Patent Publication Number: US-2019176678-A1

Title: Transport trailer with movable components for improved user mobility thereon

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of transport trailers, and more particularly, to transport trailers having upper and lower decks for securely positioning automobiles and/or transfer trucks thereon for subsequent transportation to a desired location. These transport trailers further have deployable and stowable components allowing one to selectively increase trailer width (e.g., trailer deck width) for easier user maneuverability to move about the trailer, especially after parking the automobile and/or transfer truck thereon, when compared to conventional transport trailers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Open-frame trailers are currently used for transporting automobiles and large transfer trucks. These trailers may include a single deck configuration or a double decker configuration that includes an upper deck positioned immediately above a lower deck. Double decker trailers have particularly gained favor over the past twenty to thirty years because these configurations allow for efficient transport of a higher number of automobiles or large transfer trucks thereon to a desired location when compared to trailers having a single deck configuration. 
     Although current double decker trailer configurations allow for the efficient transport of a high number of automobiles or large transfer trucks thereon to a desired location, several problems exist. For example, trailer width is limited due to lane width of the roads that these trailers travel on. Limited trailer width is especially problematic in current double decker trailer configurations because one has little or no room to maneuver freely about the upper deck after parking an automobile or large transfer truck thereon but before transporting the automobile(s) or large transfer truck(s) to the desired location. Likewise and even when parking an automobile or large transfer truck on the lower deck of the double decker trailer, maneuverability is limited due to the presence of large support beams (stanchions) that attach, connect, and support the upper deck to the lower deck. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Therefore, a need exists to provide trailers that allow freer and easier mobility/maneuverability after parking an automobile or large transfer truck thereon. Disclosed are transport trailers having upper and lower decks for securely positioning automobiles thereon for transportation and further having deployable and stowable components allowing one to selectively increase trailer width (e.g., trailer deck width) for easier user maneuverability to move about the trailer especially after parking the automobile thereon. In certain aspects, the trailers include deployable and stowable components including a catwalk assembly positioned on the upper and/or lower deck(s) of the trailer and a pair of stanchions that are rotatable about a horizontal axis, each of which allows for easier user maneuverability to move about the trailer after parking the automobile thereon. 
     Specifically disclosed herein are transport trailers configured to securely transport automobiles and/or transfer trucks thereon. The trailer(s) include a rigid lower deck for parking and transporting automobiles and/or transfer trucks thereon, the lower deck having a first end configured for attachment to a movement means (i.e., a large transfer truck) and a ramp positioned at the opposite end of the lower deck relative to the first end that is configured to receive and load automobiles and/or transfer trucks thereon; and a rigid upper deck for parking and transporting automobiles and/or transfer trucks thereon that is mounted onto the rigid lower deck by a first pair of vertically adjustable stanchions proximate to the first end of rigid lower deck and a second pair of vertically adjustable and horizontally rotatable stanchions that are spaced apart from the first pair of vertically adjustable stanchions along the longitudinal axis of the trailer (and distal to the first end of the rigid lower deck relative to the first pair of vertically adjustable stanchions), the rigid upper deck having a first end that extends beyond the first end of the rigid lower deck and a ramp positioned at the opposite end of the rigid upper deck relative to a first end of the rigid upper deck that is vertically adjustable by the second pair of vertically adjustable and horizontally rotatable stanchions to load automobiles thereon. 
     In certain aspects, the rigid upper deck includes two spaced apart elongate side girders that are connected by a planar, rigid material positioned there between, the planar, rigid material is configured to support automobile(s) and/or transfer trucks thereon. 
     In certain aspects, a catwalk assembly is attached to an outermost peripheral surface of at least one of the two spaced apart elongate side girders, the catwalk assembly is configured to selectively move from a stowed position to a deployed position to increase width of the rigid upper deck. 
     In certain aspects, a catwalk assembly is attached to an outermost peripheral surface to each of the two spaced apart elongate side girders, the catwalk assembly is configured to selectively move from a stowed position to a deployed position to increase width of the rigid upper deck. 
     In certain aspects, the rigid lower deck includes two spaced apart elongate side girders that are connected by a planar, rigid material positioned there between, the planar, rigid material configured to support automobile(s) and/or transfer trucks thereon. 
     In certain aspects, each stanchion of the pair of vertically adjustable and horizontally rotatable stanchions are spaced apart relative to each other and are each connected to one elongate side girder of the rigid upper deck and a corresponding elongate rigid side girder of the lower deck, each stanchion of the pair of vertically adjustable and horizontally rotatable stanchions are horizontally rotatable from a coaxially aligned position relative to the elongate side girders to an axially offset position relative to the elongate side girders thereby increasing width of the rigid lower deck. 
