Patent ID: 6257655
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: B60P

Abstract:
A releasable protective skirt assembly for an open frame trailer adapted to transport vehicles, said trailer having a wheeled chassis supporting a frame and track assembly with vertically extending posts secured to and upstanding from said wheeled chassis, said trailer having a front-end adapted to be mounted in towing engagement on a tractor truck, a rear end adapted for loading and unloading vehicles, and a middle section including said frame and track assembly for supporting said vehicles, said protective skirt assembly comprising: a pair of first horizontal elongated skirt sections releasably mountable on said chassis one on each side thereof in tightly stretched screening position on said trailer front end; a pair of second horizontal elongated skirt sections releasably mountable on said chassis one on each side thereof in tightly stretched screening position on said trailer middle section; a pair of third horizontal elongated skirt sections releasably mountable in screening position one on each side of said chassis in tightly stretched screening position above the chassis wheels; and a pair of fourth horizontal elongated skirt sections releasably mountable on said chassis one on each side thereof in tightly stretched screening position on said trailer rear section; said second skirt section comprising spaced apart upper and lower cables tautly securable between said chassis frame uprights; a generally horizontal elongated rectangular skirt panel defining upper and lower edges and opposed lateral end edges extending between said upper and lower edges, each said lateral edge having a hem defining a hem tube thereon; a plurality of spaced apart rings secured to said upper and lower edges and slidably engagable with said cables for supporting said panel thereon; and support tubes extending vertically through said hem tubes and releasably connectable to said chassis frame uprights for supporting said panel; whereby said skirt is tightly but releasably supportable on said uprights and cables and vehicles carried on said trailer are protected against damage from rocks and road debris during transit.