Trailer stabilizer
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of preparing a parked semi-trailer for loading goods on or unloading goods from the parked semi-trailer, the method comprising:
- positioning a portable device, separate from a support frame of the parked semi-trailer, underneath a forward portion of the parked semi-trailer, where the portable device includes at least one of a ground coupler and a semi-trailer load bearing repositionable jack;
at least one of restraining and stabilizing the parked semi-trailer by performing at least one of;
(a) wedging the portable device underneath the forward portion of the parked semi-trailer so the portable device bears at least a portion of a weight of the forward portion of the parked semi-trailer to stabilize the parked semi-trailer; and
(b) positioning at least a portion of the portable device underneath the forward portion of the parked semi-trailer to concurrently engage the parked semi-trailer and couple the portable device to a ground anchor using the ground coupler;
deploying a communication arm of the portable device from a stowed position to a deployed position, where the deployed position extends at least a portion of the communication arm beyond a footprint of the parked semi-trailer; and
,displaying evidence on a visual display, inside a loading dock facility, that the parked semi-trailer is at least one of stabilized and restrained.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A trailer stabilizing device for stabilizing a parked freight trailer, the trailer stabilizing device comprising a frame separate from the support frame of the parked freight trailer, the stabilizing device frame having mounted thereto wheels and a hitch, the stabilizing device including a repositionable jack.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of preparing a parked semi-trailer for loading goods on or unloading goods from the parked semi-trailer, the method comprising:
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positioning a portable device, separate from a support frame of the parked semi-trailer, underneath a forward portion of the parked semi-trailer, where the portable device includes at least one of a ground coupler and a semi-trailer load bearing repositionable jack; at least one of restraining and stabilizing the parked semi-trailer by performing at least one of;
(a) wedging the portable device underneath the forward portion of the parked semi-trailer so the portable device bears at least a portion of a weight of the forward portion of the parked semi-trailer to stabilize the parked semi-trailer; and
(b) positioning at least a portion of the portable device underneath the forward portion of the parked semi-trailer to concurrently engage the parked semi-trailer and couple the portable device to a ground anchor using the ground coupler;deploying a communication arm of the portable device from a stowed position to a deployed position, where the deployed position extends at least a portion of the communication arm beyond a footprint of the parked semi-trailer; and
,displaying evidence on a visual display, inside a loading dock facility, that the parked semi-trailer is at least one of stabilized and restrained. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of substituting for an obstructed line of sight at a dock of a loading dock facility to discern a position of a portable trailer stabilizer with respect to a parked semi-trailer when the parked semi-trailer obstructs a direct line of sight from inside the loading dock facility, the method comprising:
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providing a detector outside an interior of a loading dock facility, the detector communicatively coupled to a visual display inside the loading dock facility; providing a signal arm as part of a portable trailer stabilizer, the signal arm configured to be repositionable between a stowed position and a deployed position, where the deployed position extends at least a portion of the signal arm beyond a footprint of the parked semi-trailer; communicating evidence, from the detector, as to a position of a portable trailer stabilizer with respect to a parked semi-trailer while the parked semi-trailer substantially blocks a dock opening; displaying the evidence on the visual display, where the visual display substitutes for a direct line of sight visual inspection otherwise available if the dock opening was not substantially blocked by the parked semi-trailer. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification