# US 10,308,161 B2 · Intermodal chassis > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,308,161 B2 - Document ID: US10308161B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/903,002 - Filed: 2018-02-22 - Published: 2018-07-12 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2014-10-27 - Assignees: Fleet Concepts Inc. - Applicants: Fleet Concepts, Inc. - Inventors: Keith McKibben; Mark Allen Woods - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10308161B2 ## CPC - B60P 3/40: for carrying long loads, e.g. with separate wheeled load supporting elements ({E04G21/14 takes precedence}; signal devices to be attached to overhanging load B60Q7/02) - B60G 9/003: {the axle being rigidly connected to a trailing guiding device} - B62D 21/20: trailer type, i.e. a frame specifically constructed for use in a non-powered vehicle - 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)} - B60G 2300/042: Semi-trailers - B60G 2300/40: Variable track or wheelbase vehicles - B60P: VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS (vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances A61G3/00) - B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00}) - 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 An intermodal chassis for highway transportation of shipping containers, the chassis having a forward axle and a rear axle, and incorporating an air bag suspension that automatically deflate the air bags when the brakes are locked, preventing damage when loading a container onto the chassis. Large 53 foot long box/high cube type shipping containers may be loaded along their entire length with the chassis having a rear axle positioned under the chassis frame so that the kingpin-to-rear-axle length is no more than 40 feet, and a forward axle positioned under the frame between the gooseneck and the rear axle so that a forward-to-rear-axle length is at least 12 feet. Other features include self-scaling and load-leveling, and other weight savings include use of smaller sized aluminum wheels. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An intermodal chassis adapted for carrying a 53 foot shipping container that is loaded with cargo along its entire 53 foot length, for over-the-highway transport, the chassis comprising: a front bolster and a rear bolster, with a frame structure extending longitudinally therebetween and sized to carry said 53 foot shipping container; a gooseneck portion of said frame structure extending longitudinally rearward from said front bolster and having a top surface sized to fit within a tunnel depression of said shipping container; a kingpin mounted on a bottom surface of said gooseneck portion at a position between 36 inches and 48 inches rearward of a rear face of said front bolster; a main portion of said frame structure extending longitudinally rearward from said gooseneck portion and interconnecting with said rear bolster; a rear axle positioned longitudinally under said main portion of said frame structure such that a kingpin-to-rear-axle length is no more than 40 feet; and a forward axle positioned longitudinally under said main portion of said frame structure between said gooseneck portion and said rear axle such that a forward-to-rear-axle length is at least 12 feet, the combination of said kingpin position, said kingpin-to-rear-axle length, and said forward-to-rear-axle length allowing said chassis to carry said 53 foot shipping container with said container loaded with cargo along its entire 53 foot length and free from reducing cargo weight positioned rearward of said rear-axle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The chassis of claim 1 further comprising air bag suspension for said forward and rear axles, with the air bags for each axle adapted to automatically deflate when a chassis brake system is locked, thereby protecting said air bags from damage when loading said container onto said chassis. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The chassis of claim 2 further comprising a self-scaling system and a load-leveling system associated with said air bags. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The chassis of claim 1 further comprising multiple holes cut from said frame structure to reduce the weight of said chassis. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The chassis of claim 1 further comprising only 19.5 inch wheels to reduce the height of said forward and rear axles and to reduce the weight of said chassis. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The chassis of claim 5 wherein said wheels comprise aluminum instead of steel to reduce the weight of said chassis. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The chassis of claim 1 further comprising non-stick, self-lubricating material on said bottom surface of said gooseneck portion proximate to said kingpin. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The chassis of claim 1 further comprising LED lights integrated into a rear facing surface of said rear bolster.