AU2014200988B2 - A trailer comprising a folding gooseneck - Google Patents
A trailer comprising a folding gooseneck Download PDFInfo
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- AU2014200988B2 AU2014200988B2 AU2014200988A AU2014200988A AU2014200988B2 AU 2014200988 B2 AU2014200988 B2 AU 2014200988B2 AU 2014200988 A AU2014200988 A AU 2014200988A AU 2014200988 A AU2014200988 A AU 2014200988A AU 2014200988 B2 AU2014200988 B2 AU 2014200988B2
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- trailer
- top deck
- gooseneck
- deck member
- bed
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- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- 241001124569 Lycaenidae Species 0.000 description 2
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- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
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- Vehicle Cleaning, Maintenance, Repair, Refitting, And Outriggers (AREA)
- Loading Or Unloading Of Vehicles (AREA)
- Auxiliary Methods And Devices For Loading And Unloading (AREA)
Abstract
This application relates to a trailer of the type commonly known as a low loader, lowboy or float, which comprises a folding gooseneck assembly. The trailer comprises a bed and a folding gooseneck assembly, the folding gooseneck assembly comprising a top deck member and a gooseneck interposing the top deck member and the bed. The folding gooseneck assembly is adapted to move the top deck member between a position in which it forms a drawbar, a position in which it forms a ramp, a trailer coupling and uncoupling position, and a position for increasing ground clearance beneath the trailer bed. N N N N N N N rvN N N N N N N N N N N N N N N co N C4 N N N 0 0 0 N 0 0 N 0 0 N 0 N 0 0 N Uc N CL N N N 0 N 0 N N N :000 0 0 0
Description
The present invention relates to a trailer of the type commonly known as a low loader, lowboy or float.
[0003] In a particular form the present invention relates to a trailer comprising a folding gooseneck assembly.
BACKGROUND [0004] Lowboy (or float) trailers generally comprise a forward most gooseneck, a rearmost set of wheels and a trailer body interposing these, the trailer body comprising a deck which is set low between the gooseneck and the wheels. This low deck height permits these trailers to carry high loads, which other trailers cannot. Consequently, lowboys are used to haul heavy equipment such as bulldozers, dump trucks, loaders, harvesters, tractors and other sizable industrial equipment.
[0005] Folding gooseneck assemblies are one solution for loading and unloading trailers of this type. However, the folding gooseneck assemblies of the prior art typically employ a rigid parallelogram linkage. The nature and geometry of this linkage is such that elements of the linkage must interpose the extended ramp and the bed of the trailer, creating an interruption, such as a gap, hump or change in gradient, between the ramp and the bed of the trailer which prevents or at least complicates the loading of some load types.
[0006] It is against this background, and the problems and difficulties associated therewith, that the present invention has been developed.
[0007] Certain objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.
2014200988 31 Jan 2018
SUMMARY [0008] According to a first aspect, there is provided a trailer comprising a bed and a folding gooseneck assembly, the folding gooseneck assembly comprising a top deck member and a gooseneck interposing the top deck member and the bed, the gooseneck assembly being adapted to move the top deck member to at least each of a first position in which it forms a drawbar for the trailer, a second position in which it lowers a forward portion of the trailer bed to the ground whilst the trailer is coupled to a prime mover, and a third position in which it forms a ramp to the bed of the trailer.
[0009] In one form, the folding gooseneck assembly is further adapted to move the top deck to a fourth position from the second position, wherein in this fourth position a forward end of the top deck is raised so that the prime mover can be decoupled therefrom.
[0010] In one form, the folding gooseneck assembly is further adapted to move the top deck to the fourth position from the third position, so that the prime mover can be coupled to the top deck.
[0011] In one form, the folding gooseneck assembly is adapted to move the top deck to a fifth position from the first position, wherein in this fifth position a forward end of the trailer bed is raised to increase ground clearance thereunder.
[0012] In one form, the top deck member is in its second, ramp forming position, an upper deck surface of the top deck is substantially contiguous with, and an extension of, an upper deck surface of the trailer bed.
[0013] In one form, the folding gooseneck assembly moves the top deck member from the first position to the second position by tilting it aft.
[0014] In one form, the folding gooseneck assembly moves the top deck member from the second position to the fourth position by tilting it aft.
