Removable gooseneck low boy trailer

Claim 2

In a trailer assembly including a trailer bed and a gooseneck, apparatus connecting one end of the trailer bed to the gooseneck, said apparatus comprising: a. detachable coupling means interconnecting said trailer bed and said gooseneck at a first forward location at the one end of said trailer bed, b. hydraulic ram means having a first end connected to said gooseneck at a second location spaced from said first location, and having a second force transmitting end, c. bearing means on said trailer bed adapted to detachably engage the second end of said ram means so as to receive a thrust force imparted by said ram means, said bearing means being positioned at a third location spaced rearwardly of said coupling location, whereby said ram means and said coupling means provide a force couple for relative rotation of said gooseneck to said trailer bed, d. thrust block means, independent of said ram means, being movable between a first position where said thrust block means is interposed between a rear portion of said gooseneck and a bearing surface of said trailer bed positioned rearwardly of said coupling means so as to be loaded in compression thereby, and a second position where said thrust block means is out of thrust engagement between said trailer bed and said gooseneck to permit relative rotation of said gooseneck and trailer bed to lower the trailer bed.

Claim 3

The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein there is a releasable connecting means between the second end of said hydraulic ram means and said trailer bed, wherein, with said thrust block means in its first position, retraction of said ram means provides a hydraulic lock between said gooseneck and said trailer bed, with said thrust block means resisting further retraction of said ram means.

Claim 4

In a trailer assembly including a trailer bed and a gooseneck, apparatus connecting one end of the trailer bed to the gooseneck, said apparatus comprising: a. detachable coupling means interconnected said trailer bed and said gooseneck at a first forward location at the one end of said trailer bed, b. hydraulic ram means having a first end connected to said gooseneck at a second location spaced from said first location, and having a second force transmitting end, c. bearing means on said trailer bed adapted to detachably engage the second end of said ram means so as to receive a thrust force imparted by said ram means, said bearing means being positioned at a third location spaced rearwardly of said coupling location, whereby said ram means and said coupling means provide a force couple for relative rotation of said gooseneck to said trailer bed, d. thrust bearing means, independent of said ram means, being movable between a first position where said thrust bearing means exerts a thrust force between a rear portion of said gooseneck and a bearing surface of said trailer bed positioned rearwardly of said coupling means, and a second position where said thrust bearing means is out of thrust engagement between said trailer bed and said gooseneck to permit relative rotation of said gooseneck and trailer bed to lower the trailer bed, e. releasable connecting means between the second end of said hydraulic ram means and said trailer bed, wherein, with said thrust bearing means in its first position, retraction of said ram means provides a hydraulic lock between said gooseneck and said trailer bed, with said thrust bearing means resisting further retraction of said ram means, and f. said apparatus being further characterized in that said bearing means comprises a pocket member and said ram means has a bearing member to engage said pocket member, said bearing member and pocket member having aligned through openings located at an axis of rotation of said bearing member with respect to said pocket member, said releasable connecting means comprising a pin means insertable through said openings.

Claim 5

In a trailer assembly including a trailer bed and a gooseneck, apparatus connecting one end of the trailer bed to the gooseneck, said apparatus comprising: a. detachable coupling means interconnected said trailer bed and said gooseneck at a first forward location at the one end of said trailer bed, b. hydraulic ram means having a first end connected to said gooseneck at a second location spaced from said first location, and having a second force transmitting end, c. bearing means on said trailer bed adapted to detachably engage the second end of said ram means so as to receive a thrust force imparted by said ram means, said bearing means being positioned at a third location spaced rearwardly of said coupling location, whereby said ram means and said coupling means provide a force couple for relative rotation of said gooseneck to said trailer bed, d. thrust bearing means, independent of said ram means, being movable between a first position where said thrust bearing means exerts a thrust force between a rear portion of said gooseneck and a bearing surface of said trailer bed positioned rearwardly of said coupling means, and a second position where said thrust bearing means is out of thrust engagement between said trailer bed and said gooseneck to permit relative rotation of said gooseneck and trailer bed to lower the trailer bed, e. releasable connecting means between the second end of said hydraulic ram means and said trailer bed, wherein, with said thrust bearing means in its first position, retraction of said ram means provides a hydraulic lock between said gooseneck and said trailer bed, with said thrust bearing means resisting further retraction of said ram means, and f. said apparatus being further characterized in that said bearing means comprises a pocket member and said ram means has a bearing member to engage said pocket member, said bearing member and pocket member having aligned through openings located at an axis of rotation of said bearing member with respect to said pocket member, said releasable connecting means comprising a pin means insertable through said openings.

