Patent ID: 6343825
Filing Date: 2002-02-05
Classification: B62D,Y10S

Abstract:
A trailer for connection with a highway tractor for transporting heavy equipment, the trailer comprising:a gooseneck section having a generally horizontal portion for detachable coupling to the tractor and a generally upright portion extending downwardly from said horizontal portion at a back end thereof; a rear section mounted on wheels and having a generally horizontal deck portion and a generally vertical portion extending downwardly from said deck portion; a center section presenting a generally horizontal bed extending between said gooseneck and rear sections, said center section being connected with said upright and vertical portions for movement between a first position providing a double drop deck configuration wherein said bed is at a lower elevation than said horizontal and deck portions, and a second position providing a step deck configuration wherein said bed is at a lower elevation than said horizontal portion and substantially the same elevation as said deck portion; said upright portion of the gooseneck section including first and second passages spaced vertically apart; and a power element on said center section having an extensible and retractable latch bar located to align with said first passage in the first position of the center section and with said second passage in the second position of the center section, said power element being operable to selectively extend said latch bar into an aligned passage to alternately latch the center section in the first and second positions thereof to said gooseneck section; wherein said upright portion of the gooseneck section includes a plurality of generally upright legs; said center section includes a plurality of generally horizontal beams aligned with the respective legs; each said beam includes a forward end adjacent to the corresponding leg; and the forward end of each said beam is provided with a guide bracket extending substantially around the corresponding leg and accommodating up and down movement of the leg therein.