Container Trailer
AssigneeJames W. Welch
InventorsJames W. Welch, Claude D. White, JR.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A trailer includes a coupling to attach the trailer to a tractor, and a frame attached to the coupling. The frame is positionable as a single unit about a container such that the frame can be attached to the container in four regions of the container to lift the container. The trailer has road wheels for long-haul transportation over road systems. The trailer frame can be positioned about the container by laterally expanding and retracting, pivoting about a horizontal axis, and pivoting about a vertical axis.
Claims27
A trailer, comprising:
- a converter dolly coupling configured and arranged to attach a front end region of the trailer to a tractor by a fifth wheel;
- and
- a frame attached to the coupling, the frame including two longitudinal members extending generally from the front end region to a back end region of the trailer, the frame being positionable as a single unit about a container such that the frame can be attached to the container in regions of four corners of the container to lift corresponding front and back ends of the container, the frame being actuatable between a first configuration permitting advancement of the frame relative to the container and a second configuration, the longitudinal members at least in the second configuration being able to be spaced apart less than a side-to-side width of the container.
A method comprising:
- positioning a trailer as a single unit in a first configuration about a container, the trailer including two longitudinal members extending generally from a front end region to a back end region of the trailer;
- attaching the trailer to regions of four lower corners of the container;
- lifting both end regions of the container off the ground using the trailer;
- actuating the trailer to a second configuration, the longitudinal members at least in the second configuration being spaced apart less than a side-to-side width of the container;
- and
- attaching the front end region of the trailer to a tractor by a fifth wheel, the trailer having road wheels for long-haul transportation of the trailer over conventional road systems.
A trailer comprising:
- a frame including:
- two longitudinal members,
- a third member connecting the two longitudinal members, the third member being actuatable to laterally expand and retract the frame such that the frame is positionable as a single unit about a container for attaching the frame to the container in four regions of the container to lift the container;
- and
- at least two road wheels for long-haul transportation of the trailer over conventional road systems;
- and
- a converter dolly coupling configured and arranged to attach the trailer to a tractor by a fifth wheel.
A trailer frame comprising:
- a member configured and arranged to pivot about a horizontal axis such that the frame is positionable as a single unit about a container for attaching the frame to the container in four regions of the container to lift the container;
- and
- at least two road wheels for long-haul transportation of the trailer over conventional road systems.
A trailer frame comprising:
- first and second members each configured and arranged to pivot about a vertical axis such that the frame is positionable as a single unit about a container for attaching the frame to the container in four regions of the container to lift the container;
- and
- at least two road wheels for long-haul transportation of the trailer over conventional road systems.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.