[0015] In one form, the folding gooseneck assembly moves the top deck member from the first position to the fifth position by tilting it forward.
[0016] In one form, the folding gooseneck assembly moves the top deck member from the first position to the third position by both tilting and translating it forward.
[0017] In one form, both the top deck member and the bed comprise means for adjustment of the width thereof.
2014200988 31 Jan 2018 [0018] In one form, the width adjusting means for the top deck member comprises a lengthwise extending central portion, and extendable outrigger portions movable between retracted and extended positions with respect to the central portion.
[0019] In one form, the width adjusting means for the trailer bed comprises a lengthwise extending central portion, and extendable outrigger portions movable between retracted and extended positions with respect to the central portion.
[0020] In one form, the trailer is a lowboy or float.
[0021 ] According to a further aspect, there is provided a trailer comprising a bed and a folding gooseneck assembly, the folding gooseneck assembly comprising a top deck member and a gooseneck interposing the top deck member and the bed, the gooseneck being pivotally connected to the bed at a trailer pivotal attachment point A, and pivotally connected to the top deck member at a pivotal attachment point B, about which trailer pivotal attachment point A the gooseneck can, when released by a locking pin, be pivoted forward from a locked position to form a ramp, or rearward to its gooseneck position, by a dual acting hydraulic ram extending from the trailer pivotal attachment point A, to a pivotal attachment point C on the top deck member, which is located aft of the pivotal attachment point B for the gooseneck, wherein in use, when the gooseneck is locked by the locking pin, the ram drives tilting of the deck member fore and aft, to move the top deck member to at least each of a first position in which it forms a drawbar for the trailer and a second position in which it lowers a forward portion of the trailer bed to the ground whilst the trailer is coupled to a prime mover, and when the gooseneck is unlocked the ram pivots the gooseneck fore and aft from its top deck position to a third position in which it forms the ramp to the bed of the trailer with the top deck.
[0022] In one form, the gooseneck comprises two arm assemblies which are mirrored about a central portion, each arm assembly comprising a first linkage element, a second linkage element positioned outboard of the first linkage element, and the ram positioned inboard of the first linkage elements and depending from the central portion.
[0023] In one form, each of the second linkage elements is generally L-shaped and so comprises a first locking arm which extends upward and rearward from the trailer pivotal attachment point A, and which is adapted to receive the locking pin in an aperture located near its terminal end, and a second arm is a wedge shaped support arm which extends upward and forward from the trailer pivotal attachment point A.
[0024] In one form, the trailer comprises a pair of locking pins, each of which is driven by a locking ram depending from the central portion of the gooseneck.
2014200988 31 Jan 2018 [0025] In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a method of operation for the above described trailer, the method comprising the steps of moving the top deck member to its second position, thereby lowering the forward end of the trailer bed to the ground whilst the trailer is connected to the prime mover, then moving the top deck member to its fourth position and uncoupling the prime mover, then moving the top deck member to its third position so as to form the ramp, loading or unloading the trailer, then moving the top deck member to its fourth position, then coupling the trailer to the prime mover, moving the top deck member to its second position, thereby raising the trailer bed to a towable position.
[0026] In one form, the method comprises the further step of widening the trailer bed and top deck member prior to loading.
[0027] In one form, the method comprises the further step of narrowing the widened gooseneck member prior to towing.
[0028] In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a trailer comprising a bed and a folding gooseneck assembly comprising a top deck member, a gooseneck interposing the top deck member and the bed, the gooseneck being adapted to move the top deck member between a position in which it forms a drawbar for the trailer, and a position in which it forms a loading/unloading ramp for the bed, and wherein both the top deck member and the bed comprise means for adjustment of the width thereof.
[0029] In one form, when the top deck forms a loading/unloading ramp for the bed, it comprises an upper deck surface which is substantially contiguous with, and an extension of, an upper deck surface of the trailer bed.
[0030] In one form, whilst the top deck member remains coupled to a prime mover, then the gooseneck is adapted to lower a forward end of the trailer bed to the ground, and raise it again.
[0031] In one form, the gooseneck lowers the forward end of the trailer bed to the ground by pitching the top deck member rearward.
