Equipment rack for trailers
OwnerDavid L. Schmidlkoferinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Trailer racks, and more particularly to straddle-type trailer racks for closed trailers, which racks include a load platform supported by legs mounted directly to the trailer sub-frame, fit within the foot-print of the trailer wheels, do not interfere with side and rear doors, and are spaced from and not supported on the trailer body top nor rely on it for structural rigidity. The inventive straddle-type trailer rack can also be adapted for use with open trailers. A wide range of options are available, including equipment brackets secured to the legs that can also be used as steps, lockable keeper assemblies, dual function lockable safety cross braces, catwalk for the load platform, access ladder, and forward extensions. The inventive rack is also configurable in kit form.
Claims20
A trailer-mounted equipment rack, said trailer having an under-frame and at least one axle having wheels mounted thereon, the spacing of said wheels defining a track width of said trailer, said trailer being selected from an open top and a closed load box for carrying things, comprising elements as assembled together forming in operative combination:
- a. a generally horizontal rack load platform mounted on a trailer, said trailer having sidewalls, an under-frame and at least one axle having wheels mounted thereon, the spacing of said wheels defining a track width of said trailer, said trailer being selected from an open top and a closed load box for carrying things, said rack load platform having a longitudinal axis oriented parallel to a central longitudinal axis of said trailer, a lateral width that is within the track width of said trailer, upstanding first and second, spaced, vertical side rail members, and cross braces spanning between a lower edge of said vertical side rail members;
- b. a plurality of leg members, disposed secured to and spaced along each of said side rail members and disposed vertically to extend downwardly from the top end of said legs toward the trailer under-frame;
- c. a mounting bracket secured to the bottom of each of said legs mounting said legs directly to said under frame of said trailer;
- and
- d. said equipment rack mounted on said trailer effectively straddling, and spaced outwardly from the side walls and top, if any, of the trailer load box, said rack load platform, legs and mounting brackets permitting said rack to carry substantial loads of equipment and materials without bearing on said trailer load box side or top walls.
An equipment rack for trailers having an under-frame and at least one axle having wheels mounted thereon, the spacing of said wheels defining a track width of said trailer, said trailer being selected from an open top and a closed load box for carrying things, comprising elements as assembled together forming in operative combination:
- a. a generally horizontal rack load platform for trailers having an under-frame and at least one axle having wheels mounted thereon, the spacing of said wheels defining a track width of said trailer, said trailer being selected from an open top and a closed load box for carrying things, said rack load platform having a longitudinal axis oriented parallel to a central longitudinal axis of said trailer, a lateral width that is within the track width of said trailer, upstanding first and second, spaced, vertical side rail members, and cross braces spanning between a lower edge of said vertical side rail members;
- b. a plurality of leg members, disposed secured to and spaced along each of said side rail members and disposed vertically to extend downwardly from the top end of said legs toward the trailer under-frame;
- c. a mounting bracket secured to the bottom of each of said legs to permit mounting said legs directly to said under frame of said trailer;
- d. said equipment rack as mounted on said trailer effectively straddling, and spaced outwardly from the side walls and top, if any, of the trailer load box, said rack load platform, legs and mounting brackets permitting said rack to carry substantial loads of equipment and materials without bearing on said trailer load box side or top walls;
- e. said equipment rack includes an object support bracket mounted on at least one leg on at least one side of said rack medially between said leg bottom and said leg top, which bracket includes a horizontal retaining member and a vertical keeper member at an outer end of said bracket;
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- f. wherein at least some of said legs to which a bracket is mounted includes a vertically adjustable security assembly comprising a horizontal member and a downwardly extending keeper member, the length of said horizontal member permitting said keeper of said security assembly to co-operatingly engage said keeper of said object support bracket so that objects do not jump off said object support bracket in transit.
An equipment rack for trailers having an under-frame and at least one axle having wheels mounted thereon, the spacing of said wheels defining a track width of said trailer, said trailer being selected from an open top and a closed load box for carrying things, comprising elements as assembled together forming in operative combination:
- a. a generally horizontal rack load platform for trailers having an under-frame and at least one axle having wheels mounted thereon, the spacing of said wheels defining a track width of said trailer, said trailer being selected from an open top and a closed load box for carrying things, said rack load platform having a longitudinal axis oriented parallel to a central longitudinal axis of said trailer, a lateral width that is within the track width of said trailer, upstanding first and second, spaced, vertical side rail members, and cross braces spanning between a lower edge of said vertical side rail members;
- b. a plurality of leg members, disposed secured to and spaced along each of said side rail members and disposed vertically to extend downwardly from the top end of said legs toward the trailer under-frame;
- c. a mounting bracket secured to the bottom of each of said legs to permit mounting said legs directly to said under frame of said trailer;
- d. said equipment rack as mounted on said trailer effectively straddling, and spaced outwardly from the side walls and top, if any, of the trailer load box, said rack load platform, legs and mounting brackets permitting said rack to carry substantial loads of equipment and materials without bearing on said trailer load box side or top walls;
- e. said equipment rack includes a forward leg, a rear leg and at least one middle leg per side;
- and
- f. wherein said middle leg includes a foot at the bottom, said leg is selected to be of a length to permit said foot to rest on the top of a fender covering said wheel, a bracket is secured to said trailer frame just below where said leg foot rests on said fender, and said foot and bracket are secured together through said fender.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.