US 4,626,017 A · Trailer structure for transporting sheet glass and frangible material

Abstract

A trailer structure for transporting sheet glass and other frangible sheet material which includes in a preferred embodiment, a support structure characterized by a fixed A-frame rigidly mounted on the chassis of a trailer with a cooperating material-supporting saddle frame pivoted on the apex ridge of the fixed A-frame and disposed for controlled pendulum movement responsive to road and motion stresses ecountered during transportation of the glass. The glass or other frangible sheets are secured by conventional straps on the saddle frame for transportation over roads and highways and coil springs with cooperating shock absorbers serve to minimize the transmission of stresses from the trailer chassis and fixed A-frame to the saddle frame. The trailer chassis is fitted with pivoting deck panels to facilitate convenient and safe loading of the glass and to provide additional deck area for other cargo.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for supporting frangible sheet material on a trailer chassis and protecting the sheet material from torsional and other road stresses transmitted to the trailer chassis, said apparatus comprising a first A-frame fixedly carried by the trailer chassis;

a second A-frame adapted to receive sheets of frangible sheet material and fitted over said first A-frame and pivotally carried by said first A-frame;
and cushioning means provided in cooperation with said second A-frame for limiting the pivot of said second A-frame on said first A-frame, whereby said second A-frame is substantially prevented from flexing due to torsional and other road stresses in the trailer chassis and in said first A-frame.

A trailer structure for supporting and protecting frangible sheet material from torsional and other road stresses during transportation on a roadway, said trailer structure comprising a trailer chassis having a pair of load-carrying beams and a connecting mechanism for attachment to a tractor vehicle;

and a support apparatus characterized by a first A-frame having a top edge tapered to define an apex ridge, said first A-frame fixedly attached to said beams with said apex ridge projecting above said beams;
a second A-frame adapted to receive and support the frangible sheet material, said second A-frame disposed over said first A-frame and laterally pivotable with respect to said first A-frame along said apex ridge;
and cushioning means disposed between said first A-frame and said second A-frame for limiting the pivot of said second A-frame on said first A-frame, whereby said second A-frame is stress isolated from said first A-frame and said beams.

A trailer structure for supporting and protecting frangible sheet material from longitudinal torsional stresses during travel, said trailer structure comprising a trailer chassis with load-carrying beams and adapted to be towed on a roadway by a tractor vehicle, and a support apparatus characterized by a first A-frame having sloped first sides terminating at a top edge to define a first apex ridge, with the opposite edges of said first sides fixedly secured to the beams in said trailer chassis;

a second A-frame fitted over said first A-frame and pivotally seated on said first apex ridge, said second A-frame having sloped second sides extending below said beams and oppositely-disposed support means terminating said second sides for receiving and supporting the frangible sheet material;
a plurality of pendulum braces connecting the extending edges of said sloped second sides beneath said beams;
and cushioning means positioned between said sloped second sides and said beams, respectively, for isolating and stabilizing said second A-frame from flexure due to road stresses transmitted to said trailer chassis and said first A-frame.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Trailer structure for transporting sheet glass and frangible material

Life of this patent

Trailer structure for transporting sheet glass and frangible material

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20