     In certain aspects, each stanchion of the pair of vertically adjustable and horizontally rotatable stanchions are independently movable in which each stanchion of the pair of vertically adjustable and horizontally rotatable stanchions can be independently vertically adjusted and/or horizontally rotated relative to the other stanchion of the pair of vertically adjustable and horizontally rotatable stanchions. 
     In certain aspects, disclosed is a catwalk assembly configured for attachment to an elongate side girder of a transport trailer, the catwalk assembly including a ground link configured for mounting on the elongate side girder and including an actuating member; and a drive link including a plurality of spaced apart slats and guardrails that form a catwalk, the plurality of spaced apart slats and guardrails are operatively connected to the actuating member and are configured to move in unison from a stowed position immediately adjacent the elongate side girder to a deployed position (i.e., in a direction away from the elongate side girder and the upper and/or lower deck) when actuated by the actuating member. 
     In certain aspects, also disclosed is a stanchion assembly for a double decker transport trailer, the stanchion assembly includes an elongate beam configured for attachment to a lower deck of a transport trailer, the elongate beam having a first and second spaced apart ends; and two spaced apart vertically adjustable and horizontally rotatable stanchions, with a first vertically adjustable and horizontally rotatable stanchion attached to a first end of the elongate beam and a second vertically adjustable and horizontally rotatable stanchion attached to a second end of the elongate beam, wherein each stanchion is independently vertically adjustable and independently horizontally rotatable relative to each other. 
     In certain aspects, each stanchion of the above mentioned stanchion assembly is configured for attachment to an upper deck of a double decker transport trailer. 
     In certain aspects, each stanchion is configured to horizontally rotate relative to one another to increase distance between the two spaced apart vertically adjustable stanchions when in a deployed position. 
     Embodiments of the invention can include one or more or any combination of the above features and configurations. 
     Additional features, aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present various embodiments of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention are better understood when the following detailed description of the invention is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the transport trailer; 
         FIG. 2  is a magnified perspective view of the transport trailer of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3A  depicts the catwalk/catwalk assembly in a deployed position relative to the elongate side girder of the upper deck of the transport trailer; 
         FIG. 3B  depicts the catwalk being retracted from the deployed position into the stowed position relative to the elongate side girder of the upper deck of the transport trailer; 
         FIG. 4  depicts an exploded view of the catwalk assembly; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of the assembled catwalk assembly (not attached to the transport trailer); 
         FIG. 6  depicts a magnified side view of transport trailer including the second pair of stanchions configured for vertical movement and rotational movement about a horizontal axis; 
         FIG. 7  depicts a perspective view of the second pair of stanchions configured for vertical movement and rotational movement about a horizontal axis; 
         FIG. 8  depicts an exploded view of the second pair of stanchions configured for vertical movement and rotational movement about a horizontal axis; 
         FIG. 9  depicts one of the second pair of stanchions in a stowed position in which the stanchion is axially aligned with the side girders of the upper and lower decks of the transport trailer; and 
         FIG. 10  depicts one of the second pair of stanchions rotated away from the upper and lower decks of the trailer such that the stanchion is axially offset from the side girders of the upper and lower decks of the transport trailer. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. However, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the representative embodiments set forth herein. The exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be both thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention and enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make, use and practice the invention. Like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout the various drawings. 
       FIGS. 1-10  depict transport trailers  10  having upper  36  and lower  16  decks for securely positioning automobiles thereon for transportation and further having deployable and stowable components allowing easier user maneuverability to move about the trailer especially after parking the automobile thereon and when compared to conventional trailers. As discussed further below and as further depicted in  FIGS. 3A-5  and  FIGS. 7-10 , these trailers  10  include a catwalk assembly  40  and/or stanchion assembly  25  having two spaced apart vertically adjustable and horizontally rotatable stanchions  26  respectively that each selectively increase the operable width of the upper  36  and/or lower  16  decks so that a user may more easily walk about and maneuver around the trailer  10  after parking an automobile or transfer truck thereon. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  respectively provide a perspective and magnified perspective views of the trailers  10  disclosed herein. With specific reference to  FIG. 1 , trailer  10  includes a rigid lower deck  16  (also referred to herein as “lower deck”) and a rigid upper deck  36  (also referred to herein as “upper deck”) connected to each other by a first pair of vertically adjustable stanchions  24  and a second pair of vertically adjustable and horizontally rotatable stanchions  26  being spaced apart from the first pair of vertically adjustable stanchions. 
