Patent ID: 12251971

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some implementations of the disclosed technology will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosed technology may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the implementations set forth herein. The components described hereinafter as making up various elements of the disclosed technology are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable components that would perform the same or similar functions as components described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the disclosed devices and methods. Such other components not described herein may include, but are not limited to, for example, components developed after development of the disclosed technology.

It is also to be understood that the mention of one or more method steps does not preclude the presence of additional method steps or intervening method steps between those steps expressly identified.

The present subject matter may be more fully appreciated with reference to an exemplary trailer support safety stand as found in the prior art and depicted inFIGS.1-2. The trailer safety support stand1comprises a base pad2for engaging a surface. The base pad is of sufficient area and shape to support the load. In most instances the use location will have a solid or hard packed surface, suitable for vehicular traffic. The area of the base pad is defined by the length of base width and the length of base depth. The combination of base width and base depth are sufficient to provide an adequate area for supporting the load without the stand sinking into the surface.

A post assembly3, having a lower end and an upper end, extends upwardly from the base pad to a top plate4running perpendicular to the post assembly for receiving the underside of the nose portion of a trailer. The lower end of the post assembly is secured (e.g., by welding) to the base pad to restrict motion between the post assembly and the base pad while the load is applied. The upper end of the post assembly is secured (e.g., by welding) to the top plate to restrict motion between the post assembly and the top plate while the load is applied.

The post assembly consists of a lower post5extending upwardly from the base pad and an upper post6extending downwardly from the top plate. The lower post is a tubular member having a square cross-sectional shape. The upper post is a hollow tubular member having a square cross-sectional shape and having slightly larger dimensions than those of the lower post such that it is configured to slidingly accept the lower post therein providing a telescoping arrangement between the two.

The lower post comprises a plurality of apertures7disposed along the length thereof arranged in a vertically spaced apart relationship that are formed in the front of the lower post and extend through the back of the lower post. The lower post apertures have a rounded rectangular shape. The upper post comprises a single aperture8formed in the front of the upper post and extending through the back of the upper post. The upper post aperture optionally aligns with the plurality of lower post apertures for fixing the vertical position of the upper post relative to the lower post by a locking device. The upper post aperture has a rounded rectangular shape and is of a size such that, when aligned with the plurality of lower post apertures, it is simultaneously aligned with two vertically adjacent lower post apertures.

As depicted in greater detail inFIG.2, the trailer support safety stand comprises a locking device, locking pin9, having slightly smaller dimensions than those of the lower post apertures such that the locking pin is insertable through the aligned upper and lower post apertures to fix the vertical position of the upper post relative to the lower post.

The trailer support safety stand is configured to actuate the locking device such that in a first position, the locking device is engaged with the post assembly, thus securing the height of the post assembly, and in a second position, the locking device is disengaged from the post assembly, thus allowing adjustment of the height of the post assembly. The locking device is actuated by a vertically arranged lever10connected at the bottom end thereof to the locking pin and pivotally connected to the upper post at a predetermined distance along the lever up from the locking pin such that when the top end of the lever is moved toward the upper post, the locking pin is removed from the aligned upper and lower post apertures, and when the top end of the lever is moved away from the upper post, the locking pin is inserted through the aligned upper and lower post apertures. The lever is a flat bar having an aperture11therein, and the pivotal connection between the lever and the upper post consists of two side members12extending out from the upper post to either side of the lever at the location of the aperture and a fastener13(e.g., a bolt) running through the side members and the aperture for pivoting therein. The lever may have a grip14at the top end thereof for the operator's hand(s).

As particularly shown in the exploded view of the locking device inFIG.2, the lever may be pivotally connected to the locking pin. The pivotal connection between the lever and the locking pin consists of the bottom end of the lever being attached to a flange15on the back end of the locking pin via a fastener16(e.g., a bolt).

