Patent ID: 8317452
Filing Date: 2012-11-27
Classification: B60G,B60P,B62D

Abstract:
1. A converter dolly for a tandem trailer having a lead trailer and a rear trailer, the rear trailer having spaced apart sidewalls, the converter dolly comprising: a wheeled cart which includes a frame and at least one self-steering axle for rotatably carrying at least two wheel assemblies; a saddle carried by the frame of said wheeled cart, said saddle formed with spaced apart lip portions formed to capture said side walls of the rear trailer therebetween to prevent rotation of the rear trailer with respect to said wheeled cart; a lifting mechanism for selectively varying the height of the saddle relative to the frame and defining a retracted position in which said saddle is uncoupled from said rear trailer and an extended position in which said rear trailer is captured by said saddle; a plurality of adjustment bars for rigidly securing said saddle to said frame at a selected height; a fifth wheel assembly carried by said frame for coupling to said rear trailer; and a tow bar and hitching mechanism for coupling said converter dolly to said lead trailer, wherein said saddle captures said rear trailer when said lifting mechanism is in an extended position and prevents said rear trailer from rotating relative to said wheeled cart.