ANTI-TORSION STRUCTURE FOR AN A-FRAME HAULING TRAILER

• US 20190308544A1
• Filed: 04/05/2018
• Published: 10/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Miles A. Reitnouer
• Original Assignee: Miles A. Reitnouer
• Inventors: Reitnouer, Miles A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,688,904 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/002 for carrying glass plates
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/20 trailer type, i.e. a frame specifically constructed for use in a non-powered vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/06 Semi-trailers

Abstract

A drop-deck trailer for hauling heavy loads (e.g., jumbo glass panes) positioned on each side of the drop-deck and which minimizes trailer twisting/leaning is provided. The drop deck includes a plurality of transversely-mounted A-frames that are coupled through an anti-torsion structure (ATS) to each other and to at least two trailer main beams at an elevated front deck and at a rear portion of the drop-deck for transferring the load from each side of the trailer and into the at least two main beams. The ATS includes tie bars for connecting the tops of the A-frames together, a front support for connecting the forward-most A-frame to the main beams and an end support for connecting the rear-most A-frame to the main beams. The ATS minimizes twisting/leaning of the trailer without adding any significant weight to the trailer itself. This permits the transport of increased payload on the trailer, including a continuous tarp for covering the payload during transport.

Claims

1. A trailer for hauling payload positioned on opposite sides of the trailer which experiences minimized twisting, said trailer comprising:

a trailer body having at least two main beams that support an elevated front deck and a drop deck, said drop deck having a rear portion positioned over a wheel system;

a plurality of A-frames transversely positioned on said drop deck; and

an anti-torsion structure that couples said plurality of A-frames together and to said at least two main beams at said elevated front deck and at said rear portion, said anti-torsion structure minimizing twisting of said drop deck, and without increasing the weight of said at least two main beams, when the payload is positioned on said drop deck and against sides of said plurality of A-frames.

2. The trailer of claim 1 wherein said anti-torsion structure is aligned along a longitudinal axis of said trailer.

3. The trailer of claim 1 wherein said anti-torsion structure comprises a plurality of bars that are connected between tops of said plurality of A-frames.

4. The trailer of claim 3 wherein said anti-torsion structure comprises a first member that is connected to said at least two main beams at said elevated front deck on one end and is connected to a top of a forward-most A-frame on the other end of said first member.

5. The trailer of claim 4 wherein said anti-torsion structure comprises a second member that is connected to said at least two main beams at said rear portion on one end and is connected to a top of a rear-most A-frame on the other end of said second member.

6. The trailer of claim 5 further comprising a plurality of feet located on each side of each one of said plurality of A-frames, said plurality of feet configured to receive the payload thereon.

7. The trailer of claim 6 wherein the payload comprises a plurality of jumbo glass panes.

8. The trailer of claim 5 wherein both said first member and said second member are trapezoidally-shaped.

9. The trailer of claim 1 further comprising a continuous tarp for covering the payload positioned on said trailer.

10. A method for forming a trailer that is configured to haul payload positioned on opposite sides of the trailer while experiencing minimized twisting, said method comprising:

forming a trailer body having at least two main beams that support an elevated front deck and a drop deck, said drop deck having a rear portion positioned over a wheel system;

positioning a plurality of A-frames transversely on said drop deck; and

coupling said plurality of A-frames together and to said at least two main beams at said elevated front deck and at said rear portion using an anti-torsion structure, said anti-torsion structure minimizing twisting of said drop deck, and without increasing the weight of said at least two main beams, when the payload is positioned on said drop deck and against sides of said plurality of A-frames.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said step of coupling said A-frames together to said at least two main beams at said elevated front deck and at said rear portion comprises aligning said anti-torsion structure along a longitudinal axis of said trailer.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein said step of coupling said A-frames together to said at least two main beams at said elevated forward deck and at said rear portion comprises connecting a plurality of bars between tops of said plurality of A-frames.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said step of coupling said A-frames together to said at least two main beams at said elevated front deck and at said rear portion comprises connecting a first member to said at least two main beams at said elevated front deck on one end and connecting the other end of said first member to a top of a forward-most A-frame.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said step of coupling said A-frames together to said at least two main beams at said elevated front deck and at said rear portion comprises connecting a second member to said at least two main beams at said rear portion on one end and connecting the other end of said second member to a top of a rear-most A-frame.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of positioning a foot on each side of each one of said plurality of A-frames, each of said feet configured to receive a portion of the payload thereon.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the payload comprises a plurality of jumbo glass panes.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein both said first member and said second member are trapezoidally-shaped.

18. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of positioning a continuous tarp over the payload positioned on said trailer during transport.

19. An anti-torsion structure configured for minimizing the twisting of a trailer that hauls payload positioned on opposite sides of the trailer, the trailer having a body formed of at least two main beams that support an elevated front deck and a drop deck and wherein the drop deck has a rear portion positioned over a wheel system and wherein the drop deck includes a plurality of A-frames positioned transversely on the drop deck and against which the payload is positioned, said anti-torsion structure comprising:

a plurality of bars that are connected between tops of said plurality of A-frames;

a first member that is connected to the at least two main beams at the elevated front deck on a first end of said first member and is connected to a top of a forward-most A-frame on a second end of said first member; and

a second member that is connected to the at least two main beams at the rear portion on a first end of said second member and is connected to a top of a rear-most A-frame on a second end of said second member.

20. The anti-torsion structure of claim 19 wherein said anti-torsion structure is aligned along a longitudinal axis of said trailer.

21. The anti-torsion structure of claim 19 wherein both said first member and said second member are trapezoidly-shaped.

22. A method for minimizing the twisting of a trailer that hauls payload positioned on opposite sides of the trailer wherein the trailer includes a body formed of at least two main beams that support an elevated front deck and a drop deck and wherein the drop deck has a rear portion positioned over a wheel system and wherein the drop deck includes a plurality of A-frames positioned transversely on the drop deck and against which the payload is positioned, said method comprises:

coupling the A-frames together by connecting a plurality of bars between tops of the plurality of A-frames;

connecting a first member to the at least two main beams at the elevated front deck on a first end of said first member and connecting a second end of said first member to a top of a forward-most A-frame; and

connecting a second member to the at least two main beams at the rear portion on a first end of said second member and connecting a second end of said second member to a top of a rear-most A-frame.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein said plurality of bars, said first member and said second member are aligned along a longitudinal axis of said trailer.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein said step of connecting a first member to the at least two main beams comprises forming said first member to have a trapezoidal shape such that said first end of said first member is wider than said second end of said first member.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein said step of connecting a second member to the at least two main beams comprises forming said second member to have a trapezoidal shape such that said first end of said second member is wider than said second end of said second member.