Patent ID: 8220817

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, and at least one transportation well mounted to and between the side rails and extending below the side rails, the at least one transportation well configured to receive and hold therein while being transported by the semi-trailer at least one circular object, wherein the at least one circular object is a tire, and wherein the at least one transportation well comprises at least one tire well configured to hold therein while being transported by the semi-trailer the at least one tire in standing position with an axis of rotation of the at least one tire perpendicular to the side rails, and wherein the at least one tire well is mounted to the side rails between the rear wheel and axle assembly and the rear frame member, and further comprising a tire stop member mounted to and between the side rails adjacent to a front end of the at least one tire well, the tire stop member configured to provide a barrier to forward movement of the at least one tire during transport of the at least one tire by the semi-trailer, wherein the rear frame member provides a barrier to rearward movement of the at least one tire during transport of the at least one tire by the semi-trailer.