WO2021127746A1 - Coupling assembly for a trailer bed, a vehicle, and a trailer - Google Patents

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a coupling assembly for use between a vehicle and a trailer bed. Another embodiment relates to a trailer that can be towed by a truck for transporting goods, in which the trailer has the coupling assembly for detachably connecting a vehicle or a bogie. The coupling assembly has a nose formation and a channel formation that interfit and extend in a direction across the width of the trailer bed.

Description

COUPLING ASSEMBLY FOR A TRAILER BED. A VEHICLE. AND A TRAILER

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims priority to Australian provisional application number 2019904937 filed on 24 December 2019, the full contents of which are incorporated into the present specification.

FILED OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a coupling assembly for use between a vehicle and a trailer bed. The present invention also relates to a trailer that can be towed by a truck for transporting goods, in which the trailer has a coupling assembly for detachably connecting a vehicle, such as a bogie of the trailer, and a trailer bed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Truck and trailer combinations are available in a range of different configurations. In the case where the goods being transported cannot be readily forklifted from the trailer, the trailer may need to be left on site, or the truck and trailer delayed whilst the trailer is unloaded. To minimise the impact this has on logistics, a number of solutions are presently available, including demountable A-frame structures for carrying building materials and shipping containers, both of which can be loaded onto a conventional trailer. In both instances however, cranes having a high lifting capacity are required at the loading and unloading sites, which is not always feasible.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates to a coupling assembly for use between a vehicle and a trailer bed, the coupling assembly includes: a nose formation that extends in a widthwise direction of the trailer bed, a co-operating channel formation extending in a widthwise direction of the trailer bed, in which the nose formation is provided on one of the trailer bed or vehicle and the channel formation is provided on the other of the trailer bed or the vehicle, and the channel formation receives the nose formation when the trailer bed and the vehicle are connected together, and at least one recess is provided on one of the nose formation or the channel formation, and a latching piece is provided on the other of the channel formation or the nose formation, wherein the latching piece moves between: i) a locked position in which the latching piece is operably received by the recess to lock the trailer bed and the vehicle when connected together, and ii) an unlocked position in which latching piece is withdrawn from the recess so that the trailer bed and vehicle can be separated.

[0006] The coupling assembly described in the paragraph immediately may form part of the trailer bed, for example the channel formation may form part of the trailer. The coupling assembly may also be attached to the bogie, for example, the nose formation may extend from the bogie.

[0007] The present invention also relates to a trailer for transporting goods by a truck, the trailer includes: a vehicle having at least one axle set, and a trailer bed on which goods can be loaded for transportation, and wherein the trailer bed and the vehicle are detachably connected by a coupling assembly having; a nose formation that extends in a widthwise direction of the trailer bed, a co-operating channel formation extending in a widthwise direction of the trailer bed, in which the nose formation is provided on one of the trailer bed or vehicle and the channel formation is provided on the other of the trailer bed or the vehicle, and the channel formation receives the nose formation when the trailer bed and the vehicle are connected together, and at least one recess is provided on at least one of the nose formation or the channel formation, and a latching piece is provided on at least one of the other of the channel formation or the nose formation, wherein the latching piece moves between: i) a locked position in which the latching piece is operably received by the recess to lock the trailer bed and the vehicle when connected together, and ii) an unlocked position in which latching piece is withdrawn from the recess so that the trailer bed and vehicle can be separated. [0008] An advantage of the present invention is that the trailer bed can be disconnected from the vehicle which allows the truck and bogie to be connected to another trailer bed whilst a first trailer bed is being loaded or unloaded.

[0009] The coupling assembly may have at least two latching pieces provided on either one of the nose formation or the channel formation, and at least two recesses provided on the other of the channel formation or the nose formation.

[0010] The coupling assembly may have a protrusion that is received by the recess when the channel formation receives the nose formation, and then the latching piece can be moved into the recess to lock the protrusion in the recess which in turn locks the trailer bed and the vehicle together.

[0011] The latching piece(s) may be provided on the nose formation and the recess(es) may be provided on either one or a combination of the nose formation and the channel formation.

[0012] The nose formation may have at least one of the recesses and the channel formation may have at least one of the protrusions.

[0013] A first opening may extend into the protrusion, and the latching piece may be operably received by the hole in the locked position.

[0014] The latching piece(s) may be provided on the channel formation and the recess(es) may be provided on either one or a combination of the nose formation and the channel formation.

[0015] The protrusion may be located on the channel formation and the nose formation has at least one of the recesses that received the protrusion and the latching piece .

[0016] In one example, the nose formation may have at least one of the recesses and the channel formation may have at least one of the protrusions, and the protrusion is received by the recess when the channel formation connects with the nose formation, and then the latching piece can be operably received by the recess to lock the protrusion in the recess which locks the trailer bed and the vehicle together.

[0017] In addition, the protrusion may be configured to engage the latching piece to distribute loads through the coupling assembly. For example, a first hole may extend through the protrusion, and the latching piece may be operably received by the hole in the locked position. That is to say, the first hole in the protrusion can form part of the recess that operably receives the latching piece. One of the benefits of having the first hole is that shear forces can be more evenly distributed, minimising wear on the latching piece and the protrusion. [0018] In another example, the protrusion may have a depression on which the latching piece can be seated in the locked position.

[0019] The recess of the nose formation may define two adjacent nose segments of the nose formation, and the latching piece in the locked position may bridge between the adjacent segments so that both of the segments support the latching piece in the locked position.

[0020] The two adjacent segments each have a second hole through which latching piece can extend on the locked position.

[0021] The nose formation may have two adjacent nose segments with a gap therebetween that in part defines the recess for the latching piece, and the latching piece in the locked position bridges between the adjacent nose segments so that both of the nose segments support the latching piece in the locked position.

[0022] The first opening may be a first hole that extends through the protrusion, the two adjacent nose segments each have a second opening, and the latching piece may be a bar that extends from the second openings of the adjacent nose segments and through the first hole in the protrusion in the locked position.

[0023] The bar may be contained within one of the nose segments when in the unlocked position.

[0024] The nose formation may have a central nose and two side noses, a side recess may be provided adjacent to the side nose and the protrusions is a channel end wall having one of the first openings, and latching piece is a bar that extends from a second opening of the side nose into to the first opening.

[0025] The latching piece(s) may be arranged longitudinally on the nose formation, and the recesses may be detent recesses that arranged longitudinally in the channel formation. That is to say, the longitudinal direction of the latching piece(s) and the nose formation is widthwise of the trailer bed.

[0026] In another example, the nose formation may have upwardly and downwardly facing walls and, where two latching pieces are provided, at least one of the latching pieces may be provided on the upwardly facing wall, and at least one of the latching pieces may be provided on the downwardly facing wall.

[0027] The latching piece(s) provided on the upwardly facing wall of the nose formation may be arranged co-axially, and/or in a parallel arrangement.

[0028] Alternatively, the latching pieces may be arranged longitudinally in the channel formation, and the detent recesses may be arranged longitudinally on the nose formation. [0029] An advantage of these arrangements is that the load on the latching pieces acts in shear over the longitudinal axis of the latching pieces.

[0030] At least one of the detent recesses may be arranged on the nose formation and the corresponding latching piece may be arranged in the channel formation. In this situation, the detent recesses may be depressions extending inward of an outer wall of the nose formation.

[0031] The coupling assembly may include a latching drive form driving the latching piece(s) between the locked position and the unlocked position.

[0032] The latching drive may be a hydraulic drive

[0033] The nose and channel formations may have any suitable cross-sectional shapes lateral to the widthwise direction of the trailer bed including, for example, a curved shape such as semi-circular, parabolic, or a linear shape such a triangular or rectilinear.

