# US 10,308,087 B1 · Universal equipment trailer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,308,087 B1 - Document ID: US10308087B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/446,593 - Filed: 2017-03-01 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-02 - Assignees: DRM Industries, Inc. - Applicants: DRM Industries Corp. - Inventors: Gregory J. Frosch; Nathan A. Pickhard - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10308087B1 ## CPC - B60D 1/50: resiliently mounted (B60D1/30 takes precedence) - B60D 1/04: Hook or hook-and-hasp couplings - B60D 1/07: Multi-hitch devices, i.e. comprising several hitches of the same or of a different type; Hitch-adaptors, i.e. for converting hitches from one type to another - B60D 1/46: vertically - B60D 1/66: Props - B62D 53/061: {of flat bed or low loader type or fitted with swan necks (detachable swan necks B62D53/065; swan neck-fifth wheel couplings B62D53/08)} - B62D 53/067: {Multi-purpose, convertible or extendable load surface semi-trailers (for container transport B60P1/6418; convertible road transport vehicles in general B60P3/42)} - B62D 53/0857: {Auxiliary semi-trailer handling or loading equipment, e.g. ramps, rigs, coupling supports} - B60D: VEHICLE CONNECTIONS - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## Abstract A universal equipment trailer allows the trailer to connect to a variety of towing vehicles, whether the towing vehicle uses a standard trailer hitch or kingpin hitch. A hydraulic or pneumatic system on the trailer can raise or lower a coupling assembly to place one of two available connectors in position for linking to the vehicle hitch. Because the coupling assembly locks into position once raised or lowered, the connection between the towing vehicle and the trailer is secure. The parts for the universal equipment trailer may also be supplied as a kit, allowing conversion of standard trailers to universal equipment trailers. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A universal equipment trailer apparatus for connecting a trailer to a towing vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a first trailer deck rigidly connected to a first trailer riser and a second trailer riser; a coupling box frame rotatably connected to the first trailer riser and the second trailer riser by a plurality of rotational pins, wherein the coupling box frame is releasably connected to the first trailer riser and the second trailer riser by at least one of a plurality of locking pin pairs, wherein at least one side of the coupling box frame is a pin cylinder rest; a plurality of locking pin cylinders connected to the pin cylinder rest, wherein each locking pin cylinder interconnects one of the plurality of locking pin pairs; a rotational cylinder capable of raising and lowering the coupling box frame and a central coupling beam, wherein the rotational cylinder interconnects the coupling box frame and a lower surface of the first trailer deck; and the central coupling beam rigidly connected to the coupling box frame and extending between a pintle ring connector and a side of the coupling box frame opposite the pin cylinder rest, wherein a kingpin connector extends from a bottom surface of the central coupling beam. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of side coupling beams interconnecting the coupling box frame and the central coupling beam, wherein the side coupling beams extend at an angle from the coupling box frame. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a ring mounting plate interconnecting the central coupling beam and the pintle ring connector. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a kingpin mounting plate interconnecting the central coupling beam and the kingpin connector. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of cross coupling beams extending orthogonally to the central coupling beam and interconnecting the central coupling beam and the kingpin mounting plate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fluid base unit connected to the plurality of locking pin cylinders and the rotational cylinder for pumping a fluid to or from the plurality of locking pin cylinders and the rotational cylinder. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the plurality of locking pin cylinders and the rotational cylinder are hydraulic cylinders and the fluid base unit includes a hydraulic reservoir. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the plurality of locking pin cylinders and the rotational cylinder are pneumatic cylinders and the fluid base unit is connected to the towing vehicle's air system. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a power source connected to the fluid base unit and the towing vehicle's power system. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a control unit connected to the plurality of locking pin cylinders and the rotational cylinder, wherein the control unit is configured to allow sequential actuation of one of the plurality of locking pin cylinders, the rotational cylinder, and the other of the plurality of locking pin cylinders. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one riser connector rigidly interconnecting the first trailer riser and the second trailer riser. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of locking pin cylinders and the rotational cylinder are double-acting cylinders. ### Claim 13 A kit for converting a trailer to a universal equipment trailer apparatus, the kit comprising: a first trailer deck rigidly connected to a first trailer riser and a second trailer riser; a coupling box frame rotatably connected to the first trailer riser and the second trailer riser by a plurality of rotational pins, wherein the coupling box frame is releasably connected to the first trailer riser and the second trailer riser by at least one of a plurality of locking pin pairs, wherein at least one side of the coupling box frame is a pin cylinder rest; a plurality of locking pin cylinders connected to the pin cylinder rest, wherein each locking pin cylinder interconnects one of the plurality of locking pin pairs; a rotational cylinder capable of raising and lowering the coupling box frame and a central coupling beam, wherein the rotational cylinder interconnects the coupling box frame and a lower surface of the first trailer deck; and the central coupling beam rigidly connected to the coupling box frame and extending between a pintle ring connector and a side of the coupling box frame opposite the pin cylinder rest, wherein a kingpin connector extends from a bottom surface of the central coupling beam. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The kit of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of side coupling beams interconnecting the coupling box frame and the central coupling beam, wherein the side coupling beams extend at an angle from the coupling box frame. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The kit of claim 13, further comprising a ring mounting plate interconnecting the central coupling beam and the pintle ring connector. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The kit of claim 13, further comprising a kingpin mounting plate interconnecting the central coupling beam and the kingpin connector. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The kit of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of cross coupling beams extending orthogonally to the central coupling beam and interconnecting the central coupling beam and the kingpin mounting plate. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The kit of claim 13, further comprising a fluid base unit for pumping a fluid to the plurality of locking pin cylinders and the rotational cylinder. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The kit of claim 18, wherein plurality of locking pin cylinders and the rotational cylinder are hydraulic cylinders and the fluid base unit includes a hydraulic reservoir. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The kit of claim 18, wherein the plurality of locking pin cylinders and the rotational cylinder are pneumatic cylinders. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The kit of claim 18, further comprising a power source connected to the fluid base unit and capable of connection to a towing vehicle's power system. ### Claim 22 (depends on 13) The kit of claim 13, further comprising a control unit connected to the plurality of locking pin cylinders and the rotational cylinder, wherein the control unit is configured to allow sequential actuation of one of the plurality of locking pin cylinders, the rotational cylinder, and the other of the plurality of locking pin cylinders.