Coil pipe trailer

Abstract

A tailer for transporting coiled pipe and assisting in the unwinding of the pipe for laying in a trench. A support cradle contacts the outer surface of the coil, thereby obviating the need for a reel. The cradle includes self-centering support rollers upon which the coil freely rotates during the pipe laying operation. Horizontal rollers are provided as a retainer for engaging the inner surface of the coil. The position of the retainer rollers is adjustable to accommodate a variety of coil diameters. To remove coil set from the pipe unwinding from the coil, a reforming assembly includes a straightener and rerounder. The pipe reforming assembly is mounted on rollers on the base of the trailer for translating back and forth to track the pipe during unwinding to maintain alignment. The rerounder and straightener are provided with a releasable gate and top portion respectively, to assist in the loading and unloading of the pipe in the reforming assembly. In one embodiment, straightening occurs in the transition from the coil in the cradle to the reforming assembly.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.