[0034] The nose and channel formations have corresponding upwardly and downwardly facing surfaces that extend in a widthwise direction. The upwardly and downwardly facing surfaces extend substantially over the width of the trailer bed. One of the main purposes of the nose and channel formation is that dynamic loads during transportation can be transferred vertically through the coupling assembly.

[0035] The nose formation may have upper and lower surfaces and the channel formation may have corresponding upper and lower surfaces that extend in a widthwise direction of the trailer bed and snuggly interfit and make contact when the coupling assembly is connected which allow loads to be transferred vertically through the coupling assembly.

[0036] The upper and lower surfaces may extend over at least 60 percent, suitably at least 70 percent, and ideally at least 80 percent of the width of the trailer bed.

[0037] The channel formation and the nose formation may have upward surfaces which contact when the coupling assembly is connected, which in turn enables horizontal loads to be applied through the coupling assembly.

[0038] The protrusions may include channel end walls that are received by recesses defined in part by nose end walls of the nose formation, and the channel end wall and the nose end walls have upward surfaces that contact when connected, which in turn enables horizontal loads to be applied through the coupling assembly when connected.

[0039] The protrusions include inner protrusions of the channel formation, and adjacent nose segments have opposed walls, and the inner protrusions and the opposed walls have upward surfaces that contact when connected, which in turn enables horizontal loads to be applied through the coupling assembly. [0040] The trailer may have a lift drive for raising and lowering the coupling assembly.

[0041] The trailer may also have a gooseneck that connects the coupling assembly to a bogie.

[0042] The gooseneck may have an upper brace that is arranged above a chassis of the bogie, and at least one limb that extends downwardly from the upper brace.

[0043] The gooseneck may be adjustable for raising and lowering the trailer bed.

[0044] The trailer has a gooseneck that has an upper brace that is arranged above a chassis of the vehicle, and at least one limb that is pivotally connected to the upper brace and connected to a part the coupling assembly, and the brace and limb can be pivoted relative to each other, which in turn, raises and lower the trailer bed, or at least one end of the trailer bed.

[0045] The upper brace and the at least limb may move between: i) an upper position which locates the coupling assembly in a raise position for transporting goods on the trailer bed, and ii) a lower position which locates the trailer bed in a resting position on the ground.

[0046] The lift drive may be operably connected to move the upper brace between the upper position and the lower position, to raise and lower the trailer bed, or at least one end of the trailer bed.

[0047] The lift drive interconnects the upper brace and the limb and may be operable to adjust an angle between bodies of the upper brace and the limbs, and in turn raise and lower the trailer bed.

[0048] The lift drive may be any suitable device include a hydraulic drive, a pneumatic drive, a screw ram, and electric powered drive, and so forth.

[0049] In one embodiment, the nose formation of the rear coupling assembly may extend from the limb of the rear gooseneck. In this situation, the channel formation may form part of the trailer bed.

[0050] The trailer may have one of the bogies at the rear of the trailer bed, which is herein referred to as a rear bogie, the rear bogie may be releasably connected to a rear portion of the trailer bed by one of the coupling assemblies, which is herein referred to as a rear coupling assembly.

[0051] The upper brace of the gooseneck may be pivotally connected to the rear bogie so that the upper brace can pivot up and down relative to the chassis of the rear bogie. The gooseneck in this situation may be referred to as the rear gooseneck. [0052] In addition, the trailer may have one of the lifts for moving the rear gooseneck, which is herein referred to as the rear lift, to raise and lower the trailer bed.

[0053] The trailer may have one the bogies at the front of the trailer bed, which is herein referred to as a forward bogie, the forward bogie may be releasably connected to a forward portion of the trailer bed by one of the coupling assemblies, which is herein referred to as a forward coupling assembly.

[0054] However preferably, the gooseneck of the trailer that is releasably connected to a forward portion of the trailer bed, which is herein referred to as a forward gooseneck, may be connected to, or have, a kingpin or turntable for attachment to a truck.

[0055] The trailer may have one of the lifts for operating the forward gooseneck, herein referred to as a forward lift, that moves the forward gooseneck in order to move the trailer bed, or at least from a forward portion of the trailer bed.

[0056] An advantage of the forward coupling assembly is that, in combination with the rear coupling assembly, the trailer bed can be disconnected from all other parts of the trailer. This enables the trailer bed to be left on site, for loading or unloading as desired, or stacked on another alike trailer bed for returning multiple trailer beds simultaneously.

[0057] Although it is preferable that the lift of the trailer includes both the forward and rear lifts that move the forward and rear goosenecks, when the trailer has a rear lift only, the trailer may have forward legs or a dolly that may be operable for supporting a forward end of the trailer when unhitched from the truck (or a forward bogie).

[0058] An advantage of the trailer having both the forward and rear lifts is that the total height of a payload on the trailer can be adjusted over particular sections of the road.

For example, to safety pass under bridges, powerlines and alike, the trailer bed may be temporarily lowered. Similarly, in the event of uneven ground, the trailer bed may be raised above a normal travelling position to increase ground clearance.

[0059] The forward coupling assembly may include a forward latching drive form driving the latching pieces between the extended position and the retract position.

[0060] The trailer may also include a drawing device having a pulling member and a pulling drive that moves the pulling member between a protruding position for aligning with and releasably to attaching to the trailer bed, and a retracted position which draws the nose formation and channel formation of the coupling assembly into contact.

[0061] When the rear or forward bogies and the trailer bed are separated (i.e., disconnected), the pulling member, in the protruding position, can be releasably attached to the trailer bed and then moved into the retracted position which draws the nose formation and channel formation of the coupling assembly into contact. The drawing device avoids having to try and drive the bogie, which may be a powered bogie, to make contact between the nose formation and the channel formation. Part of the difficulty in completing this task by driving the bogie, i.e., without using the drawing device, is that it can be difficult to see the alignment and proximity of the nose formation and the channel formation as they approach contact.

[0062] In one example, the pulling member has a pair of moving arms having engaging portions for engaging the trailer bed, the arms can be moved toward and away from each other (to close and open the arms), and can be moved longitudinally of the trailer bed to extend and retract the arms, so the arms can be located in an advanced opened position to align the engaging portion with the trailer bed, and then closed to engage the trailer, and the retracted longitudinally of the trailer bed to draw the nose formation and the channel formation into contact.

[0063] The arms may be are pivotally connected to the coupling assembly on a moving fulcrum that moves longitudinally of the trailer bed.

[0064] The arms may have a lever formation with an inner portion and an outer portion that are interconnected at the moving fulcrum, the moving fulcrum having a sliding body to which the lever formation is pivotally connected.

[0065] The pulling drive may be connected to the inner portion.

[0066] The pulling drive may be operably connected to the pair of arms to move the arms toward and away from each other and move the arm longitudinally.

[0067] The pulling drive may include a hydraulic drive for driving each arm.

[0068] The pulling drive may include at least one hydraulic drive for moving each arm.

[0069] The sliding body may move within a frictional chamber.

[0070] The trailer bed may have an opening that receives that engaging portions of the arms.

[0071] The sliding body may move longitudinally of the trailer bed against frictional forces, and the arms can be pivoted open and closed by the pulling drive, the sliding body may be moved into an extend position after the arms have been opened, and then the sliding body and the arms can be retracted after the arms have been pivoted closed.

