Patent Publication Number: US-2017355294-A1

Title: Bundle Transport Trailer

Description:
A trailer for transporting bundles such as of roofing materials is shown and described. 
     Roofers need to transport various roofing materials from the crane drop point to the point of use. Often times these materials are in the form of bundles. These bundles vary in size and weight but are usually in the area of 4 feet wide by 4-6 feet high and up to 8 feet long. The transport process goes very quickly and safely when complete bundles can be loaded directly from the crane to a flatbed transporter, then towed and staged at the point of use. However, reaching the point of use, there is often no crane access, and heavy bundles can be difficult and dangerous to unload. 
     Thus, a need exists for a transport trailer that allows safe and easy unloading of bundles from the transport trailer at the point of use and without requiring the use of a crane. The main advantage on large roofs is that complete bundles of material can be dropped off or staged at strategic locations on the roof. Then, roofers can break open the bundles and distribute and install the individual pieces at nearby locations. 
     SUMMARY 
     This need and other problems in the field of transporting bundles are solved by providing a trailer for transporting bundles allowing complete bundles to be rolled off the end of the trailer at the point of use. Particularly, a steering assembly and a pair of transport wheels movably support a frame upon a support surface. A plurality of frame rollers is rotatably mounted to the frame about roller axes spaced from and parallel to the wheel axis. The upper circumferences of the plurality of frame rollers extend at a non-parallel angle to the support surface and downward from the leading end to the trailing end of the frame. 
     In one aspect, the inner end of a brake pedal pivotably mounted to the frame grips one of the frame rollers in an engaged position to inhibit rotation of that frame roller. The outer end of the brake pedal is pushed from a disengaged position to the engaged position. Additionally, a locking pin is biased into a locking aperture of the brake pedal in the engaged position and is moved by a handle pivotably mounted to the frame and to the locking pin. 
     In another aspect, a ramp is pivotably mounted to the trailing end of the frame and is movable between an unloading position extending to the support surface and an upright position extending away from the support surface. Additionally, the ramp can be locked in the upright position by ramp pins extending from the ramp into locking recesses of J-shaped tracks formed in a pair of lock plates. Also, a plurality of ramp rollers is rotatably mounted to the ramp parallel to and spaced from the plurality of frame rollers. Furthermore, the rollers at the trailing end of the frame and the connecting end of the ramp are in the form of two pairs of rollers aligned with each other. Further, the remaining frame rollers are arranged in pairs, with one of the pair of the remaining frame rollers being aligned in the longitudinal direction with the one pair of the two pairs of rollers at the trailing end and the connecting end. 
     In still other aspects, the steering assembly is pivotably connected to a front platform interconnected to the leading end of the frame. The steering axis extends generally perpendicular to a tongue extending from an axle to which wheels are rotatably connected. A storage box is located on the front platform above the steering assembly. 
     The following detailed description of illustrative embodiments will become clearer in connection with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The illustrative embodiments may best be described by reference to the accompanying drawings where: 
         FIG. 1  shows an exploded perspective view of a bundle transport trailer. 
         FIG. 2  shows a partial side view of the ramp of the bundle transport trailer of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  shows a partial side view of the ramp of the bundle transport trailer of  FIG. 1  in a different position. 
         FIG. 4  shows a partial side view of the roller brake of the bundle transport trailer of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  shows a view of the roller brake of the bundle transport trailer of  FIG. 1  in a different position. 
     
    
    
