Automobile hauling trailer

Claim 2

A trailer for carrying assembled wheeled vehicles comprising: (A) a chassis; (B) a metal framework mounted on said chassis; (C) a multi-sided enclosure mounted on said chassis and said framework; (D) a plurality of openings in at least one side of said enclosure, said openings being disposed to allow direct access to said assembled wheeled vehicles; (E) a plurality of doors, each of said doors being movably disposed to cover and uncover a corresponding one of said plurality of openings; (F) a plurality of elongated plateforms located within said enclosure; (G) a plurality of actuators located within said enclosure, each said actuator having both mounting means and output means; (H) means for attachment of each said actuator between one of each said platforms and said framework; (I) means for individually and remotely operating each said actuator; (J) a plurality of axles mounted to the underside of said chassis; (K) a plurality of wheels; (L) means for mounting one of each of said wheels on opposing ends of each said axle; (M) means for attachment of said trailer to a motorized tractor vehicle; (N) a liftable roof mounted on said enclosure; and (O) locking means interconnecting said roof and said plurality of doors, and locking said plurality of doors in the closed position when said roof is moved to a lowermost position.

Claim 3

The invention of claim 1 which further comprises a plurality of hoisting points attached to said framework and accessible from the exterior of said enclosure.

Claim 4

The invention of claim 1 which further comprises a cavity on the underside, forward portion of said trailer adapted to surround and engage the vertical protrusion of a TTUX rail car.

Claim 5

The invention of claim 1 which further comprise, mounted on at least one said axle, a pair of fixed guides, wherein one said guide is located inboard of each said wheel at a position approximating the position of the inboard surface of the inboard wheel on a conventional tandem wheel trailer axle.

Claim 6

The invention of claim 1 wherein said framework further comprises: (A) a plurality of vertical frame members having a series of equally spaced apart holes along the exterior and disposed at intervals; (B) means for slidably connecting said tracks to said frame members; (C) resettable means for restricting the movement of said tracks in relation to said frame members which further comprises: (1) a collar having, in cross section, an internal shape substantially identical to the external shape, in cross section of said vertical frame member, said collar being of sufficient dimension to slidably fit on said vertical frame member, (2) a pivotably mounted, substantially L-shaped pin attached to the exterior of said collar, and disposed so as to permit one end of said pivotably-mounted pin to engage one of said holes, and (3) an extension attached to said pin at its end opposite the end disposed to engage such holes.

Claim 7

The invention of claim 1 wherein said enclosure further comprises, at its forward end, a hollow, curved compartment.

Claim 8

A trailer for carrying assembled wheeled vehicles comprising: (A) a chassis; (B) a metal framework mounted on said chassis; (C) a multi-sided enclosure mounted on said chassis and said framework; (D) a plurality of openings in at least one side of said enclosure, said openings being disposed to allow direct access to said assembled wheeled vehicles; (E) a plurality of doors, each of said doors being movably disposed to cover and uncover a corresponding one of said plurality of openings; (F) a plurality of elongated platforms located within said enclosure; (G) a plurality of actuators located within said enclosure, each said actuator having both mounting means and output means; (H) means for attachment of each said actuator between one of each said platforms and said framework; (I) a plurality of axles mounted to the underside of said chassis; (J) a plurality of wheels; (K) means for mounting one of each said wheels on opposing ends of each said axle; (L) means for attachment of said trailer to a motorized tractor vehicle; (M) a liftable roof mounted on said enclosure; (N) an opening in the rearmost side of said enclosure of sufficient size to permit ingress and egress of said assembled wheeled vehicles to and from the interior of said enclosure; (O) a door pivotably mounted over said opening in said rearmost side of said enclosure, said pivotable mounted door being attached by a hinge at its lower edge to the lower edge of said opening in said rearmost side of said enclosure; (P) second actuating means for opening and closing said door in said rearmost side of said enclosure; (Q) third actuating means for lifting and lowering said roof; (R) means for individually and remotely operating each said actuator and said second and third actuating means; and (S) locking means interconnecting said roof, said side doors and said rearmost door, and locking said side doors and said rearmost doors in the closed position when said roof is moved to a lowermost position.