[0072] The sliding body can move longitudinally against frictional forces, and the pulling drive is operated in a first mode to pivot the arms opened, whilst the frictional engagement resists movement of the sliding body, and with the arms opened, continuing to operate the pulling drive in the first mode can move the sliding body against the frictional forces move the arms into an extended position, the pulling drive can is then be operated in a second mode to pivot the arms closed to engage the trailer bed, whilst the frictional forces resist movement of the sliding body, and once the arms have engaged the trailer bed, continuing operation of the pulling drive in the second mode can move the arms into the retracted position drawing the nose formation fully into the channel formation.

[0073] In another example, the pulling member may be attachable to the trailer bed may have a keyed opening, such as a shipping container corner, and the pulling member may have an oblong head that can be inserted into the keyed opening and turned about a longitudinal axis of the pulling member, such as a quarter turn, thereby releasably attaching the pulling member to the trailer bed. To release the pulling member from the trailer bed, the pulling member can be again turned, such as another quarter turn, to allow the head of the pulling member to be removed from the opening

[0074] The pulling drive may also be operable to turn the pulling member.

[0075] The forward coupling assembly may also have a forward drawing device, which has the same features as the drawing device described in the two paragraphs described immediately above.

[0076] The trailer bed many be any structure such as a tray, skid or flat rack. Ideally, the trailer bed has a sub-frame with longitudinal members, a top deck on which goods can be loaded, and a footing on which the trailer bed can be rested.

[0077] The trailer bed may have a side wall, including opposite end panels that extend widthwise and longitudinal side panels.

[0078] If the channel formation is part of the trailer bed, the channel formation may form part of the end panels.

[0079] The trailer may also be controlled by a user operating a controller to carry out one or more of the following: i) Control the drawing drive to turn the pulling member, and control the pulling drive to move the pulling member between the protruding position and the retracted position. ii) Control the rear latching drive to change the position of the rear latching pieces between the extended position and the retracted position. iii) Control the rear lift drive to raise and lower the trailer bed from the rear. iv) Control the forward latch drive to change the position of the forward latching pieces between the extended position and the retracted position. v) Control the forward lift drive for raising or lowering the forward end of the trailer bed.

[0080] The controller may be part of the coupling assembly.

[0081] The controller may be part of the trailer.

[0082] The present invention relates to a trailer including: a trailer bed; an axle assembly; and the coupling assembly as described herein that couples the trailer bed to the axle assembly, wherein the trailer has a gooseneck that has an upper brace that is arranged above a chassis of the axle assembly, and lower limb that is pivotally connected to the upper brace and connected to a part the coupling assembly, and the upper brace and lower limb can be pivoted relative to each other, which in turn, raises and lowers the trailer bed, or at least one end of the trailer bed.

[0083] The present invention relates to a gooseneck coupling assembly for detachably connecting to a trailer bed, the gooseneck coupling assembly has: a nose formation that extends in a widthwise direction of the trailer bed, in which the nose formation is capable of being received by a co-operating channel formation of the trailer bed, and the channel formation has at least one detent recess, and at least one moveable latching piece that is moved between: i) a locked position in which the latching piece is capable of being operably received by the recess to lock the trailer bed and the gooseneck coupling when connected together, and ii) an unlocked position in which latching piece is withdrawn from the recess so that the trailer bed and the gooseneck coupling can be separated.

[0084] The present invention also relates to a bogie having the gooseneck as described herein.

[0085] The present invention also relates to a trailer bed, the trailer bed being releasably connectable to a vehicle and a gooseneck, the trailer bed having a first part of a coupling assembly that includes: channel formations at opposite ends of the trailer bed that extend in a widthwise direction of the trailer bed, the channel formations being capable of receiving co operating nose formations, being a second part of the coupling assembly that are attached the vehicle at any one of the trailer bed and the gooseneck at another end of the trailer bed, and the channel formations having at least one recess that receives a moveable latching piece extending from the nose formations, in which the latching pieces can be moved between: i) a locked position in which the latching piece is operably received by the recess to lock the nose formations and the channel formations together, and ii) an unlocked position in which latching piece is withdrawn from the recess to unlock the nose formations and the channel formation to allow separation of the trailer bed from the vehicle and the forward gooseneck.

[0086] The trailer bed may also have any one or a combination of the features of the trailer bed described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0087] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which are summarised as follows.

[0088] Figure 1 is a top and side perspective view of a trailer comprising an adjustable forward gooseneck, and adjustable rear gooseneck, a rear bogie, and a trailer bed that is detachably connected to the front and rear goosenecks, and in which the trailer bed is located in an upper position for transporting goods.

[0089] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the trailer shown in Figure 1, in which the forward and rear goosenecks have been moved into a lower position for resting the trailer bed on the ground.

[0090] Figures 3 to 11 relate to an embodiment of a coupling assembly for a trailer, in which Figure 3 is a perspective view of a trailer having a trailer bed and forward and rear coupling assemblies that are disengaged with the trailer bed.

[0091 ] Figure 4 is a plan view of a portion of the trailer in Box A in Figure 3. In addition, the arrows and solid boxes schematically represent a drawing device, including a pulling member and pulling drive for drawing the coupling assembly together. [0092] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an end of the trailer bed shown in Figures 3 and 4, the end of the trailer bed having a channel formation of the coupling assembly. The opposite end of the trailer bed, not shown in Figure 5 would have the same channel formation.

[0093] Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along the line B-B in Figure 3 with the trailer bed been separated from the trailer, and illustrates a close-up view of a coupling assembly including a forwardly facing nose formation on the limb of the rear gooseneck, and a rearwardly facing channel formation on the trailer bed.

[0094] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the nose formation and the channel formation of the coupling assembly as shown in Figure 6 when separated, and in which latching pieces are located in an unlocked position which enables the coupling assembly to be fitted together and separated for connecting and disconnecting the trailer bed.

[0095] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the nose formation and the channel formation as shown in Figure 7, with the formations drawn together into connection, and with the latching pieces located in an unlocked position.

[0096] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the nose formation and the channel formation connected together as shown in Figure 8, in which the latching pieces located in a locked position.

[0097] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view in which the nose formation has been received by the channel formation as shown in Figure 8, in which the latching pieces are located in an unlocked position which is the position required for fitting the formations together, or for separating the formations.

[0098] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional perspective view as shown in Figure 10, in which the latching pieces are operably received by detent recesses in the channel formation to lock the nose and channel formations together.

[0099] Figure 12 is close-up view of one segment of the nose formation in Figures 10 and 11, in which the latching piece is retained to the nose formation by a boss located in a lateral side wall of the nose formation, and the latching piece is located in an unlocked position.

[0100] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view through a shipper container corner section of the trailer bed and a drawing device including a pulling drive and a pulling member, in which a head of the pulling member is located within an internal cavity of the trailer bed.

[0101] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view through a shipper container section of the trailer bed and the drawing device as shown in Figure 13, in which the head of the pulling member has been withdrawn from the trailer bed. [0102] Figures 15 to 28 relate to another embodiment of a coupling assembly for a trailer, of which Figures 15 and 16 are front and rear perspective views of a channel formation of a coupling assembly that can be attached to the opposite ends of the trailer bed. The trailer bed has been omitted from figures 15 and 16.

[0103] Figure 17 is a front perspective view of a nose formation of a coupling assembly that is received by the channel formation shown in figures 15 and 16. The nose formation would be fitted to the front and rear goosenecks.

[0104] Figure 18 is a side rear perspective view of a channel formation and a nose formation of a coupling assembly that can be attached to the trailer bed and to a gooseneck, the trailer bed and gooseneck are omitted from Figure 18.

[0105] Figures 19 and 20 are cross-sectional perspective views of the nose formation in a vertical plane along the line A-A in Figure 17. The nose formation has three segments separated by recesses and for latching pieces including four bars. The bars are located in an unlocked position in Figure 19 and in a locked position in Figure 20.