[0032] In one form, the width adjusting means for the top deck member comprises a lengthwise extending central portion, and extendable outrigger portions movable between retracted and extended positions with respect to the central portion.
[0033] In one form, the width adjusting means for the trailer bed comprises a lengthwise extending central portion, and extendable outrigger portions movable between retracted and extended positions with respect to the central portion.
2014200988 31 Jan 2018 [0034] In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a trailer comprising a bed and a folding gooseneck assembly comprising a top deck member, a gooseneck interposing the top deck member and the bed, the gooseneck being adapted to move the top deck member between a position in which it forms a drawbar for the trailer, and a position in which it forms a loading/unloading ramp for the bed, and so comprises an upper deck surface which is substantially contiguous with, and an extension of, an upper deck surface of the trailer bed.
[0035] In one form, the trailer comprises its own, independent hydraulic drive system.
[0036] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. While the invention is described in connection with such embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any embodiment. On the contrary, the scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents.
For the purpose of example, numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.
[0037] The present invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0038] Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0039] Figure 1 is a side elevation of a semi-trailer comprising a prime mover, and a trailer comprising a folding gooseneck assembly forming a drawbar portion for the trailer;
[0040] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional detail view taken lengthwise through the folding gooseneck assembly of Figure 1;
[0041] Figure 3 is an isometric view of a gooseneck for the folding gooseneck assembly of Figures 1 and 2;
[0042] Figure 4 is a side elevation of the gooseneck of Figure 3;
2014200988 31 Jan 2018 [0043] Figure 5 is a front elevation of the gooseneck of Figure 3;
[0044] Figure 6 is a top elevation of the gooseneck of Figure 3;
[0045] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional detail view taken lengthwise through the folding gooseneck assembly of Figure 1, where a forward end of the trailer bed has been lowered to the ground by the folding gooseneck assembly;
[0046] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional detail view taken lengthwise through the folding gooseneck assembly of Figure 1, where the prime mover has been uncoupled and moved clear, and a top deck member has been pitched forward;
[0047] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional detail view taken lengthwise through the folding gooseneck assembly of Figure 1, where the folding gooseneck assembly has been configured to form a ramp for loading and unloading the trailer;
[0048] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional detail view taken lengthwise through the folding gooseneck assembly of Figure 1, where the top deck member has been positioned for coupling of the prime mover;
[0049] Figure 11 is an underside isometric view of the trailer illustrating the folding gooseneck assembly in a towable configuration, and the trailer width minimised;
[0050] Figure 12 is an underside isometric view of the trailer illustrating the folding gooseneck assembly in a towable configuration, and the trailer width maximised;
[0051] Figure 13 is an underside isometric view of the trailer illustrating the folding gooseneck assembly in a ramp configuration, and the trailer width minimised;
[0052] Figure 14 is an underside isometric view of the trailer illustrating the folding gooseneck assembly in a ramp configuration, and the trailer width maximised;
[0053] Figure 15 is a detailed isometric view of a rigid linkage (or height stopper) extending between the trailer bed and the trailing end of the top deck member;
[0054] Figure 16 is a view of the height stopper of Figure 15, where this has been released for retraction; and [0055] Figure 17 is a view of the height stopper of Figures 15 and 16, where this has been retracted.
2014200988 31 Jan 2018 [0056] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0057] Referring now to Figure 1, where there is illustrated a trailer 1 of the type known as a low loader, float or lowboy, comprising a load support platform hereinafter referred to as a bed 2, a forward most folding gooseneck assembly 10 comprising a top deck member 12, and a plurality of wheels assemblies 4 supporting the rear of the trailer 1.
[0058] The folding gooseneck assembly 10 comprises a gooseneck 20 interposing the top deck member 12 and the bed 2 of the trailer 1.
[0059] Referring now to Figure 2, the top deck member 12 is, near a forward end, provided with a connector (or Kingpin) 14 for operatively connecting this to a coupling (or fifth wheel) 102 of a prime mover 100.
[0060] The gooseneck 20 connects the rearward end of the top deck member 12 to a forward end of a frame for the trailer bed 2. The top deck member 12 and the gooseneck 20 cooperate to form a drawbar portion for the trailer 1 when in a first, retracted position with respect to the trailer bed 2 (as illustrated in Figure 2), and cooperate to form a loading ramp for the trailer bed 2 when in a second, extended position with respect to the trailer bed 2 (as illustrated in Figure 9).
