Third axle assembly for log hauling trailers

• US 20070126196A1
• Filed: 06/20/2006
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kenneth Klahn
• Original Assignee: Kenneth Klahn
• Inventors: Klahn, Kenneth
• Application Number:
  US11/425,193
• Publication Number:
  US 20070126196A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/86.500
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/155 comprising telescopic or foldable parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/465 comprising a lifting mechanism, e.g. for coupling while lifting
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/40 for carrying long loads, e.g. with separate wheeled load supporting elements E04G21/14 takes precedence; signal devices to be attached to overhanging load B60Q7/02
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 33/0215 for log hauling vehicles vehicles for log transport in general B60P3/41
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/005 Combinations with at least three axles and comprising two or more articulated parts articulated buses B62D47/025
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 61/12 with variable number of ground engaging wheels, e.g. with some wheels arranged higher than others, or with retractable wheels for manoeuvring purposes only B60S

Abstract

Improved third, tag, axle for a standard two-axle log-carrying trailer to permit carrying additional load. The inventive third axle assembly is pivotally linked directly to the bunk of a standard log trailer bogie by two, laterally-spaced hitch assemblies that permit vertical motion of the third axle, but not lateral movement. The inventive third axle assembly increases the payload capacity of the trailer with better maneuverability. A pivoting cone support and centering assembly is used to insure proper alignment of the tag axle during transport and when first unloaded. By following the bunk, the inventive axle more closely follows the tractor front wheel path during turns, rather than worsening the cut-across effect of ordinary turn geometry. That is, the inventive tag axle tracks more nearly in the proper lane, tending significantly less to cut across inside the tractor turn in both left and right turns, and thus is a safer rig.

Claims

1. ) An improved third, tag axle for a logging trailer having a rear bogie assembly, said rear bogie assembly including a frame to which at least one axle assembly and a pivoting bunk assembly are mounted, said bunk being pivotally mounted on a cup and saucer assembly, comprising in operative combination:

a. a frame assembly having parallel, spaced longitudinal frame members configured to define a forward section having a forward end and a rearward section, said longitudinal frame members being connected by a plurality of spaced transverse braces and by a transverse load bearing beam member disposed to extend beyond said longitudinal frame members with at least a portion extending above top surfaces of said longitudinal beams to permit contact with a log load;

b. a steerable reverse caster axle assembly secured to said frame rearward section, said axle assembly including a pneumatic lift bellows for selectively elevating or lowering said frame;

c. a connector member secured to the forward ends of each longitudinal frame member configured to engage corresponding mating connector members mounted on the bunk of said rear bogie, said connector members of said axle assembly and said bunk cooperating to permit hitching said axle to said bunk and to permit only vertical, up and down movement of said tag axle with respect to said bunk yet follow the pivoting of said bunk on its cup and saucer mounting assembly; and

d. said third, tag axle having superior maneuvering capability and tracking characteristics as exemplified by exhibiting a reduced cut-across tendency when following the log load loaded on said rear bunk during a turn, said hitch location permitting said third tag axle to follow a turn path independent of the path of said rear bogie.

2. ) A tag axle assembly as in claim 1 wherein at least one cross brace is disposed in said forward section, and said cross brace includes at least one receiver assembly mounted to an underside thereof, said receiver assembly cooperatingly receiving a centering and support assembly mounted to said frame member of said rear bogie.

3. ) A tag axle assembly as in claim 2 wherein said centering and support assembly of said bogie includes at least one cone assembly for engaging said tag axle receiver assembly to support said tag axle assembly when said rear bogie and tag axle are loaded on a logging truck, and to properly align said tag axle with respect to said bogie when unloaded onto the ground and up to initial stages of log loading.

4. ) A tag axle assembly as in claim 3 wherein said cone assembly is pivotable between a first, tag axle load-bearing position in which it engages said receiver of said tag axle, and a second, free position in which said cone is disengaged from said tag axle receiver so that said tag axle is able to move vertically up and down and to follow the pivoting of said rear bogie bunk.

5. A tag axle assembly as in claim 1 wherein said tag axle frame assembly includes a middle section between said front and rearward sections that is configured to clear the tires of said rear bogie during turns.

6. ) A tag axle assembly as in claim 2 wherein said connector members comprise a yoke and tongue connected through aligned holes by a pin member.