[0106] Figure 21 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the nose formation and the channel formation in a horizontal plane along the line B-B in Figure 18, in which the nose formation is partially received by the channel formation and the bars of the latching pieces are in the unlocked position.

[0107] Figures 22 and 23 are cross-sectional views of Figure 21, in which the nose formation has been completely received by the channel formation, and in the case of Figure 22 the bars of the latching pieces are in the unlocked position, and in the case of Figure 23 the bars of the latching pieces are in the locked position.

[0108] Figure 24 is a perspective view of the nose formation and a channel formation of the coupling assembly in an exploded position, the nose formation being attached to the limb of a gooseneck. The coupling assembly has a drawing device including a pulling member having a pair of arms mounted to the outside of the limb in which the pair of arms are located in an opened retracted position.

[0109] Figure 25 is a perspective view of the nose formation partially received by the channel formation of Figure 24, in which the pulling device has been operated to locate the pair of arms in a closed advanced position so as to engage openings on outer sides of the trailer bed, and a pulling drive for moving the arms in the direction of arrow Z to draw the nose and channel formations together.

[0110] Figure 26 is a perspective view of the nose and channel formations of Figure 25 in which the drawing device has been operated to retract the pair of arms to draw the nose and channel formations together. [0111] Figure 27A is a cross-sectional view in a horizontal plane along the line A-A in Figure 25 in which the pair of arms are located in an advanced closed position ready to be received by the openings of the trailer bed, and in which the nose formation is partially received within the channel formation. Figure 27B is the same as Figure 27A with the only difference being the arm on the right in the Figure 27B is pivoted into the opened position, whereas the arm on the left is in the closed position.

[0112] Figure 28 is a cross-sectional view in a horizontal plane along the line A-A in Figure 25 in which the pair of arms have been moved longitudinally in the direction of arrow Z by the pulling drive to connect the nose and channel formations together.

[0113] Figure 29 is a block diagram illustrating the function of a controller network for the trailer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0114] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in the following text which includes reference numerals that identify the corresponding features illustrated in the accompanying Figures. To maintain the clarity of the Figures, however, all reference numerals are not included in each Figure.

[0115] The preferred embodiment relates to a trailer and the individual components of the trailer as described herein.

[0116] With reference to the Figures, the trailer 10 has an elongate trailer bed 11, a bogie 12 including a rear bogie 13, a gooseneck 16 including a rear gooseneck 17 and a forward gooseneck 18. The rear gooseneck 17 is pivotally mounted to a chassis 15 of the rear bogie 13. The forward gooseneck 18 is connectable to a forward bogie, or may have a kingpin for connection to a turntable of a truck, neither of which are illustrated in the Figures.

[0117] The trailer 10 also has a coupling assembly 22, including a rear coupling assembly 23 that detachably connects the trailer bed 11 to the rear bogie 13, see Figure 3, and a forward coupling assembly 24 that detachably connects the trailer bed 11 to the forward gooseneck 18. The trailer 10 also has a lift 21, one of which is arranged to operate the rear gooseneck 17, herein referred to as the rear lift 25, and another of which is arranged to operate the forward gooseneck 18, herein referred to as the forward lift 26. The rear and forward lifts 25 and 26 can be operated simultaneously or at different times as desired, for raising and lowering of the trailer bed 11.

[0118] Figure 1 illustrates the trailer bed 11 located in a raised position while connected to the rear bogie 13 and the front gooseneck 14. Figure 2 illustrates the trailer bed 11 located in a lowered position while connected to the rear bogie 13 and the forward gooseneck 18.

[0119] The rear and forward goosenecks 17 and 18 each have an upper brace 19 and a pair of limbs 20 that are pivotally connected to the upper brace 19 which allows relative articulation. The upper brace 19 of the rear gooseneck 17 is pivotally connected to the chassis 15 of the rear bogie 13, and the upper brace 19 of the forward gooseneck 18 is pivotally connected to a chassis of a forward bogie (not illustrated in the figures) or a towing turntable (not illustrated in the figures).

[0120] After the trailer bed 11 has been lowered onto the ground, as shown in Figure 2, the rear and forward coupling assemblies 22 and 23 can be unlocked, which allows the trailer bed 11 to be separated from the forward gooseneck 18 and the rear gooseneck 17 of the rear bogie 13 as shown in Figure 3. To separate the trailer bed 11 as shown, the truck carrying the forward gooseneck 18 may be driven forward, and the rear bogie 13 if powered, may also be reversed away. In the event that the rear bogie 13 is unpowered, a hitch ring or alike (not illustrated) may be provided at the tail end of the rear bogie 13 for reversing the rear bogie 13 away.

[0121] Figure 4 is a plan view of the section of the trailer bed 11 and rear bogie 13 in Box A in figure 3.

[0122] When the trailer bed 11 is connected to the rear bogie 13 and a forward gooseneck 18 as described above, the trailer bed 11 can be raised and lowered as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The lift 21 which forms part of the rear and forward goosenecks 17 and 18 is used to raise and lower the trailer bed 11. Specifically the first pivot connection 55 between the upper braces 19 and the limbs 20, and the second pivot connection 56 between the upper braces 19 and the rear bogie 13 (or a forward vehicle) and can be operated by a ram mechanism 57 that is arranged between the housing 29 of the coupling assemblies 22 and an extension lever extending from the upper brace 19. The ram mechanism 57 is pivotally connected at both ends, namely to the housing 29 and the extension lever. Figure 1 illustrates the ram mechanism 57 when extended which reduces the angle 0¹ between the upper brace 19 and the limbs 20, which in turn raises the trailer bed 11 and the upper brace 19. Figure 2 illustrates the ram mechanism 57 when retracted which increases the angle 0² between the upper brace 19 and the limbs 20, which in turn lowers the trailer bed 11 and the upper brace.

[0123] The ram mechanism 57 may be any suitable device including a pneumatic ram, and an electrical ram such as screw ram. Ideally, the ram mechanism is a hydraulic drive. [0124] The components and operation of the coupling assembly 22 according one embodiment will now be described in more detail with reference to Figures 3 to 12. It will also be appreciated that the coupling assembly 22 of this embodiment may be used in combination with any one of, including all of the features of, the rear and forward goosenecks 17 and 18 in Figures 1 to 4.

[0125] The coupling assembly 22 of Figures 3 to 12 has a rear coupling assembly 23 and a forward coupling assembly 24 which are structurally and functionally the same. Specifically, the rear and forward coupling assemblies 23 and 24 have a protruding nose formation 28 extending from a housing 29, best seen in Figure 6. The protruding nose formation 28 extends across the width of the rear coupling assembly 23 which is also widthwise relative to the trailer bed 11. Another co-operating part of the rear and forward coupling assemblies 23 and 24 is a channel formation 30 located at the end panel of the trailer bed 11, which is best seen in Figures 5 and 6. Both the nose and channel formations 28 and 30 have elongate structures that extend in a widthwise direction across the trailer bed 11. The nose and channel formations 28 and 30 extend widthwise across the width of the trailer bed. Suitably, the nose and channel formations 28 and 30 extend widthwise across at least 70 percent of the width of the trailer bed, even more suitably at least 80 percent of the width of the trailer bed, or still even more suitably at least 90 percent of the width of the trailer bed, or ideally across the entire width of the trailer bed.

[0126] The nose formation 28 comprises left and right side nose segments 28a which are separated by a central gap 39. In addition, best be seen in figure 4, the lateral sides of the side nose segments 28a have a tapered profile, so that in plan view each side nose 28a tapers to narrow away from the rear bogie 13. The ends of each side nose 28a has a lateral end wall 67, a close-up view of one of the end walls 67 is shown in Figure 12. Each side nose 28a has opposite end walls.