The trailer support safety stand may be configured to guide the locking pin into and out of the aligned upper and lower post apertures. Turning back toFIG.1, the stand comprises a floor17extending out from, and perpendicular to, the upper post at a position that is level with the bottom edge of the upper post aperture; and two side walls18extending up from, and perpendicular to, the floor and arranged in a substantially parallel spaced apart relationship. The two side walls are spaced apart at a distance slightly larger than the width of the locking pin. The floor17may be secured to the upper post; and the two side walls may be secured to the floor and the upper post. The width of the floor17may be greater than the distance between the two side walls such that the floor on the outside forms a foot pedal for the operator to allow the operator to control both the direction in which the upper post moves relative to the lower post and the speed of the movement.

In the operation of the trailer support safety stand1, the operator places his/her foot on the foot bar, grabs the double positioning handles27and tilts the stand toward himself/herself off of the base pad and onto its wheels24, removes his/her foot from the foot bar, wheels the stand into the proper supporting position relative to the nose portion of a trailer, places his/her foot back on the foot bar, and tilts the stand back onto its base pad. The stand is positioned so that the top plate will engage the underside of the nose portion of the trailer when the stand is raised. The operator places his/her foot on the foot pedal and applies a downward force thus taking advantage of the allowance for the downward telescopic movement of the upper post relative to the lower post, thus making it easier for the locking pin to be disengaged from the post assembly. While applying the downward force, the top of the lever is pushed toward the upper post thus moving the bottom of the lever away from the upper post and causing the locking pin to be removed from the aligned upper and lower post apertures. Accordingly, the locking pin is disengaged from the post assembly. This allows the operator to raise the upper post to the desired position such that the top plate engages or is positioned just below the underside of the nose portion of the trailer. The operator controls the direction and speed of the movement of the upper post relative to the lower post with his/her foot on the foot pedal. When the stand has been raised to the desired position, the top of the lever is then pulled away from the upper post thus moving the bottom of the lever toward the upper post and causing the locking pin to be inserted through the aligned upper and lower post apertures. Accordingly, the locking pin is engaged with the post assembly and the upper post is locked against movement in either vertical direction relative to the lower post. If desired, the trailer landing gear may then be lowered to further enhance the stability of the trailer.

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the disclosed technology, examples of which are illustrated inFIGS.3A-3E,4A-4B,5A-5B, and6A-6F, and disclosed herein. Wherever convenient, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIGS.3A-3E,4A-4B,5A-5B, and6A-6Fdepict an embodiment of a trailer support safety stand in accordance with the present invention. The trailer support safety stand100may be used for supporting a detached trailer portion of a semi-trailer or the like. The stand100may include a top plate102configured to engage the detached trailer portion (e.g., the underside of the nose portion), and a base pad104opposite the top plate102and configured to engage the ground. In some embodiments, as particularly shown inFIGS.3C-3D, the base pad104may comprise one or more stiffening brackets105configured to provide additional structural support for base pad104and stand100. In some embodiments, stiffening brackets105may be configured to be parallel with base pad104(105a) and/or perpendicular to base pad104(105b).

In some embodiments, base pad104may further comprise one or more wing supports104a, as particularly shown inFIG.3C, configured to support one or more wheels132, as particularly shown inFIGS.3A-3B and3D, and as further described below. As particularly shown inFIGS.3C-3D, the wing supports104amay each comprise an opening104bthrough which an axel A1, connected to a wheel132, may be fastened (e.g., via a hex nut). Openings104bmay comprise a diameter of approximately 1.06 inches. Wing supports104amay comprise a height of approximately 8.75 inches measured from the top or upper surface of base pad104to the center of opening104b, or approximately 10.25 inches measured from the top, or highest point, of wing supports104ato the ground. Two wing supports104amay be configured on opposite sides of base pad104and may be configured approximately 17.0 inches apart.