Claim 9

A trailer for carrying assembled wheeled vehicles comprising: (A) a chassis; (B) a metal framework mounted on said chassis; (C) a multi-sided enclosure mounted on said chassis and said framework; (D) a plurality of openings in at least one side of said enclosure, said openings being disposed to allow direct access to said assembled wheeled vehicles; (E) a plurality of doors, each of said doors being movably disposed to cover and uncover a corresponding one of said plurality of openings; (F) a plurality of elongated platforms located within said enclosure; (G) a plurality of actuators located within said enclosure, each said actuator having both mounting means and output means; (H) means for attachment of each said actuator between one of each said platforms and said framework; (I) a plurality of axles mounted to the underside of said chassis; (J) a plurality of wheels; (K) means for mounting one of each said wheels on opposing ends of each said axle; (L) means for attachment of said trailer to a motorized tractor vehicle; (M) a liftable roof mounted on said enclosure; (N) an opening in the rearmost side of said enclosure of sufficient size to permit ingress and egress of said assembled wheeled vehicles to and from the interior of said enclosure; (O) a door pivotably mounted over said opening in said rearmost side of said enclosure, said pivotable mounted door being attached by a hinge at its lower edge to the lower edge of said opening in said rearmost side of said enclosure; (P) second actuating means for opening and closing said door in said rearmost side of said enclosure; (Q) third actuating means for lifting and lowering said roof; (R) means for individually and remotely operating each said actuator and said second and third actuating means; and (S) locking means interconnecting said roof, said side doors and said rearmost door, and locking said side doors and said rearmost doors in the closed position when said roof is moved to a lowermost position.

Claim 10

The invention of claim 7 which further comprises a plurality of hoisting points attached to said framework and accessible from the exterior of said enclosure.

Claim 11

The invention of claim 7 which further comprises a cavity on the underside, forward portion of said trailer adapted to surround and engage the vertical protrusion of a TTUX rail car.

Claim 12

The invention of claim 7 which further comprise, mounted on at least one said axle, a pair of fixed guides, wherein one said guide is located inboard of each said wheel at a position approximating the position of the inboard surface of the inboard wheel on a conventional tandem wheel trailer axle.

Claim 13

The invention of claim 7 wherein said framework further comprises: (A) a plurality of vertical frame members having a series of equally spaced apart holes along the exterior and disposed at intervals; (B) means for slidably connecting said tracks to said frame members; (C) resettable means for restricting the movement of said tracks in relation to said frame members which further comprises: (1) a collar having, in cross section, an internal shape substantially identical to the external shape, in cross section of said vertical frame member, said collar being of sufficient dimension to slidably fit on said vertical frame member, (2) a pivotably mounted, substantially L-shaped pin attached to the exterior of said collar, and disposed so as to permit one end of said pivotably-mounted pin to engage one of said holes, and (3) an extension attached to said pin at its end opposite the end disposed to engage such holes.

Claim 14

The invention of claim 7, wherein said enclosure further comprises, at its forward end, a hollow, curved compartment.

Claim 15

A trailer for carrying assembled wheeled vehicles comprising: (A) a chassis; (B) a metal framework mounted on said chassis; (C) a multi-sided enclosure mounted on said chassis and said framework; (D) a plurality of openings in at least one side of said enclosure, said openings being disposed to allow direct access to said assembled wheeled vehicles; (E) a plurality of doors, each of said doors being movably disposed to cover and uncover a corresponding one of said plurality of openings; (F) a plurality of elongated platforms located within said enclosure; (G) a plurality of actuators located within said enclosure, each said actuator having both mounting means and output means; (H) means for attachment of each said actuator between one of each said platforms and said framework; (I) means for individually and remotely operating each said actuator; (J) a plurality of axles mounted to the underside of said chassis; (K) a plurality of wheels; (L) means for mounting one of each of said wheels on opposing ends of each said axle; (M) means for attachment of said trailer to a motorized tractor vehicle; (N) a plurality of hoisting points attached to said framework and accessible from the exterior of said enclosure; (O) a cavity on the underside, forward portion of said trailer adapted to surround and engage the vertical protrusion of a TTUX rail car; (P) a liftable roof mounted on said enclosure; and (Q) locking means interconnecting said roof and said plurality of doors, and locking said plurality of doors in the closed position when said roof is moved to a lowermost position.

