# US 2014/0151977 A1 · Transport trailer with four wheel steering > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0151977 A1 - Document ID: US20140151977A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/692,216 - Filed: 2012-12-03 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-03 - Assignees: J. & M. Manufacturing Co., Inc. - Applicants: J. & M. Manufacturing Co., Inc. - Inventors: Joshua P. Gaerke; James E. Wood; Andrew A. Gartin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140151977A1 ## CPC - B62D 13/04: for individually-pivoted wheels - 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 elongated trailer has a frame with longitudinally extending frame members connected by front and rear cross frame members, and a pair of wheels are pivotally connected to opposite ends of each of the front and rear cross frame members. A steering system includes a front steering crank member connected to a tow bar and supported by the front cross frame member for pivotal movement on a vertical axis, and a rear steering crank member is supported by the rear cross frame member for pivotal movement on a vertical axis. A set of tie rods pivotally connect the front and rear crank members to the corresponding front and rear wheels. An elongated link member or rod connects the front and rear crank members and extends longitudinally of the frame substantially above the bottom surfaces of the frame members to protect the steering system from projecting objects on the ground. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A trailer adapted for transporting agricultural equipment over the ground and along a road, said trailer comprising an elongated frame including longitudinally extending frame members connected by a front cross frame member and a rear cross frame member, front wheels pivotally connected to said front cross frame member and rear wheels pivotally connected to said rear cross frame member, a steering system including a front crank member connected to said front cross frame member and supported for horizontal pivotal movement and further including a forwardly projecting tow bar connected to pivot said front crank member, a set of front tie rods pivotally connecting said front crank member to said front wheels for pivoting said front wheels in response to horizontal pivoting movement of said tow bar, said steering system further including a rear crank member connected to said rear cross frame member and supported for horizontal pivotal movement, a set of rear tie rods pivotally connecting said rear crank member to said rear wheels for pivoting said rear wheels in response to pivoting said rear crank member, a longitudinally extending elongated link member having a first end portion pivotally connected to said front crank member and a second end portion pivotally connected to said rear crank member and effective to pivot said rear wheels in response to pivoting said front wheels, and said link member extending substantially above bottom surfaces of said front cross frame member and said rear cross frame member to protect said link member from being impacted by an object projecting above the ground. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A trailer as defined in claim 1 wherein said front crank member is supported by a bracket mounted on a front surface of said front cross frame member, and said tow bar is connected to said front crank member for pivotal movement on a horizontal axis. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A trailer as defined in claim 2 wherein said first end portion of said link member extends above and over a top surface of said front cross frame member. ### Claim 4 A trailer adapted for transporting agricultural equipment over the ground and along a road, said trailer comprising an elongated frame including longitudinally extending frame members connected by a front cross frame member and a rear cross frame member, front wheels pivotally connected to said front cross frame member and rear wheels pivotally connected to said rear cross frame member, a steering system including a front crank member mounted on a front surface of said front cross frame member and supported for horizontal pivotal movement and further including a forwardly projecting tow bar connected to pivot said front crank member, a set of front tie rods pivotally connecting said front crank member to said front wheels for pivoting said front wheels in response to horizontal pivoting movement of said tow bar, said steering system further including a rear crank member mounted on a front surface of said rear cross frame member and supported for horizontal pivotal movement, a set of rear tie rods pivotally connecting said rear crank member to said rear wheels for pivoting said rear wheels in response to pivoting said rear crank member, a longitudinally extending elongated link member having a first end portion pivotally connected to said front crank member and a second end portion pivotally connected to said rear crank member and effective to pivot said rear wheels in response to pivoting said front wheels, and said link member extending substantially above bottom surfaces of said front cross frame member and said rear cross frame member and above and over said front cross frame member to protect said link member from being impacted by an object projecting above the ground. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A trailer as defined in claim 4 wherein said tow bar is connected to said front crank member for pivoting movement on a horizontal axis. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) A trailer as defined in claim 4 wherein said front crank member includes a flat bottom plate projecting rearwardly under said front cross frame member, and said front tie rods are pivotally connected to said bottom plate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) A trailer as defined in claim 4 wherein said rear crank member includes a flat bottom plate projecting rearwardly under said rear cross frame member, and said rear tie rods are pivotally connected to said bottom plate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) A trailer as defined in claim 4 wherein said first end portion and said second end portion of said link member are positioned above top surfaces of said front cross frame member and said rear cross frame member of said frame.