Patent ID: 9656701
Date: 2017-05-23
CPC Classifications: B62D

Claim:
1. A platform trailer comprising: a forward end and a rear end spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal axis; a cargo supporting platform that extends between said forward end and said rear end and including left and right laterally spaced-apart sides connected respectively to a left side rail and a right side rail; a chassis supporting said platform, said chassis comprising first and second beams that extend parallel to said longitudinal axis, said first and second beams each comprising a first height H at least one axle assembly connected to said chassis between a midpoint of said trailer and said rear end and comprising left and right rotatable wheel and tire assemblies, said midpoint being located halfway between said forward end and said rear end; said forward end of said trailer comprising a neck region where said first and second beams each comprise a second height H a fifth wheel plate that is fixedly secured to and that extends between both said first and second beams in said neck region, wherein said fifth wheel plate comprises: a kingpin connected to said fifth wheel plate and adapted to be engaged by an associated tractor fifth wheel; said trailer further comprising a neck reinforcement structure located in said neck region, said neck reinforcement structure comprising: a first beam reinforcement structure connected to said first beam, said first beam reinforcement structure comprising: (i) a first beam inner insert connected to an inner side of said first beam that faces said second beam; and, (ii) and a first beam outer insert connected to an outer side of said first beam that is oriented away from the second beam; a second beam reinforcement structure connected to said second beam, said second beam reinforcement structure comprising: (i) a second beam inner insert connected to an inner side of said second beam that faces said first beam; and, (ii) and a second beam outer insert connected to an outer side of said second beam that is oriented away from the first beam; a plurality of internal cross members that extend between and interconnect said first beam inner insert and said second beam inner insert; a first group of external cross members located between the first beam outer insert and the left side rail; a second group of external cross members located between the second beam outer insert and the right side rail; wherein each of the first group of external cross members and the second group of external cross members comprises an inner segment connected to an outer segment, said inner and outer segments of each of the external cross members of said first group connected respectively to said first beam outer insert and said left side rail, and said inner and outer segments of each of the external cross members of said second group connected respectively to said second beam outer insert and said right side rail.