Claim 16

A trailer for carrying assembled wheeled vehicles comprising: (A) a chassis; (B) a metal framework mounted on said chassis; (C) a multi-sided enclosure mounted on said chassis and said framework; (D) a plurality of openings in at least one side of said enclosure, said openings being disposed to allow direct access to said assembled wheeled vehicles; (E) a plurality of doors, each of said doors being movably disposed to cover and uncover a corresponding one of said plurality of openings; (F) a plurality of elongated platforms located within said enclosure; (G) a plurality of actuators located within said enclosure, each said actuator having both mounting means and output means; (H) means for attachment of each said actuator between one of each said platforms and said framework; (I) means for individually and remotely operating each said actuator; (J) a plurality of axles mounted to the underside of said chassis; (K) a plurality of wheels; (L) means for mounting one of each of said wheels on opposing ends of each said axle; (M) means for attachment of said trailer to a motorized tractor vehicle; (N) a plurality of hoisting points attached to said framework and accessible from the exterior of said enclosure; (O) a cavity on the underside, forward portion of said trailer adapted to surround and engage the vertical protrusion of a TTUX rail car; (P) a liftable roof mounted on said enclosure; and (Q) locking means interconnecting said roof and said plurality of doors, and locking said plurality of doors in the closed position when said roof is moved to a lowermost position.

Claim 17

A trailer for carrying assembled wheeled vehicles comprising: (A) a chassis; (B) a metal framework mounted on said chassis; (C) a multi-sided enclosure mounted on said chassis and said framework; (D) a plurality of openings in at least one side of said enclosure, said openings being disposed to allow direct access to said assembled wheeled vehicles; (E) a plurality of doors, each of said doors being movably disposed to cover and uncover a corresponding one of said plurality of openings; (F) a plurality of elongated platforms located within said enclosure; (G) a plurality of actuators located within said enclosure, each said actuator having both mounting means and output means; (H) means for attachment of each said actuator between one of each said platforms and said framework; (I) a plurality of axles mounted to the underside of said chassis; (J) a plurality of wheels; (K) means for mounting one of each of said wheels on opposing ends of each said axle; (L) means for attachment of said trailer to a motorized tractor vehicle; (M) a liftable roof mounted on said enclosure; (N) an opening in the rearmost side of said enclosure of sufficient size to permit ingress and egress of said assembled wheeled vehicles to and from the interior of said enclosure; (O) a door pivotably mounted over said opening in said rearmost side of said enclosure, said pivotable mounted door being attached by a hinge at its lower edge to the lower edge of said opening in said rearmost side of said enclosure; (P) second actuating means for opening and closing said door in said rearmost side of said enclosure; (Q) third actuating means for lifting and lowering said roof; (R) means for individually and remotely operating each said actuator and said second and third actuating means; (S) locking means interconnecting said roof, said side doors and said rearmost door, and locking said side doors and said rearmost doors in the closed position when said roof is moved to a lowermost position; (T) a plurality of hoisting points attached to said framework and accessible from the exterior of said enclosure; and (U) a cavity on the underside, forward portion of said trailer adapted to surround and engage the vertical protrusion of a TTUX rail car.

