Patent ID: 8191922
Filing Date: 2012-06-05
Classification: B60G,B60P

Abstract:
1. An improved drop-bed trailer comprising: A trailer frame having a lateral axis and towing position elevated above the ground for carrying a load; A pair of laterally-spaced elongated members disposed on opposite sides of the trailer frame and pivotally moveable relative to the frame about the lateral axis, each elongated member having spaced-apart ends, one of said ends being pivotally mounted to the frame to permit pivotal movement of said elongated member about the lateral axis; A wheel mounted at an intermediate location on each elongated member between said spaced-apart ends for rotation about a wheel axis parallel to and spaced from the lateral axis, such that, upon said pivotal movement of the elongated members, the trailer raises or lowers when the trailer is operatively secured to a towing vehicle or supported on a tongue stand; Actuation means for urging the ends of the elongated member from respective loading positions thereof corresponding to the loading position of a trailer to a towing position via a winch, a primary cable, a master pulley block and a secondary cable; The actuation means comprises the winch and the primary cable, coupled to the winch such that in use, the primary cable is coiled upon the winch and connected through a front sheave of the master pulley block, the secondary cables connect through a back pulley sheave of the master pulley block and connected to each end of the elongated member via a cable connector fitting which passes through a suspension member to a suspension tower, as the primary cable is coiled upon the winch the secondary cable draws the ends of each elongated member to the towing position corresponding to the towing position of the frame of the trailer and as the primary cable is uncoiled from the winch, the primary and secondary cable is played out to allow the ends of the elongated member to move to the loading position of the trailer; A cable tension device is connected to the backend of the master pulley block and the rear position of the trailer, maintains a uniform coiling and uncoiling of the primary cable upon the winch, thus during the uncoiling operation of the primary cable slack is provided to the secondary cable as required for compression of the suspension member.