Method and apparatus for lifting a trailer

Abstract

A lifting apparatus for use in lifting a trailer from a railcar, wherein the trailer includes a tandem rear axel with wheel assemblies having tires coupled thereto, for use in combination with an overhead crane having a plurality of lifting shoes for engaging the trailer at a plurality of lifting points. The lifting apparatus includes a connector member for connecting the lifting apparatus to a lower portion of particular ones of the plurality of lifting shoes and a retaining member for engaging the tandem rear axel and a particular one of the wheel assemblies in order to secure the particular one of the wheel assemblies in a fixed position and to bear the weight of the tandem rear axel and the wheel assemblies. The lifting apparatus also includes an adjustment member for determining an amount of engagement between the retaining member and the tandem axel and the particular one of the wheel assemblies. The adjustment member includes a mechanical biasing subassembly which urges the retaining member into mechanical engagement with the tandem rear axels with wheel assemblies. A mechanical linkage is provided for mechanically connecting the connector member, the retainer member and the adjustment member.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.