Claim 18

A trailer for carrying assembled wheeled vehicles comprising: (A) a chassis; (B) a metal framework mounted on said chassis; (C) a multi-sided enclosure mounted on said chassis and said framework; (D) a plurality of openings in at least one side of said enclosure, said openings being disposed to allow direct access to said assembled wheeled vehicles; (E) a plurality of doors, each of said doors being movably disposed to cover and uncover a corresponding one of said plurality of openings; (F) a plurality of elongated platforms located within said enclosure; (G) a plurality of actuators located within said enclosure, each said actuator having both mounting means and output means; (H) means for attachment of each said actuator between one of each said platforms and said framework; (I) a plurality of axles mounted to the underside of said chassis; (J) a plurality of wheels; (K) means for mounting one of each of said wheels on opposing ends of each said axle; (L) means for attachment of said trailer to a motorized tractor vehicle; (M) a liftable roof mounted on said enclosure; (N) an opening in the rearmost side of said enclosure of sufficient size to permit ingress and egress of said assembled wheeled vehicles to and from the interior of said enclosure; (O) a door pivotably mounted over said opening in said rearmost side of said enclosure, said pivotable mounted door being attached by a hinge at its lower edge to the lower edge of said opening in said rearmost side of said enclosure; (P) second actuating means for opening and closing said door in said rearmost side of said enclosure; (Q) third actuating means for lifting and lowering said roof; (R) means for individually and remotely operating each said actuator and said second and third actuating means; (S) locking means interconnecting said roof, said side doors and said rearmost door, and locking said side doors and said rearmost doors in the closed position when said roof is moved to a lowermost position; (T) a plurality of hoisting points attached to said framework and accessible from the exterior of said enclosure; and (U) a cavity on the underside, forward portion of said trailer adapted to surround and engage the vertical protrusion of a TTUX rail car.

Claim 19

The invention of claim 13 which further comprises, mounted on at least one said axle, a pair of fixed guides, wherein one said guide is located inboard of each said wheel at a position approximating the position of the inboard surface of the inboard wheel on a conventional tandem wheel trailer axle.

Claim 20

The invention of claim 13 wherein said framework further comprises: (A) a plurality of vertical frame members having a series of equally spaced apart holes along the exterior and disposed at intervals; (B) means for slidably connecting said tracks to said frame members; (C) resettable means for restricting the movement of said tracks in relation to said frame members which further comprises: (1) a collar having, in cross section, an internal shape substantially identical to the external shape, in cross section of said vertical frame member, said collar being of sufficient dimension to slidably fit on said vertical frame member, (2) a pivotably mounted, substantially L-shaped pin attached to the exterior of said collar, and disposed so as to permit one end of said pivotably-mounted pin to engage one of said holes, and (3) an extension attached to said pin at its end opposite the end disposed to engage such holes.

Claim 21

The invention of claim 13 wherein said enclosure further comprises, at its forward end, a hollow, curved compartment.

Claim 22

The invention of claim 14 which further comprise, mounted on at least one said axle, a pair of fixed guides, wherein one said guide is located inboard of each said wheel at a position approximating the position of the inboard wheel on a conventional tandem wheel trailer axle.

Claim 23

The invention of claim 14 wherein said framework further comprises: (A) a plurality of vertical frame members having a series of equally spaced apart holes along the exterior and disposed at intervals; (B) means for slidably connecting said tracks to said frame members; (C) resettable means for restricting the movement of said tracks in relation to said frame members which further comprises: (1) a collar having, in cross section, an internal shape substantially identical to the external shape, in cross section of said vertical frame member, said collar being of sufficient dimension to slidably fit on said vertical frame member, (2) a pivotably mounted, substantially L-shaped pin attached to the exterior of said collar, and disposed so as to permit one end of said pivotably-mounted pin to engage one of said holes, and (3) an extension attached to said pin at its end opposite the end disposed to engage such holes.

Claim 24

The invention of claim 14 wherein said enclosure further comprises, at its forward end, a hollow, curved compartment.

Claim 25

A trailer as in any one of the preceding claims, in which said means for individually and remotely operating each said actuator further comprises: (A) a plurality of independently controllable hydraulic cylinders associated with said plurality of tracks; (B) means for attachment of one of each said cylinders between one point on said framework and one end of each said tracks; (C) hydraulic power source means to pressurize and depressurize each said cylinder; and (D) electronic control means for individually regulating the pressure of said hydraulic power in each said cylinder.