[0061 ] When forming a drawbar, a rigid linkage (or height stopper) 21 extends between the trailer bed 2 and the trailing end of the top deck member 12 to brace the gooseneck 20 whilst the trailer 1 is under tow. With reference to Figure 15, it can be seen that height stopper 21 takes the form of a flat plate pivotably attached to the bed 2 of the trailer 1 via arms 25, braced by a gas strut 22 and movable between upstanding (or extended) and retracted (i.e. laid flat - see Figure 17) positions. When upstanding, uppermost teeth 23 engage pockets 24 provided on trailing end of the top deck member 12. Height stopper 21 will be discussed further below.
[0062] As will be described in more detail hereafter with reference to the illustrations, the top deck member 12 of the trailer according to the present invention provides an uppermost ramp deck surface which is both substantially contiguous with and an extension of an upper deck surface of the trailer bed 2.
[0063] Referring now to Figures 3 through 6, the gooseneck 20 desirably consists of two arm assemblies 30 which are mirrored about a central portion 32, but are otherwise near identical, so only one of these need be described in detail.
2014200988 31 Jan 2018 [0064] Each arm assembly 30 comprises first linkage element 34, a second linkage element 36 positioned outboard of the first linkage element 34, and a linear actuator 40 positioned inboard of the first linkage element 34 and depending from the central portion 32.
[0065] The first linkage element is a rigid arm 34 which comprises opposing ends, a first of which is pivotally attached to a pivotal attachment point A on the trailer 1, and the second of which is pivotally attached to a pivotal attachment point B on the top deck member 12, so that pivotal attachment point B will act as a fulcrum about which the top deck member 12 can pivot.
[0066] The second linkage element 36 is generally L-shaped and so comprises a pair of arms extending away from the trailer pivotal attachment point A, about which the second linkage element 36 can, when required, be pivoted fore and aft.
[0067] A first arm is a locking arm 36A which extends upward and rearward from the trailer pivotal attachment point A, and which is adapted to receive a locking pin 38 (driven by a locking ram 39) in an aperture 37 located near its terminal end, for the purpose of selectively locking the position of the second linkage element 36 in its aft position relative to the trailer body 2.
[0068] The second arm is a wedge shaped support arm 36B which extends upward and forward from the trailer pivotal attachment point A; support arm 36B tapering down as it extends outward.
[0069] The linear actuator is a dual acting hydraulic ram 40 extending from a mounting point on the central portion 32 and coaxial with the trailer pivotal attachment point A, to a pivotal attachment point C on the top deck member, which is located aft of the pivotal attachment point B.
[0070] In this way, when the position of the second linkage element 36 is locked by the locking pin 38, extension and retraction of the hydraulic ram 40 will effect pitching, or forward and aft tilting of the top deck member 12 respectively.
[0071] In use, the top deck member 12 can, whilst coupled to the prime mover 100, be pitched fore (so that its trailing edge is raised) by extension of ram 40. In this way, the pockets 24 are lifted from teeth 23 (as illustrated in Figure 16) so that the height stopper 21 can be retracted (as illustrated in Figure 17). As the height stopper 21 is retracted the arms 25 swing forward to a position in which the height stopper 21 is clear of the trailer load, so that the load will not interfere with operation of height stopper 21 by being positioned on top of it.
[0072] Referring now to Figure 7, where it can be seen how with the height stopper 21 retracted, the top deck member 12 can, whilst coupled to the prime mover 100, be pitched aft (so that its leading edge is
2014200988 31 Jan 2018 raised) by retraction of ram 40, so as to lower a forward portion of the trailer bed 2 to the ground. The prime mover 100 can then be uncoupled and moved away without need for trailer landing legs. Once the prime mover 100 is clear, the top deck member 12 is pitched forward (by extension of ram 40) until its leading edge contacts the ground, as illustrated in Figure 8.
[0073] At this stage of operation, the locking pin 38 is withdrawn (by locking ram 39) from the aperture 37 in the locking arm 36A, permitting the gooseneck 20 to move under the effect of the ram 40. As ram 40 is then retracted, the gooseneck 20 pivots forward about the trailer pivotal attachment point A, thereby lowering a trailing edge of the top deck member 12 until this lays atop of a now upper surface of the second linkage element 36, as illustrated in Figure 9.
