Apparatus for transporting house structures or the like

Claim 2

Trailer apparatus, comprising: support beam means having a forward end portion and a rearward end portion; means connected to the forward end portion of the support beam means raising, lowering and supporting the forward end portion of the support beam means in predetermined positions thereof; and rearward beam elevation means connected to the support beam means generally between the forward and the rearward end portions thereof and having a portion engageable with the ground raising the rearward end portion of the support beam means in one position, and lowering the rearward end portion of the support beam means toward a ground engaging position in one other position, comprising: a ground engaging plate; a pivot shaft secured to the ground engaging plate; first hydraulic cylinder means comprising a pair of hydraulic cylinders, the bodies of said cylinders being rigidly interconnected having one end pivotally connected to the support beam means via a common pivot connection and the opposite end pivotally connected to the pivot shaft the first hydraulic cylinder means extending from the ground engaging plate in one direction; and second hydraulic cylinder means comprising a second pair of hydraulic cylinders, the bodies of said cylinders being ridigly interconnected, having one end pivotally connected to the support beam means via a common pivot connection and the opposite end pivotally connected to the pivot shaft, the first hydraulic cylinder means and the second hydraulic cylinder means each being connected to the ground engaging plate via a common pivot connection provided via the pivot shaft the second hydraulic cylinder means extending in a generally opposite direction from the ground engaging plate with respect to the first hydraulic cylinder means, the first and the second hydraulic cylinder means moving the ground engaging plate in one direction lowering the rearward end portion of the support beam means in one condition of the first and the second hydraulic cylinder means and moving thE ground engaging plate in an opposite direction raising the rearward end portion of the support beam means in an actuated position of the first and the second hydraulic cylinder means.

Claim 3

Trailer apparatus, comprising: support beam means having a forward end portion and a rearward end portion; means connected to the forward end portion of the support beam means raising, lowering and supporting the forward end portion of the support beam means in predetermined actuated positions thereof; and rearward beam elevational means connected to the support beam means generally between the forward and the rearward end portions thereof and having a portion engageable with the ground raising the rearward end portion of the support beam means in one actuated position, and lowering the rearward end portion of the support beam means toward a ground engaging position in one other actuated position; road dolly means removably connectable to the support beam means generally near the rearward end portion of the support beam means, rollingly supporting the rearward end portion of the support beam means when connected thereto in a transport position of the trailer apparatus, comprising: a support base, having a forward end and a rearward end; a first dolly axle connected to the support base generally near the forward end thereof; a second dolly axle connected to the support base generally near the rearward end thereof; forward wheel means connected to the first dolly axle rollingly supporting a portion of the road dolly means, the forward wheel means being pivotable about a steering axis generally transverse to the first dolly axle; rearward wheel means connected to the second dolly axle cooperating with the forward wheel means to rollingly support the road dolly means, the rearward wheel means being pivotable about a steering axis generally transverse to the second dolly axle; wheel steering means connected to and steeringly pivoting the forward and the rearward wheel means in one position for steeringly moving the road dolly means; a forward shaft member, having opposite ends, connected to the forward end portion of the support base; a rearward shaft member, having opposite ends, connected to the rearward end portion of the support base; and a plurality of support extension members, one of the support extension members telescopingly connected to each end of each of the forward and the rearward shaft members, each support extension member having a surface supportingly engaging a portion of the support beam means in a transport position of the trailer apparatus and each support extension member being telescopingly movable in an outwardly and an inwardly direction with respect to the end of the shaft member connected thereto to adjustingly vary the support width of the road dolly means.