7. ) An improved trailer for a logging truck comprising in operative combination:

a. a trailer comprising a bogie assembly including a frame to which at least one axle assembly and a pivoting bunk assembly are mounted, said bunk being pivotally mounted on a cup and saucer assembly and including a pair of spaced hitch assemblies;

b. third, tag axle removably hitched to said bogie bunk at said bunk hitch assemblies;

c. said tag axle comprising a frame assembly having parallel, spaced longitudinal frame members configured to define a forward section having a forward end and a rearward section, said longitudinal frame members being connected by a plurality of spaced transverse braces and by a transverse load bearing beam member disposed to extend beyond said longitudinal frame members with at least a portion extending above top surfaces of said longitudinal beams to permit contact with a log load;

d. a steerable reverse caster axle assembly secured to said tag axle frame rearward section, said axle assembly including a pneumatic lift bellows for selectively elevating or lowering said tag axle frame with respect to said bogie frame;

e. a pair of connector members, one secured to the forward ends of each tag axle longitudinal frame member and configured to matingly engage said hitch members mounted on the bunk of said trailer bogie, said connector members of said axle assembly and said bunk cooperating to permit hitching said tag axle to said bunk to permit only vertical, up and down movement of said tag axle with respect to said bunk yet follow the pivoting of said bunk on its cup and saucer mounting assembly; and

f. said third, tag axle having superior maneuvering capability and tracking characteristics as exemplified by exhibiting a reduced cut-across tendency when following the log load loaded on said trailer bunk during a turn, said hitch location permitting said third tag axle to follow a turn path independent of the path of said trailer bogie.

8. ) A trailer assembly as in claim 7 wherein:

a. at least one cross brace is disposed in said forward section of said tag axle and said cross brace includes at least one receiver assembly mounted to an underside thereof;

and which includes;

b. a centering and support assembly mounted to said trailer bogie frame aligned with said receiver assembly; and

c. said receiver assembly cooperatingly receives said centering and support assembly mounted to said frame member of said trailer bogie.

9. ) A trailer assembly as in claim 8 wherein said centering and support assembly of said bogie includes at least one cone assembly for engaging said tag axle receiver assembly to support said tag axle assembly when said trailer bogie and tag axle are loaded on a logging truck, and to properly align said tag axle with respect to said bogie frame when unloaded onto the ground and up to initial stages of log loading.

10. ) A trailer assembly as in claim 9 wherein said trailer bogie cone assembly is pivotable between a first, tag axle load-bearing upward position in which it engages said receiver of said tag axle, and a second, free position in which said cone is disengaged from said tag axle receiver so that said tag axle is able to move vertically up and down and to follow the pivoting of said trailer bogie bunk.

11. ) A trailer assembly as in claim 7 wherein said tag axle frame assembly longitudinal frame members include a middle section between said front and rearward sections that is configured to clear the tires of said trailer bogie during turns.

12. ) A trailer assembly as in claim 11 wherein said sections of said tag axle longitudinal frame members are oriented with said forward and rearward sections relatively horizontal in use and vertically offset with said forward section higher than said rearward section, and said middle section of said longitudinal frame members is inclined at an angle to said forward and rearward sections, generally forming a Z-shape as seen in elevation.

13. ) A trailer assembly as in claim 10 wherein said cone assembly is mounted on a transverse plate carried on top of a bogie frame cross piece, said plate is hinged adjacent one of said plate transverse margin edges to permit said plate to be rotated from said first cone-upward orientation to said second, cone-free position in which said cones are oriented generally downward.

14. ) A trailer assembly as in claim 7 wherein said connector members comprise a yoke and tongue connected through aligned holes by a pin member.

15. ) A method of improving the tracking and maneuverability of a logging truck trailer third, tag axle having a load bearing cross-beam, wherein said trailer includes a frame to which are mounted axle and wheel assemblies forming a bogie and a bunk that is rotationally mounted on a cup and saucer assembly connected to said frame, comprising the steps of:

a. mounting said tag axle directly to said trailer bunk;

b. restraining the movement of said tag axle during use to up and down motion in a vertical plane to follow road motion without side to side sway; and

c. raising said tag axle load bearing beam into contact with a log load to bear some of the weight of said load;

d. said tag axle thereby tracking said log load via said bunk independent of said trailer bogie frame resulting in reduced cut-across effect and more nearly tracking the logging truck tractor path during turns.

16. ) A method as in claim 15 which includes the step of supporting said tag axle on said bogie frame during empty transport.

17. ) A method as in claim 16 which includes the step of maintaining alignment of said tag axle with said bogie during empty transport and unloading.

18. ) A method as in claim 17 wherein said step of maintaining alignment includes constraining vertical and lateral movement of said tag axle with respect to said bogie, and includes the step after unloading of removing said constraint so that said tag axle moves up and down in said vertical plane in response to road contours, and tracks the trailer bunk independent of the bogie.

19. ) Method as in claim 18 wherein said step of constraining vertical and lateral movement of said tag axle during transport includes lowering said tag axle onto a load bearing element that includes and maintains lateral alignment in a constrained orientation with respect to said bogie.