Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of moving a trailer assembly between a transport position, coupled to a mode of transportation, and a storage position. A trailer assembly typically includes, among other things, a base and an axle/suspension carriage. The trailer assembly also includes a lifting mechanism that is operatively connected between the axle/suspension carriage and the base and is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The method includes the step of transporting the trailer assembly to a desired location for storage with the axle/suspension carriage in the extended position. The lifting mechanism is then actuated to adjust the axle/suspension carriage to a position between the extended position and the retracted position while continuing to transport the trailer assembly to the desired location. The lifting mechanism is then released allowing the axle/suspension carriage to move toward the retracted position when the trailer assembly is in the desired location such that the trailer assembly has a minimal profile at the desired location.

Description:
BACKGROUND ART  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The invention relates to trailer assemblies. More specifically, the invention relates to a method of moving a trailer assembly between an elevated position and a lowered position.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Typically, trailers are used to transport items to a desired location. Many times, trailers are also used as structures designed to be inhabited for a particular purpose. The environments found within these trailers can be full of equipment to facilitate a particular operation. By way of example, an environment for a trailer may be used as a classroom, an office, a conference center, a health system/counseling center, a mobile command center, and the like. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any type of function that is performed within an enclosed space may be performed within a trailer environment.  
         [0005]     To make a trailer more versatile, a trailer may be designed to expand to a greater volume once the trailer has been moved into the desired location for the operation. The same trailer is also collapsible into a smaller volume allowing it to be transported using the road system. Typically, a secondary volume that is smaller than a primary volume of space extends between a collapsed position and an expanded position. This allows a trailer of normal dimensions to be transported to a remote location and then expanded thereat to enhance the functionality of the trailer.  
         [0006]     These expandable and collapsible trailers fail to contemplate multiple modes of transportation. More specifically, these trailers are designed to be transported over the road system using tractors or trucks. The trailers are not, however, designed to be transported efficiently by rail, sea or air.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The invention relates to a method of moving a trailer assembly between a transport position, coupled to a mode of transportation, and a storage position. A trailer assembly typically includes, among other things, a base and an axle/suspension carriage. The trailer assembly also includes a lifting mechanism that is operatively connected between the axle/suspension carriage and the base and is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The method includes the step of transporting the trailer assembly to a desired location for storage with the axle/suspension carriage in the extended position. The lifting mechanism is then actuated to adjust the axle/suspension carriage to a position between the extended position and the retracted position while continuing to transport the trailer assembly to the desired location. The lifting mechanism is then released allowing the axle/suspension carriage to move toward the retracted position when the trailer assembly is in the desired location such that the trailer assembly has a minimal profile at the desired location. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     Advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a side view of one embodiment of the invention with an axle/suspension carriage in an extended position;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a side view of one embodiment of the invention with the axle/suspension carriage in a retracted position;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a top view of one embodiment of the invention with a secondary enclosure in an expanded position;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a front view of one embodiment of the invention with the axle/suspension carriage in the extended position;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a side view of one embodiment of the invention with the axle/suspension carriage in an intermediate position and a trailer assembly coupled to a mode of transportation;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a side view of one embodiment of the invention with the axle/suspension carriage in the intermediate position and the trailer assembly coupled to the mode of transportation; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a side view of one embodiment of the invention with the axle/suspension carriage in the retracted position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0016]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , a trailer assembly is generally indicated at  10 . While the trailer assembly  10  may be any general size, the trailer assembly  10  shown in the Figures is typically referred to as a “semi trailer.” The trailer assembly  10  includes a king pin  12  that allows the trailer assembly  10  to be coupled to a mode of transport, such as a truck  13  or a tractor, for travel along a road system or other transport surface  14 .  
         [0017]     The trailer assembly  10  defines a base  16 . A primary enclosure, generally indicated at  18 , extends upwardly from the base  16 . The primary enclosure  18  includes a roof  20 , a front wall  22 , a rear wall  24 , and a pair of sidewalls  26 ,  28  each extending between the front  22  and rear  24  walls. A plurality of D-rings or tie downs  30  are fixedly secured along the base  16  and the roof  20  for securing a load thereto. The trailer assembly  10  also includes anchors  31  capable of securing a lifting harness  33  thereto so a crane could lift the trailer assembly  10  into a freighter or ship.  
         [0018]     The primary enclosure  18  defines a primary interior space  32 . It is within the primary interior space  32  that a majority of the space and the equipment stored by the trailer assembly  10  are located.  
         [0019]     The primary enclosure  18  also includes a front interior partition  34 , which along with the front wall  22  and the pair of sidewalls  26 ,  28  defines a forward compartment  36 . The forward compartment  36  houses a forward stand assembly, generally indicated at  38  and described in greater detail below.  
         [0020]     A computer workstation  37  is disposed adjacent the front interior partition  34  opposite the forward compartment  36 . It will be appreciated that although a computer workstation  37  is shown, any of a number of items could be placed adjacent the front interior partition  34  to fulfill the particular needs of each trailer assembly owner.  
