Transportable satellite communication station including double-expandable trailer

• US 6,422,628 B1
• Filed: 05/08/2000
• Issued: 07/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Veridian Erim International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Veridian Erim International Inc.
• Inventors: Bortell, J. Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): PAPE, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US09/566,515
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 296/26.12, 296/26.13, 296/26.14, 296/165, 296/169, 296/170, 296/171, 296/172, 296/173, 296/174, 296/175, 296/176, 52/67
• US Class Current: 296/26.13
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/14 the object being a workshop for servicing, for maintenance, or for carrying workmen during work lifting devices for movable platforms or cabins for workmen B66F11/04
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/34 the living accommodation being expansible, collapsible or capable of rearrangement B60P3/38 takes precedence; tents supported at least partially by vehicles E04H15/06

Abstract

An expandable trailer is designed for transportation and use of satellite communication related electronic equipment. The trailer has a generally horizontal support frame with an upper surface defining a floor of the trailer. A pair of spaced apart generally vertical side walls extend upwardly from the support and define an interior transport area between the walls. An expansion module is supported in an opening in one of the side walls. The expansion module has a vertical front panel and rear panel with inboard edges and outboard edges. The panels are spaced apart to define the front and rear of the expansion module. A generally vertical side panel extends between the outboard edges of the front and rear panels and has an upper edge and a lower edge. The expansion module has a closed position where the side panel is generally aligned with the side wall and the outboard edges of the front and rear panels are adjacent the side wall. The expansion also has an expanded position wherein the side panel is spaced from the side wall and the inboard edges of the front and rear panels are adjacent the side wall. A movable floor panel has a storage position where it is generally parallel with the side panel. The floor panel is placed in the storage position when the expansion module is in the closed position. The floor panel also has a use position wherein the floor is generally perpendicular to the side panel. The floor panel is placed in the use position when the expansion module is in the expanded position, such that the floor extends between the floor of the trailer and the lower edge of the side panel. A movable roof panel has one edge hinged to the side wall above the opening. The roof panel pivots upwardly when the expansion module is in the closed position. The roof panel pivots upwardly when the expansion is moved to the expanded position, such that the roof panel extends outwardly from the side wall and rests atop the upper edge of the side panel.

Claims

1. An expandable trailer for transportation and deployment of satellite communication related electronic equipment, said trailer comprising:

a generally horizontal support frame having a front end configured to interconnect with a towing vehicle and a rear end, said support frame including ground engaging wheels for transport purposes and an upper surface defining a floor;

a pair of spaced apart generally vertical side walls extending upwardly from said support frame and defining an interior transport area therebetween, one of said side walls having an opening defined therein;

an expansion module supported in said opening, said module comprising;

a front panel and a rear panel each being generally vertical and having an inboard edge and an outboard edge, said panels spaced apart so as to define the front and rear of said expansion module;

a generally vertical side panel extending between said outboard edges of said front and rear panels, said side panel having an upper edge and 4 lower edge;

said expansion module having a closed position wherein said side panel is generally aligned with said one side wall and said outboard edges of said front and rear panels are adjacent said one side wall, said expansion module further having an expanded position wherein said side panel is spaced from said one side wall and said inboard edges of said front and rear panels are adjacent said one side wall;

a movable floor panel having a storage position wherein said floor panel is generally parallel to said side panel, said floor panel being placed in said storage position when said expansion module is in said closed position, said floor panel further having a use position wherein said floor panel is generally perpendicular to said side panel, said floor panel being placed in said use position when said expansion module is in said expanded position such that said floor panel extends between said floor of said trailer and the lower edge of said side panel; and

a movable roof panel having a first edge hingedly connected to said one side wall above said opening, said movable roof panel extending downwardly adjacent said side panel when said expansion module is in said closed position and said roof panel being pivoted upwardly when said expansion module is moved to said expanded position such that said roof panel extends outwardly from said one side wall and rests atop said upper edge of said side panel.

2. The expandable trailer according to claim 1, wherein both side walls have openings defined therein, said trailer further comprising a second expansion module supported in the other opening.

3. The expandable trailer according to claim 1, further comprising satellite communication related electronic equipment supported on said floor along said opening, said electronic equipment including a control panel facing said side panel such that said control panel can only be accessed by a human operator when said expansion module is in said expanded position and said side panel is spaced from said side wall.

4. The expandable trailer according to claim 1, wherein said front and rear panels are perpendicular to said side panel.

5. The expandable trailer according to claim 1, further comprising drive means for moving said expansion module between said closed and expanded positions.

6. The expandable trailer according to claim 5, wherein said drive means comprises gear racks disposed on said front and rear panels and drive gears supported in said one of said side walls and engaging said gear racks.

8. The expandable trailer according to claim 1, further comprising a movable floor panel having a storage position wherein said floor panel is generally parallel to said side panel, said floor panel being placed in said storage position when said expansion module is in said closed position, said floor panel further having a use position wherein said floor panel is generally perpendicular to said side panel, said floor panel being placed in said use position when said expansion module is in said expanded position such that said floor panel extends between said floor of said trailer and the lower edge of said side panel.

7. An expandable trailer for transportation and deployment of satellite communication related electronic equipment, said trailer comprising:

a generally horizontal support frame having a front end configured to interconnect with a towing vehicle and a rear end, said support frame including ground engaging wheels for transport purposes and an upper surface defining a floor;

a pair of spaced apart generally vertical side walls extending upwardly from said support frame and defining an interior transport area therebetween, one of said side walls having an opening defined therein;

an expansion module supported in said opening, said module comprising;

a front panel and a rear panel each being generally vertical and having an inboard edge and an outboard edge, said panels spaced apart so as to define the front and rear of said expansion module;

a generally vertical side panel extending between said outboard edges of said front and rear panels, said side panel having an upper edge and a lower edge;

said expansion module having a closed position wherein said side panel is generally aligned with said one side wall and said outboard edges of said front and rear panels are adjacent said one side wall, said expansion module further having an expanded position wherein said side panel is spaced from said one side wall and said inboard edges of said front and rear panels are adjacent said one side wall; and

a movable roof panel having a first edge hingedly connected to said one side wall above said opening, said movable roof panel extending downwardly adjacent said side panel when said expansion module is in said closed position and said roof panel being pivoted upwardly when said expansion module is moved to said expanded position such that said roof panel extends outwardly from said one side wall and rests atop said upper edge of said side panel.

9. The expandable trailer according to claim 7, wherein both side walls have openings defined therein, said trailer further comprising a second expansion module supported in the other opening.

10. The expandable wailer according to claim 7, further comprising satellite communication related electronic equipment supported on said floor along said opening, said electronic equipment including a control panel facing said side panel such that said control panel can only be accessed by a human operator when said expansion module is in said expanded position and said side panel is spaced from said side wall.

11. The expandable trailer according to claim 7, wherein said front and rear panels are perpendicular to said side panel.

12. The expandable trailer according to claim 7, further comprising drive means for moving said expansion module between said closed and expanded positions.

13. The expandable trailer according to claim 12, wherein said drive means comprises gear racks disposed on said front and roar panels and drive gears supported in said one of said side walls and engaging said gear racks.