Abstract:
The bed of a gooseneck trailer is supported by two bogies, one on the right side of the trailer and one on the left. The gooseneck is angled forward to enable the trailer to be towed by numerous types of towing vehicles. The gooseneck is fitted with a plurality of telescoping inserts enabling the trailer to be towed by vehicles of differing heights and vehicles fitted with various means for attaching trailers. The bogies may be moved independently longitudinally of the trailer and locked into position to control the weight transferred to the towing vehicle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to trailers which are towed by another vehicle and used for transporting materials. 
     (2) Description of the Prior Art 
     Gooseneck trailers have long been used for transporting materials for agricultural and other purposes. These versatile trailers have been adapted to carry numerous types of materials by mounting various types of containers upon the trailers. 
     Methods for adapting a convertible hopper or a hopper like unit to a flatbed trailer are shown in the following U.S. patents: 
     Kaster: 2,768,021 
     Hicks: 3,037,807 
     Taylor: 3,266,836 
     Filter: 3,524,659 
     Various methods of adapting a longitudinally adjustible wheeled bogie unit to a trailer have been developed. Various methods for adapting a movable bogie to a trailer frame have been disclosed in the following U.S. patents: 
     Wolf: 2,682,419 
     Bennett: 2,831,735 
     Tantlinger: 3,085,816 
     Ginsburg: 3,365,211 
     Glassmeyer: 3,618,969 
     SCHMIDT, U.S. Pat. No. 3,080,191, discloses a method for securing such bogie units to a trailer body. 
     In each instance the bogie extends the full width of the body and the unit. These inventions have developed and refined the underlying concept of longitudinally moving a single bogie unit on a trailer body. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) new and Different Function 
     I have discovered that two features, a longitudinally adjustable undercarriage and a telescoping gooseneck tongue angled forwardly and downwardly, may be combined to give a flatbed trailer the versatility required for many agricultural applications. The benefits gained from combining these two features are most remarkable. 
     A flatbed trailer is most useful in agricultural operations provided it can be towed smoothly, efficiently and safely behind all the vehicles commonly used on farms including various sizes of tractors, various sizes of pickup trucks, and various types or sizes of larger trucks including tiltbed dump trucks. Each type of towing vehicle will tow a trailer most smoothly, efficiently and safely when the proper proportion of the trailer weight is transferred to the towing vehicle. In addition, some towing vehicles require a minimum clearance between the towing vehicle and trailer. For example, tilt-bed dump trucks require a minimum of clearance between the body of the truck and the trailer to enable the truck to dump its load without disconnecting the trailer. By combining the telescoping gooseneck tongue angled forwardly and downwardly with a longitudinally adjustable undercarriage, I have produced an extraordinarily versatile trailer. The proportion of the trailer weight transferred to the towing vehicle may be varied by longitudinally adjusting the undercarriage along the trailer chassis. The telescoping gooseneck tongue may be extended or retracted to accommodate vehicles having hitches located at various heights above the ground. The tongue is angled forwardly and downwardly at such an angle that when the trailer is hitched to a dump truck and the dump truck is dumped, the tongue will not prevent the tailgate from opening wide enough to discharge the truck&#39;s cargo. 
     The trailer has removable floor sections and a removable hopper. When the floor sections have been removed, and the removable hopper installed, the trailer may be used to carry bulk solids such as grain. The trailer can then be towed behind a dump truck or other vehicle suitable for transporting bulk solids. This enables the farmer to virtually double the rate at which grain can be transported from the field to a storage or transshipment point without doubling his capital investment. Alternatively, the trailer may be towed behind a pickup truck. This permits the farmer to transport large amounts of grain with a pickup truck, a vehicle not in itself suitable for carrying bulk solids. 
     The trailer is also fitted with one or more ramps attached to the rear of the trailer by hinges. When the ramps are in the raised position, they rest flush with the remainder of the trailer floor. When the ramps are in the lowered position, they touch the ground and permit the loading of agricultural implements onto the trailer. The telescoping gooseneck permits vehicles having hitches at widely varying heights above the ground to be used for towing agricultural implements. 
     Further, I have found that by having the bogies independently mounted, they are much easier to move with the equipment the farmer will normally have available to him. It is possible to jack up one side of the trailer with an ordinary jack and roll the bogies longitudinally of the trailer and reconnect them in the desired positon; then, on the other side of the trailer, all that is necessary is to jack up that side of the trailer, roll the bogie to the new position and place pins through the channels to lock them in place. 
     Thus, with the novel combinations and new arrangements of parts, I have achieved a result through the combination which is far greater than the sum of the results of the individual components. 
     (2) Objects of the Invention 
     An object of this invention is to make a better trailer. 
     Another object is to produce a trailer capable of being towed behind numerous types of towing vehicles having hitch means located at varied heights above the ground. 
     Another object is to produce a trailer capable of varying the weight transferred to the towing vehicle. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to produce a trailer capable of transferring a constant weight to the towing vehicle under varying load distributions. 