         [0021]     In addition, the primary enclosure  18  includes a rear interior partition  40  that cooperates with the rear wall  24  and the pair of sidewalls  26 ,  28  to define a rearward compartment  42 . The rearward compartment  42  houses an axle/suspension carriage, generally indicated at  44 , a generator  46 , and a cable power reel  48 . The generator  46  is housed behind a generator housing grill  47 , which helps ventilate the trailer assembly  10 .  
         [0022]     The trailer assembly  10  also includes a secondary enclosure, generally shown at  50 . The secondary enclosure  50  defines a secondary interior space  52 , which is smaller than the primary interior space  32 . The secondary enclosure  50  telescopes in and out of the primary interior space  32 , as is known to those skilled in the art. Thus, the secondary enclosure  50  is movable between a collapsed position, as is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and an expanded position, as is shown in  FIG. 3 . It will be appreciated that although the trailer assembly  10  is shown having two secondary enclosures  50  (one telescoping out from each of the pair of sidewalls  26 ,  28 ), the trailer assembly  10  may have only one secondary enclosure telescoping out from one of the pair of sidewalls  26 ,  28 .  
         [0023]     When the secondary enclosure  50  is in the collapsed position, the trailer assembly  10  is capable of being stored efficiently. The trailer assembly  10  is also more transportable via the road system  14  when the secondary enclosure  50  is in the collapsed position. When the secondary enclosure  50  is in the expanded position, the total amount of space within the trailer assembly  10  is increased to accommodate various mobile work environments.  
         [0024]     The axle/suspension carriage  44  includes a carriage platform  54  having a plurality of wheels  56  rotatably secured thereto for transporting the trailer assembly  10  via the road system  14 . The axle/suspension carriage  44  is shown to have two sub-axles  58 ,  60 . It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although two sub-axles are shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the axle/suspension carriage  44  may have any number of sub-axles.  
         [0025]     The rearward compartment  42  includes a plurality of vertically extending track members  62  disposed along the pair of sidewalls  26 ,  28  between the base  16  and the roof  20 . The carriage platform  54  includes a plurality of bearing members  64  aligned with the plurality of vertically extending track members  62 . The plurality of bearing members  64  slidingly engage the plurality of vertically extending track members  62  to provide vertical movement of the axle/suspension carriage  44  between an extended position ( FIG. 1 ) and a retracted position ( FIGS. 2 and 7 ), and a supported or intermediate position therebetween ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ). A plurality of locking mechanisms  65  selectively retains the axle/suspension carriage  44  in the extended position or any of the plurality of supported positions.  
         [0026]     A lifting mechanism  64  is fixedly secured to the base  16  and initiates movement of the axle/suspension carriage  44  along the plurality of vertically extending track members  62  between the extended and retracted positions. The lifting mechanism  64  is shown in the Figures as a hydraulic mechanism, discussed subsequently. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that mechanical and/or electrical systems might be incorporated as required by the capabilities of the trailer assembly  10  and the environments in which the trailer assembly  10  is going to be deployed.  
         [0027]     When the axle/suspension carriage  44  is in the extended position, the trailer assembly  10  is in an elevated position due to the positioning of the plurality of wheels  56  substantially lower than the rearward compartment  42 . More specifically, the trailer assembly  10  is in the elevated position because the axle/suspension carriage  44  is extended forcing the plurality of wheels  56  downwardly away from the rearward compartment  42 . The trailer assembly  10  can be coupled with a mode of transport via the king pin  12  to allow travel of the trailer assembly  10 .  
         [0028]     A stabilizing leg  68  is fixedly secured to the axle/suspension carriage  44 . The stabilizing leg  68  includes a landing pad  69  that selectively contacts the road system  14 . More particularly, the landing pad  69  is moved into contact with the road system  14  to assist in maintaining the trailer assembly  10  stationary when the axle/suspension carriage  44  is in both the retracted and extended positions.  
         [0029]     When the axle/suspension carriage  44  is in the retracted position, the trailer assembly  10  is in a lowered position due to the fact that a portion of the axle/suspension carriage  44  is located within the rearward compartment  42 . This reduces the height of the trailer assembly  10 , which in turn reduces the overall volume consumed thereby. Thus, when the axle/suspension carriage  44  is in the retracted position, the trailer assembly  10  is able to fit inside or on top of various modes of transport, one example being inside of a military transport aircraft. As a result, the trailer assembly  10  may be efficiently stowed and transported via rail, sea and/or air.  
         [0030]     The movement of the axle/suspension carriage  44  between its extended and retracted positions allows the trailer assembly  10  to be airlifted to a remote location and subsequently be moved away from the airport (or landing location) using the plurality of wheels  56  after they are moved to the extended position.  