     The lower deck  16  includes a first end  12  configured for attachment to a movement means (e.g., a transfer truck) and a ramp  14  positioned at the opposite end of the lower deck relative to the first end. The first end  12  of the lower deck is preferably elevated relative to the ramp  14  and includes an attachment means (e.g., a tongue) for attaching to the movement means. The first end  12  may further include a jack that is deployed when trailer  10  is not attached to the movement means and/or transporting automobiles and/or transfer truck(s). The ramp  14  is inclined and is selectively adjustable to facilitate loading of the automobiles on the lower  16  and/or upper  36  decks. 
     The lower deck  16  is comprised of two spaced apart elongate side girders  18  that are connected by a planar, rigid material  19  positioned there between. The planar, rigid material is configured to support automobile(s) and/or transfer trucks thereon. In certain aspects, the planar, rigid material  19  can be rigid, metal slats, metal diamond plating, or a metal grate having sufficient strength to support automobile(s) and/or transfer trucks thereon. The lower deck  16  further includes wheel wells  20  with tires  90  connected by axles to allow for movement of the trailer  10  and further includes wheel chocks  22  interspersed throughout the lower deck  16 , which may be selectively deployed to secure the automobile(s) and/or transfer truck(s) thereon. 
     As further shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and similar to the lower deck  16 , the rigid upper deck  36  also includes two spaced apart elongate side girders  38  that are connected by a planar, rigid material  39  positioned there between, the planar, rigid material is configured to support automobile(s) and/or transfer trucks. In certain aspects, the planar, rigid material  39  can be rigid, metal slats, metal diamond plating, or a metal grate having sufficient strength to support automobile(s) and/or transfer trucks thereon. Similar to the lower deck  16 , the upper deck  36  further includes wheel chocks interspersed throughout the upper deck  36 , which may be selectively deployed to secure the automobile(s) and/or transfer truck(s) thereon. 
     As further shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the rigid upper deck  36  for parking and transporting automobiles and/or transfer trucks thereon is mounted/affixed to the rigid lower deck  16  by a first pair of vertically adjustable stanchions  24  proximate to the first end  12  of the rigid lower deck The rigid upper deck  36  has a first end that extends beyond the first end  12  of the rigid lower deck  16  and a ramp  34  positioned at the opposite end of the rigid upper deck  36  relative to a first end of the rigid upper deck. The first pair of vertically adjustable stanchions  24  are configured to selectively adjust distance (height) between the rigid upper deck  36  and rigid lower deck  16  and more particularly the distance between the first end  12  of the rigid lower deck  16  and the first end of the rigid upper deck  36 . 
     As further shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the rigid upper deck  36  for parking and transporting automobiles and/or transfer trucks thereon is also mounted/affixed to the rigid lower deck  16  by a pair of vertically adjustable and horizontally rotatable stanchions  26  that are spaced apart from the first pair of vertically adjustable stanchions  24 . The pair of vertically adjustable and horizontally rotatable stanchions  26  are spaced farther from the first end  12  of the rigid lower deck  16  when compared to the first pair of vertically adjustable stanchions  24  but are more proximate to the ramp  34  of the upper deck relative to the first pair of vertically adjustable stanchions and ramp  34 . 
     Each stanchion of vertically adjustable and horizontally rotatable stanchions  26  are spaced apart relative to each other and are each connected to one, elongate side girder  38  on opposite sides of the rigid upper deck  36  by a connection member  29  and each stanchion  26  is further connected to a corresponding elongate rigid side girder  18  of the lower deck  16 . With specific reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a stanchion assembly  25  is shown. In certain aspects, the stanchion assembly  25  is attached to trailer  10 . The stanchion assembly  25  includes an elongate beam  27  configured for attachment to a lower deck  16  of a transport trailer  10 . For example, the elongate beam  27  is affixed to and transversely extends through the lower deck  16  of the transport trailer  10 . In certain aspects and in view of  FIGS. 7-9 , the elongate beam  27  has first and second spaced apart ends  28  with a stanchion of the pair of vertically adjustable and horizontally rotatable stanchions  26  attached thereto. 
     It should be noted that each stanchion of the pair of vertically adjustable and horizontally rotatable stanchions  26  is independently vertically adjustable and independently horizontally rotatable relative to each other. Vertical adjustment of the pair of vertically adjustable and horizontally rotatable stanchions allows for selectively adjusting the distance (height) between the rigid upper deck  36  and rigid lower deck  16  and more particularly the distance between ramp  34  of the rigid upper deck  36  and the rigid lower deck  16 . 