[0127] The opposite ends of the trailer bed 11 also include a shipping container corner 50 that defines opposite ends of the channel formation 30 and a protrusion providing a central web 40 defines left and right side channels 30a of the channel formation 30.

[0128] The central web 40 has an outer face and wall sides 61, see Figure 5 that taper widthwise toward the innermost base or trough of the channel formation 30. Similarly, the shipper container corners 50 have inner walls 62, see Figure 5, that are angled inwardly toward a central longitudinal axis of the trailer bed 11, so that tapering dimensions of the channel formation 30a correspond to, and receive, the widthwise tapering of the nose formation 28a. [0129] The channel formations 30 have an inner surface with and concave base 76 or trough and upper and lower surfaces extending from the base 76. The upper and lower surfaces 42 extending from the trough may have a curved profile or a linear profile. As can best be seen in Figures 5, 6 and 7, the upper and lower surfaces 42 define an opening 44 to the channel formation 30 and detent recesses 43 are set back by minor sections from the opening 44. The detent recesses 43 may have any suitable shape that corresponds to a rib 36 of the latching pieces 32. The detent recesses 43 have a curved or circular cross-sectional profile.

[0130] An outer wall of the nose formation 28 includes a leading convex section 31 and aft sections 45 that are set back from the leading convex section 31. The leading convex section 31 of the nose formation 28 complements the concave base 76 profile of the channel formation 30, and the aft sections 45 of the nose formation 28 are arranged to fit the mouth of upper and lower surfaces 42 of the channel formation 30.

[0131] As can be seen in Figures 7 and 8, the complementing cross-sectional shapes of the nose formation 28 and the channel formation 30 enable the nose and channel formations 28 and 30 to snugly interfit with a minimal clearance when connected together. The profiles of the inner surface of the channel formation 30, including the concave base 76 and the upper and lower surfaces 42 of the channel formation 30, complement with the leading convex section 31 and the aft section 45 of the nose formation 28 so as to provide fixed surfaces that enable vertical loads to be applied through the coupling assembly 22. For example, when the trailer passes over a bump in the road at speed.

[0132] Converging walls 62 defining the central gap 39 of the nose formation 28 can contact the side walls 61 of the central web 40 of the channel formation 30 when connected together. This enables horizontal loads in directions lateral to the length of the trailer bed to be applied through the coupling assembly 22. For example, when the trailer is turning left and right during transportation.

[0133] Similarly, the converging walls 62 of the nose formation 28 can contact the channel end walls 62 when the nose and channel formations 28 and 30 are connected together. Again, this enables horizontal loads in directions lateral to the length of the trailer bed to be applied through the coupling assembly 22.

[0134] The latching pieces 32 may be retained between the leading convex section 31 and aft sections 45 of the nose formation 28 using any suitable retention means. For example, Figure 12 is a close-up view in which one of latching pieces 32 has a pair of bosses 52 that are received by bores 53 in the lateral sides of the nose formation 28.

The bosses 52 and bores 53 define at pivot axis X about which the latching pieces 32 pivot between locked and unlocked positions. The lever 37, best seen in Figures 9 to 11, also retains a trailing portion of the latching pieces 32 relative to the nose formation 28.

[0135] With reference to Figures 7, 8 and 10, the latching pieces 32, including upper and lower latching pieces 32a that have a body comprising a leg 33 that is pivotally mounted about the pivot axes X adjacent to the leading curved section 31. The legs 33 have an outer planar surface 35 and a rib 36 that extends outwardly from the planar surface 35. Each latching piece 32a also has a lever 37 (see Figures 9 to 11) of which the outer ends of each of the levers 37 is pivotally mounted to the inside of one of the legs 33 at outer pivot axes Y. Opposite inner ends of the levers 37 are hingedly connected at a moving fulrum 27, where the inner ends of the levers 37 are driven fore and aft by a latching drive 38. The latching drive 38 may be any suitable drive, such as a pneumatic drive, a first hydraulic drive 59, or an electrical drive. As the fulcrum point 37 is driven forward, the latching pieces are driven outwardly toward the locked position by the levers 37.

[0136] Figures 7, 8 and 10 illustrates the moving fulcrum 27 positioned aft of, or away from, the leading section 31 of the nose formation 28 which locates the latching pieces 32 in an unlocked position. In this situation, the ribs 36 of the latching pieces 32 are withdrawn from, and do not engage, the detent recesses 43. While in the unlocked position, the nose and channel formations 28 and 30 are unlocked which allows the trailer bed 11 can be separated from the rear bogie 13 and the forward gooseneck 18 as shown in Figure 3 and described above.

[0137] Figures 9 and 11 illustrates the moving fulcrum 27 positioned fore of, or toward, the leading section 31 of the nose formation 28 which locates the latching pieces 32 in a locked position. In the locked position, the latching pieces 32 engage the detent recesses 43 when the nose and channel formations 28 and 30 have been fitted together.

[0138] The latching piece 32 to the left in Figure 6 is located in the locked position in which the rib 36 is proud of the plane of the aft section 45 of the nose formation 28. In contrast, the latching piece 32 to the right in Figure 6 is located in an unlocked position in which rib 36 is inside the plane of the aft section 45 of the nose formation 28.

[0139] By arranging the latching pieces 32 widthwise across the trailer bed 11 and across the rear bogie 13, a longitudinal cross-section of the rib 36 of the latching pieces 32 is placed in shear in the detent recess 43 when a load is placed on the trailer bed 11. This arrangement provides superior load bearing properties compared to shearing properties of a cross-section lateral to the longitudinal axis of the rib 36.

[0140] Ideally, the trailer 10 also has a drawing device 46 that draws the nose and channel formations 28 and 30 together when spaced apart as show in Figure 4, into a connected fitted position as shown in Figures 12 and 13. The purpose of the drawing device 46 is to avoid driving the rear bogie 13 or the forward gooseneck 18 to connect the nose and channel formations 28. That is, the drawing device 46 may include a rear drawing device for connecting the rear coupling assembly 23, and a forward drawing device for connecting the forward coupling assembly 24. That is to say, the drawing device 46 may be mounted to nose formation 28 of the rear bogie, and similarly, the drawing device 46 may be mounted to the nose formation 28 of the forward gooseneck 18.

[0141] The arrows and solid boxes in Figure 4 schematically represent a drawing device 46, and Figures 13 and 14 are cross-sectional views of the drawing device 46 according to an embodiment, in an engage position and a non-engaged position respectively. The drawing device 46 in Figures 13 and 14 is suitable for the coupling assembly 22 in Figures 3 to 14, however, it could also be used with the coupling assembly 22 shown in Figures 15 to 28.

[0142] With reference to Figures 13 and 14, the drawing device 46 includes a pulling member 47 that is centrally located to align with the crest of the curved leading section 31 which pulls the crest of the leading section 31 into the base 76 of the channel formation 30. The pulling member 47 has an elongate head 48 having a major dimension and a minor dimension, with the minor dimension being shown in cross- section in Figure 14, and the major dimension being shown in Figure 13. The trailer bed 11 has conventional shipping container corners 50 that have oblong openings 51 and an internal cavity 54.

