Front end loading enclosed semi trailer

• US 4,875,821 A
• Filed: 04/20/1988
• Issued: 10/24/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Transportation Concepts
• Original Assignee: Transportation Concepts
• Inventors: Oren, David D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Arola, Dave W.
• Application Number:
  US07/185,320
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 414/786, 414/481, 414/83, 410/2, 410/3, 410/4, 410/6, 410/13, 410/24, 280/763.1, 254/423
• US Class Current: 414/481
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/08 Multilevel-deck construction carrying vehicles

Abstract

A front end loading enclosed semi trailer (20) and method of loading an enclosed semi trailer. A hitch (24) is present proximate a front end (34) for interconnection to a tractor (22). A wheel assembly (28) supports a back end (26) of the semi trailer (20). Extensible jack devices (40) are mounted proximate the first end (34) for raising and lowering the first end (34) of the semi trailer (20). Doors (36) are present at the front end (34) for allowing entrance into the semi trailer (20) whereby when lowered, the semi trailer (20) can be loaded from the front end (34).

Claims

1. A substantially enclosed semi trailer, comprising:

(a) hitch means proximate a front end of the semi trailer for interconnection to and support by a tractor at the front end of the semi trailer;

(b) wheel assembly means for supporting a back end of the trailer above the surface of the ground;

(c) extensible jack means disposed proximate the front end of the semi trailer for raising and lowering the front end of the semi trailer;

(d) door means at the front end of the semi trailer for allowing entrance into the semi trailer, whereby when lowered, the semi trailer can be loaded from the front end; and

(e) landing gear means for supporting the front end of the semi trailer above the surface of the ground.

2. A substantially enclosed semi trailer in accordance with claim 1 further including first deck means for supporting automobiles in the semi trailer.

3. A substantially enclosed semi trailer in accordance with claim 2 further including second deck means vertically displaced from the first deck means for supporting a second layer of automobiles, the first and second deck means being at least partially removable from the semi trailer.

4. A substantially enclosed semi trailer in accordance with claim 2, further including support structure means positioned under the semi trailer for carrying elements of the first deck means.

5. A substantially enclosed semi trailer in accordance with claim 1 wherein the extensible jack means is pneumatically operated.

6. A substantially enclosed semi trailer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the landing gear means is collapsible so as to not interfere with lowering of the front end of the semi trailer.

7. A substantially enclosed automobile transport vehicle having front and back end walls and two spaced apart side walls, comprising:

(a) hitch means proximate a front end of the load transport vehicle for interconnection to and support by a tractor at the front end of the transport vehicle;

(b) wheel assembly means for supporting a back end of the load transport vehicle above the surface of the ground;

(c) jack means disposed proximate the front end of the load transport vehicle for raising and lowering the front end of the load transport vehicle to proximate the surface of the ground;

(d) door means at the front end of the load transport vehicle for allowing entrance into the load transport vehicle, whereby when lowered, the load transport vehicle can be loaded from the front end;

(e) landing gear means for supporting the front end of the transport vehicle above the surface of the ground; and

(f) deck means interconnected to the side walls of the transport vehicle for supporting automobiles in the transport vehicle.