[0074] In this position, the top deck member 12 forms a loading ramp for loading equipment onto and/or unloading equipment off of the trailer bed 2. Advantageously, this uppermost ramp surface is both substantially contiguous with, and an extension of, an upper deck surface of the trailer bed 2. That is to say, there is no significant gap between the ramp formed by the top deck member 12 and the trailer bed 2, or significant change in gradient between the ramp and trailer bed 2.
[0075] When the required loading or unloading operation is complete, the ram 40 is extended, driving the gooseneck 20 to pivot rearward about the trailer pivotal attachment point A until it reaches its home position, as illustrated in Figure 8.
[0076] The locking pin 38 is then driven (by locking ram 39) back into the aperture 37 in the locking arm 36A. With the second linkage element 36 locked in its home position, retraction of the ram 40 will again cause the top deck member 12 to be pitched aft (so that its leading edge is raised). As illustrated in Figure 10, the top deck member 12 can be pitched aft beyond the position in which it serves as a drawbar; in this way the prime mover 100 can be reversed beneath the top deck member 12, which can then be lowered so that the trailer 2 can again be coupled to the prime mover 100, as illustrated in Figure 7.
[0077] Once coupled to the prime-mover 100, the ram 40 is extended to raise the forward portion of the trailer bed 2 off of the ground until the height stopper 21 can be swung upright and its teeth 23 inserted into the pockets 24 provided on trailing end of the top deck member 12 (see Figure 16), at which point the ram 40 is retracted until the height stopper 21 is placed in compression (so that no load in now carried by the rams 40 - see Figure 17), thus returning the trailer 2 to a towable configuration, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. In addition to preventing relative vertical movement between the trailer bed 2 and top deck member 12, height stopper 21 prevents relative pivotal movement (lengthwise along the trailer) between these.
2014200988 31 Jan 2018 [0078] The gradual nature of the ramp 12 provided by the folding gooseneck assembly 10 of the present invention makes the trailer 1 ideal for the transportation of vehicles having considerable forward or rear overhangs (such as busses or prime movers), or particularly large pieces of wheeled equipment, such as the dump trucks and loaders used in mining, harvesters or other large agricultural equipment.
[0079] In order to accommodate the especially wide track of vehicles of the later mentioned type, the trailer 1 comprises means for the widening of both the top deck member 12 (which provides the ramp deck surface) and the trailer bed 2.
[0080] More particularly, and with reference to Figures 11 through 14, the top deck member 12 comprises a central portion 12a interposing outrigger portions 12b movable between retracted and extended positions with respect to the central portion 12a.
[0081] Similarly, the trailer bed 2 comprises a central portion (or body) 2a and laterally extendable outrigger portions 2b movable between retracted and extended positions with respect to the body 2a.
[0082] Each outrigger 12b for the top deck member 12 comprises an elongate platform 60 extending between, and so supported by, a pair of telescoping arm assemblies 62, where each arm 62 is driven by an internal hydraulic ram. When retracted, these telescoping arm assemblies 62 draw the platform 60 into an abutting position with the respect central portion 12a of the top deck member 12.
[0083] Each outrigger 2b for the trailer bed 2 comprises an array of retractable arms 80 spaced apart longitudinally along the length of the trailer bed 2, each arm 80 being retractable into the body 2a of the trailer bed 2. When extended, an array of support rails 82 are placed atop of the arms 80 so as to extend across all of these and form an outrigger support deck.
[0084] Before the arms 80 can be retracted, the support rails 82 are placed atop of trailer bed frame cross members 84 (into which arms 80 retract), so as to extend across all of these and form a part of the trailer bed 2 support deck.
[0085] A significant advantage of the above described arrangement is that the trailer 1 is adapted to provide a widened ramp 12 and load bed 2 which are substantially contiguous, and which form a substantially continuous surface for receiving the load.
[0086] What is more, once a wide load (such as a large bulldozer, dump truck or loader) has been loaded via the widened ramp 12 onto the widened trailer bed 2, the ramp 12 can be returned to its standard width for configuring as a drawbar. In this way the turning circle of the semi-trailer is not impaired.
