Patent ID: 6896316

Claim:
A semi-trailer for contained transport of crushed vehicles, comprising: a platform supported by a wheeled undercarriage for transport on public roads, said platform having first and second sides from which substantially vertical walls are extended thereby bounding an open top of sufficient width and length to receive crushed vehicles therein; a first sidewall extended along said platform first side; front and rear end walls extended vertical from said platform, each end wall adjoins said first sidewall at respective front and rear corner junctions; a second sidewall pivotably disposed in a closed position adjacent said second side and opposed from said first sidewall, said second sidewall including front and rear upper support segments extended laterally from opposed upper corners of said second sidewall, said front and rear support segments having respective front and rear connecting ends aligned above and pivotably mounted to respective front and rear end walls proximal of said first sidewall; and a hydraulic cylinder pivotably connected to said platform and having a hydraulic piston slidably extended therefrom for pivotable connection to a mid-portion of one of said front and rear upper support segments, said piston is hydraulically extendable for clamshell movement of said front and rear support segments and said second sidewall to a raised position above said platform; whereby unobstructed side access to said platform for loading and unloading of vehicles is provided with said second sidewall in said raised position, and said second sidewall is pivotable to said closed position for contained transport of vehicles over public roads.