     In view of  FIGS. 1, 2, 9, and 10 , it should be further noted that each stanchion of the pair of vertically adjustable and horizontally rotatable stanchions  26  independently horizontally rotates relative to each other in a direction away from the upper  36  and lower  16  decks. For example and as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 9 , each stanchion of the pair of vertically adjustable and horizontally rotatable stanchions  26  are initially coaxially aligned relative to the elongate side girders  18 ,  38  of the upper  36  and lower  16  decks (stowed position), and as further shown in  FIG. 10  (especially when view in relation to tire  90 ), each stanchion of the pair of vertically adjustable and horizontally rotatable stanchions  26  is configured to deploy away from the upper  36  and lower  16  deck in an axially offset position (deployed position) relative to the elongate side girders  18 ,  38  of the lower and upper decks thereby increasing width of the rigid lower deck. The increased width of the rigid lower deck  16  resulting from the deployed position of the pair of vertically adjustable and horizontally rotatable stanchions  26  advantageously allows one to more easily move about the lower deck  16  of trailer  10  after parking the automobile thereon. 
     As further shown in  FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4, and 5 , the trailers  10  include a catwalk assembly  40  attached thereto. The catwalk assembly  40  is configured for attachment to an elongate side girder  18 ,  38  of the transport trailer  10  and includes a ground link  48  configured for mounting on the elongate side girder  18 ,  38  and a drive link  50  including a plurality of spaced apart slats  44  and guardrails  46  that form a catwalk  42 . The ground link  48  further includes an actuating member that is operatively connected to the drive link and is configured to move the plurality of spaced apart slats  44  and guardrails  46  in unison from a stowed position to a deployed position (i.e., in a direction away from the elongate side girder  18 ,  38 ) when actuated by the actuating member. When the catwalk assembly  40  is fully deployed, each slat of the plurality of spaced apart slats  44  are perpendicular relative to the drive link  50  and elongate side girder  18 ,  38  along the longitudinal axis of the trailer  10 . In certain aspects, a user may want to partially deploy the drive link  50  in order to slightly increase deck width. In this instance, the plurality of spaced apart slats  44  will be slightly angled (acute angle), but not perpendicular, relative to the drive link  50  and elongate side girder  18 ,  38  along the longitudinal axis of the trailer  10 . 
     In view of the above description,  FIG. 3A  specifically depicts the catwalk/catwalk assembly  42 ,  40  in a deployed position (substantially fully deployed) relative to the upper deck  36  of the transport trailer, and  FIG. 3B  further depicts the catwalk  42  being retracted (partially deployed) in which the plurality of spaced apart slats  44  and guardrails  46  are moving in unison from the deployed position into the stowed position relative to the upper deck  36  of the transport trailer  10 . As further shown in  FIG. 3A , when the catwalk assembly  40  is deployed, overall width of the deck (e.g., the upper deck  36 ) is increased thereby allowing for easier user maneuverability to move about the trailer especially after parking the automobile thereon. 
     The foregoing description provides embodiments of the invention by way of example only. It is envisioned that other embodiments may perform similar functions and/or achieve similar results. Any and all such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the scope of the present invention and are intended to be covered by the appended claims.
       10  Transport Trailer     12  First End; Elevated Forward End Configured for attachment to movement means     14  Ramp of Lower Deck     16  Lower Deck     18  Side Girders (of Lower Deck)     19  Planar, Rigid Material (of Lower Deck)     20  Wheel Wells with tires connected by axles     22  Wheel Chock     24  First Pair of Vertically Adjustable Stanchions     25  Stanchion Assembly     26  Second Pair of Vertically Adjustable and Horizontally Rotatable Stanchions     27  Elongate Beam     28  Connection point between elongate beam and stanchion     29  Connection point between stanchion and upper deck of trailer     34  Second Ramp Connected to Lower Deck     36  Upper Deck     38  Side Girders (of Upper Deck)     39  Planar, Rigid Material (of Upper Deck)     40  Catwalk Assembly     42  Walkway/catwalk     44  Plurality of Slats connected to Side Girders of Upper Deck that form Walkway     46  Guardrails     48  Ground link     50  drive link (w/elongate mounting bracket)     52  Actuating Member (e.g., that provides translational movement between the drive link relative to the ground link moving the catwalk and plurality of connected slats simultaneously between deployed and stowed positions)     90  Tire(s)