     A further object is to produce a trailer having a removable grain hopper with discharge means located in the bottom of the hopper and an adjustable undercarriage such that the undercarriage may be adjusted along the longitudinal axis of the trailer without interference with the hopper discharge means. 
     Further objects are to achieve the above with a device that is sturdy, compact, durable, lightweight, simple, safe, efficient, versatile, and reliable, yet inexpensive and easy to manufacture, adjust, operate, and maintain. 
     Other objects are to achieve the above with a method that is versatile, rapid, efficient, and inexpensive, and does not require skilled people to adjust, operate, and maintain. 
     The specific nature of the invention, as well as other objects, uses, and advantages thereof, will clearly appear from the following description and from the accompanying drawing, the different views of which are not to the same scale. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a trailer according to this invention with a flat bed being towed behind a light truck, with parts broken away for clarity. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the trailer with hopper body hitched to a tilt-bed dump truck while the truck is dumping its load. 
     FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the trailer with a hopper body. 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the adjustable gooseneck tongue with a ball socket hitch extension. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a gooseneck pintle eye or loop hitch extension. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the independent bogie attached to a portion of the chassis, with some parts removed and others broken away. 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view of means for attaching the bogie to the chassis. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Towed roadway vehicle 10, a trailer, is shown in FIG. 1 being towed behind light truck 12 a towing vehicle, commonly a one tone pickup truck. In FIG. 2, trailer 10 is shown being towed behind towing vehicle in the form of dump truck 14. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the light truck 12 is representative of a class of towing vehicles which tow most smoothly, efficiently and safely when approximately 500 kg to 3 tons of the trailers&#39; gross weight is transferred to the light truck. If too little weight is transferred to the light truck 12, the light truck will ride rough and the trailer will pitch and whip excessively. However if too much weight is transferred to the light truck, the light truck will not drive properly. 
     On the other hand, when the trailer 10 is towed as a &#34;pup&#34; as in FIG. 2, the towing vehicle will operate most satisfactorily when only a minimal proportion of the trailer&#39;s gross weight, one to one-and-a-half tons, is transferred to the towing vehicle. If too much weight is transferred to the towing vehicle, the weight distribution of the towing vehicle will be affected, resulting in excessive weight on the towing vehicle&#39;s rear wheels and too little weight on the front wheels. In such a condition, the towing vehicle may not steer properly and its gross load or axle load limitations may be exceeded. If too little weight is transferred, then the trailer will pitch and whip excessively. 
     FIG. 2 shows the trailer 10 with removable hopper 16 mounted on chassis 18 formed by longitudinal chassis members 20 and traverse members 22. At least two independent bogies 24 having a plurality of ground engaging wheels 26 form an undercarriage. The bogies shown here are equipped with pneumatic tires as ground engaging wheels. 
     Each of the bogies 24 has longitudinal bogie frame member 28. Short axle 30 is attached to the bogie frame member 28 by spring 32, shown here as a pair of leaf springs. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous other types of spring suspensions which form means to connect the wheels could be adapted to this invention. The pair of ground engaging wheels 26 are mounted on the short axle 30. These ground engaging wheels straddle bogie frame member 28. 
     Bogie frame member 28 is a channel shaped member slidingly mated to channel shaped chassis coupling member 34 which is affixed to longitudinal chassis member 20 as by welding or any other convenient method. The members 28 and 34 conform in size and shape. A locking means comprising apertures 40 in the couplng member 34, correlative apertures located in the bogie frame member 28, and locking pin 42. The locking means permits the bogie 24 to be locked in a series of positions along the longitudinal chassis member 20. As the bogie is moved toward the towing vehicle, the proportion of the trailer weight transferred to the towing vehicle is reduced. As the bogie is moved away from the towing vehicle, the proportion of the trailer weight transferred to the towing vehicle is increased. The number of apertures and the spacing between the apertures will govern the range through which the proportion of weight transferred to the towing vehicle may be varied. 
     If the apertures in the coupling member 34 are spaced at proportionately greater or lesser intervals than the intervals between the apertures in the bogie frame member 28, the weight transferred to the towing vehicle may be varied in finer gradations. Those skilled in the art will realize that the number, spacing and location of the apertures will depend upon the designed gross weight of the trailer. Through experience, I have found that three apertures spaced so as to transfer 8%, 12% and 18% of the trailer&#39;s gross vehicle weight to the towing vehicle are satisfactory for a trailer designed to have a fully loaded gross vehicle weight of 11,000 kg. 