As particularly shown inFIGS.5A-5B, the stand100may further include a post assembly106, which itself may include a first post108and a second post112. The first post108may extend upwardly from the base pad104, while the second post112may extend downwardly from the top plate102. The top plate102may comprise a fastener, for example, a gas spring mounting bracket B1, as particularly shown inFIG.6A, configured to attach to a mechanism internal to post assembly106, e.g., a piston or gas spring, used for adjusting the height of post assembly106, as further discussed below. In some embodiments, bracket B1may be positioned in the center of the top plate102. For example, if the top plate102is approximately 28.76 inches in length and approximately 4.62 inches in width, bracket B1, or other fastener, may be positioned approximately 14.38 inches along the length of top plate102and approximately 2.31 inches along the width of top plate102. In some embodiments, bracket B1may comprise openings B2that extend through opposing walls of bracket B1. Openings B2may be circular in shape and approximately 0.44 inches in diameter. Bracket B1may further comprise a bottom plate P, approximately 0.5 inches thick, and approximately 2.0 inches in length by 3.14 inches in width.

Turning back toFIGS.5A-5B, in some embodiments, the first post108may be approximately 30.0 inches in height, while the second post112may be approximately 35.0 inches in height. The first post108and the second post112may be configured to telescope within each other such that the height of post assembly106may be adjusted, as further described below. That is, as particularly shown inFIGS.6B and6C, first post108may comprise a hollow tubular member having a square cross-sectional shape, while second post112may comprise a hollow tubular member also having a square cross-sectional shape, but with slightly larger dimensions than those of first post108. Such configuration provides that second post112may slidingly accept first post108as the height of post assembly106is adjusted, as further described below. For example, first post108may have an external cross-sectional area of approximately 3.53 inches by 3.53 inches, while second post112may have an internal cross-sectional area of approximately 3.69 inches by 3.69 inches.

First post108may include one or more first openings110, as particularly shown inFIGS.5A-5B and6C. In some embodiments, the one or more first openings110may be of a circular shape, e.g., each having a diameter of approximately 1.19 inches, and may be disposed along a length of the first post108, such as in an evenly spaced orientation. In some embodiments, first post108may comprise eight identical first openings110, wherein each first opening110is positioned such that approximately 1.75 inches are provided from center to center of each adjacent first opening110. As shown inFIG.4A, the one or more first openings110may be formed in a first wall108A of the first post108and extend through a second wall108B of the first post108, the first and second walls108A,108B being opposite each other.

As shown inFIG.6C, first post108may further include an opening110aconfigured to house a bracket B3, which may be configured the same as or similar to bracket B1as described above with respect to top plate102and further described below. In some embodiments, opening110amay comprise a rectangular shape, and may be approximately 2.26 inches by 1.75 inches in size. As described above with respect to first openings110, opening110amay also be formed in the first wall108A of the first post and extend through the second wall108B of the first post108.

As shown inFIGS.5A-5B and6B, the second post112of the post assembly106may include a second opening114that may also be of a circular shape, and may be of the same or similar size as the one or more first openings110. As shown inFIG.4A, the second opening114may be formed in a first wall112A of the second post112and extend through a second wall112B of the second post112, the first and second walls112A,112B being opposite each other. The first post108and the second post112of post assembly106may be configured to telescope within each other, as described above, such that the one or more first openings110can align with the second opening114, as shown inFIGS.3D and5A-5B. These features enable the height of post assembly106to be adjusted, as further described below. Further note that in other examples, one or more of the relationships and features of the first and second posts can be reversed. For example, it is contemplated that the second post can be telescoped within the first.

As particularly shown inFIGS.3A-3B, stand100may further include a height adjustment mechanism116comprising a handle118and a locking device120, such as a pin, disposed at an end of the handle118. As particularly shown inFIG.3E, handle118may include a bent configuration or be turned outward such that an operator may not knock or pinch his or her hand(s) or finger(s) on other components of stand100, such as post assembly106, when using stand100in operation.