     All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings only; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the illustrative embodiments will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following description has been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following description has been read and understood. 
     Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “top”, “bottom”, “first”, “second”, “forward”, “rearward”, “reverse”, “front”, “back”, “height”, “width”, “length”, “end”, “side”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the illustrative embodiments. 
     DESCRIPTION 
     A trailer for transporting bundles such as of roofing materials is shown in the drawings and generally designated  10 . Trailer  10  generally includes a framework  12  movably supported upon a support surface by a steering assembly  14  and a pair of transport wheels  16 . Framework  12  generally includes a front platform  12 F, a frame or main platform  12 M including a leading end and a trailing end spaced from the leading end along a longitudinal axis, and interconnections  121  connected between front platform  12 F and the leading end of main platform  12 M. Front platform  12 F is at a higher elevation from the support surface than main platform  12 M, and a storage cabinet  18  is connected thereto. Steering assembly  14  is located below front platform  12 F and adjacent and in front of the leading end of main platform  12 M and is pivotably mounted to front platform  12 F about a vertical axis A which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of main platform  12 M and the support surface. Steering assembly  14  includes an axle, a tongue extending generally perpendicular to the axle, and first and second wheels rotatably connected to the axle on opposite sides of front platform  12 F. Vertical axis A extends generally perpendicular to the tongue and the axle intermediate the opposite sides of front platform  12 F. Storage cabinet  18  is connected to front platform  12 F opposite to steering assembly  14 . Transport wheels  16  are suitably rotatably secured to opposite sides of main platform  12 M about an axis parallel to the support surface and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and opposite to front platform  12 F. 
     A plurality of pairs of frame rollers  20  is rotatably mounted to main platform  12 M intermediate the transport wheels  16  and front platform  12 F and having axes parallel to but spaced from the axis of transport wheels  16 . Two pairs of trailing rollers  22  are rotatably mounted adjacent to the trailing end of main platform  12 M about an axis parallel to but spaced from the axes of frame rollers  20  and of transport wheels  16  and located on the opposite side of the axis of transport wheels  16  than frame rollers  20 . The pairs of frame and trailing rollers  20  and  22  are spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis. The upper circumferences of frame and trailing rollers  20  and  22  extend at a non-parallel angle to the support surface, downward from front platform  12 F to transport wheels  16  and downward from the leading end to the trailing end of main platform  12 M. Front platform  12 F has an elevation above the upper circumferences of frame and trailing rollers  20  and  22 . 
     Trailer  10  further includes a ramp  30  having a connecting end pivotably mounted to the trailing end of main platform  12 M about an axis parallel to and spaced from the axes of frame and trailing rollers  20  and  22  and transport wheels  16  between an unloading position extending from the trailing end to the support surface and an upright position extending at an angle from the trailing end away from the support surface. The axis of trailing rollers  22  is located intermediate the axes of transport wheels  16  and ramp  30 . Ramp  30  includes two pairs of second rollers  32 , a ramp platform  30 R, and a pair of first rollers  34 . Second rollers  32  are rotatably mounted to the connecting end of ramp  30  about an axis parallel to but spaced from the axes of frame and trailing rollers  20  and  22 , transport wheels  16  and ramp  30 , aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis to correspond to trailing rollers  22 , and are located intermediate trailing rollers  22  and ramp platform  30 R. First rollers  34  are rotatably mounted to a free end of ramp  30  about an axis parallel to but spaced from the axes of frame, trailing, second and first rollers  20 ,  22  and  32 , transport wheels  16  and ramp  30 , with ramp platform  30 R located intermediate second and first rollers  32  and  34 . The free end is spaced from the connecting end of ramp  30  along the longitudinal axis, with the connecting end of ramp  30  being intermediate the trailing end of main platform  12 M and the free end of ramp  30 . 
     Ramp  30  further includes a pair of lock plates  36  having ends pivotably mounted to main platform  12 M about an axis parallel to but spaced from the axes of frame, trailing, second and first rollers  20 ,  22 ,  32  and  34 , transport wheels  16  and ramp  30 . The opposite ends of lock plates  36  include J-shaped tracks  36 J terminating in a locking recess  36 R and which slideably receive ramp pins  38  extending from ramp  30  parallel to but spaced from the axes of frame, trailing, second and first rollers  20 ,  22 ,  32  and  34 , lock plates  36 , transport wheels  16  and ramp  30 . Ramp  30  can be locked in an upright position when ramp pins  38  are slid into and retained by locking recesses  36 R. 
     Trailer  10  further includes a pair of roller brakes  40  which grip one pair of frame rollers  20 . Generally, each brake  40  includes a brake pedal  42  pivotably mounted to main platform  12 M about an axis perpendicular to the axes of frame, trailing, second and first rollers  20 ,  22 ,  32  and  34 , lock plates  36 , transport wheels  16  and ramp  30 . The inner end of brake pedal  42  includes a yoke  44  of a shape and size for gripping frame roller  20 , with yoke  44  and frame roller  20  provided with suitable elements for increasing frictional engagement. The outer end includes a suitable knob  46  to be pushed for pivoting brake pedal  42  between an engaged position where yoke  44  engages frame roller  20  and a disengaged position where yoke  44  does not inhibit rotation of frame roller  20 . Brake  40  further includes provisions for locking brake pedal  42  in the engaged position shown as a handle  48  pivotably mounted to main platform  12 M about a handle axis parallel to but spaced from the axes of frame, trailing, second and first rollers  20 ,  22 ,  32  and  34 , lock plates  36 , transport wheels  16  and ramp  30  and perpendicular to the axis of brake pedal  42 . The upper end of handle  48  includes a suitable grip  50 . A locking pin  52  is slideably mounted to main platform  12 M along a slide axis spaced from and parallel to the axis of brake pedal  42  and is pivotably attached about a pin axis to the lower end of handle  48 , with the pin axis of locking pin  52  being parallel to and spaced from the handle axis of handle  48 . Locking pin  52  is slideable between a locked position extending through a locking aperture formed in brake pedal  42  in the engaged position and an unlocked position located outside of brake pedal  42 . The locking aperture of brake pedal  42  extends parallel to the slide axis of locking pin  52 . The handle axis of handle  48  is located intermediate grip  50  and the pin axis of locking pin  52 . Locking pin  52  can be biased from the unlocked position to the locked position such as by a spring  54 . In the locked position, the locking pin  52  holds brake pedal  42  in the engaged position. When brake pedals  42  are in the engaged position, rotation of frame rollers  20  is inhibited such that any bundle supported on frame rollers  20  having inhibited rotation will be held against movement relative to main platform  12 M. 
     It should be recognized that trailer  10  as shown and described includes a combination of several features which are believed to produce synergistic results. However, such features could be utilized individually in other combinations to achieve functions and advantages thereof. Likewise, although steering assembly  14  is shown and described including a single pivotal axle, steering assembly  14  can take other forms including, but not limited to, steerable dual pivotal axles. 
     Thus, since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.