Patent ID: 9296327
Filing Date: 2016-03-29
CPC Classification: B60P,B62D

Claim Text:
1. A trailer apparatus for transporting an elongated utility pole from a loading location to an unloading location, the utility pole having a substantially rigid continuous outer surface extending from a first end to a second end thereof in substantially parallel spaced relation to a pole central axis, the trailer apparatus comprising: a major frame assembly having a front, the major frame assembly having a rear disposed in opposed relation to the front, the rear being spaced from the front in a rearward direction relative to a trailer frame longitudinal axis, the major frame assembly extending from the front to the rear relative to the trailer frame longitudinal axis, the trailer frame longitudinal axis defining longitudinal extent of a trailer frame longitudinal plane, the trailer frame longitudinal plane extending in a vertical direction, the trailer frame longitudinal plane substantially bisecting the major frame assembly intermediate oppositely disposed lateral halves thereof, the lateral halves including a first half defined on a first side of the trailer frame longitudinal plane in lateral relation thereto, the halves including a second half defined on a second side of the trailer frame longitudinal plane in lateral relation thereto; a forward trailer hitch component joined to the major frame assembly proximate the front, the forward trailer hitch component being configured for coupling with a compatible drawing hitch component of a truck to enable the trailer apparatus to be drawn by the truck; the major frame assembly defining an elongated carrying bay, the carrying bay having a carrying bay longitudinal plane extending substantially parallel to the trailer frame longitudinal plane, the carrying bay having a clear span width perpendicular to the carrying bay longitudinal plane, the clear span width being sufficient to permit the utility pole to be received in the carrying bay in a transport position, in the transport position the pole central axis extending in a substantially horizontal orientation, the carrying bay having a clear span height in the vertical direction, the clear span height being sufficient to permit the utility pole to be received in the carrying bay in the transport position with clearance between the utility pole and the ground adequate to permit transport of the utility pole on the trailer apparatus; the major frame assembly having an upper portion, the upper portion spanning above the carrying bay from the first half to the second half to provide the clear span height thereunder; the major frame assembly in the first half having a first side portion, the first side portion extending downwardly from the upper portion, the first side portion terminating below the upper portion in spaced relation thereto at a respective first lower portion, the major frame assembly in the second half having a second side portion, the second side portion extending downwardly from the upper portion, the second side portion terminating below the upper portion in spaced relation thereto at a respective second lower portion, the upper portion spanning from the first side portion to the second side portion to join the same in fixed relation, the first side portion being spaced from the second side portion with the carrying bay disposed there between to provide the clear span width there between, the first side portion extending upward from the first lower portion to the upper portion to support the upper portion in the first half at the clear span height, the second side portion extending upward from the second lower portion to the upper portion to support the upper portion in the second half at the clear span height; at least one first rear trailer wheel mounted on a first rear axle at the first lower portion to support the trailer apparatus for rolling movement across the ground, the first rear axle being clear of the carrying bay; at least one second rear trailer wheel mounted on a second rear axle at the second lower portion to support the trailer apparatus for rolling movement across the ground, the second rear axle being clear of the carrying bay; the major frame assembly at the rear spanning above the carrying bay to provide a rear opening of the carrying bay, the rear opening permitting clear access from outside the rear to the carrying bay in the direction of the trailer frame longitudinal plane, the rear opening having a respective clear span height sufficient for the major frame assembly to clear the utility pole at rest on the ground in a ground storage position, in the ground storage position the pole longitudinal axis extending in a substantially horizontal direction, such that when the trailer is backed in the longitudinal direction over the utility pole occupying the ground storage position with the trailer frame longitudinal plane substantially coextensive with the pole central axis the rear opening passes around the utility pole as the trailer moves backward for positioning the carrying bay in alignment with a corresponding lengthwise segment of the utility pole, the rear opening having a respective clear span height sufficient for an adjoining second lengthwise segment of the utility pole in the transport position to protrude out of the carrying bay through the rear opening; and a lifting apparatus supported by the major frame assembly, the lifting apparatus including pole engaging apparatus positionable in the carrying bay, the pole engaging apparatus being configurable to engage the utility pole in lifting relationship therewith, the lifting apparatus being selectively operable for lifting at least the lengthwise segment of the utility pole fitting in the carrying bay from the ground storage position to the transport position, the lifting apparatus being selectively operable for lowering the utility pole from the transport position to the ground storage position, wherein the lifting apparatus includes at least one hoist and hoist cable combination, the at least one hoist cable cooperating with suitable adjustable rigging to engage the utility pole in a lifting relationship, the at least one hoist being selectively operable to raise the at least one hoist cable to cause the same to lift the utility pole, the at least one hoist including a hoist motor for driving the hoist cable between trained drive gears, the trained drive gears being between the hoist motor and the hoist cable.