Transportable modular landing assembly for a trailer

• US 5,653,459 A
• Filed: 07/24/1995
• Issued: 08/05/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Peggy R. Murphy
• Original Assignee: Peggy R. Murphy
• Inventors: Murphy, Peggy R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Oberleitner, Robert I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LERNER, AVRAHAM H
• Application Number:
  US08/505,875
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 280/163, 280/164.1, 280/166, 280/656, 182/83, 182/84, 182/85, 182/86, 182/113, 296/162
• US Class Current: 280/166
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 3/007 Removable steps or ladders, e.g. foldable as access means for vehicle tops B60R3/005

Abstract

A modular landing assembly for a commercial trailer, which is transportable with the trailer is disclosed. The landing assembly includes a landing platform pivotally connected to the sidewall of the trailer, a detachable staircase, a detachable safety railing, and a storage frame mounted beneath the undercarriage of the trailer for carrying the staircase and safety railing. The landing platform can be pivoted between a vertical transportation position secured against the trailer side wall and a horizontal operational position extending from the trailer side wall. The landing platform includes a pair of folding legs, which support the landing platform in its operational position and which can be secured against the landing platform during transportation. The platform legs include an extensible foot, which allows the landing platform to be leveled. The staircase is a single unit, which is connected to the landing platform in its operational position by two pins. The detachable staircase also includes extensible feet for leveling the staircase with respect to the landing platform. The detachable safety railing includes three separate sections, which enclose the outer periphery of the landing and staircase. Each section includes a number of vertical posts, which are supported within tubular sleeves mounted to the landing platform and staircase.

Claims

1. In combination a trailer and a modular landing assembly that is transportable with said trailer, said trailer including an undercarriage and exterior side walls and end walls defining an interior mounted atop said undercarriage, one of said side walls having an entrance way into said interior elevated above the ground,

said landing assembly comprising:

a platform pivotally connected to said trailer adjacent said entrance way for movement between a transportation position wherein said platform abuts vertically against said trailer side wall over said entrance way and an operational position wherein said platform extends horizontally from said trailer, a staircase connectable to said platform for allowing access onto said platform, a safety railing connectable to said platform and said staircase for enclosing the outer periphery of said platform and said staircase and a storage frame mounted beneath said undercarriage for storing said staircase beneath said undercarriage during transportation of said trailer when detached from said platform and for permitting storage of said safety railing beneath said undercarriage during transportation of said trailer when detached from said platform and said staircase.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said storage frame includes two laterally spaced brackets, said staircase supported between said brackets during transportation of said combination.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said platform includes a leg for supporting said platform when said platform is in its said operational position, said leg being pivotally connected to said platform for movement between a folded position wherein said leg abuts against said platform and an extended position wherein said leg extends from said platform.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said leg includes means for leveling said platform when said platform is in its said operational position.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said platform includes a tab part, said staircase includes a back member having a slot, said tab part is insertable into said slot for connecting said staircase to said platform.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said staircase includes means for leveling said staircase when connected to said landing.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said safety railing means includes a plurality of posts, said platform and said staircase includes a plurality of tubular sleeves, each said railing post being insertable into a said sleeves to secure said railing means to said platform and said staircase.

8. In combination a trailer and a modular landing assembly that is transportable with said trailer, said trailer including an undercarriage and exterior side walls and end walls defining an interior mounted atop said undercarriage, one of said side walls having an entrance way into said interior elevated above the ground,

said landing assembly comprising:

a platform pivotally connected to said trailer adjacent said entrance way for movement between a transportation position wherein said platform abuts vertically against said trailer side wall over said entrance way and an operational position wherein said platform extends horizontally from said trailer, a staircase connectable to said platform for allowing access onto said platform, and a storage frame mounted beneath said undercarriage for storing said staircase beneath said undercarriage during transportation of said trailer when detached from said platform,

said platform includes a tab part, said staircase includes a back member having a slot, said tab part is insertable into said slot for connecting said staircase to said platform.