Patent ID: 8434778

Claim:
A semi-trailer for transporting circular objects, comprising: a coupler assembly configured to be connected to a towing vehicle; a rear frame member; a pair of side rails joined at rear ends thereof by the rear frame member and at front ends thereof by the coupler assembly; a rear wheel and axle assembly mounted to the side rails between the front and rear ends thereof; plurality of transportation wells mounted to and between the side rails and extending below the side rails, wherein each transportation well is configured to receive and hold therein while being transported by the semi-trailer at least one tire in standing position with an axis of rotation of the tire perpendicular to the side rails; wherein each transportation well includes first and second lateral tire support members extending across the transportation well to define a space between the lateral tire support members that is sized to receive a treaded surface of the tire therein such that a portion of the treaded surface of the tire extends below the first and second lateral tire support members.