Claim 6

In a trailer assembly including a trailer bed and a gooseneck, apparatus connecting one end of the trailer bed to the gooseneck, said apparatus comprising: a. detachable coupling means interconnecting said trailer bed and said gooseneck at a first forward location at the one end of said trailer bed, b. hydraulic ram means having a first end connected to said gooseneck at a second location spaced from said first location, and having a second force transmitting end, c. bearing means on said trailer bed adapted to detachably engage the second end of said ram means so as to receive a thrust force imparted by said ram means, said bearing means being positioned at a third location spaced rearwardly of said coupling location, whereby said ram means and said coupling means provide a force couple for relative rotation of said gooseneck to said trailer bed, d. thrust bearing means, independent of said ram means, being movable between a first position where said thrust bearing means exerts a thrust force between a rear portion of said gooseneck and a bearing surface of said trailer bed positioned rearwardly of said coupling means, and a second position where said thrust bearing means is out of thrust engagement between said trailer bed and said gooseneck to permit relative rotation of said gooseneck and trailer bed to lower the trailer bed, and e. safety hook means interconnected with said thrust bearing means, and being movable with said thrust bearing means to a first position where the safety hook means provides a positive interconnect between a rear portion of said gooseneck and a portion of said trailer bed rearwardly of said coupling means, and to a second position with said thrust bearing means where there is no engagement of said safety hook means between said gooseneck and trailer bed.

Claim 7

In a trailer assembly including a trailer bed and a gooseneck, apparatus connecting one end of the trailer bed to the gooseneck, said apparatus comprising: a. detachable coupling means interconnecting said trailer bed and said gooseneck at a first forward location at the one end of said trailer bed, b. hydraulic ram means having a first end connected to said gooseneck at a second location spaced from said first location, and having a second force transmitting end, c. bearing means on said trailer bed adapted to detachably engage the second end of said ram means so as to receive a thrust force imparted by said ram means, said bearing means being positioned at a third location spaced rearwardly of said coupling location, whereby said ram means and said coupling means provide a force couple for relative rotation of said gooseneck to said trailer bed, d. thrust bearing means, independent of said ram means, being movable between a first position where said thrust bearing means exerts a thrust force between a rear portion of said gooseneck and a bearing surface of said trailer bed positioned rearwardly of said coupling means, and a second position where said thrust bearing means is out of thrust engagement between said trailer bed and said gooseneck to permit relative rotation of said gooseneck and trailer bed to lower the trailer bed, and e. safety hook means interconnected with said thrust bearing means, and being movable with said thrust bearing means to a first position where the safety hook means provides a positive interconnect between a rear portion of said gooseneck and a portion of said trailer bed rearwardly of said coupling means, and to a second position with said thrust bearing means where there is no engagement of said safety hook means between said gooseneck and trailer bed.

Claim 8

The apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said thrust bearing means and safety hook means are rotatably mounted to a common shaft, by means of which said thrust bearing means and safety hook means are rotated between their first and second positions.

Claim 9

The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said thrust bearing means comprises a pair of bearing blocks and said safety hook means comprises a pair of safety hooks, said shaft being mounted to said gooseneck at a location above said trailer bearing means with said gooseneck and trailer bed being interconnected, said safety hooks and said bearing blocks being rotatable forwardly and upwardly to said second position.

Claim 10

In a trailer assembly including a trailer bed and a gooseneck, apparatus connecting one end of the trailer bed to the gooseneck, said apparatus comprising: a. detachable coupling means interconnecting said trailer bed and said gooseneck at a first forward location at the one end of said trailer bed, b. hydraulic ram means having a first end connected to said gooseneck at a second location spaced from said first location, and having a second force transmitting end, c. bearing means on said trailer bed adapted to detachably engage the second end of said ram means so as to receive a thrust force imparted by said ram means, said bearing means being positioned at a third location spaced rearwardly of said coupling location, whereby said ram means and said coupling means provide a force couple for relative rotation of said gooseneck to said trailer bed, d. thrust bearing means, independent of said ram means, being movable between a first position where said thrust bearing means exerts a thrust force between a rear portion of said gooseneck and a bearing surface of said trailer bed positioned rearwardly of said coupling means, and a second position where said thrust bearing means is out of thrust engagement between said trailer bed and said gooseneck to permit relative rotation of said gooseneck and trailer bed to lower the trailer bed, e. said apparatus further characterized in that said coupling means comprises two paires of interengaging hook members, with said apparatus further comprising a pair of lock pins insertable into said hook members in a manner to prevent disengagement of said hook members, and f. each pair of hook members providing a locking recess to receive a related lock pin, said recess being so located that relative rotation of said gooseneck and said trailer bed upwardly from a normal operating position exposes said recesses for removal of said lock pins, while lowering of said gooseneck and trailer to said operating position closes said recesses to lodge said lock pins in locking relationship with said hook members.