     The procedure for adjusting the bogies is as follows: first, locking pin 42 is re removed, thus detaching the bogie from the chassis; then, jack 44 is inserted under the longitudinal chassis member. After the chassis is raised off the bogie by means of the jack, the bogie 24 is pushed until it is in the desired location. Aperture 40 in bogie frame member 28 is aligned with the desired aperture in the coupling member 34. The locking pin 42 is then inserted in the proper aperture, thus reattaching the bogie to the chassis and finally the jack 44 is removed. The above sequence is repeated to adjust the opposite bogie. Clip 43 on the coupling member retains the pin 42 in place. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the way in which the angled gooseneck 46 acts in conjunction with the adjustable bogies to increase the versatility of the trailer. Once the bogies 24 have been adjusted to the minimum weight transfer position as described above, the vehicle can be disconnected from the towing vehicle and connected to a dump truck 14 which has low hitch platform 49. Ball socket extension 62 is changed to pintle eye extension 47 upon this change. When both the dump truck 14 and the removable hopper 16 have been filled with grain or other product to be transported, they are driven to the unloading site. The hopper 16 is first emptied by discharge spout 48, a sliding plate operated by mechanical gearing, rack and pinion or similar means. When the trailer has been emptied, the dump truck may then enter its hopper 50 without disconnecting the trailer 10. When the dump truck hopper 50 is raised to its uppermost position, the angled gooseneck 46 will be forced almost to the ground and the rear wheels of the bogie 24 will be raised slightly off the ground. The pintle eye extension 47 will permit the extreme angle between the two halves of the hitch, one-half being attached to the truck hopper 50 and the other being a portion of the pintle eye extension 47. Although the rear door 52 of the dump truck hopper 50 will be swung toward the angled gooseneck 46, the angle of the gooseneck is such that the door will be able to open wide enough to permit the dump truck hopper 50 to be efficiently dumped. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates how the adjustable angled gooseneck 46 works in conjunction with the adjustable bogies 24 to allow various vehicles to be loaded aboard the trailer 10 and towed safely, efficiently and smoothly behind vehicles having hitch means located at various heights above the ground. To load a vehicle 53, wedge-shaped ramps 56 are first lowered by pivoting them about hinge 57. If the ramps do not touch ground or the trailer is not level, latch pin 58 is removed from the angled gooseneck. (FIG. 4). Gooseneck outer member 60 is attached to the trailer chassis 18. The outer member 60 is moved axially with respect to gooseneck inner member of extension 62, which has ball socket hitch and is fixed in the pickup bed. The pickup bed is a high hitch platform. When aperture 64 in the outer member 60 is aligned with an aperture in the inner member 62, the ramp members 56 touch the ground and trailer chassis 18 is as nearly level as practicable, the latch pin 58 is inserted into the proper aperature 64. At this point, a vehicle 53 may be driven onto the trailer chassis. It is desirable to have the proper tongue weight. The driver will adjust the bogies 24 by the procedure outlined above to achieve the proper weight. The driver will then load the vehicle 53 onto the trailer chassis. 
     Often the vehicle or tractor 53 will be of such shape and size that its center of gravity will not be located over the center of the chassis 18. If the center of gravity of the vehicle or tractor 53 is located behind the bogies 24 when loaded, the chassis 18 and angled gooseneck 46 will act as a lever, the bogies 24 will act as the fulcrum and the weight of the vehicle will lift the towing vehicle. This condition is unsafe. My invention overcomes this difficulty. The bogies 24 can be adjusted away from the towing vehicle until they are positioned slightly behind the center of gravity of the vehicle to give the proper tongue weight. The bogies are normally positioned before the vehicle is driven onto the chassis 18. In agricultural operations this feature enables the farmer to load and transport a large tractor having a heavy implement 54 attached behind without first removing the heavy implement. 
     FIG. 2 shows the trailer 10 with the removable hopper 16 installed. The spouts 48 on the removable hopper 16 extend below the longitudinal bogie frame members approximately even with the short axles 30. To remove this hopper, the trailer is first driven under a lifting device. Bolts 66 which fasten the hopper to the chassis 18 are removed. The lifting device is attached to four lifting dogs 68, one located at each corner of the hopper 16 and the removable hopper 16 is lifted clear of the chassis. The trailer 10 is then driven away from the lifting device and the hopper 16 may be stored in any convenient manner. Removable floor sections 70 may be installed if a flat bed is desired. The removable floor sections engage brackets 72 attached to the longitudinal and transverse chassis members. 
     As an aid to correlating the terms of the claims to the exemplary drawing, the following catalog of elements is provided: 
     
         ______________________________________10 towed vehicle 46 angled gooseneck12 light truck   47 pintle eye extension14 dump truck    48 discharge spout16 removable hopper            49 low hitch platform18 chassis       50 dump truck hopper20 long, chassis mbrs.            52 rear door            53 tractor22 transv. chas. mbrs.            54 implement24 bogies        56 ranp26 wheels        57 hinge28 bogie frame mbr.            58 latch pin30 short axle    60 gooseneck outer mbr.32 spring        62 gooseneck inner mbr.34 chassis coupling mbr.            64 apertures            66 bolts40 apertures     68 lifting dogs42 locking pin   70 floor sections43 clip          72 brackets44 jack______________________________________ 
    
     The embodiment shown and described above is only exemplary. I do not claim to have invented all the parts, elements or steps described. Various modifications can be made in the construction, material, arrangement, and operation, and still be within the scope of my invention. The limits of the invention and the bounds of the patent protection are measured by and defined in the following claims. The restrictive description and drawing of the specific example above do not point out what an infringement of this patent would be, but are to enable the reader to make and use the invention.