The height adjustment mechanism116may further include an internal mechanism122, such as a piston or gas spring, for aiding in adjusting the height of the post assembly106, as illustrated inFIG.6Fand further described below. The height adjustment mechanism116may be configured to adjust the height of the post assembly106such that when the handle118is moved toward the post assembly106, the locking device120is inserted through the aligned first and second openings, and when the handle118is moved away from the post assembly106, the locking device120is removed from the aligned first and second openings. In some embodiments, adjusting the height of post assembly106may include moving the handle118and the locking device120in the same direction. In other embodiments, adjusting the height of post assembly106may include moving the handle118and the locking device120in different directions, as further described below. Such movement configurations enable an operator to easily adjust the height of post assembly106without having to bend over or squat down to insert and remove locking device120from the aligned first and second openings.

As shown inFIG.6F, the internal mechanism122, such as a piston or gas spring, may include a first segment122aand a second segment122bthat may be cylindrical in shape and configured to telescope within each other as the height of post assembly106is being adjusted, as described herein. First segment122amay include a width W2of approximately 0.39 inches, and a circular opening D3having a diameter of approximately 0.38 inches. Opening D3may be configured to connect to one or more components of stand100, such as the top plate102via gas spring mounting bracket B1. Second segment122bmay include a width W3of approximately 0.86 inches, and a circular opening D4having a dimeter of approximately 0.44 inches. Opening D4may be configured to connect to one or more components of stand100, such as first post108via bracket B3. When extended, internal mechanism122may have a length L1of approximately 28.13 inches.

Locking device120, as particularly shown inFIGS.3D,4B, and6D, may comprise a load bearing component of stand100, and as such, in operation should be inserted all the way through the aligned first and second openings to safely lock the height of post assembly106in place. That is, when locking device120is inserted through the aligned first and second openings, locking device120may be configured to pass through both the first wall108A and second wall108B of first post108, and the first wall112A and second wall112B of second post112, as particularly shown inFIG.4Aand described above, such that locking device120may help bear the load of the detached trailer portion resting on top plate102. As particularly shown inFIGS.4B and6D, locking device120may comprise one or more attachment brackets121configured to removably attach to and engage with height adjustment mechanism116via one or more openings121a. That is, one or more fasteners (e.g., cotton pin, washer, etc.) may be slid through openings121ato attach locking device120to height adjustment mechanism116, as further discussed below.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.3A-3B and4A-4B, the height adjustment mechanism116may further include a linkage124configured to provide a pivot point126between the handle118and the locking device120. In such embodiments, height adjustment mechanism116may be configured to adjust the height of post assembly106when the handle118is rotated around the pivot point126, as further described below. The linkage124may be configured to attach to the handle118via one or more fasteners, such as a shoulder bolt, nylon lock nut, and the like. The pivot point126, and as such, the connection between the linkage124and the handle118, may be positioned within a support bracket127attached to the second post112, as particularly shown inFIG.3C. The support bracket127may be configured to extend outward from second post112to the center of the pivot point126by approximately 4.0 inches. The support bracket127may comprise a first bracket127a, a second bracket127b, and a sleeve127cconnecting the first and second brackets127a,127b. Handle118may be configured to slide through the sleeve127c, while linkage124may be configured to rotatably attach to the sleeve127cvia opening124a, as particularly shown inFIG.6E. A distance between the first and second brackets127a,127b, and thereby a length of the sleeve127c, may be approximately 2.63 inches.

As discussed above, and particularly shown inFIG.6D, locking device120may comprise attachment brackets121configured to removably attach to and engage with height adjustment mechanism116via openings121a. As shown inFIGS.3C and6D-6E, one or more fasteners may be slid through both openings121aof locking device120and opening124bof linkage124such that locking device120and linkage124may engage with and rotatably attach to each other as handle118is moved toward and away from post assembly106. As shown inFIG.6E, opening124amay comprise a circular shape, and may be approximately 0.88 inches in diameter. Opening124bmay comprise a spherocylindrical shape configured such that openings121aof locking device120and opening124bof linkage124may freely engage with each other during operation of height adjustment mechanism116.