2014200988 31 Jan 2018 [0087] Yet a further advantage is that the gooseneck 20 can, whilst the top deck 12 is coupled to the prime mover 100, raise and lower the trailer bed 2. This is useful for loading and unloading of the trailer 1 (as discussed above), but it is also useful in cases where there are clearance issues caused by driveway crossovers, spoon drains etc. which might otherwise cause the trailer to ‘bottom out’ and be damaged (or cause damage to the road surface). In such cases, the trailer bed 2 can be raised to achieve the necessary clearance to clear the obstacle, and then returned to the standard ride height for further towing.
[0088] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “comprise” and “include” and variations such as “comprising” and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.
[0089] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.
[0090] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.
2014200988 31 Jan 2018
Claims (19)
1. A trailer comprising a bed and a folding gooseneck assembly, the folding gooseneck assembly comprising a top deck member and a gooseneck interposing the top deck member and the bed, the gooseneck being pivotally connected to the bed at a trailer pivotal attachment point A, and pivotally connected to the top deck member at a pivotal attachment point B, about which trailer pivotal attachment point A the gooseneck can, when released by a locking pin, be pivoted forward from a locked position to form a ramp, or rearward to its gooseneck position, by a dual acting hydraulic ram extending from the trailer pivotal attachment point A, to a pivotal attachment point C on the top deck member, which is located aft of the pivotal attachment point B for the gooseneck, wherein in use, when the gooseneck is locked by the locking pin, the ram drives tilting of the deck member fore and aft, to move the top deck member to at least each of a first position in which it forms a drawbar for the trailer and a second position in which it lowers a forward portion of the trailer bed to the ground whilst the trailer is coupled to a prime mover, and when the gooseneck is unlocked the ram pivots the gooseneck fore and aft from its top deck position to a third position in which it forms the ramp to the bed of the trailer with the top deck.
2. The trailer of claim 1, wherein in use, when the gooseneck is locked by the locking pin, the ram moves the top deck to a fourth position from the second position, wherein in this fourth position a forward end of the top deck is raised so that the prime mover can be decoupled therefrom.
3. The trailer of claim 2, wherein in use, when the gooseneck is locked by the locking pin, the ram moves the top deck to the fourth position from the third position, so that the prime mover can be coupled to the top deck.
4. The trailer as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein in use, when the gooseneck is locked by the locking pin, the ram moves the top deck to a fifth position from the first position, wherein in this fifth position a forward end of the trailer bed is raised to increase ground clearance thereunder.
5. The trailer as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein when the top deck member is in its second, ramp forming position, an upper deck surface of the top deck is substantially contiguous with, and an extension of, an upper deck surface of the trailer bed.
6. The trailer as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ram moves the top deck member from the first position to the second position by tilting it aft.
7. The trailer as in any one of claims 2 through 6, wherein the ram moves the top deck member from the second position to the fourth position by tilting it aft.
2014200988 31 Jan 2018
8. The trailer as in any one of claims 4 through 7, wherein the ram moves the top deck member from the first position to the fifth position by tilting it forward.
9. The trailer as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ram moves the top deck member from the first position to the third position by both tilting and translating it forward.
10. The trailer as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein both the top deck member and the bed comprise means for adjustment of the width thereof.
11. The trailer of claim 10, wherein the width adjusting means for the top deck member comprises a lengthwise extending central portion, and extendable outrigger portions movable between retracted and extended positions with respect to the central portion.
12. The trailer of either of claims 10 or 11, wherein the width adjusting means for the trailer bed comprises a lengthwise extending central portion, and extendable outrigger portions movable between retracted and extended positions with respect to the central portion.
13. The trailer as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the trailer is a lowboy or float.
14. The trailer as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gooseneck comprises two arm assemblies which are mirrored about a central portion, each arm assembly comprising a first linkage element, a second linkage element positioned outboard of the first linkage element, and the ram positioned inboard of the first linkage elements and depending from the central portion.
15. The trailer of claim 14, wherein each of the second linkage elements is generally L-shaped and so comprises a first locking arm which extends upward and rearward from the trailer pivotal attachment point A, and which is adapted to receive the locking pin in an aperture located near its terminal end, and a second arm is a wedge shaped support arm which extends upward and forward from the trailer pivotal attachment point A.