Claim 11

In a trailer assembly including a trailer bed and a gooseneck, apparatus connecting one end of the trailer bed to the gooseneck, said apparatus comprising: a. detachable coupling means interconnecting said trailer bed and said gooseneck at a first forward location at the one end of said trailer bed, b. hydraulic ram means having a first end connected to said gooseneck at a second location spaced from said first location, and having a second force transmitting end, c. bearing means on said trailer bed adapted to detachably engage the second end of said ram means so as to receive a thrust force imparted by said ram means, said bearing means being positioned at a third location spaced rearwardly of said coupling location, whereby said ram means and said coupling means provide a force couple for relative rotation of said gooseneck to said trailer bed, d. thrust bearing means, independent of said ram means, being movable between a first position where said thrust bearing means exerts a thrust force between a rear portion of said gooseneck and a bearing surface of said trailer bed positioned rearwardly of said coupling means, and a second position where said thrust bearing means is out of thrust engagement between said trailer bed and said gooseneck to permit relative rotation of said gooseneck and trailer bed to lower the trailer bed, e. said apparatus further characterized in that said coupling means comprises two paires of interengaging hook members, with said apparatus further comprising a pair of lock pins insertable into said hook members in a manner to prevent disengagement of said hook members, and f. each pair of hook members providing a locking recess to receive a related lock pin, said recess being so located that relative rotation of said gooseneck and said trailer bed upwardly from a normal operating position exposes said recesses for removal of said lock pins, while lowering of said gooseneck and trailer to said operating position closes said recesses to lodge said lock pins in locking relationship with said hook members.

Claim 12

In a trailer assembly including a trailer bed and a gooseneck, apparatus connecting one end of the trailer bed to the gooseneck, said apparatus comprising: a. detachable coupling means interconnecting said trailer bed and said gooseneck at a first forward location at the one end of said trailer bed, b. hydraulic ram means having a first end connected to said gooseneck at a second location spaced from said first location, and having a second force transmitting end, c. bearing means on said trailer bed adapted to detachably engage the second end of said ram means so as to receive a thrust force imparted by said ram means, said bearing means being positioned at a third location spaced rearwardly of said coupling location, whereby said ram means and said coupling means provide a force couple for relative rotation of said gooseneck to said trailer bed, d. thrust bearing means, independent of said ram means, being movable between a first position where said thrust bearing means exerts a thrust force between a rear portion of said gooseneck and a bearing surface of said trailer bed positioned rearwardly of said coupling means, and a second position where said thrust bearing means is out of thrust engagement between said trailer bed and said gooseneck to permit relative rotation of said gooseneck and trailer bed to lower the trailer bed, and e. said apparatus being further characterized in that said ram means comprises a plurality of hydraulic rams, and said second force transmitting end of said ram means comprises a unitary member rigidly connected to said hydraulic rams, whereby the thrusts of said ram means is transmitted as a unitized thrust force to said bearing means, said unitary member comprising a T-shaped yoke having a lateral bar rigidly connected to said ram means, and a depending central bearing member engaging said bearing means.

Claim 13

In a trailer assembly including a trailer bed and a gooseneck, apparatus connecting one end of the trailer bed to the gooseneck, said apparatus comprising: a. detachable coupling means interconnecting said trailer bed and said gooseneck at a first forward location at the one end of said trailer bed, b. hydraulic ram means having a first end connected to said gooseneck at a second location spaced from said first location, and having a second force transmitting end, c. bearing means on said trailer bed adapted to detachably engage the second end of said ram means so as to receive a thrust force imparted by said ram means, said bearing means being positioned at a third location spaced rearwardly of said coupling location, whereby said ram means and said coupling means provide a force couple for relative rotation of said gooseneck to said trailer bed, d. thrust bearing means, independent of said ram means, being movable between a first position where said thrust bearing means exerts a thrust force between a rear portion of said gooseneck and a bearing surface of said trailer bed positioned rearwardly of said coupling means, and a second position where said thrust bearing means is out of thrust engagement between said trailer bed and said gooseneck to permit relative rotation of said gooseneck and trailer bed to lower the trailer bed, and e. said apparatus being further characterized in that said ram means comprises a plurality of hydraulic rams, and said second force transmitting end of said ram means comprises a unitary member rigidly connected to said hydraulic rams, whereby the thrusts of said ram means is transmitted as a unitized thrust force to said bearing means, said unitary member comprising a T-shaped yoke having a lateral bar rigidly connected to said ram means, and a depending central bearing member engaging said bearing means.