As shown inFIGS.3A and4A, while the post assembly106may be disposed on a first plane A, the pivot point126may be disposed on a second plane B. In some embodiments, first and second planes A, B may be different, such as disposed 90 degrees relative to each other. In such embodiments where the height adjustment mechanism116includes the linkage124and the pivot point126, moving the handle118toward the post assembly106may include rotating the handle118in a first direction D1around the pivot point126(e.g., in a clockwise direction), while moving the handle118away from the post assembly106may include rotating the handle118in a second direction D2around the pivot point126(e.g., in a counterclockwise direction), as particularly shown inFIGS.4A-4B. As such, rotating handle118in the first direction D1around pivot point126may insert or lock the locking device120through the aligned first and second openings, while rotating handle118in the second direction D2around pivot point126may remove the locking device120from the aligned first and second openings.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.3A-3B and4A-4B, the post assembly106may include an angular channel128configured to guide the handle118as it is moved toward and away from post assembly106. That is, as the handle118is moved toward the post assembly106, the handle118is moved in a first direction within the angular channel128, and when the handle118is moved away from the post assembly106, the handle118is moved in a second direction within the angular channel128. In some embodiments, as particularly shown inFIG.5B, the angular channel128may comprise a width W1, which may be approximately 1.28 inches.

In some embodiments, as particularly shown inFIGS.3B and3C, the post assembly106may include a channel130configured to guide the locking device120when being inserted through or removed from the aligned first and second openings. Channel130may comprise a U-shape channel, as particularly shown inFIG.3C, with the height of the U-shape being approximately 1.63 inches, and an inner circular diameter of approximately 1.25 inches. Channel130may also comprise a tapered outer tip T. Angular channel128and channel130may respectively provide structural support for handle118and locking device120, such that these components of stand100do not become damaged or extend outside of their respective intended ranges or planes of motion.

In some embodiments, the stand100may further include one or more wheels132, which may be solid or inflatable. Stand100may further include one or more handles134configured to aid in tilting the stand100onto the one or more wheels132such that stand100may be more easily moved from one location to another. In some embodiments, stand100may further include a foot plate136, e.g., disposed on the second post112, configured to further aid in tilting stand100onto the one or more wheels132. Foot plate136may also aid in adjusting the height of post assembly106in that an operator may stand on foot plate136to compress the internal mechanism122such that the second post112may be adjusted relative to the first post108. That is, second post112may be moved upward and/or downward to align second opening114with a first opening110to either insert locking device120through the aligned openings to lock the height of post assembly106in place, or to remove locking device120from the aligned openings to adjust the height of post assembly106. Once again, these features enable an operator to easily adjust the height of post assembly106without having to bend over or squat down to reach locking device120.

In some embodiments, the stand100may further include one or more support struts140, as particularly shown inFIG.3D. Support struts140can be attached to one or more components of stand100to provide additional structural support to stand100. While the embodiments disclosed herein illustrate two support struts140, each disposed at an angle and connecting top plate102and second post112, those having skill in the pertinent art will appreciate that support struts140may be provided in varying configurations and shapes, and may be connected to varying components of stand100to provide additional structural support to stand100.

As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” for any numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part or collection of components to function for its intended purpose as described herein. More specifically, “about” or “approximately” may refer to the range of values ±20% of the recited value, e.g. “about 90%” may refer to the range of values from 71% to 99%.

While certain implementations of the disclosed technology have been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various implementations, it is to be understood that the disclosed technology is not to be limited to the disclosed implementations, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

This written description uses examples to disclose certain implementations of the disclosed technology and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice certain implementations of the disclosed technology, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of certain implementations of the disclosed technology is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.