Claim 4

Trailer apparatus, comprising: support beam means having a forward end portion and a rearward end portion; means connected to the forward end portion of the support beam means raising, lowering and supporting the forward end portion of the support beam means in predetermined actuated positions thereof; and rearward beam elevational means connected to the support beam means generally between the forward and the rearward end portions thereof and having a portion engageable with the ground raising the rearward end portion of the support beam means in one actuated position, and lowering the rearward end portion of the support beam means toward a ground engaging position in one other actuated position; road dolly means removably connectable to the support beam means generally near the rearward end portion of the support beam means, rollingly supporting the rearward end portion of the support beam means when connected thereto in a transport position of the trailer apparatus, comprising: a support base, having a forward end and a rearward end; a first dolly axle connected to the support base generally near the forward end thereof; a second dolly axle connected to the support base generally near the rearward end thereof; forward wheel means connected to the first dolly axle rollingly supporting a portion of the road dolly means, the forward wheel means being pivotable about a steering axis generally transverse to the first dolly axle; rearward wheel means connected to the second dolly axle cooperating with the forward wheel means to rollingly support the road dolly means, the rearward wheel means being pivotable about a steering axis generally transverse to the second dolly axle; wheel steering means connected to and steeringly pivoting the forward and the rearward wheel means in one position for steeringly moving the road dolly means; a forward shaft member, having opposite ends, connected to the forward end portion of the support base; a rearward shaft member, having opposite ends, connected to the rearward end portion of the support base; and a plurality of support extension members, one of the support extension members telescopingly connected to each end of each of the forward and the rearward shaft members, each support extension member having a surface supportingly engaging a portion of the support beam means in a transport position of the trailer apparatus and each support extension member being telescopingly movable in an outwardly and an inwardly direction with respect to the end of the shaft member connected thereto to adjustingly vary the support width of the road dolly means.

Claim 5

Trailer apparatus, comprising: support beam means having a forward end portion and a rearward end portion; means connected to the forward end portion of the support beam means raising, lowering and supporting the forward end portion of the support beam means in predetermined actuated positions thereof; and rearward beam elevation means connected to the support beam means generally between the forward end and the rearward end portions thereof and having a portion engageable with the ground raising the rearward end portion of the support beam means in one actuated position, and lowering the rearward portion of the support beam means toward a ground engaging position in one other actuation position, comprising: a ground engaging plate; first hydraulic cylinder means pivotally connected to the support beam means; second hydraulic cylinder means pivotally connected to the support beam means; means pivotally connecting the first hydraulic cylinder means and the second hydraulic cylinder means to the ground engaging plate, the second hydraulic cylinder means extending in a generally opposite direction from The ground engaging plate with respect to the first hydraulic cylinder means, the first and the second hydraulic cylinder means moving the ground engaging plate in one direction raising the rearward end portion of the support beam means and moving the ground engaging plate in an opposite direction lowering the rearward end portion of the support beam means in actuated positions of the first and the second hydraulic cylinder means; cable means having one end secured to the ground engaging plate; and lifting hydraulic cylinder means supported via the support beam means, having a portion connected to the end of the cable means generally opposite the end of the cable means connected to the ground engaging plate, the lifting hydraulic cylinder means pulling the ground engaging plate in a direction lowering the rearward end portion of the support beam means in one position of the lifting hydraulic cylinder means.

Claim 6

Trailer apparatus, comprising: support beam means having a forward end portion and a rearward end portion; means connected to the forward end portion of the support beam means raising, lowering and supporting the forward end portion of the support beam means in predetermined actuated positions thereof; and rearward beam elevation means connected to the support beam means generally between the forward end and the rearward end portions thereof and having a portion engageable with the ground raising the rearward end portion of the support beam means in one actuated position, and lowering the rearward portion of the support beam means toward a ground engaging position in one other actuation position, comprising: a ground engaging plate; first hydraulic cylinder means pivotally connected to the support beam means; second hydraulic cylinder means pivotally connected to the support beam means; means pivotally connecting the first hydraulic cylinder means and the second hydraulic cylinder means to the ground engaging plate, the second hydraulic cylinder means extending in a generally opposite direction from The ground engaging plate with respect to the first hydraulic cylinder means, the first and the second hydraulic cylinder means moving the ground engaging plate in one direction raising the rearward end portion of the support beam means and moving the ground engaging plate in an opposite direction lowering the rearward end portion of the support beam means in actuated positions of the first and the second hydraulic cylinder means; cable means having one end secured to the ground engaging plate; and lifting hydraulic cylinder means supported via the support beam means, having a portion connected to the end of the cable means generally opposite the end of the cable means connected to the ground engaging plate, the lifting hydraulic cylinder means pulling the ground engaging plate in a direction lowering the rearward end portion of the support beam means in one position of the lifting hydraulic cylinder means.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the support beam means includes: a pair of longitudinally extending support beams; and wherein the rearward beam elevation means includes: left rearward beam elevation means connected to one of the support beams; and a right rearward beam elevation means connected to the one other support beam, the left and the right rearward beam elevation means cooperating to raise and lower the rearward end portions of the pair of support beams.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first hydraulic cylinder means includes: more than one hydraulic cylinder, each hydraulic cylinder pivotally connected to the support beam means and the ground engaging means; and means securedly connecting each hydraulic cylinder of the first hydraulic cylinder means; and wherein the second hydraulic cylinder means includes: more than one hydraulic cylinder, each hydraulic cylinder pivotally connected to the support beam means and the ground engaging means; and means securedly connecting each hydraulic cylinder of the second hydraulic cylinder means.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the lifting hydraulic cylinder means is supported on the support beam means to apply a force in a direction generally transverse to the moving directions of the ground engaging plate and wherein the apparatus includes: pulley means rollingly engaging the cable means between the lifting hydraulic cylinder means and the ground engaging plate translating the force applied via the lifting hydraulic cylinder means to a direction generally parallel to the moving directions of the ground engaging plate.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the lifting hydraulic cylinder means and the cable means are each located to orient the cable means to apply a lifting force in a plane generally parallel to the planar disposition of the forces applied via the first and the second hydraulic cylinder means.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 3 defined further to include: road dolly means removably connectable to the support beam means generally near the rearward end portion of the support beam means, rollingly supporting the rearward end portion of the support beam means when connected thereto in a transport position of the trailer apparatus. l

