Lift bail assembly for log truck trailers

Claim 2

A lift bail assembly for attachment to a log truck trailer fore and aft of the trailer center of gravity for lifting same, and lift bail assembly comprising, a replaceable bail including enlarged means secured to each end of the bail, a pair of unitary fittings adapted to be detachably mounted in a spaced apart manner on the trailer fore and aft of the trailer center of gravity, each fitting including socket defining side walls and a top wall, said side walls and said top wall defining transversely directed openings in communication with the socket for bail passage permitting bail separation from the fitting, said openings of lesser width than said socket, each fitting adapted for attachment at its lower end to the trailer in a manner blocking the socket lower end thereby preventing bail separation in a downward direction from the fitting, and said replaceable bail being disengageable without the aid of tools from each of said fittings upon fitting removal from the trailer.

Claim 3

The lift bail assembly as claimed in claim 1 additionally including rigid protective means in place on the replaceable bail, said rigid protective means of tubular, curved configuration.

Claim 4

The lift bail assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fitting side walls terminate downwardly in leg portions positionable astride an upright plate permanently mounted on the trailer.

Claim 5

In combination with a lift bail mounted on a log truck trailer to receive a lifting instrumentality for lifting of the unloaded trailer onto the log truck for highway travel, the improvement comprising, a fitting for reception of a ferrule secured to a lift bail end, said fitting including side walls and a top wall the latter defining the upper terminus of a fitting socket, said side walls and said top wall defining transversely directed openings each in communication with and of lesser width than the socket, said side walls terminating downwardly in leg portions apertured to receive fastening means insertable therethrough and through a lift plate disposed between said leg portions and secured to the log truck trailer whereby the lift bail ferrule is confined within the fitting defined socket until detachment of the fitting from the lift plate whereupon the ferrule may be removed downwardly past said leg portions for bail replacement purposes with the lift bail removed via said openings.

Claim 6

In combination with a lift bail mounted on a log truck trailer to receive a lifting instrumentality for lifting of the unloaded trailer onto the log truck for highway travel, the improvement comprising, a fitting for reception of a ferrule secured to a lift bail end, said fitting including side walls and a top wall the latter defining the upper terminus of a fitting socket, said side walls and said top wall defining transversely directed openings each in communication with and of lesser width than the socket, said side walls terminating downwardly in leg portions apertured to receive fastening means insertable therethrough and through a lift plate disposed between said leg portions and secured to the log truck trailer whereby the lift bail ferrule is confined within the fitting defined socket until detachment of the fitting from the lift plate whereupon the ferrule may be removed downwardly past said leg portions for bail replacement purposes with the lift bail removed via said openings.

Claim 7

The improvement as claimed in claim 4 wherein said fitting has internal walls of arcuate section to confine the ferrule against lateral movement.

Claim 8

The improvement as claimed in claim 5 wherein the fitting leg portions are reinforced by lengthwise extending flanges.