# US 2019/0168828 A1 · Platform trailer with reinforced neck > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0168828 A1 - Document ID: US20190168828A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/269,113 - Filed: 2019-02-06 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-08-07 - Assignees: East Manufacturing Corporation - Applicants: East Manufacturing Corporation - Inventors: Howard D. Booher; Derek Davies - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190168828A1 ## CPC - 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)} - B62D 21/20: trailer type, i.e. a frame specifically constructed for use in a non-powered vehicle - 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 A trailer neck reinforcement structure includes a first beam reinforcement structure that includes: (i) a first beam inner insert connected to an inner side of the first beam; and, (ii) and a first beam outer insert connected to an outer side of the first beam. A second beam reinforcement structure includes: (i) a second beam inner insert connected to an inner side of the second beam; and, (ii) and a second beam outer insert connected to an outer side of the second beam. Internal cross members extend between the first beam inner insert and the second beam inner insert. A first group of external cross members are located between the first beam outer insert and the left side rail, and a second group of external cross members are located between the second beam outer insert and the right side rail. Each external cross member comprises an inner segment connected to an outer segment. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A platform trailer comprising: a forward end and a rear end spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal axis; a cargo supporting platform that extends between said forward end and said rear end and including left and right laterally spaced-apart sides connected respectively to a left side rail and a right side rail; a chassis supporting said platform, said chassis comprising first and second beams that extend parallel to said longitudinal axis, said first and second beams each comprising a first height H1 located axially between said forward end and said rear end; at least one axle assembly connected to said chassis and comprising left and right rotatable wheel and tire assemblies; said forward end of said trailer comprising a neck region where said first and second beams each comprise a second height H2 that is less than said first height H1; a fifth wheel plate that is fixedly secured to and that extends between both said first and second beams in said neck region; a kingpin connected to said fifth wheel plate and adapted to be engaged by an associated tractor fifth wheel; said trailer further comprising a neck reinforcement structure located in said neck region, said neck reinforcement structure comprising: a first beam reinforcement structure connected to said first beam, said first beam reinforcement structure comprising: (i) a first beam inner insert connected to an inner side of said first beam that faces said second beam; and, (ii) and a first beam outer insert connected to an outer side of said first beam that is oriented away from the second beam; a second beam reinforcement structure connected to said second beam, said second beam reinforcement structure comprising: (i) a second beam inner insert connected to an inner side of said second beam that faces said first beam; and, (ii) and a second beam outer insert connected to an outer side of said second beam that is oriented away from the first beam; a plurality of internal cross members that extend between and interconnect said first beam inner insert and said second beam inner insert; a first group of external cross members located between the first beam outer insert and the left side rail; a second group of external cross members located between the second beam outer insert and the right side rail; wherein each external cross member comprises an inner segment connected to an outer segment, said inner and outer segments of each external cross member of said first group connected respectively to said first beam outer insert and said left side rail, and said inner and outer segments of each external cross member of said second group connected respectively to said second beam outer insert and said right side rail. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The platform trailer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fifth wheel plate comprises: a main portion that extends between and connects said first and second beams; and, a bifurcated tail portion including spaced-apart first and second tail portions each connected to said main portion, said first tail portion connected to said first beam and said second tail portion connected to said second beam. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The platform trailer as set forth in claim 2, wherein said first and second tail portions of said fifth wheel plate each extend axially rearward from said main portion of said fifth wheel plate toward said rear end of said trailer to at least an axial location where said first and second beams define a height that is at least equal to twice said second height H2. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The platform trailer as set forth in claim 3, wherein said first beam height H1 equals a maximum beam height defined by said first and second beams. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The platform trailer as set forth in claim 4, wherein said first and second tail portions of said fifth wheel plate each extend axially rearward from said main portion of said fifth wheel plate toward said rear end of said trailer to at least an axial location where said first and second beams define said first beam height H1. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The platform trailer as set forth in claim 5, wherein said first and second tail portions of said fifth wheel plate each extend axially rearward from said main portion of said fifth wheel plate toward said rear end of said trailer to at least an axial location where said first and second tail portions are located between said at least one axle assembly and a midpoint of said trailer that is located axially halfway between said forward end and said rear end of said trailer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The platform trailer as set forth in claim 6, wherein each of said first and second tail portions comprises a primary segment defined as part of a one-piece construction with said main portion and a secondary segment connected to said primary segment. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The platform trailer as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said first beam inner insert and said first beam outer insert are connected to said first beam by a first plurality of primary fasteners that each extend through said first beam inner insert, said first beam, and said first beam outer insert; and, said second beam inner insert and said second beam outer insert are connected to said second beam by a second plurality of primary fasteners that each extend through said second beam inner insert, said second beam, and said second beam outer insert. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The platform trailer as set forth in claim 8, wherein said plurality of internal cross members each comprise a first end welded to said first beam inner insert and each comprise a second end welded to said second beam inner insert. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The platform trailer as set forth in claim 9, wherein said first and second beams each comprise an I-beam profile and include a upper flange, a lower flange, and a web that extends between said upper and lower flanges; said first beam inner insert comprises a first brace installed in a first beam recess located on an inner side of said first beam that is oriented toward said second beam; said second beam inner insert comprises a second brace installed in a second beam recess located on an inner side of said second beam that is oriented toward said first beam; said first brace comprising a first leg abutted with said web of said first beam and comprising a second leg connected to said first leg and arranged transverse to said first leg and extending outwardly from said first beam recess beyond said upper flange of said first beam, wherein each of said first plurality of primary fasteners extends through said first leg of said first brace, said web of said first beam, and said first beam outer insert; said second brace comprising a first leg abutted with said web of said second beam and comprising a second leg connected to said first leg and arranged transverse to said first leg and extending outwardly from said second beam recess beyond said upper flange of said second beam, wherein each of said second plurality of primary fasteners extends through said first leg of said second brace, said web of said second beam, and said second beam outer insert. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The platform trailer as set forth in claim 10, wherein at least some of said internal cross members are bolted to the respective second legs of both said first and second braces. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The platform trailer as set forth in claim 10, wherein said main portion of said fifth wheel plate is connected to at least one of said plurality of internal cross members between said first and second beams by a plurality of fifth wheel plate fasteners. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The platform trailer as set forth in claim 8, wherein: said inner segment of each of said external cross members of said first group is welded to said first beam outer insert; said outer segment of each of said external cross members of said first group is welded to said left side rail; said inner segment of each of said external cross members of said second group is welded to said second beam outer insert; said outer segment of each of said external cross members of said second group is welded to said right side rail. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The platform trailer as set forth in claim 13, wherein said inner and outer segments of each external cross member of said first and second groups of external cross members are connected together by at least two fasteners. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The platform trailer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second beam height H2 is defined at an axial location on said longitudinal axis at which said kingpin is connected to said trailer. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The platform trailer as set forth in claim 15, wherein the second beam height H2 is less than 30% of the first beam height H1 such that: H2<0.30*H1. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The platform trailer as set forth in claim 15, wherein the second beam height H2 is less than 25% of the first beam height H1 such that: H2<0.25*H1. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The platform trailer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second beams are defined from aluminum alloy, and wherein said first and second beam reinforcement structures are defined from a metal other than aluminum alloy. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The platform trailer as set forth in claim 18, wherein said first and second beam reinforcement structures are defined from stainless steel. ### Claim 20 A trailer comprising: a cargo supporting platform that extends between a forward end and a rear end and including a left side rail and a right side rail; a chassis that supports said platform, said chassis comprising first and second I-beams that extend parallel to each other and parallel to a longitudinal axis, said first and second beams each comprising a first height H1 located axially between said forward end and said rear end; at least one axle assembly connected to said chassis and comprising left and right wheel and tire assemblies; said trailer comprising a neck region where said first and second beams each comprise a second height H2 that is less than said first height H1; a fifth wheel plate that is fixedly secured to and that extends laterally between both said first and second beams in said neck region; a kingpin connected to said fifth wheel plate and adapted to be engaged by an associated tractor fifth wheel; said trailer further comprising a neck reinforcement structure located in said neck region, said neck reinforcement structure comprising: a first beam reinforcement structure connected to said first beam, said first beam reinforcement structure comprising: (i) a first beam inner insert connected to an inner side of said first beam that faces said second beam; and, (ii) and a first beam outer insert connected to an outer side of said first beam that is oriented away from the second beam; a second beam reinforcement structure connected to said second beam, said second beam reinforcement structure comprising: (i) a second beam inner insert connected to an inner side of said second beam that faces said first beam; and, (ii) and a second beam outer insert connected to an outer side of said second beam that is oriented away from the first beam; a plurality of internal cross members that extend between and interconnect said first beam inner insert and said second beam inner insert; a first group of external cross members located between the first beam outer insert and the left side rail; a second group of external cross members located between the second beam outer insert and the right side rail; wherein each external cross member comprises an inner segment made of a first metal connected to an outer segment made of a second metal that is different than the first metal of the inner segment.