Folding gooseneck trailer

Claim 2

An industrial trailer including a load carrying bed; ground engaging wheels mounted at one end of the bed; a selectively erectable or collapsible gooseneck including a hitch platform mounted at the other end of the bed; first fluid means interposed between the hitch platform and the ground for lowering the bed to the ground; separate fluid means independent of the first fluid means for selectively erecting or collapsing the gooseneck; and a first link pivotally connected to the hitch platform and to the bed; a pair of second links pivotally connected to the hitch platform and to the bed forwardly of the first link; control means on the bed for controlling the first and second fluid means; and a self contained fluid power supply mounted on the bed operatively connected to the control means.

Claim 3

An industrial trailer having an elongate load carrying bed, a plurality of ground engaging wheels mounted at one end and a gooseneck mounted at the other end of the bed, the gooseneck including a first link pivotally connected to the bed and to a hitch platform; a second link pivotally connected to the bed and to the hitch platform; a ground engaging pad pivotally connected to the bed; first fluid means interposed between the hitch platform and the pad for lowering the bed to the ground; and second fluid means interposed between the first link and the bed for selectively raising or lowering the gooseneck independently of the first fluid means when the bed is on the ground.

Claim 4

An industrial trailer having an elongate load carrying bed, a plurality of ground engaging wheels mounted at one end and a gooseneck mounted at the other end of the bed, the gooseneck including a first link pivotally connected to the bed and to a hitch platform; a second link pivotally connected to the bed and to the hitch platform; a ground engaging pad pivotally connected to the bed; first fluid means interposed between the hitch platform and the pad for lowering the bed to the ground; and second fluid means interposed between the first link and the bed for selectively raising or lowering the gooseneck independently of the first fluid means when the bed is on the ground.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the first fluid means includes a pair of hydraulic cylinders interposed between the hitch platform and the ground.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the second fluid means includes a pair of hydraulic cylinders interposed between the hitch platform and the bed; and fluid control means whereby erection of the gooseneck by the cylinders locks the gooseneck in the towing mode.

Claim 7

An industrial trailer comprising: a horizontal load carrying bed; ground engaging wheels mounted at the rear of the bed; a gooseneck mounted at the forward end of the bed; the gooseneck including a first link pivotally connected at one end to the bed and pivotally connected at the other end to a hitch platform; a second link pivotally connected to the bed and to the hitch platform forwardly of the first link; a pair of ground engaging pads including forwardly extending pad links pivotally connected to the bed; a fluid cylinder on each side of the trailer interposed between the pads and the hitch platform for lowering the bed to the ground; a second cylinder independent of the bed lowering cylinders interposed between the first link and the bed for selectively erecting or lowering the gooseneck; and cylinder control means mounted on the bed.

Claim 8

An industrial trailer comprising: a horizontal load carrying bed; ground engaging wheels mounted at the rear of the bed; a gooseneck mounted at the forward end of the bed; the gooseneck including a first link pivotally connected at one end to the bed and pivotally connected at the other end to a hitch platform; a second link pivotally connected to the bed and to the hitch platform forwardly of the first link; a pair of ground engaging pads including forwardly extending pad links pivotally connected to the bed; a fluid cylinder on each side of the trailer interposed between the pads and the hitch platform for lowering the bed to the ground; a second cylinder independent of the bed lowering cylinders interposed between the first link and the bed for selectively erecting or lowering the gooseneck; and cylinder control means mounted on the bed.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the control means includes means for selectively pressurizing either of the bed lowering cylinders.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the control means includes first valve means for directing fluid to the extend or retract side of the bed cylinders; and further means for selectively extending either bed cylinder so as to adjust the bed relative to the ground.

Claim 11

Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the first valve means includes a valve position for directing oil exhausted from the bed cylinders back to the extend side of one of the bed cylinders when the bed is adjusted relative to the ground.