Claim 14

The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said bearing means comprises a pocket member, and the depending bearing member of the T-shaped yoke and the pocket member have aligned through openings located at an axis of rotation of said T-shaped member and said pocket member, and there is a retractable pin means insertable through said openings to releasably interconnect said T-shaped member with said pocket member.

Claim 15

In a trailer assembly including a trailer bed and a gooseneck, apparatus connecting one end of the trailer bed to the gooseneck, said apparatus comprising: a. detachable coupling means interconnecting said trailer bed and said gooseneck at a first forward location at the one end of said trailer bed, b. hydraulic ram means having a first end connected to said gooseneck at a second location spaced from said first location, and having a second force transmitting end, c. bearing means on said trailer bed adapted to detachably engage the second end of said ram means so as to receive a thrust force imparted by said ram means, said bearing means being positioned at a third location spaced rearwardly of said coupling location, whereby said ram means and said coupling means provide a force couple for relative rotation of said gooseneck to said trailer bed, d. thrust bearing means, independent of said ram means, being movable between a first position where said thrust bearing means exerts a thrust force between a rear portion of said gooseneck and a bearing surface of said trailer bed positionEd rearwardly of said coupling means, and a second position where said thrust bearing means is out of thrust engagement between said trailer bed and said gooseneck to permit relative rotation of said gooseneck and trailer bed to lower the trailer bed, and e. said apparatus further comprising safety hook means, and said thrust bearing means and safety hook means being rotatably mounted to a common shaft, by means of which said thrust bearing means and safety hook means are rotated between said first position where the safety hook means provide a positive interconnect between a rear portion of said gooseneck and a portion of said trailer bed rearwardly of said coupling means, and to said second position, where said thrust bearing means and said safety hook means are not in operative engagement between said gooseneck and said trailer, the coupling means of said apparatus comprising two pairs of interengaging hook members, and a pair of lock pins insertable into said hook members in a manner to prevent disengagement of said hook members.

Claim 16

In a trailer assembly including a trailer bed and a gooseneck, apparatus connecting one end of the trailer bed to the gooseneck, said apparatus comprising: a. detachable coupling means interconnecting said trailer bed and said gooseneck at a first forward location at the one end of said trailer bed, b. hydraulic ram means having a first end connected to said gooseneck at a second location spaced from said first location, and having a second force transmitting end, c. bearing means on said trailer bed adapted to detachably engage the second end of said ram means so as to receive a thrust force imparted by said ram means, said bearing means being positioned at a third location spaced rearwardly of said coupling location, whereby said ram means and said coupling means provide a force couple for relative rotation of said gooseneck to said trailer bed, d. thrust bearing means, independent of said ram means, being movable between a first position where said thrust bearing means exerts a thrust force between a rear portion of said gooseneck and a bearing surface of said trailer bed positionEd rearwardly of said coupling means, and a second position where said thrust bearing means is out of thrust engagement between said trailer bed and said gooseneck to permit relative rotation of said gooseneck and trailer bed to lower the trailer bed, and e. said apparatus further comprising safety hook means, and said thrust bearing means and safety hook means being rotatably mounted to a common shaft, by means of which said thrust bearing means and safety hook means are rotated between said first position where the safety hook means provide a positive interconnect between a rear portion of said gooseneck and a portion of said trailer bed rearwardly of said coupling means, and to said second position, where said thrust bearing means and said safety hook means are not in operative engagement between said gooseneck and said trailer, the coupling means of said apparatus comprising two pairs of interengaging hook members, and a pair of lock pins insertable into said hook members in a manner to prevent disengagement of said hook members.

Claim 17

The apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein there are operating members for said hydraulic ram means, said thrust bearing means, said safety hook means, and said lock pins, said operating members being located laterally of said trailer assembly on one side thereof, for convenient and safe operation.

