Self unloading multiple trailer arrangement
AssigneeIndependent Trailer & Repair, Inc.
InventorBoyd B. Nash
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a trailer train combination having a tractor, lead trailer and one or two more following trailers, an adjustable dolly under the front end of each following trailer provides for close coupling of the multiple trailers in end to end contact. Then the multiple trailers are lifted to inclined position causing the upper trailer or trailers to discharge its flowable contents out through the lower trailer in a self unloading operation. The dolly has a slidable fifth wheel assembly and self steering ground wheels which may be locked in straight forward positions. A cab controlled electric and pneumatic control system controls these and other functions in the dolly. The trailers may be equipped with walking floors for self unloading in level positions.
Claims7
A dolly for detachably coupling front and rear trailers together for adjustment between a first position in which the confronting ends of the trailers are spaced apart and a second position in which the confronting ends of the trailers are in substantial abutment with each other, the dolly comprising:
- (a) an elongated frame having a front end portion including a pair of laterally spaced, substantially parallel, elongated, flexible drawbars and a rear end portion supported on laterally spaced wheels,
- (b) connector means on the front end of each drawbar for detachable coupling to the rear end of a front trailer,
- (c) coupling means configured for detachable coupling to the front end of a rear trailer, and
- (d) carriage means supporting the coupling means and mounted movably along the drawbars for adjusting the coupling means between a rearward position for spacing the confronting ends of front and rear trailers apart and a forward position for placing the confronting ends of front and rear trailers substantially in abutment with each other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.