US4127202A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
True tracking trailer
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-10-31
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Granted: 1978-11-28
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Expires: 1997-10-31
Abstract
Abstract A stablized, true tracking trailer adapted to be cross-coupled with other true tracking trailers into a train, each trailer having a vehicle body including a cargo bed and having a fixed wheel and two castor wheels supporting the body, thereby providing a stable 3 point contact with the ground, a first and second pivotal connector attached proximate opposite corners of the first end of the body, and a third and fourth pivotal connector attached proximate opposite corners of a second end of the body for use with trailer cross-coupling linkage arms.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick R. Jennings
- 👤 James O. Moritz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:45
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/48; B60D1/481; B60D1/14; B60D1/173; B62; B62D; B62D13/00; B62D53/00; B62D63/00; B62D63/06; B62D63/068; B60D2001/001; B60D2001/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
323 words
A true tracking trailer apparatus comprising: first and second generally rectangular trailer vehicles each of which includes; a rectangular, planar cargo bed having a front, rear, left and right side and a longitudinal centerline extending between said front and rear sides and a transverse centerline extending between said left and right sides, a front inner wall rising perpendicularly from the plane of the bed at said front side and a rear inner wall rising perpendicularly from the plane of the bed at said rear side, outer wall means having a front portion disposed forward of said front inner wall and having a rear portion disposed rearward of said rear inner wall whereby a front wheel well is defined between said front portion and said front inner wall and a rear wheel well is defined between said rear portion and said rear inner wall, a front castor wheel supporting said vehicle and disposed in said front wheel well, a rear castor wheel supporting said vehicle and disposed in said rear wheel well, a fixed wheel supporting said vehicle and having an axis of rotation parallel to and aligned with said transverse centerline, means connecting said second vehicle to said first vehicle including; a first linkage arm pivotally connected at a first end of said second vehicle along a first side of said longitudinal centerline and pivotally connected at a second end to a second end of said first vehicle along a second side of said longitudinal centerline; and a second linkage arm pivotally connected at a first end to a first end of said second vehicle along a second side of said longitudinal centerline and pivotally connected at a second end to a second end of said vehicle along a first side of said longitudinal centerline; whereby said true tracking trailer apparatus may be towed in either direction and whereby said trailer apparatus maintains an essentially constant distance between load centers of said trailers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
323 words
A true tracking trailer apparatus comprising: first and second generally rectangular trailer vehicles each of which includes; a rectangular, planar cargo bed having a front, rear, left and right side and a longitudinal centerline extending between said front and rear sides and a transverse centerline extending between said left and right sides, a front inner wall rising perpendicularly from the plane of the bed at said front side and a rear inner wall rising perpendicularly from the plane of the bed at said rear side, outer wall means having a front portion disposed forward of said front inner wall and having a rear portion disposed rearward of said rear inner wall whereby a front wheel well is defined between said front portion and said front inner wall and a rear wheel well is defined between said rear portion and said rear inner wall, a front castor wheel supporting said vehicle and disposed in said front wheel well, a rear castor wheel supporting said vehicle and disposed in said rear wheel well, a fixed wheel supporting said vehicle and having an axis of rotation parallel to and aligned with said transverse centerline, means connecting said second vehicle to said first vehicle including; a first linkage arm pivotally connected at a first end of said second vehicle along a first side of said longitudinal centerline and pivotally connected at a second end to a second end of said first vehicle along a second side of said longitudinal centerline; and a second linkage arm pivotally connected at a first end to a first end of said second vehicle along a second side of said longitudinal centerline and pivotally connected at a second end to a second end of said vehicle along a first side of said longitudinal centerline; whereby said true tracking trailer apparatus may be towed in either direction and whereby said trailer apparatus maintains an essentially constant distance between load centers of said trailers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
A true tracking trailer apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a side inner wall rising perpendicularly from the plane of said bed at a first side and wherein said outer wall means further includes a side portion disposed sideward away from said bed and facing said side inner wall, whereby a side wheel well is defined between said side portion and said side inner wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A true tracking trailer apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said fixed wheel is disposed in said side wheel well.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A true tracking trailer apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said bed is disposed low to the ground.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A true tracking trailer apparatus as defined in claim 4 further comprising a load gate; a first hinging means for attaching a side of said gate to a second side of said bed; and latching means for retaining said gate in an upright position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A true tracking trailer apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said load gate is comprised of first and second sections attached together by a second hinging means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A true tracking trailer apparatus as defined in claim 6 further comprising handle means attached to said second section to facilitate the raising and lowering of said load gate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A true tracking trailer apparatus as defined in claim 5 further comprising spring means attached to said gate at a first end and said bed at a second end whereby said spring means exerts a force tending to raise said gate, thereby counterbalancing the weight of said gate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A true tracking trailer apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said vehicle body is square.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A true tracking trailer apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said first and second linkage arms are equal in length to a side of said vehicle body.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2313235A
Cited
US3294417A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-11-27 | 1982-05-29 | 1982-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-11-27 | 1986-05-29 | 1986-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-11-27 | 1990-05-29 | 1990-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |