Abstract:
A trailer for transporting large machinery such as farm combines and the like. The trailer comprises a main or center portion flanked laterally by side portions, each side portion comprising a plurality of outwardly telescoping sections which form runways to receive the wheels of the machinery. The trailer wheels and towing gear are attached to the main portion. The side sections are extendable to accommodate equipment having a wide wheel-span. Each of the three side sections on each side, can be separately extended or retracted by a single person. An alignment system is provided to facilitate alignment of the three sections. A chain limits the outward extension of the side sections. Locking pins hold the side sections in their inner positions.

Description:
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 657,586, filed Feb. 12, 1976, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to a vehicle for transporting large machines such as combines and other large equipment. The inventive concepts are usable in conjunction with self-propelled vehicles or trailers. Although many vehicles have been constructed for transporting such equipment, there have been many problems and disadvantages with those of the prior art. 
     The trend in farm machinery today is toward more efficient machinery, and this generally means larger machinery. This trend is exemplified by the developments in the field of combines used by farmers to harvest crops. Combines have grown in width beyond the standard 8 foot width allowed for vehicles on public highways during all but certain hours of each day. These over width machines also have wheels that are spaced apart more than 8 feet. The machines are usually transported by trailer, and thus the trailers are also wider than the acceptable width. In most cases, over-wide vehicles can move only during certain hours of each day, and require special permits and escorts even under these circumstances. 
     When an over width machine is being transported, there is no way to avoid these restrictions. However, in many cases it is advantageous to move the transport vehicles when empty, and presently such movement is subject to the same restrictions as when loaded, because of the over-wide width, loaded or empty. Perhaps one-half of all traveling with these transport vehicles is with them empty, or carrying loads less than 8 feet wide. 
     In the prior art, transport vehicles such as trailers are built having a width wide enough for the largest machines that they might haul. Thus, they are subject to the same restrictions as the equipment which might be transported upon them. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a new and novel vehicle for carrying wide machinery. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide such a vehicle that is of variable width. 
     Still another object of this invention is to provide such a vehicle having a plurality of sections movable between retracted and extended width positions, and means to assure alignment of these sections. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide such a vehicle whose width can be varied easily by the efforts of only one person. 
     A vehicle constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention has a center portion and a pair of side portions flanking the center portion. The running gear (and trailer towing gear) are advantageously attached to the center portion, although this could be altered. The center portion comprises a frame and a plurality of side section support members attached to the frame. Each side section support member is adapted to interact in telescoping relationship with elements of the side sections. Preferably, these side section support members are hollow tubular members. There are sufficient number of side section support members to form runways to receive the wheels of the machinery being carried. 
     Each side portion comprises a plurality of side sections, arranged along the length of the trailer. Each side section has an outer rail and a plurality of telescoping members that interact with the side section support members on the main frame. The side sections are movable between an inner position, fully retracted to a width preferably less than 8 feet, and a plurality of outer positions spaced outwardly therefrom, the outermost positions providing, for example, a total width of 12 feet, although greater widths can be obtained. The telescoping members form the runways for receiving the wheels of the machine being transported, and must extend sufficiently inward in engagement with the side section support members to be able to withstand the cantilevered load placed upon them by the machinery wheels. The forewardmost side section support member and its corresponding telescoping member are raised with respect to the rest to act as a forward abutment for the machinery wheels. Others can be raised also, to provide a cradle against movement for one or more of the machinery wheels. 
     Each side section is of such size and weight as to be movable by a single person. In order to insure that the various side sections are easily aligned longitudinally in a particular position, the middle section on each side is provided with a stop means, which is engaged by the flanking front and rear side sections, to halt the outward movement thereof at the same lateral position as the middle side section. A pin through the telescoping members of the middle side section holds all side sections in their innermost position. In their intermediate positions, the weight of the load holds the sections from movement inwardly or outwardly, although locking means could be provided. A means for limiting the amount of full extension is provided for at least the middle side section, and can be a tether or the like attached on the one hand to the center portion of the trailer and on the other hand to the middle side section. 
     The telescoping members can be of rectangular or circular section, or other tubing or sections that will so telescope together. The center portion of the vehicle advantageously includes heavy longitudinal frame members such as I-beams. The vehicle wheels are of such width as to allow highway access at all times, so the trailer is not restricted in use when not extended. Drive-on ramps are provided at the rear of the trailer, and are adjustable insofar as lateral spacing is concerned, to receive machinery wheels of various spacings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trailer constructed in accordance with the teachings of the invention, with the side frames in the extended position. 
     FIG. 2 is a view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1, showing the side frames in the retracted position in solid lines and in the extended position in broken lines. 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the trailer of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the trailer of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 5 is a view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 4. 
     FIG. 6 is a view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 4. 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing the relationship between side frame and main frame. 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the front trailer support leg. 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the side frame stop mechanism. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following description is directed to a trailer constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention. However, except for those elements peculiar to trailers alone, the description could also apply to a self-propelled vehicle. 
     A trailer constructed in accordance with this invention comprises a main portion flanked by a pair of extendable side portions. The main portion comprises basically a main frame 10, and each side portion a plurality of side sections 12, 14, and 16. 
     Main frame 10 comprises left frame member 20 and right frame member 22, which are of I-beam construction, disposed on either side of a trailer axis. At the front portion of the trailer, where they converge, they are attached together by a pad 24, upon which the towing gear 26 is mounted. A plurality of lateral cross braces 28 are attached between frame members 20 and 22 at the front portion of the trailer. Four sets of dual wheels 32 are mounted on axles attached to the underside of frame members 20 and 22. The maximum distance between the outer surfaces of the wheels (or tires) is less than 8 feet by a sufficient margin to allow the maximum dimension in width of the entire trailer to be 8 feet or less in the retracted position. 
     Four square tube side support members 36 and a fifth such member 38 extend laterally across the trailer, passing through and welded to frame members 20 and 22. A plurality of square tube runway members 40 are attached to the undersides of main frame members 20 and 22 and extend laterally across the trailer. All these members support the side frames, while also providing cross bracing between the main frame members. Also, the outer ends of members 40 are joined by plates 41 welded thereto (FIG. 7) for reinforcement. A plurality of panels 42 are attached between some of the front and rear main side support members and the adjacent main runway members. 
     Middle side frame 14 comprises an outside rail 44, of I-beam construction, and a plurality of middle telescoping members 46 of square tube construction attached to the inner surface of outside rail 44 and that closely fit inside main side support members 38, and are slidable therein. The front and rear edges 50 of outside rail 44 are inclined to facilitate movement of the wheels of the machinery being carrier over them during loading and unloading. Panels 42 also assist the machinery wheels in moving over members 36 and 46 during loading and unloading. The upper surfaces of members 36 and 46 are approximately the same height as the uppermost surfaces of wheels 32. 
     Front side frame 12 comprises an outside rail 52 of I-beam construction, to which are attached a plurality of telescoping members 54 of square tube construction which fit closely inside of runway members 40, and are slidable therein. The upper surface 56 of outside rail 52 is positioned closely beneath the lower surface of outside rail 44. Attached to upper surface 56 is an extension 58, to which is attached a telescoping member 60, which fits closely within side support member 38. In addition to supporting side frame 12, members 38 and 60 halt the forward movement of the machine wheels, as do the rearmost members 36 and 46. The forward wheel of the machinery is also cradled by the forwardmost members 36 and 46, to prevent rearward movement. 
     Rear side frame 16 comprises an outside rail 72, to which are attached a plurality of telescoping members 74, which fit closely inside runway members 40, and are slidable therein. The upper surface 76 of outside rail 72 fits closely beneath the lower surface of outside rail 44. 