Claim 18

In a trailer assembly including a trailer bed and a gooseneck, apparatus connecting one end of the trailer bed to the gooseneck, said apparatus comprising: a. detachable coupling means interconnecting said trailer bed and said gooseneck at a first forward location at the one end of said trailer bed, b. hydraulic ram means having a first end connected to said gooseneck at a second location spaced from said first location, and having a second force transmitting end, c. bearing means on said trailer bed adapted to detachably engage the second end of said ram means so as to receive a thrust force imparted by said ram means, said bearing means being positioned at a third location spaced rearwardly of said coupling location, whereby said ram means and said coupling means provide a force couple for relative rotation of said gooseneck to said trailer bed, d. thrust bearing means, independent of said ram means, being movable between a first position where said thrust bearing means exerts a thrust force between a rear portion of said gooseneck and a bearing surface of said trailer bed positioned rearwardly of said coupling means, and a second position where said thrust bearing means is out of thrust engagement between said trailer bed and said gooseneck to permit relative rotation of said gooseneck and trailer bed to lower the trailer bed, e. said ram means comprising a plurality of hydraulic rams, and said second force transmitting end of said ram means comprises a unitary member rigidly connected to said rams, whereby the thrust of said ram means is transmitted as a unitized thrust force to said bearing means, f. said unitary member comprising a T-shaped yoke having a lateral bar rigidly connected to said hydraulic rams, and a depending central bearing member engaging said bearing means, g. said bearing means comprising a pocket member, with the depending bearing member of the T-shaped yoke and the poket member having aligned through openings located at an axis of rotation of said T-shaped member with said pocket member, h. retractable pin means insertable through said openings to releasably interconnect said T-shaped member with said pocket member, and i. safety hook means interconnected with said thrust bearing means for unitary rotation about a common axis, said safety hook means being movable with said thrust bearing means about said common axis to a first position where the safety hook means provides a positive interconnect between a rear portion of said gooseneck and a portion of said trailer bed rearwardly of said coupling means, with said thrust bearing means being rotatably moVable with said safety hook means upwardly and forwardly to said second position, where said thrust bearing means and said safety hook means are not in operative engagement between said gooseneck and said trailer.

Claim 19

In a trailer assembly including a trailer bed and a gooseneck, apparatus connecting one end of the trailer bed to the gooseneck, said apparatus comprising: a. detachable coupling means interconnecting said trailer bed and said gooseneck at a first forward location at the one end of said trailer bed, b. hydraulic ram means having a first end connected to said gooseneck at a second location spaced from said first location, and having a second force transmitting end, c. bearing means on said trailer bed adapted to detachably engage the second end of said ram means so as to receive a thrust force imparted by said ram means, said bearing means being positioned at a third location spaced rearwardly of said coupling location, whereby said ram means and said coupling means provide a force couple for relative rotation of said gooseneck to said trailer bed, d. thrust bearing means, independent of said ram means, being movable between a first position where said thrust bearing means exerts a thrust force between a rear portion of said gooseneck and a bearing surface of said trailer bed positioned rearwardly of said coupling means, and a second position where said thrust bearing means is out of thrust engagement between said trailer bed and said gooseneck to permit relative rotation of said gooseneck and trailer bed to lower the trailer bed, e. said ram means comprising a plurality of hydraulic rams, and said second force transmitting end of said ram means comprises a unitary member rigidly connected to said rams, whereby the thrust of said ram means is transmitted as a unitized thrust force to said bearing means, f. said unitary member comprising a T-shaped yoke having a lateral bar rigidly connected to said hydraulic rams, and a depending central bearing member engaging said bearing means, g. said bearing means comprising a pocket member, with the depending bearing member of the T-shaped yoke and the poket member having aligned through openings located at an axis of rotation of said T-shaped member with said pocket member, h. retractable pin means insertable through said openings to releasably interconnect said T-shaped member with said pocket member, and i. safety hook means interconnected with said thrust bearing means for unitary rotation about a common axis, said safety hook means being movable with said thrust bearing means about said common axis to a first position where the safety hook means provides a positive interconnect between a rear portion of said gooseneck and a portion of said trailer bed rearwardly of said coupling means, with said thrust bearing means being rotatably moVable with said safety hook means upwardly and forwardly to said second position, where said thrust bearing means and said safety hook means are not in operative engagement between said gooseneck and said trailer.