16. The trailer as in claim 15, comprising a pair of locking pins, each of which is driven by a locking ram depending from the central portion of the gooseneck.
17. A method of operation for the trailer of any of claims 1 through 16, the method comprising the steps of moving the top deck member to its second position, thereby lowering the forward end of the trailer bed to the ground whilst the trailer is connected to the prime mover, then moving the top deck member to its fourth position and uncoupling the prime mover, then moving the top deck member to its third position so as to form the ramp, loading or unloading the trailer, then moving the top deck member
2014200988 31 Jan 2018 to its fourth position, then coupling the trailer to the prime mover, moving the top deck member to its second position, thereby raising the trailer bed to a towable position.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of widening the trailer bed and top deck member prior to loading.
19. The method of either of claims 17 or 18, further comprising the step of narrowing the widened gooseneck member prior to towing.
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Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2014200988A AU2014200988B2 (en) | 2013-02-25 | 2014-02-25 | A trailer comprising a folding gooseneck |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2013900634A AU2013900634A0 (en) | 2013-02-25 | A trailer comprising a folding gooseneck | |
| AU2013900634 | 2013-02-25 | ||
| AU2014200988A AU2014200988B2 (en) | 2013-02-25 | 2014-02-25 | A trailer comprising a folding gooseneck |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2014200988A1 AU2014200988A1 (en) | 2014-09-11 |
| AU2014200988B2 true AU2014200988B2 (en) | 2018-03-01 |
Family
ID=51493158
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2014200988A Ceased AU2014200988B2 (en) | 2013-02-25 | 2014-02-25 | A trailer comprising a folding gooseneck |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2014200988B2 (en) |
Citations (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3883019A (en) * | 1973-09-04 | 1975-05-13 | Jr O Duane Hansen | Power actuated folding goose neck trailer |
| US4078684A (en) * | 1976-04-12 | 1978-03-14 | Hyster Company | Folding gooseneck trailer and method |
| US4164297A (en) * | 1977-07-11 | 1979-08-14 | Barnard & Leas Mfg. Co. | Folding gooseneck for trailer |
| EP0010985A1 (en) * | 1978-11-03 | 1980-05-14 | Transquip International Trailers Limited | Trailers |
| US4296941A (en) * | 1979-08-06 | 1981-10-27 | Cmi Corporation | Folding gooseneck assembly |
| EP0040542A1 (en) * | 1980-05-21 | 1981-11-25 | Melvyn Richardson | Folding gooseneck trailer |
| WO1983000468A1 (en) * | 1981-07-31 | 1983-02-17 | Anderson, Geoffrey, Brian | Folding gooseneck trailers |
| EP1120333B1 (en) * | 2000-01-25 | 2006-04-26 | Nicolas Industrie | Retractable gooseneck for semitrailer |
-
2014
- 2014-02-25 AU AU2014200988A patent/AU2014200988B2/en not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3883019A (en) * | 1973-09-04 | 1975-05-13 | Jr O Duane Hansen | Power actuated folding goose neck trailer |
| US4078684A (en) * | 1976-04-12 | 1978-03-14 | Hyster Company | Folding gooseneck trailer and method |
| US4164297A (en) * | 1977-07-11 | 1979-08-14 | Barnard & Leas Mfg. Co. | Folding gooseneck for trailer |
| EP0010985A1 (en) * | 1978-11-03 | 1980-05-14 | Transquip International Trailers Limited | Trailers |
| US4296941A (en) * | 1979-08-06 | 1981-10-27 | Cmi Corporation | Folding gooseneck assembly |
| EP0040542A1 (en) * | 1980-05-21 | 1981-11-25 | Melvyn Richardson | Folding gooseneck trailer |
| WO1983000468A1 (en) * | 1981-07-31 | 1983-02-17 | Anderson, Geoffrey, Brian | Folding gooseneck trailers |
| EP1120333B1 (en) * | 2000-01-25 | 2006-04-26 | Nicolas Industrie | Retractable gooseneck for semitrailer |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU2014200988A1 (en) | 2014-09-11 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FGA | Letters patent sealed or granted (standard patent) | ||
| MK14 | Patent ceased section 143(a) (annual fees not paid) or expired |