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the rearward beam elevation means is spaced a distance from the rearward end of the support beam means generally toward the forward end portion of the support beam means; and wherein the means raising, lowering and supporting the forward end portion of the support beam means is defined further as lowering the forward end portion of the support beam means pivotally raising the rearward end portion of the support beam means between the rearward beam elevation means and the rearward end of the support beam means to a predetermined elevation providing sufficient clearance for inserting the road dolly means generally beneath the support beam means, the rearward end portion of the support beam means being pivotally raised about the rearward beam elevation means in an actuated raising position of the rearward beam eleVation means.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 9 defined further to include: plant dolly means removably connectable to the support beam means rollingly supporting the support beam means when connected thereto, the plant dolly means insertable beneath the support beam means in a transport position of the road dolly means.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the support beam means includes: a pair of longitudinally extending support beams; and wherein the plant dolly means is defined further to include: a pair of plant dolly assemblies, each plant dolly assembly removably connectable to one of the support beams rollingly supporting the support beam connected thereto; and wherein the apparatus is defined further to include: brace means pivotally connected to one of the support beams and movable to a position extending between the pair of support beams; and means for securing a portion of the brace means to the support beam, opposite the support beam pivotally connected to the brace means, the brace means spacing the pair of support beams generally near the rearward end portion of the support beam means.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein each plant dolly assembly includes: axle means; wheel means journally supported on the axle means; and means connected to the axle means connectable with the support means connecting each plant dolly assembly to one of the support beams, the plant dolly assemblies being spaced a distance apart in an assembled position of the plant dolly assemblies and the support beam means.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the road dolly means includes: a support base, having a forward end and a rearward end; a first dolly axle connected to the support base generally near the forward end thereof; a second dolly axle connected to the support base generally near the rearward end thereof; forward wheel means connected to the first dolly axle rollingly supporting a portion of the road dolly means, the forward wheel means being pivotable about a steering axis generally transverse to the first dolly axle; rearward wheel means connected to the second dolly axle cooperating with the forward wheel means to rollingly support the road dolly means, the rearward wheel means being pivotable about a steering axis generally transverse to the second dolly axle; and wheel steering means connected and steeringly pivoting the forward and the rearward wheel means in one position for steeringly moving the road dolly means.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 13 defined further to include: rear steering remote controller connected to the wheel steering means actuating the wheel steering means for steeringly moving the road dolly means from a remote position.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the wheel steering means includes: tie rod means connected to the forward and the rearward wheel means pivoting the forward and the rearward wheel means generally about the steering axis of each of the forward and the rearward wheel means in steering positions of the tie rod means; and means connected to the tie rod means moving the tie rod means to predetermined steering positions in actuated positions thereof.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the tie rod means includes: a forward tie rod pivotally connected to the forward wheel means; a rearward tie rod pivotally connected to the rearward wheel means; A left connecting rod pivotally connected to the forward and the rearward tie rods; and a right connecting rod pivotally connected to the forward and the rearward tie rods, the forward and the rearward tie rods and the left and the right connecting rods forming a parallelogram shape and synchronously moving the forward and the rearward wheel means in response to a steering force applied thereto.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the means connected to the tie rod means for moving the tie rod means includes: steering cylinder means connected to the supporT base and to one of the pivotal connections between the forward and the rearward tie rods and the left and the right connecting rods applying a steering force to the tie rod means in actuated positions thereof.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the means raising, lowering and supporting the forward end portion of the support beam means is defined further to include: connector beam means, having a forward and a rearward end portion; a pivot axle connected to the rearward end portion of the connector beam means and the forward end portion of the support beam means pivotally connecting the forward end portion of the support beam means to the rearward end portion of the connector beam means for pivotal movement about a beam pivot axis defined via the pivot axle; and means connecting the rearward end portion of the connector beam means and the forward end portion of the support beam means raising and lowering the support beam means in actuated positions thereof.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the means connecting the rearward end portion of the connector beam means and the forward end portion of the support beam means is defined further as maintaining an adjustable relationship therebetween, said means adjustable in one position lowering the forward end portion of the support beam means and adjustable in one other position raising the forward end portion of the support beam means.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the beam pivot axis is spaced a distance from the rearward end of the connector beam means and the means maintaining the adjustable relationship between the support beam means and the connector beam means is spaced generally near the rearward end of the connector beam means and between the beam pivot axis and the rearward end of the connector beam means.

