels 215 to and from ground
level, the frame 120a includes mechanisms (FIGS. 3 and 4, described
below) that attach the road wheels 215 to the longitudinal members
205 and 210. The transverse members 220, 270, 272, and 282 each
include a stationary portion 225 and sliding portion 230 to enable
lateral expansion and retraction of the frame 120a controlled, for
example, by hydraulics 235. The coupling 125 is attached to the
stationary portion 225 of the transverse member 282.
[0040] To lift and to secure the container 115, the frame 120a
includes cables 255 (FIG. 2A) attached to the four vertical members
244, 246, 248 and 250 for attaching the frame 120 to the container
115 to lift and lower the container 115. The cables 225 terminate
in hooks 257 that are received in standard couplings at the four
lower corners of the container 115. The cables 225 route around
pulleys 260 attached at the upper end of each of the four vertical
members and are controlled by hydraulics 268. The cables and the
pulleys are attached such that the tension in the cables, as the
container 115 is lifted off the ground, is uniform. Further, the
bottom of the container 115 remains substantially parallel to the
ground as the container 115 is lifted and lowered.
[0041] Techniques similar to those described with reference to
FIGS. 2A-2D are used to unload the container 115. For example,
using the tractor 105, the user positions the trailer 110a at a
location where the container 115 is to be unloaded. The user raises
the road wheels 215 lowering the frame 120a until the castor wheels
240, 242 contact the ground and the road wheels 215 are off the
ground. Then, the user actuates the transverse members 220, 270,
272, and 282 to laterally expand the frame 120a, and lowers the
container 115 to the ground by actuating the hydraulics 268 that
operate the cables 255. Once the container 115 is on the ground,
the user detaches the cables from the container 115, and lowers the
road wheels 215 raising the castor wheels 240, 242 off the ground.
Then, using the tractor 105, the user pulls the trailer 110a away
from the container 115, and retracts the frame 120a for
transport.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 3A-3C, in one implementation, the
mechanism by which each road wheel 215 is attached to longitudinal
member 205 of the frame 120a to permit the road wheels 215 to be
raised and lowered relative to the frame 120a includes a support
element 505 pivotally connected to the longitudinal member 205.
Mounted to the support element 505 are a wheel axle 515, an airbag
525 and an actuator 510. The actuator 510 is also attached to the
longitudinal member 205 such that the extension and retraction of
the actuator 510 acts to pivot the support element 505. The wheel
axle 515 is coupled to a wheel hub 520 of the road wheel 215, such
that when the actuator 515 is actuated, the support element 505
pivots to raise or lower the wheel axle 515, thereby raising or
lowering the wheel hub 520 and the attached road wheel 215. Thus,
to lower the frame 120a onto castor wheels 240 and 242, the
actuator 510 is retracted to raise the road wheels 215 into ground
contact; and to raise the frame 120a onto the road wheels 215, the
actuator 510 is extended to lower the road wheels 215. An
alternative implementations of the mechanism can include springs in
addition to or in place of the air bag 325.
[0043] In another implementation of the mechanism by which the road
wheels 215 are attached to the longitudinal member 205 of the frame
120a, two wheel hubs 520 are attached to wheel axle 515 at either
end of the wheel axle 515 such that at each axle, one wheel is
outside the frame 120a and one wheel is inside the frame 120a. In
this construct, the frame expands further to clear the container
when compared to the frame that uses the mechanism of FIGS. 3.
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, in another implementation,
rather than laterally expanding and retracting the frame, a trailer
110b to load, unload, and transport a container 115 is positioned
about the container as a single unit by rotation of a rear frame
member about a horizontal axis. Trailer 110b includes a frame 120b
having two vertical members 355, 360, and a rear frame member 310.
Rear frame member 310 pivots about a horizontal axis, X, such that
with the rear frame member 310 in the vertical position of FIG. 5A
the frame 120b is in position for transport, and with the rear
frame member 310 in the horizontal position of FIG. 5B the frame
120b is in position to be advanced around the container 115. The
frame 120b includes two longitudinal members 315 and 320 connecting
the members 355, 360, and 310, and a support member 336 that
supports the frame 120b when the rear frame member 310 is raised
off the ground.
[0045] The support member 336 is pivotably coupled to the
longitudinal members 315 and 320, and includes castor wheels 350 on
which the frame 120b is movable. The rear frame member 310 includes
two struts 305, 306 to which road wheels 322, 324, 326, and 328 are
mounted to permit the tractor 105 to haul the trailer 110b, and
contact wheels 366 that rest against the top of the container when
the frame is advanced about the container. To pivot the rear frame
member 310 such that the road wheels 322, 324, 326 and 328 clear
the top surface of the container 115, the frame 120 includes
hydraulic pistons 352 attached between the longitudinal members 315
and 320 and the rear frame member 310.
