Reduced weight live poultry hauling system
AssigneeW. A. Crider, Jr.
InventorsDavid S. Purtle, Miles A. Reitnouer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A reduced-weight poultry cage is used in conjunction with a reduced-weight trailer to transport live poultry for maximizing the poundage of poultry being transported while reducing the number of trips and fuel expenses. The poultry cage includes a combination of aluminum and plastic elements that reduce cage weight, provide for nesting of cages in stacks as well as easy replacement of failed parts. Furthermore, a drop-deck aluminum trailer with a reduced floor and guide rail alignment stops allows for a durable yet lightweight trailer that can haul a plurality of stacks of these poultry cages, thereby maximizing cubic feet availability while being compliant with various road and bridge laws.
Claims9
A method for conveying live poultry in cages via a trailer which is optimized to maximize payload while minimizing trailer weight, said method comprising:
- providing a plurality of aluminum main beams arranged longitudinally along the length of the trailer;
- providing a pair of aluminum guide rails that run the length of the trailer to form a respective side of said trailer;
- coupling said aluminum guide rails together using a plurality of aluminum cross members arranged transversely for connecting said guide rails together to form a frame structure that is secured to said plurality of main beams, said guide rails supporting at least one cage thereon having live poultry therein and engaging a portion of said at least one cage;
- positioning at least one pair of cage guide stops on said guide rails which engage portions of at least one cage, each one of said at least one pair of guide stops being aligned transversely on a respective guide rail, said at least one cage comprising a pair of opposite sides, each opposite side having a bottom edge comprising a respective guide stop member, each of said guide stop members adapted to engage with a respective one of said cage guide stops when said at least one cage is positioned on said trailer, said at least one pair of cage guide stops and said at least one pair of guide stop members engaging to prevent said opposite sides of said at least one cage from extending beyond said guide rails;
- providing a suspension assembly located at a rear portion of said trailer for supporting said frame structure and said plurality of aluminum main beams upon a plurality of wheel axle assemblies;
- including a floor on said trailer only over a middle region of said frame structure along the length of the trailer;
- and
- positioning at least one cage on said guide rails so that portions of said at least one cage engage respective ones of said cage guide stops.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.