Booster axle and system for coupling booster axle to a payload

A system to facilitate coupling a booster axle assembly to a payload on a trailer, the system comprising:

• a booster axle assembly comprising:
• a wheel axle;
• a suspension system coupled to the wheel axle;
• a booster frame supported by the suspension system;
• a main link coupled, via a first hinged connection, to a rear portion of the booster frame and extending from the first hinged connection in an upward and forward direction;
• a lock assembly coupled to a forward end of the main link via a second hinged connection;
• and
• a lockup frame coupled to a front end of the booster frame by a third hinged connection and coupled to the lock assembly by a fourth hinged connection and a fifth hinged connection, wherein the lockup frame comprises a curved bottom portion that defines a cradle;
• and
• a payload on a trailer, or a trailer carrying a payload comprising:
• a back end with a lip configured to fit within the cradle on the booster axle assembly;
• and
• a structural element to mate with the lock assembly on the booster axle assembly,
• wherein the lock assembly of the booster axle assembly comprises:
• a pin;
• and
• a plurality of links and hinged connections configured to move the pin between a first position and a second position,
• wherein the pin is closer to the cradle in the second position than in the first position, and
• wherein the plurality of links and hinged connections comprises:
• a pin link;
• a first coupling link;
• and
• a second coupling link,
• wherein the pin link supports the pin, is coupled to the lockup frame by the fourth hinged connection, and is coupled to the first coupling link by a sixth hinged connection;
• wherein the first coupling link is coupled to the second coupling link at a seventh hinged connection.

A method of securing a booster axle assembly to a payload on a trailer, the method comprising:

• providing a booster axle assembly comprising:
• a wheel axle;
• a suspension system coupled to the wheel axle;
• rigid frame elements comprising:
• a booster frame supported by the suspension system;
• a main link coupled, via a first hinged connection, to a rear portion of the booster frame and extending from the first hinged connection in an upward and forward direction;
• a lock assembly coupled to a forward end of the main link via a second hinged connection;
• and
• a lockup frame coupled to a front end of the booster frame by a third hinged connection and coupled to the lock assembly by a fourth hinged connection and a fifth hinged connection, wherein the lockup frame comprises a curved bottom portion that defines a cradle;
• and
• positioning a payload onto a trailer, wherein the payload or the trailer comprises:
• a lip configured to fit within the cradle on the booster axle assembly;
• and
• a structural element configured to mate with the lock assembly on the booster axle assembly;
• and
• pushing the payload into the booster axle assembly with the trailer, or pushing the trailer into the booster axle assembly,
• wherein booster axle assembly brakes are set while the payload or trailer is being pushed into the booster axle assembly,
• wherein as the payload or trailer moves towards the booster axle assembly;
• the lip on the payload moves over the cradle of the booster axle assembly;
• the payload contacts the lockup frame of the booster axle assembly and starts pushing the booster axle assembly on a backward direction;
• the rigid frame elements of the booster axle assembly start moving in an upward and rearward manner relative to the wheel axle of the booster axle assembly;
• the cradle on the booster axle assembly physically engages the lip on the payload, substantially preventing any further upward movement by a front end of the booster axle assembly even as the payload continues pushing back into the booster axle;
• a back end of the booster axle assembly continues to move in an upward direction, causing the main link to push forward on the lock assembly, which results in a pin on the lock assembly moving into engagement with the corresponding structural element on the payload.