[0046] To position the frame 120b as a unit about the container
115, the user aligns the back end of the frame 120b adjacent the
front face of the container 115, and pivots the rear frame member
310 to the horizontal position of FIG. 5B. The user then backs the
trailer 110b so that the rear frame member 310 is positioned over
the top of the container 115. The trailer 110b moves on the castor
wheels 350 attached to the support member 336. Referring to FIG.
5C, as the user backs up, the contact wheels 366 engage the top of
the container 115 to support the rear frame member 310 followed by
the container 115 contacting the support member 336 to pivot the
support member up and out of the way. The user backs up the trailer
110b to position illustrated in FIG. 5D, lowers the rear support
frame 310 so that frame 120b rests on the road wheels, and loads
the container 115 onto the frame 120b using cables and pulleys, as
discussed above, to secure the container 115 to the frame 120b.
[0047] The user unloads the container 115 by lowering the container
to the ground using the cables, raising the rear frame member 310,
and driving forward. As the frame moves forward, wheels 366
initially roll over the top surface of the container 115, while the
supporting member 336 pivots downward such that the castor wheels
350 make contact with the ground to provide support to the frame
120b. Once the frame 120b clears the container, the rear frame
member 310 is lowered. The supporting member 336 can be, for
example, biased toward the downward position by a spring mechanism,
not shown.
[0048] Referring to FIGS. 6A-6C, in another implementation, rather
than a rear frame member that pivots about a horizontal axis, a
trailer 110c includes a frame 120c having two rear vertical members
415, 420 that each pivot about a vertical axis, Y, Z, respectively.
To load and unload the container 115, the members 415, 420 are
pivoted outward using hydraulic pistons 448, 450 so that the
trailer 110c clears the container. To support the frame 120c during
pivoting of the members 415, 420, the members each include castor
wheels 462 that can be extended into ground contact using actuators
466 to raise the road wheels 422 off the ground. For transport, the
rear vertical members 415, 420 are pivoted inward on the castor
wheels 462, the castor wheels are raised so the frame sits on the
road wheels, and the container is secured to the frame as described
above.
[0049] Other embodiments are within the scope of the following
claims. For example, the first implementation of the trailer 110
can include a different number of road wheels attached to the frame
120 than illustrated. The transverse members need not be connected
to the ends of the longitudinal members. Instead, the transverse
members can be connected near the ends of the longitudinal members.
Additional or fewer castor wheels can be attached to the frame to
facilitate lateral expansion and retraction. Pulleys that are
coupled with the cables to lift the container can be attached at
any location on the vertical members. Alternatively, the pulleys
can be coupled to any member of the frame. The frame 120 can
include fewer transverse members. Alternatively, the frame can
include additional vertical members connected by additional
transverse members to load and unload the container, and to
facilitate lateral expansion and retraction. The container can be
larger or smaller than an ISO container. The dimensions of the
members of the frame can be selected based on the dimensions of the
container to be transported. The hooks or other fasteners at the
ends of the cables can be attached to regions of the bottom surface
of the container such that the container can be adequately
supported. Such regions need not include the corner regions alone.
Alternatively, or in addition, the cables can be attached to
regions near the corners. The longitudinal members can include a
lip on a top surface of the frame on which the container can
rest.
[0050] With respect to the second implementation of the trailer
110, the upper ends of the vertical members need not be coupled to
the back ends of the longitudinal members for pivoting.
Alternatively, regions near the upper ends of the vertical members
can be coupled to regions near the back ends. The frame 120 can
include multiple support members based on the length of the
longitudinal members, each support member including a corresponding
castor wheel to facilitate trailer movement. Additional hydraulics
can be coupled to the longitudinal member and attached to the
support member to pivot the support member. Although FIGS. 5A-5D
illustrate "H" shaped third and fourth vertical members, these
vertical members can be of any shape. Further, the third and fourth
vertical members can be shorter than the first and second vertical
members. In such scenarios, to move the trailer, the road wheels of
the tractor can be used. When the frame is lowered and the road
wheels of the first and second vertical member are raised from the
ground, the tractor can be moved away from the trailer to place the
third and fourth vertical members on the ground.
[0051] In some scenarios, the first and second vertical members
included in the frame of the third implementation of the trailer
can have members attached to the upper end to provide an "L" shape
or a "T" shape. These additional members can be coupled to the
longitudinal members to facilitate pivoting. In some scenarios,
instead of or in addition to using cables to lift the container,
electric and/or hydraulic winches can be used.
[0052] Various features of the separate embodiments can be
implemented in combination.
* * * * *