[0143] The sequence for connecting, locking, unlock and separating the trailer bed 11 to the other rear bogie 13 is summarised as follows. Initially, the heads 48 of the pulling members 47 are inserted into the oblong openings 51 when the pulling members 47 are in a protruding position, as shown in Figure 4. In the protruding position, the heads 48 extend outward of the leading sections 31 of the nose formation 28. Once the heads 48 have passed through the oblong openings 51 into the internal cavity 54, the pulling members 47 are quarter turned about its longitudinal axis by a pulling drive 49 so that the major dimension of the head 48 engages the inside of the cavity 54. The pulling drive 49 is then be operated to move the pulling member 47 longitudinally so as move the pulling member 47 from the protruding position inward into a retracted position, which draws together the trailer bed 11 and rear bogie 13 towards each other and fits the nose formation 28 inside channel formation 30. Figure 10 illustrates when the pulling member 47 has been fully retracted so that the nose and channel formations 28 and 30 are fitted together. [0144] To ensure that the nose formation 28 is fully received within the channel formation 30, the latching pieces 32 must be in the unlocked position, which requires the latching drive 38 to be in the aft position as described above.

[0145] Once the nose formation 28 has been received by the channel formation 30, the latching drive 38 is moved forward which moves the ribs 36 into the detent recesses 43 and locks the nose and channel formations 28 and 30 together. Once this sequence is completed at both ends of the trailer bed 11, the trailer bed 11 can be raised and transported.

[0146] Although the pulling members 47 are not required to lock the trailer bed 11 and bogie together, the pulling members 47 may remain engaged after the latching pieces 32 have been locked. Alternatively, the pulling members 47 may be quarter turned, and disengaged from the trailer bed 11, as shown in Figure 11.

[0147] Once the destination has been reached, the trailer bed 11 can be lowered onto the ground, and if not done so after the latching pieces 32 moved into the locked position, the pulling members 47 must be quarter turned and disengaged from the trailer bed 10. The latching pieces 32 can then be unlocked by moving the latching drive 38 aft as described above.

[0148] During the drawing stage, the brakes of the truck and/or the rear bogie 13 may be released or feathered to allow each roll. In addition, the upper brace 19 and limbs 20 of the rear and forward goosenecks 17 and 18 may also be allowed to pivot to increase reach, and in turn allow the nose and channel formations 28 and 30 to interfit in the operative position.

[0149] Figures 15 to 23 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the coupling assembly 22 and Figures 24 to 28 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a drawing device 46. The embodiments shown in Figures 15 to 28 can be included in the trailer shown in Figures 1 and 2. For instance, the embodiments in Figures 15 to 28 may be included in the rear and forward goosenecks 17 and 18, and the embodiments may also be fitted to the bogie shown in Figures 3 and 4. Moreover, the embodiment of Figures 15 to 28 may have any one or a combination of the features shown in Figures 1 to 4, or described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Similarly, the embodiments in Figures 1 to 4 may have any one or a combination of the features of the embodiment in Figures 15 to 23.

[0150] Figures 15 and 16 illustrate a channel formation 30 of the coupling assembly 22 for attachment to the trailer bed, for example, by means of welding. The trailer bed has been omitted from Figures 15 and 16. The channel formation 30 is an elongate body for extending widthwise across the trailer bed and ideally corner to corner of the trailer bed. However, the nose and channel formations 28 ad 30 may extend only part way across the trailer bed, such as at least 70 percent, at least 80 percent or at least 90 percent across the trailer bed.

[0151] Figures 15 and 18 are front views of the channel formation 30 which has an opening 44 and an inner surface having a concave base 76 at the inner most part, and upper and lower surfaces 42 extending from the base 76 that are angled away from each other so that the channel formation 30 increases in height moving in a direction toward the opening 44.

[0152] The channel formation 30 has three sections, including a central channel 30b and two side channels 30a defined by protrusions 65 provided by V-shaped blocks located between the upper and lower surfaces 42. The V-shaped blocks have a first hole for receiving latching pieces 32. The protrusions 65 include two middle protrusions 66 which in part define the central channel 30b, and two side protrusions that form channel end walls 67 which in part define the side channels 30a. The channel end walls 67 have a tapered thickness which is its thickest at the base 76 and reduces in thickness toward the opening 44. The middle protrusions 66 have tapered protrusion side surfaces 58. Upper and lower corners of the channel formation 30 include shipping container corners 50 to assist in handling the trailer bed (not shown in Figures 15 to 23) using conventional equipment for moving shipping containers.

[0153] Figure 16 is a rear view of the channel formation 30 which would be enclosed within the trailer bed.

[0154] Figure 17 is a front view of a nose formation 28 of the coupling assembly 22. The nose formation 28 has an elongate body that extends withdwise across the trailer bed and across the coupling formation 22. The nose formation 28 is fitted to a limb of a gooseneck 16. The nose formation 28 has a leading convex portion 31, and upper and lower surfaces 81 that are angled away from each other so that the nose formation 28 increases in height progressively toward the goosenecks 16. The nose formation 28 has a central nose 28b and two side noses 28a, one each side of the central nose 28b.

[0155] Depressions or gaps 39 are provided along the nose formation 28, including two middle recesses 61 that define a central nose 28b of the nose formation 28, and two side recesses 63. The middle recesses 61, either side of the central nose 28b, are defined between a pair of converging upright walls 62 which has a maximum gap at the leading convex section 31 which reduces to a smaller gap toward the housing 29 that forms part of the goosenecks 16. The side recesses 63 are located at the ends of the nose formation 28 and are in part defined by the nose end walls 64 at opposite ends of the nose formation 28. The nose end walls 64 are angled so that the side recesses 63 taper from the leading convex section 31 toward the housing 29. Figure 18 illustrates the nose and channel formations 28 and 30 separated i.e., disconnected. However, as can be seen that the middle recesses 61 can be aligned with the middle protrusions 66 and that the side recesses 63 can be aligned with the channel end wall 67.

[0156] The central nose 28b and the side noses 28a are sized to snuggly fit into the central channel 30b and the side channel 30a respectively, when the coupling assembly 22 is fitted together. In other words, the upper and lower surfaces 81 of the nose formation 28 abut against the upper and lower surfaces 42 of the channel formation 30, and the leading convex section 31 of the nose formation 28 abuts against the concave base 76 of the channel formation 30. This provides the coupling assembly 22 with a contact surfaces between the nose and channel formations 28 and 30 having horizontal component which allows vertical loads to be applied to the coupling assembly 22 during transportation. For example, when passing over bumps in a roadway at high speed.

[0157] In addition, the middle recesses 61 of the nose formation 28 are sized to receive the middle protrusions 66 of the channel formation 30, and the side recesses 63 of the nose formation 28 are sized to receive the side protrusions/channel end walls 67 when the coupling assembly 22 is fitted together. In other words, the opposed converging walls 62 of the nose formation 28 abut against the tapered surfaces of protrusion side surfaces 58, and the tapered surfaces of the nose end walls 64 abut against the tapered surfaces of the channel end walls 67. This provides the coupling assembly 22 with contact surfaces between the nose and channel formations 28 and 30 in an upright orientation that allows horizontal loads acting laterally to the length of the trailer bed to be applied to the coupling assembly 22 during transportation. For example, when the trailer bed is manoeuvring left and right.

[0158] As can be seen in Figures 17 and 18 the nose end walls 64 include upper and lower cutouts 77 that accommodate the shipping container corners 50 when connected together.

[0159] Figures 19 and 20 are cross-sectional perspective views of the nose formation 28 in a vertical plane along an axis line A-A of the nose formation 28 in Figure 17. The central nose 28b and the side noses 28a each contain latching pieces 32 including a bar 70 that moves between an unlocked position, shown in Figure 19 in which the bar 70 is contained by the central nose 28b and side nose 28a, and an unlocked position shown in Figure 20 in which the bar 70 extends across the middle recess 61 and the side recesses 63

[0160] The side noses 28a have nose end walls 64 at opposite ends of the nose formation 28. The nose end walls 64 have a second hole 69 containing a latching piece 32 that has a bar 70 that reciprocates between the locked and unlocked positions by a latching drive. The latching drive 38 moves the bar 70 in a direction of axis A-A (in Figure 17) and is located within the side noses 28a without protruding from the second hole 69 when in the unlocked position. The bar 70 is located within the second hole 69 and protrudes from the second hole 69 into the side recess 63 when in the locked position.