Claim 24

The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the support beam means includes: a pair of support beams, each support beam having a forward and a rearward end portion; and a pair of angle bars, each angle bar connected to the forward end of one of the support beams and extending angularly therefrom, the end of each of the angle bars, opposite the ends connected to the support bars, being pivotally connected to the connector beam means via the pivot axle forming the pivotal connection between the connector beam means and the support beam means, the angle bars spacing the support beams a distance below the forward end portion of the connector beam means.

Claim 25

The apparatus of claim 21 defined further to include: a brace member rigidly secured to the forward end portions of the support beams; and wherein the means raising, lowering and supporting the forward end portion of the support beam means includes: elevation hydraulic cylinder means pivotally connected to the rearward end portion of the connector beam means and connected to the brace member.

Claim 26

The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the trailer apparatus is connectable to the tiltable fifth wheel assembly of a tractor, the trailer apparatus being defined further to include: fifth wheel connector means connected to the forward end portion of the connector beam means and removably securing the trailer apparatus to the fifth wheel assembly of a tractor, the connector beam means being tiltable about the fifth wheel assembly when connected thereto.

Claim 27

The apparatus of claim 18 defined further to include: slide means having a slide chamber formed through a portion thereof; and wherein the forward end portion of the connector beam means is slidingly disposed in a portion of the slide chamber for lateral movement therein; and wherein the apparatus is defined further to include: beam lateral adjust means connected to the slide means and to the forward end portion of the connector beam means laterally moving the connector beam means in actuated positions of the beam lateral adjust assembly.

Claim 28

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the means raising, lowering and supporting the forward end portion of the support beam meanS is defined further to include: connector beam means, having a forward and a rearward end portion; housing means connected to the rearward end portion of the connector beam means having an opening means extending through a portion thereof; slide beam means, having one end secured to the forward end portion of the support beam means, the slide beam means extending a distance from the support beam means and having a portion slidingly disposed through a portion of the opening means of the housing means; and means connected to the housing means and the slide beam means raising and lowering the slide beam means in actuated positions thereof.

Claim 29

The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the slide beam means includes channels formed therein and wherein the means raising and lowering the slide beam means includes: lifting hydraulic cylinder means connected to the housing means and the slide beam means and disposed within a portion of the channels formed in the slide beam means, the lifting hydraulic cylinder means raising and lowering the slide beam means in actuated positions thereof.

