Patent ID: 6422628
Filing Date: 2002-07-23
Classification: B60P

Abstract:
An expandable trailer for transportation and deployment of satellite communication related electronic equipment, said trailer comprising:a generally horizontal support frame having a front end configured to interconnect with a towing vehicle and a rear end, said support frame including ground engaging wheels for transport purposes and an upper surface defining a floor; a pair of spaced apart generally vertical side walls extending upwardly from said support frame and defining an interior transport area therebetween, one of said side walls having an opening defined therein; an expansion module supported in said opening, said module comprising; a front panel and a rear panel each being generally vertical and having an inboard edge and an outboard edge, said panels spaced apart so as to define the front and rear of said expansion module; a generally vertical side panel extending between said outboard edges of said front and rear panels, said side panel having an upper edge and 4 lower edge; said expansion module having a closed position wherein said side panel is generally aligned with said one side wall and said outboard edges of said front and rear panels are adjacent said one side wall, said expansion module further having an expanded position wherein said side panel is spaced from said one side wall and said inboard edges of said front and rear panels are adjacent said one side wall; a movable floor panel having a storage position wherein said floor panel is generally parallel to said side panel, said floor panel being placed in said storage position when said expansion module is in said closed position, said floor panel further having a use position wherein said floor panel is generally perpendicular to said side panel, said floor panel being placed in said use position when said expansion module is in said expanded position such that said floor panel extends between said floor of said trailer and the lower edge of said side panel; and a movable roof panel having a first edge hingedly connected to said one side wall above said opening, said movable roof panel extending downwardly adjacent said side panel when said expansion module is in said closed position and said roof panel being pivoted upwardly when said expansion module is moved to said expanded position such that said roof panel extends outwardly from said one side wall and rests atop said upper edge of said side panel.