US 6,050,578 A · Log trailer load booster

Abstract

A log trailer load booster is described for construction in combination with or attachment to a log trailer having a wheeled trailer frame, a payload receiving bunk on the trailer frame, and an elongated trailer beam for connection to a log truck. The booster includes an elongated booster frame with a pivot connection on the booster frame configured to pivotably connect the booster frame to the trailer frame for up and down pivotal movement about a horizontal axis. A booster axle is mounted by a suspension on the booster frame. A link is configured to connect the trailer frame and booster frame and is selectively operable between a locked condition in which upward pivotal movement of the booster frame relative to the trailer frame about the horizontal axis is limited and an unlocked condition in which the booster frame is allowed substantially free pivotal movement about the horizontal axis relative to the trailer frame. A load transfer device is mounted to the booster frame and is selectively operable to axially lift the booster frame about the horizontal axis with respect to the booster axle against the link (when locked against compression) to transfer payload to the booster axle.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A log trailer load booster for a log trailer having a wheeled trailer frame, a payload receiving bunk pivoted on the trailer frame about a substantially upright bunk axis, and an elongated trailer beam for connection to a log truck, the booster comprising:

an elongated booster frame having a forward end and a rearward end;
a pivot connection on the booster frame configured to pivotably connect the booster frame to the trailer frame for up and down pivotal movement thereon about a horizontal axis;
a stop on the booster frame positioned thereon to engage the trailer frame and limit down pivotal motion of the booster frame;
a booster axle on the booster frame
a suspension between the booster axle and booster frame;
an elongated link configured at a forward end to be pivotably connected to the bunk and at a rearward end to be connected to the booster frame;
wherein the link is extendible and retractable;
a lock device on the link selectively operable to limit retraction of the link beyond a locked position;
and
a load transfer device mounted to the booster frame and selectively operable to axially force the link in the locked position against the bunk and transfer payload to the booster axle.

7 more elements

A log trailer, comprising:

a trailer frame;
a trailer axle below the trailer frame;
a payload receiving bunk on the trailer frame above the trailer axle;
an elongated trailer beam on the trailer frame extending forwardly of the trailer frame for connection to a log truck;
an elongated booster frame having a forward end and a rearward end;
a pivot connection on the booster frame pivotably connecting an end of the booster frame to the trailer frame for up and down pivotal movement thereon about a horizontal axis;
a booster axle on the booster frame;
a suspension between the booster axle and booster frame;
a link on the booster frame connecting the trailer frame and booster frame and selectively operable between a locked condition in which upward pivotal movement of the booster frame relative to the trailer frame about the horizontal axis is limited and an unlocked condition in which the booster frame is allowed substantially free pivotal movement about the horizontal axis relative to the trailer frame;
and
a load transfer device mounted to the booster frame and selectively operable to pivot the booster frame upwardly about the horizontal axis with respect to the booster axle against the link in the locked condition to transfer payload to the booster axle.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Log trailer load booster

Life of this patent

Log trailer load booster

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25