Claim 30

Trailer apparatus, comprising: support beam means having a rearward end portion and a rearward end portion road dolly means removably connectable to the support beam means generally near the rearward end portion of the support beam means, rollingly supporting the rearward end portion of the support beam means when connected thereto in a transport position of the trailer apparatus; means connected to the forward end portion of the support beam means raising, lowering and supporting the forward end portion of the support beam means in predetermined positions thereof; rearward beam elevation means connected to the support beam means generally between the forward and the rearward end portion thereof, the rearward beam elevation means being spaced a distance from the rearward end of the support beam means generally toward the forward end portion of the support beam means, the rearward beam elevation means having a portion engageable with the ground raising the rearward end portion of the support beam means in one position and lowering the rearward end portion of the support beam means toward a ground engaging position in one other position, the rearward end portion of the support beam means between the rearward beam elevation means and the rearward end of the support beam means being pivotally raised about the rearward beam elevation means in the raised position of the support beam means via the rearward beam elevation means while lowering the forward end portion of the support beam means via the means raising, lowering and supporting the forward end portion of the support beam means, the rearward end portion of the support beam means being pivotally raised about the rearward beam elevation means to a predetermined elevation providing sufficient clearance for inserting the road dolly means generally beneath the support beam means, the rearward beam elevation means comprising: a ground engaging plate; first hydraulic cylinder means pivotally connected to the support beam means; second hydraulic cylinder means pivotally connected to the support beam means; and means pivotally connecting the first hydraulic cylinder means and the second hydraulic cylinder means to the ground engaging plate via a common pivot connection, the second hydraulic cylinder means extending in a generally opposite direction from the ground engaging plate with respect to the first hydraulic cylinder means, the first and the second hydraulic cylinder means moving the ground engaging plate in one direction raising the rearward end portion of the support beam means and moving the ground engaging plate in an opposite direction lowering the rearward end portion of the support beam means in actuated positions of the first and the second hydraulic cylinder means; and plant dolly means removably connectable to the support beam means rollingly supporting the support beaM means when connected thereto, the plant dolly means insertable beneath the support beam means in a transport position of the road dolly means and including a portion engageable with the ground engaging plate of the rearward beam elevation means securedly connecting the plant dolly means to the support beam means, the rearward beam elevation means raising and lowering the support beam means relative to the plant dolly means when connected thereto.

Claim 31

Trailer apparatus, comprising: support beam means having a rearward end portion and a rearward end portion road dolly means removably connectable to the support beam means generally near the rearward end portion of the support beam means, rollingly supporting the rearward end portion of the support beam means when connected thereto in a transport position of the trailer apparatus; means connected to the forward end portion of the support beam means raising, lowering and supporting the forward end portion of the support beam means in predetermined positions thereof; rearward beam elevation means connected to the support beam means generally between the forward and the rearward end portion thereof, the rearward beam elevation means being spaced a distance from the rearward end of the support beam means generally toward the forward end portion of the support beam means, the rearward beam elevation means having a portion engageable with the ground raising the rearward end portion of the support beam means in one position and lowering the rearward end portion of the support beam means toward a ground engaging position in one other position, the rearward end portion of the support beam means between the rearward beam elevation means and the rearward end of the support beam means being pivotally raised about the rearward beam elevation means in the raised position of the support beam means via the rearward beam elevation means while lowering the forward end portion of the support beam means via the means raising, lowering and supporting the forward end portion of the support beam means, the rearward end portion of the support beam means being pivotally raised about the rearward beam elevation means to a predetermined elevation providing sufficient clearance for inserting the road dolly means generally beneath the support beam means, the rearward beam elevation means comprising: a ground engaging plate; first hydraulic cylinder means pivotally connected to the support beam means; second hydraulic cylinder means pivotally connected to the support beam means; and means pivotally connecting the first hydraulic cylinder means and the second hydraulic cylinder means to the ground engaging plate via a common pivot connection, the second hydraulic cylinder means extending in a generally opposite direction from the ground engaging plate with respect to the first hydraulic cylinder means, the first and the second hydraulic cylinder means moving the ground engaging plate in one direction raising the rearward end portion of the support beam means and moving the ground engaging plate in an opposite direction lowering the rearward end portion of the support beam means in actuated positions of the first and the second hydraulic cylinder means; and plant dolly means removably connectable to the support beam means rollingly supporting the support beaM means when connected thereto, the plant dolly means insertable beneath the support beam means in a transport position of the road dolly means and including a portion engageable with the ground engaging plate of the rearward beam elevation means securedly connecting the plant dolly means to the support beam means, the rearward beam elevation means raising and lowering the support beam means relative to the plant dolly means when connected thereto.

Claim 32

The apparatus of claim 27 wherein a portion of the plant dolly means engageable with the ground engaging portion of the rearward beam elevation means includes means engageable with a portion of the ground engaging means for aligning the plant dolly means in a predetermined position with respect to the rearward beam elevation means and the support beam means.