Trailer frame structure

Claim 2

In combination with a tilt bed trailer having a truck body mounted on a tilt bed, an improved chassis and tilt bed support structure comprising: a tilt bed frame comprising a pair of elongated, laterally spaced body support beams affixed to the underside of the truck body along opposite sides thereof, said body support beams being connected at spaced points along their length by bar members extending transversely of said truck body; a chassis structure underlying said tilt bed frame and comprising a pair of elongated, laterally spaced frame beams extending generally lengthwise of said truck body and interconnected at longitudinally spaced points by cross bar members, said elongated frame beams comprising a pair of relatively widely spaced rear beam segments, a pair of intermediate beam segments angling inwardly and forwardly from the front ends of said rear beam segments, and a pair of relatively closely spaced front beam segments extending forwardly from the front ends of said intermediate beam segments, said front beam segments being substantially parallel to said rear beam segments and spaced apart along a width dimension substantially equal to the width dimension between said body support beams, with said body support beams being pivotally mounted on said chassis structure for raising and lowering movement about a substantially horizontal axis by lift means operatively associated therewith, the forward ends of said body support beams being in vertical alignment with said front beam segments of said chassis frame beams and being supported thereon when said tilt bed frame is in its downwardly pivoted travel position and with the rear ends of said body support beams lying between said rear beam segments of said chassis frame beams in inwardly spaced relation thereto; an axle extending transversely of said chassis structure in underlying, supporting relation thereto, and wheels on opposite ends of said axle; and hitch means secured to the forward end of said front beam segments.

Claim 3

The combination of a tilt bed trailer with a chassis and tilt bed support structure as defined in claim 1 wherein: said rear beam segments are spaced apart along a width dimension only slightly less than the length of said axle, with said rear beam segments of said chassis structure being supported on said axle in immediate prOximity to said opposed wheels.

Claim 4

The combination of a tilt bed trailer with a chassis and tilt bed support structure as defined in claim 1 wherein: said elongated frame beams of said chassis structure are each formed from a single length of steel beam bent to form said rear, intermediate and front beam segments, with said intermediate beam segments interconnecting and extending between first bend joints at their points of intersection with the front ends of said rear beam segments and a second bend joint at their points of intersection with the rear ends of said front beam segments.

Claim 5

The combination of a tilt bed trailer with a chassis and tilt bed support structure as defined in claim 3 wherein: cross bar members are connected between and secured to said elongated frame beams of said chassis structure at each of said first and second bend joints.

Claim 6

The combination of a tilt bed trailer with a chassis and tilt bed support structure as defined in claim 1 wherein: the rear ends of said body support beams are pivotally supported on a cross bar member extending transversely between said rear beam segments of said chassis structure, whereby said tilt bed frame may be raised and lowered at its front end to unload cargo from said truck body.

Claim 7

The combination of a tilt bed trailer with a chassis and tilt bed support structure as defined in claim 1 wherein: said hitch means comprises a gooseneck drawbar having a hitch coupling member at its forward end, said gooseneck drawbar being of generally U-shape and having a rear, upright stanchion affixed at its lower end to a pair of strut beams angling rearwardly and outwardly from opposite sides of said upright stanchion and affixed at their outer ends to the forward ends of said front beam segments of said chassis structure.

Claim 8

In combination with a tilt bed trailer having a truck body mounted on a tilt bed, an improved chassis and tilt bed support structure comprising: a tilt bed frame comprising a pair of elongated, laterally spaced body support beams affixed to the underside of the truck body along opposite sides thereof; a chassis structure underlying said tilt bed frame and comprising a pair of elongated, laterally spaced, frame beams extending generally lengthwise of said truck body and interconnected at longitudinally spaced points by crossbar members extending therebetween, said elongated frame beams being bent inwardly towards each other at their forward ends to form frame beams comprising a pair of relatively widely spaced rear beam segments, a pair of intermediate beam segments angling inwardly and forwardly therefrom, and a pair of relatively closely spaced front beam segments which are substantially parallel to each other and to said body support beams, said front beam segments being laterally spaced apart by a distance substantially equal to the lateral space between said body support beams, with said body support beams being pivotally mounted on said chassis structure for upward and downward movement about a substantially horizontal axis by lift means operatively associated therewith, the forward ends of said body support beams being in vertical alignment with said front beam segments of said chassis frame beams and being supported thereon when said tilt bed frame is in a downwardly pivoted travel position, and the rear ends of said body support beams lying between said rear beam segments of said chassis frame beams in inwardly spaced relation thereto; an axle extending transversely of said chassis structure in underlying, supporting relation thereto, said axle having wheels on opposite ends thereof; and hitch means comprising a generally U-shaped, mono-pole drawbar having a coupling member at its forward end and a rear, upright stanchion positioned centrally of said front beam segments of said chassis structure, the base of said upright stanchion being secured to the forward ends of said front beam segments of said chassis structure by a pair of strut beams Extending outwardly and rearwardly from opposite sides of said upright stanchion to the forward ends of said front beam segments.

Claim 9

In combination with a tilt bed trailer having a truck body mounted on a tilt bed, an improved chassis and tilt bed support structure comprising: a tilt bed frame comprising a pair of elongated, laterally spaced body support beams affixed to the underside of the truck body along opposite sides thereof; a chassis structure underlying said tilt bed frame and comprising a pair of elongated, laterally spaced, frame beams extending generally lengthwise of said truck body and interconnected at longitudinally spaced points by crossbar members extending therebetween, said elongated frame beams being bent inwardly towards each other at their forward ends to form frame beams comprising a pair of relatively widely spaced rear beam segments, a pair of intermediate beam segments angling inwardly and forwardly therefrom, and a pair of relatively closely spaced front beam segments which are substantially parallel to each other and to said body support beams, said front beam segments being laterally spaced apart by a distance substantially equal to the lateral space between said body support beams, with said body support beams being pivotally mounted on said chassis structure for upward and downward movement about a substantially horizontal axis by lift means operatively associated therewith, the forward ends of said body support beams being in vertical alignment with said front beam segments of said chassis frame beams and being supported thereon when said tilt bed frame is in a downwardly pivoted travel position, and the rear ends of said body support beams lying between said rear beam segments of said chassis frame beams in inwardly spaced relation thereto; an axle extending transversely of said chassis structure in underlying, supporting relation thereto, said axle having wheels on opposite ends thereof; and hitch means comprising a generally U-shaped, mono-pole drawbar having a coupling member at its forward end and a rear, upright stanchion positioned centrally of said front beam segments of said chassis structure, the base of said upright stanchion being secured to the forward ends of said front beam segments of said chassis structure by a pair of strut beams Extending outwardly and rearwardly from opposite sides of said upright stanchion to the forward ends of said front beam segments.

Claim 10

The combination of a tilt bed trailer with a chassis and tilt bed support structure as defined in claim 7 wherein: said rear beam segments of said chassis frame beams are laterally spaced apart by a distance substantially coinciding with the length of said axle in a direction transversely of said truck body, with said rear beam segments being supported on said axle in immediate proximity to said wheels mounted on opposite ends of said axle.