Patent · US Expired

Self-loading piggyback-type trailer unit

US5494309A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
2References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 30, 1994
Grant dateFeb 27, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 30, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60P3/07
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A trailer unit includes a front trailer section and a rear trailer section disposed in an aligned end-to-end relationship with a lift arm being pivotally connected at opposite ends thereof to the front and rear trailer sections. The rear trailer section includes a series of ground engaging wheels, whereas the front trailer section, when hitched to the tractor truck, is simply supported by the tractor truck's conventional fifth wheel. The trailer unit is adapted to be rigged to a conventional tractor truck with no important modifications having to be made thereto. Hydraulic cylinders are pivotally mounted at their cylinder ends to rear of the front trailer section and at their piston ends to the front end of the lift arm. When the cylinders are extended, a rear end of the lift arm is gradually pivoted upward and forward, whereby lifting the front end of the rear trailer section and carrying the same gradually onto the front trailer section. In the collapsed position of the trailer unit, the rear trailer section sits basically on the front trailer section while being also supported by the elevated lift arm with the weight of the rear trailer section being substantially centered over …

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.