         [0031]     A rear bumper  72  is fixedly secured to the axle/suspension carriage  44 . When the axle/suspension carriage  44  is in its extended position, the rear bumper  72  is in an operative position extending below the base  16  of the trailer assembly  10 . When the axle/suspension carriage  44  is in its retracted position, the rear bumper  72  is located within the rearward compartment  42  so as not to interfere with stowage and transport of the trailer assembly  10  via rail and/or air.  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the forward stand assembly  38  holds the trailer assembly  10  level when the axle/suspension carriage  44  is deployed to its extended position. The forward stand assembly  38  can be moved in concert with the axle/suspension carriage  44  to prevent the base  16  from moving in a non-parallel manner with respect to the road system  14  below it. The forward stand assembly  38  telescopes between a stowed position, as shown in  FIG. 2 , and a support position, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 .  
         [0033]     The forward stand assembly  38  is fixedly secured to the base  16  and includes a pair of support legs  76 ,  78 , each terminating at a distal end  80  having a pad  70 , preferably made of aluminum, secured thereto. When the forward stand assembly  38  is in the support position, each of the support legs  76 ,  78  is moved out and away from the forward compartment  36  using telescoping extensions  81 ,  83 . The outward positioning of the support legs  76 ,  78  supports the base  16  while simultaneously allowing the truck  13  access to the centrally located king pin  12 . More specifically, the truck  13  is able to back up underneath the trailer assembly  10  and access the king pin  12  without interference from the forward stand assembly  38 .  
         [0034]     In use, the trailer assembly  10  can be moved to a desired location by the mode of transportation, while the axle/suspension carriage  44  remains in the extended position, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . While moving the trailer assembly  10  to the desired position, the axle/suspension carriage  44  can be adjusted to and maintained in any of the plurality of supported positions between the extended and retracted positions to avoid obstacles, such as a low overhanging wall  71 . As may be seen when viewing  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the lifting mechanism  64  lowers the base  16  by having the axle/suspension carriage  44  move partially into the rearward compartment  42 .  
         [0035]     When the trailer assembly  10  is in the desired location, the forward stand assembly  38  is extended to the support position, as best shown in  FIG. 1 . The support legs  76 ,  78  are moved outwardly relative to the forward compartment by the telescoping extensions  81 ,  83  to facilitate disconnection of the trailer assembly  10  from the mode of transport. If necessary, the stabilizing leg  68  can be lowered to keep the trailer assembly  10  stationary while axle/suspension carriage  44  is in the extended position. After the mode of transport has been disconnected and removed from under the base  16 , the trailer assembly  10  can be lowered from the intermediate position, as shown in  FIG. 6 , to the storage position, as shown in  FIG. 7 , to minimize the profile of the trailer assembly  10  at the desired location. The forward assembly  38  acts in unison with the axle/suspension carriage  44 , or the lifting mechanism  64 , to lower the trailer assembly  10  to its reduced profile position. Depending on what is stored in the trailer assembly  10 , it may be important to be able to lower the trailer assembly  10  while maintaining its orientation parallel to the ground. The above described operation is reversed to return the trailer assembly  10  from the storage position to the transport position, such that the king pin  12  is presented for re-attachment to the mode of transportation.  
         [0036]     Returning attention specifically to  FIG. 6 , the trailer assembly  10  is shown in a position intermediate the elevated position and the storage position. The axle/suspension carriage  44  is capable of maintaining the trailer assembly  10  in any one of a plurality of intermediate positions. By having the ability to lock the axle/suspension carriage  44  in any one of the plurality of positions allows the trailer assembly  10  the ability to be moved into areas of varying clearances, e.g., the space shown in  FIG. 6 . In this space, the trailer assembly  10  can be lowered by moving the axle/suspension carriage  44  to one of the plurality of intermediate positions to avoid the overhanging wall  71  and a ceiling protrusion  73 . Positioning the axle/suspension carriage  44  at intermediate positions provide the opportunity to maintain the trailer assembly  10  in a movable condition while maintaining it as level as possible.  
         [0037]     The forward stand assembly  38  and the axle/suspension carrier  44  can be operated cooperatively to move the trailer assembly  10  between the transport position and storage position or any position therebetween, while maintaining the trailer assembly  10  in any longitudinal orientation, such as parallel to the ground or horizontal. Control of the movements of the forward stand assembly  38  and the axle/suspension carrier  44  may be done manually or electronically using a control circuit designed to coordinate this reciprocating motion.  
         [0038]     To further discuss the manual operation of the axle/suspension carriage  44 , a hydraulic unit  86  is used to raise and lower the trailer assembly  10 . The hydraulic unit  86  is fixedly secured to the platform  54  or a similar stationary portion of the trailer assembly  10  and forces the carriage platform  54  and the axle/suspension carriage  44  downwardly.  
         [0039]     Because several powered components are secured to the carriage platform  54 , a robotic track  88  is used to maintain an electrical connection between the primary enclosure  18 , the computer workstations  37  and the rearward compartment  42 . The robotic track  88  includes a plurality of hinged components that allow each component to roll over the other to ensure the electrical connection is maintained. The robotic track  88  obviates the need for a soft wire harness.  
         [0040]     The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.  
         [0041]     Many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.