Trailer stabilization and restraint
AssigneeStabilock, LLC
InventorThomas Terrance Kimener
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A parked freight trailer stabilizer and restraint comprising: (a) a kingpin receiver configured to lock onto a kingpin of a parked freight trailer; (b) a jack operatively coupled to the kingpin receiver, the jack repositionable between a retracted position and an extended position; (c) a tail hold operatively coupled to the kingpin receiver, the tail hold repositionable between a stowed position and a restraining position, the tail hold configured to engage a ground mount; and, (d) a transport receiver configured to engage a transport vehicle.
Claims24
A method of stabilizing a parked semi-trailer, the method comprising:
- transporting a trailer stabilizer using a transport vehicle so that at least a portion of the trailer stabilizer is lifted off the ground, wherein the trailer stabilizer is releasably engaged by the transport vehicle;
- approaching a front of the parked semi-trailer, while the parked semi-trailer is oriented with its rear end adjacent an opening of a loading dock, with the transport vehicle while at least the portion of the trailer stabilizer remains lifted off the ground;
- repositioning the trailer stabilizer, using the transport vehicle, underneath a front nose of the semi-trailer to provide a vertical gap between the parked semi-trailer and the ground unoccupied by the trailer stabilizer;
- disengaging the trailer stabilizer from the transport vehicle and maintaining the vertical gap;
- and
- repositioning at least the portion of the trailer stabilizer to contact the ground without repositioning landing gear of the parked semi-trailer.
A method of positioning a stabilizer for a parked semi-trailer, the method comprising:
- lifting, using a transport vehicle, at least a portion of a trailer stabilizer off the ground;
- deploying the trailer stabilizer, while at least the portion of the trailer stabilizer is off the ground, underneath a forward portion of the parked semi-trailer, opposite a rear end of the parked semi-trailer that is oriented adjacent an opening of a loading dock, wherein deploying the trailer stabilizer includes providing a vertical gap between the parked semi-trailer and the ground unoccupied by the trailer stabilizer;
- and
- repositioning at least the portion of the trailer stabilizer to contact the ground without repositioning landing gear of the parked semi-trailer.
A method of stabilizing a parked semi-trailer, the method comprising:
- engaging a transport vehicle connection of a transport vehicle with a transport receiver of a trailer stabilizer, wherein the trailer stabilizer is configured to stabilize a parked semi-trailer, wherein at least one of the transport vehicle connection and the transport receiver comprises a projection;
- approaching a front of the semi-trailer with the transport vehicle carrying the trailer stabilizer;
- engaging the trailer stabilizer with an underside of the semi-trailer;
- engaging the trailer stabilizer with the ground without repositioning landing gear of the parked semi-trailer;
- removing the projection from the transport receiver;
- and
- repositioning the transport vehicle away from the front of the semi-trailer.
A method of moving a trailer stabilizer, the method comprising:
- approaching a trailer stabilizer with a transport vehicle, the trailer stabilizer operatively engaging the ground and a forward portion of an underside of a parked semi-trailer;
- engaging a transport vehicle connection of the transport vehicle with a transport receiver of the trailer stabilizer, wherein one of the transport vehicle connection and the transport receiver comprises a projection;
- disengaging at least a portion of the trailer stabilizer from the ground;
- disengaging the trailer stabilizer from the underside of the semi-trailer;
- and
- moving the trailer stabilizer away from the semi-trailer by repositioning the transport vehicle carrying the trailer stabilizer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.