SEMI-TRAILER REPOSITIONER

• US 20100032923A1
• Filed: 06/25/2009
• Published: 02/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Erich Hadden Feldhaus
• Original Assignee: Erich Hadden Feldhaus
• Inventors: Feldhaus, Erich Hadden
• Granted Patent: US 7,931,108 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/426
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 9/215 driven by an auxiliary motor
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/0857 Auxiliary semi-trailer handling or loading equipment, e.g. ramps, rigs, coupling supports

Abstract

Exemplary apparatus and system for repositioning a semi-trailer are described. The repositoner may comprise two pivoting arms, each comprising a mechanical actuator attached to an underside area of the semi-trailer, wherein the pivoting arms are disposed substantially parallel to the underside of the semi-trailer in a first position and are configured to be pivoted away from the semi-trailer in a second position substantially perpendicular to the underside of the semi-trailer; two wheels mounted at an angle from a rear plane of the semi-trailer such that the semi-trailer moves in a circular path when the wheels turn, with each wheel operatively coupled to a motor; and a lower frame mounted to the mechanical actuators of the arms, the lower frame comprising two opposing wheel housing couple to the wheels; wherein, lowering the hydraulic jack arms can hydraulically lift the semi-trailer, and further wherein the wheels can maneuver the semi-trailer.

Claims

1. An apparatus for repositioning a semi-trailer, comprising:

two hydraulic jack arms, each comprising a hydraulic cylinder containing a movable piston;

an upper frame attached to an underside area of the semi-trailer, wherein the hydraulic jack arms are pivotally attached to the upper frame, further wherein the hydraulic jack arms are disposed substantially parallel to the upper frame and are disposed to be pivoted away from the upper frame to a position substantially perpendicular to the upper frame;

two opposing wheels, each coupled to a wheel housing, wherein each wheel is operatively coupled to a motor;

a lower frame with opposing ends, with each of the ends attached to one of the wheel housings, the lower frame being mounted to the movable pistons of the hydraulic jack arms;

wherein, lowering the hydraulic jack arms can hydraulically lift the semi-trailer, and further wherein the wheels can maneuver the semi-trailer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the two wheels are mounted at an angle that is fifteen degrees from a rear plane of the semi-trailer such that the semi-trailer moves in a circular path when the wheels turn.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wheels comprise solid tires.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a remote control system for controlling the hydraulic cylinders and motors.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the remote control system comprises a radio remote control system.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary power system dedicated the apparatus.

7. A system for repositioning a semi-trailer, comprising:

two pivoting arms, each comprising a mechanical actuator attached to an underside area of the semi-trailer, wherein the pivoting arms are disposed substantially parallel to the underside of the semi-trailer in a first position and are configured to be pivoted away from the semi-trailer in a second position substantially perpendicular to the underside of the semi-trailer;

two wheels mounted at an angle from a rear plane of the semi-trailer such that the semi-trailer moves in a circular path when the wheels turn, with each wheel operatively coupled to a motor; and

a lower frame mounted to the mechanical actuators of the arms, the lower frame comprising two opposing wheel housing couple to the wheels;

wherein, lowering the mechanical actuators can mechanically lift the semi-trailer, and further wherein the wheels can maneuver the semi-trailer.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the two wheels are mounted at an angle that is pivoted fifteen degrees from the rear plane of the semi-trailer.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the wheels comprise solid tires.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the system for repositioning a semi-trailer is detachable from one semi-trailer to another.