[0161] The central nose 28b and each side nose 28a are separated by middle recesses

61 defined between pairs of opposed converging walls 62. The pairs of converging walls

62 have the second holes 69 or bores that are aligned. The second holes 69 on opposite ends of the central nose 28b contain a latching piece 32 that has a bar 70 that reciprocates between locked and unlocked positions by a latching drive 38. In the unlocked position, see Figure 19, the bars 70 are contained within the converging walls 62 of the central nose 28b without protruding from the second holes 69 of the central nose 28b. In the locked position, see Figure 20, the bars 70 have been moved along the axis line A-A so as to bridge over the middle recesses 61 and are received by the second holes 69 of the pairs of converging walls 62 between the central nose 28b and the side noses 28a.

[0162] Although Figures 19 and 20 illustrate the bars 70 extending from the converging walls 62 at opposite ends of the central nose 28b, other configurations can be provided. For example, although not illustrated one or more of the side noses may include two bars, one extending into the side recess when in the locked position, and another extending into the middle recess when in the locked position so as to bridge the middle recess and be received by the second hole of the central nose. In this example, the central nose may not contain a latching piece or bar, save for when the bar extends from the side segments into the central segment in the locked position.

[0163] Figures 21 to 23 are cross-sectional perspective views in a horizontal plane, such as the plane of line B-B in Figure 18 in which the nose formation 28 and the channel formation 30 are illustrated at different stages of connection. Figure 21 illustrates the nose formation 28 partially received by the channel formation 30 with the latching pieces 32 in the unlocked position. Specifically, as can be seen in Figure 21 the middle protrusions 66 of the channel formation 30 have been partially received by the middle recesses 61 and the channel end wall 67 of the channel formation 30 have been partially received by the side recesses 63 of the nose formation 28. Similarly, the central nose 28b has been received by the central channel 30b, and the side noses 28a have been received by the side channels 30a. The distance "S" shown in Figure 21 represents the space between the leading convex section 31 of the nose formation 28 and the concave base 76 of the channel formation 30 when partially received. The distance "S" will be similar to the spacing between the end of the trailer bed, denoted by the shipping container corners and the housing 29 at the end of the limbs 20 of the gooseneck 16.

[0164] Figure 22 illustrates a stage in which the nose formation 28 has been fully received by the channel formation 30 so as to snugly fit together and the distance "S" is no longer present. As can be seen the protrusions 65 of the channel formation 30 have been received by the nose formation 40, and first holes 68 of the protrusions 65 provide recesses (of the channel formation) that align with the bars 70 of the latching pieces 32. As can be seen, the latching pieces 32 are located in the unlocked position. As described above, the nose and channel formation 28 and 30 comprise interfitting surfaces that enable vertical and horizontal loads to be applied through the coupling assembly 32 during transportation.

[0165] Figure 23 illustrates the nose formation 28 fully received in the channel formation 30 in the same way as Figure 22. However, the latching pieces 32 are located the locked position.

[0166] The latching drive 38 may be any suitable drive including an electronic drive or a pneumatic drive. Suitably however the latching drive 38 is a first hydraulic drive 78 as illustrated in Figures 21 to 23 and Figures 27A, 27B to 28.

[0167] In order to locate the nose formation 28 partially in the channel formation 30 as shown in Figure 21, the user can drive the vehicle carrying the nose formation 28 until nose and channel formations 28 and 30 approach each other by the distance "S". Although it is possible that the nose formation 28 may be completely received by the channel formation 28 by the user driving the vehicle, ideally the coupling assembly 22 may include a drawing device 46 to complete the step of locating the nose formation 28 within the channel formation 30.

[0168] Figures 24 to 28 illustrate the drawing device 46 according to another embodiment and parts of a coupling assembly 22 including the nose formation 28 attached to a limb of the gooseneck 16 and a channel formation 30 of a trailer bed. The trailer bad has been omitted from Figures 24 to 28. Although the embodiment of the drawing device 46 shown in Figures 24 to 28 are shown in connection with the embodiment of the coupling assembly 22 in Figures 15 to 23, it will be appreciated that the drawing device in Figures 24 to 28 may also be used in relation to the embodiment of the coupling assembly 22 illustrated in Figures 3 to 14.

[0169] The drawing device 46 has a pulling member 47 with a pair of moving arms 71 and a pulling drive 49 for moving the arms 71 to interengage and draw the nose and channel formations 28 and 30 together. The arms 71 are pivotally mounted at a second moving fulcrum 79 to outer sides of the housing 29 at the lower end of the limb of the gooseneck 16. The arms 71 can move between an open position as shown in Figures 24 and 25, and a closed position as shown in Figure 26, 27A and 28. As can best be seen in Figures 27A to 28, the arms 71 have a lever formation with an inner portion 72 to which the pulling drive 49 is operably connected and an outer portion 73 that extends forward and has an engaging projections 74 for engaging the trailer bed, and in particular, provides a projection that can be received by the first holes 68 of the channel side wall 67. The inner and outer portions 72 and 73 are connected together at an elbow of approximately 90° and the second moving fulcrum 79 is provided on a sliding body 75. The sliding body 75 is contained in a chamber defined at least in part by parallel ribs 80 and moves in the chamber in a longitudinal direction of the trailer bed along an axis identified by the line C-C in Figures 27A to 28. This enables the pair of arms 71 to be advanced and retracted in a direction longitudinal of the trailer bed along the line C-C when the arms are in either the open or closed positions. Specifically, the sliding body 75 frictionally engages the chamber by means of at least one belleville spring, and preferably a set of belleville springs (not shown) between the sliding body and the parallel ribs 80.

[0170] In order to move the arms 71 into an advanced open position for engaging with the first holes 68 of the channel end walls 67, the pulling drive 49 is operated in a firs mode to initially pivot the inner portion 72 of the arm toward the leading convex portion 31 of the nose formation 28 i.e, forwardly, as can be seen on the right-hand side of the coupling assembly 22 in Figure 27B. Simultaneously, this pivots the outer portion 73 of the arm 71 into the opened position, whilst the frictional engagement between the sliding block in the chamber holds the sliding body in a rearward position. With the arms are in the open position, continuing to operate the pulling drive 49 in the first mode will move the sliding body 75 forward within the chamber along the axis C-C and advance the arms 71 forward whilst in the opened position. To locate the engaging projections 74 on the arms71 in the first holes 68, the pulling drive 49 is then operated in a second mode to pivot the arms into the closed position by pushing the inner portion 72 of the arm rearwardly, whilst the frictional engagement between the sliding body 75 and the parallel ribs 80 resists movement of the sliding body 75. Once the arms 71 have engaged the trailer bed, as shown in Figure 27A, continuing operation of the drawing drive 49 in the second mode to push the inner portion 72 of the arm 71 rearwardly will move the sliding body 75 rearwardly and in turn draw the nose formation 28 into the channel formation 30 until both are seated together as shown in Figures 26 and 28. Finally, as described above, the latching drive 38 can be operated to locate the bars 70 in the locked position as shown in Figure 28. [0171] The latching drive 38, the pulling drive 49 and the lift 21 may be any suitable drive or actuator including an electrical ram device or a pneumatic device. Ideally, the latching drive 38 is the first hydraulic drive 59, the pulling drive 49 is the second hydraulic drive 78, and the lift 21 are all hydraulic drives. The assembly preferably has fluid lines, hydraulic fluid reserves and pumps that power the hydraulic drives, including the first and second hydraulic drives 59 and 78 and the lift drive. These components are not shown in the Figures. The fluid lines and pumps can be controlled by a controller as shown in Figure 29.

[0172] Moreover, Figure 29 illustrates a network of connections of the controller to various drivers for controlling operation of the trailer. The connections are preferably hard wire electrical connections, but the connections may also include wireless connections such as Bluetooth and radio frequencies. The connections may also be hydraulic connections. Irrespective of the type of connection, a user may use the controller to carry out any one or a combination of the following.

A) Control a drive of a powered rear bogie to adjust the position of the rear bogie to enable connection of the drawing members to the trailer bed.

B) Control the pulling drive of the forward coupling assembly to connect the forward gooseneck and trailer bed in an operative position.

C) Control the forward latching drive in order to move the latching pieces in and out of the detent recesses to lock and unlock the forward coupling assembly.

D) Control the forward lifting drive to raise and lower the trailer bed.

E) Control the pulling drive of the rear coupling assembly to connect the rear gooseneck and trailer bed into an operative position.

F) Control the rear latch drive in order to move the latching pieces in and out of the detent recesses to lock and unlock the rear coupling assembly.

G) Control the rear lifting drive to raise and lower the trailer bed.

[0173] Although not shown in the Figures, the longitudinal side panels of the trailer bed may have cavities for receiving forklift tines. The forklift tines can be used for moving the trailer bed when it is either loaded or unloaded of goods. In addition, shipping container openings may also be provided at the corner sections of the trailer bed which can be used as crane lifting points.

[0174] In the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the apparatus and method as disclosed herein.

[0175] In the foregoing description of preferred embodiment, specific terminology has been resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "front" and "rear", "inner" and "outer",

"above", "below", "upper" and "lower" and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms. The terms "vertical" and "horizontal" when used in reference to the humidification apparatus throughout the specification, including the claims, refer to orientations relative to the normal operating orientation.

[0176] Those skilled in the art of the present invention will appreciate that many variations and modifications may be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Reference numeral table

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A coupling assembly for use between a vehicle and a trailer bed, the coupling assembly including: a nose formation that extends in a widthwise direction of the trailer bed, a co-operating channel formation extending in a widthwise direction of the trailer bed, in which the nose formation is provided on one of the trailer bed or vehicle and the channel formation is provided on the other of the trailer bed or the vehicle, and the channel formation receives the nose formation when the trailer bed and the vehicle are connected together, and at least one recess is provided on one of the nose formation or the channel formation, and a latching piece is provided on the other of the channel formation or the nose formation, wherein the latching piece moves between : i) a locked position in which the latching piece is operably received by the recess to lock the trailer bed and the vehicle when connected together, and ii) an unlocked position in which latching piece is withdrawn from the recess so that the trailer bed and vehicle can be separated.

2. The coupling assembly according to claim 1, wherein the coupling assembly has at least two latching pieces provided on the nose formation and the recesses are provided on either one or a combination of the nose formation and the channel formation.

3. The coupling assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the nose formation has one of the recesses and the channel formation has one of the protrusions, and the protrusion is received by the recess of the nose formation when the channel formation receives the nose formation, and then the latching piece can be operably received by the recess to lock the protrusion in the recess, which in turn locks the trailer bed and the vehicle together.

4. The coupling assembly according to claim 3, wherein a first opening extends into the protrusion, and the latching piece is operably received by the first opening in the locked position.

5. The coupling assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the nose formation has two adjacent nose segments with a gap therebetween that in part defines the recess for the latching piece, and the latching piece in the locked position bridges between the adjacent nose segments so that both of the nose segments support the latching piece in the locked position.

6. The coupling assembly according to claim 5, wherein the gap receives the protrusion when the nose formation is received by the channel formation.

7. The coupling assembly according to claim 5 when appended to claim 4, wherein the first opening is a first hole that extends through the protrusion, the two adjacent nose segments each have a second opening, and the latching piece is a bar that extends from the second openings of the adjacent nose segments and through the first hole in the protrusion in the locked position.

8. The coupling assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the bar is contained within one of the nose segments when in the unlocked position.

9. The coupling assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the nose formation has a central nose and two side noses, a side recess is provided adjacent to the side noses and the protrusions is a channel end wall having one of the first openings, and latching piece is a bar that extends from a second opening of the side nose into to the first opening.

10. The coupling assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nose formation has upper and lower surfaces and the channel formation has corresponding upper and lower surfaces that extend in a widthwise direction of the trailer bed and snuggly interfit and make contact when the coupling assembly is connected which allow loads to be transferred vertically through the coupling assembly.

11. The coupling assembly according to claim 10, wherein the upper and lower surfaces extend over at least 80 percent of the width of the trailer bed.

12. The coupling assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the channel formation and the nose formation have upward surfaces which contact when the coupling assembly is connected, which in turn enables horizontal loads to be applied through the coupling assembly.

13. The coupling assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protrusions include channel end walls that are received by recesses defined in part by nose end walls of the nose formation, and the channel end wall and the nose end walls have upward surfaces that contact when connected, which enables horizontal loads to be applied through the coupling assembly when connected.

14. The coupling assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protrusions include inner protrusions of the channel formation, and adjacent nose segments have opposed walls, and the inner protrusions and the opposed walls have upward surfaces that contact when connected, which enables horizontal loads to be applied through the coupling assembly.

15. The coupling assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein coupling assembly includes a drawing device having a pulling member and a pulling drive that moves the pulling member between a protruding position for attaching to the trailer bed, and a retracted position which draws the nose formation into the channel formation.

16. The coupling assembly according to claim 15, wherein the pulling member has a pair of moving arms having an engaging portion for engaging the trailer bed, the arms can be moved toward and away from each other to close and open the arms, and can be moved longitudinally of the trailer bed to extend and retract the arms, so that arms can be located in an extended opened position to align the engaging portion with the trailer bed, and then closed to engage the trailer, and then retracted longitudinally to draw the nose formation and the channel formation into contact.

17. The coupling assembly according to claims 16, wherein the arms have a lever formation with an inner portion to which the pulling drive is connected and an outer portion for engaging the trailer bed, the inner portion and the outer portion being interconnected at a moving fulcrum having a sliding body.

18. The coupling assembly according to claim 17, wherein the sliding body moves longitudinally of the trailer bed against frictional forces, and the arms can be pivoted open and closed by the pulling drive, the sliding body is moved into an extended position after the arms have been opened, and then the sliding body and the arms can be retracted after the arms have been pivoted closed.

19. The coupling assembly according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the pulling drive is a hydraulic drive that is connected to a hydraulic line.

20. The coupling assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the latching pieces are moved by a hydraulic drive that is connected to a hydraulic line.

21. A trailer including: a trailer bed; an axle assembly; and the coupling assembly according to any one of the preceding claims that couples the trailer bed to the axle assembly, wherein the trailer has a gooseneck that has an upper brace that is arranged above a chassis of the axle assembly, and lower limb that is pivotally connected to the upper brace and connected to a part the coupling assembly, and the upper brace and lower limb can be pivoted relative to each other, which in turn, raises and lowers the trailer bed, or at least one end of the trailer bed.

22. The trailer according to claim 21, wherein a lift drive is operably connected to move the upper brace between an upper position and the lower position, to raise and lower the trailer bed, or at least one end of the trailer bed.

23. The trailer according to any one of claims 23 to 25, wherein the nose formation is connected to the limb of the gooseneck and the channel formation is connected to the trailer bed.