     Runway members 40 and main support members 36 and 38 have a total width somewhat less than 8 feet, so that the maximum width between the outside rails of the side sections in the retracted position is no more than 8 feet. The length of telescoping members 46, 54, 60 and 74 is maximized, to allow the side frames to be extended outwardly as far as possible, and to insure adequate overlap with the members into which they telescope, for maximum strength. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the inner ends of telescoping members on opposite sides abut in the center when the side frames are fully retracted. 
     On the bottom surface 80 of outside rail 44 are a pair of L-shaped brackets 82. On the rear surface of outside rail 52 and on the front surface of outside rail 72 are a shoulder 84, aligned with brackets 82. The interaction of brackets 82 with shoulders 84 prevents side frames 12 and 16 from ever being positioned laterally outwardly of side frame 14. As inclined guide surface 86 on bracket 82 assists in the engagement of the two elements. Outward movement of middle side frame 14 is limited by the extension of a chain 90 (FIG. 6), which is attached to a pin 92 welded onto the inside of one of the main side frame support members 36 at the center thereof, and to the inside of the corresponding telescoping member 46. A pin 100 (FIG. 5) through openings in the main support member 36 and corresponding telescoping member 46 locks side frame 14 in its innermost position. 
     A pair of loading ramps 102 are attachable to the rearmost runway member 40 and/or corresponding telescoping members 74. Ramp support legs 104 extend downwardly from ramps 102, to help support the rear portion of the trailer during loading and unloading. 
     A swivel jack stand 106 (FIG. 8) is located at the front of the trailer, to support the trailer when it is not attached to the towing vehicle. Stand 106 comprises a mounting bracket 108 attached to frame member 20. A square tube mounting arm 110 is configured to be slidable within bracket 108. Arm 110 has a first pair of holes 112 and in two opposite sides and a second pair of holes 114 in the other sides. Bracket 108 has a pin 116 attached thereto. A stand member 118 is attached perpendicularly to arm 110. A telescoping leg 120 slides inside stand member 118, and is equipped with height adjustment openings 122 through which a pin 124 can pass. A bearing plate 126 completes the mechanism. 
     Many of the advantages of the invention should become apparent from a consideration of structural features described above. Chief among these are the simplicity and strength of the structure, the low height of the runways, and the inherent cradling of the wheels of the machine being carried plus, of course the simplicity, ease of operation, and effectiveness of the width adjustability concept. Additional advantages are also seen from a consideration of the operation of the apparatus. In its retracted position, the outside rails side frames 12, 14 and 16, on both sides, are in abutting relationship with the outer ends of main side support members 36 and 38 and runway member 40. Pins 100 are in place through one of the telescoping members 40, thus holding middle side frames 14 against outward movement. Because of stops 82, the other side frames 12 and 16 are also held against outward movement. 
     To extend the side frame, pins 100 are removed, and middle side frame 14 is extended to the desired position, its outward movement being limited by chain 90. Then, side frames 12 and 16 are extended until shoulders 84 engage stops 82. If this is an intermediate position short of full extension, the weight of the machine being transported will prevent additional outward movement. However, additional preventing means, such as pins, could be used to define intermediate positions. With ramps 102 installed, the machine to be transported is driven, pushed, or pulled onto the trailer, until its forward wheel is cradled between the two forwardmost side support members 36 and 38. 
     When the machine being transported is removed, the trailer is returned to its narrow configuration by first pushing side frames 12 and 16 inwardly, followed by middle side frame 14. Pins 100 are then replaced. 
     Jack stand 106 is shown in FIG. 8 in position to support the forward portion of the trailer. Arm 110 is insertable into bracket 108, and pin 116 slipped into place to hold it there. Leg 120 is extended to the desired position and held in place by pin 124. When the jack is not needed, arm 110 is removed from bracket 108 and then re-inserted after being rotated 90°, so that leg 120 is parallel to the ground. The jack is held in this position also by pin 116. 
     Variations and modifications from the above described preferred embodiment may become apparent to those skilled in the art, once having viewed this disclosure. However, the scope of the invention is not limited by this disclosure, but is governed by the breadth of the appended claims.