Transport device for hauling a load

• US 6,761,370 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2001
• Issued: 07/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ralph Colet
• Original Assignee: Ralph Colet
• Inventors: Colet, Ralph
• Primary Examiner(s): CAMPBELL, KELLY E
• Application Number:
  US09/992,397
• Publication Number:
  US 20030090077A1
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 280/124.1, 280/124.158, 280/124.157, 280/124.159, 280/124.16, 280/830, 280/831, 280/833, 280/834, 280/837, 280/838, 280/839, 280/7, 280/783, 280/788
• US Class Current: 280/124.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/03 Silo or fluid transporting vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/0194 transversal with regard to vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/912 Attitude Control; levelling control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/914 Height Control System
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/2205 Constructional features
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/2215 Mounting of tanks to vehicles

Abstract

A transport device for hauling a load having a front axle with a pair of wheels and a rear axle with a pair of wheels. Four vertical hydraulic cylinders are provided, each cylinder having a bottom end supported on one of the axles adjacent a wheel, respectively. A pair of yokes are provided. Each yoke has one end supported by the ram extending from the top of one cylinder mounted on the front axle and the other end supported by the ram extending from the top end of a cylinder on the rear axle so that the yokes are parallel to one another and extend from front to rear of the device. A container containing the load is suspended from the pair of yokes. In one version, the device is coupled for transport to a truck. In another version, an engine is mounted on a cantilever frame extending from the rear of the truck controlled by operators in a cab mounted on the front end of the device. In another version, the device has a tongue extending from the front axle and attachable to a truck tractor.

Claims

1. A transport device for hauling a load which comprises:

a container means adapted for containing said load;

a front axle with a pair of wheels;

one of said pair of wheels mounted on one end of said front axle and another one of said wheels mounted on an opposite end of said front axle;

a rear axle with another pair of wheels;

one of said another pair of wheels mounted on one end of said rear axle and another one of said another pair of wheels mounted on an opposite end of said rear axle;

four hydraulic cylinders, each cylinder having a top end and a bottom end and having a ram located at one of said top end and said bottom end;

means for supportively securing a bottom end of a first one of said four cylinders to said front axle adjacent one wheel and means for supportively securing a second one of said four cylinders to said front axle adjacent said one wheel of said another pair of wheels;

means for supportively securing a bottom end of a third one of said four cylinders to said rear axle adjacent said one of another pair of wheels and for supportively securing a bottom of a fourth one of said four cylinders to said rear axle adjacent said another one of said another pair of wheels;

a pump means coupled to said four cylinders for maintaining hydraulic pressure in said hydraulic cylinders;

a pair of yokes arranged substantially parallel to one another;

one yoke of said pair of yokes having one end secured to a top end of said first hydraulic cylinder and another end secured to a top end of said third hydraulic cylinder;

another yoke of said pair of yokes having one end secured to a top end of said second hydraulic cylinder and another end secured to a top end of said fourth hydraulic cylinder;

means for hanging said container means from said pair of yokes;

means adapted for coupling said transport device to a motor means for moving said transport device.

2. The transport device of claim 1 wherein said container is a tank.

3. The transport device of claim 2 wherein said tank is cylindrical.

4. The transport device of claim 2 wherein said tank is rectangular.

5. The transport device of claim 2 wherein each one of said pair of yokes comprises:

a panel;

said panel having a cutout shaped to provide that said yoke straddles said tank wherein a cutout edge of said panel abuts against and is welded to an outside surface of said tank;

each panel comprising one of said yokes weldedly mounted on said outside surface of said tank being substantially parallel to said other panel proximal to an end of said tank opposite said other panel on an opposite end of said tank.

6. The transport device of claim 5 which comprises:

a pair of baffles, each baffle having an edge;

said edge of one of said baffles welded to an inside surface of said tank coplanar with one of said yokes;

said edge of another one of said baffles welded to an inside surface of said tank coplanar with another one of said yokes;

each one of said baffles having at least one opening to permit flow of said fluid load inside said tank.

7. The transport device of claim 2 wherein said tank is made of a metal selected from a group of metals that consists of steel and aluminum.

8. The transport device of claim 2 wherein said tank is made of a plastic selected from a group of plastics that consists of polypropylene, polyethylene, and fiber glass.

9. The transport device of claim 1 wherein said motor means is a truck tractor and said means adapted for coupling said transport device to a motor means for moving said transport device comprises a tongue having one end attached to said axle and another end adapted for attachment to said truck tractor.

10. The transport device of claim 1 wherein:

said motor means is a truck engine and said means adapted for coupling said transport device to a motor means for moving said transport device comprises;

a rear cantilever structure secured to said pair of yokes and said rear axle and extending rearward from said rear axle configured for mounting said truck engine on said rear cantilever structure to enable engaging said truck engine with said rear axle; and

said device further comprises;

cab means for housing operators of said transport device mounted on a front end of said carrier.

11. The transport device of claim 10 wherein said rear cantilever structure comprises:

a pair of horizontal beams, one of said horizontal beams having one end secured to said rear axle adjacent one of said wheels on said rear axle and another one of said horizontal beams secured to said rear axle adjacent another one of said wheels on said front axle;

a pair of oblique beams, one of said oblique beams having;

one end secured to a front end of one of said pair of yokes and another end secured to an extending end of one of said horizontal beams and another one of said oblique member having;

one end secured to a front end of another one of said pair of yokes and another end secured to an extending end of another one of said horizontal beams

said pair of horizontal beams and oblique beams extending in a rearward direction from said rear axle;

said truck engine arranged in operable combination with said horizontal and oblique pairs of beams to provide that said truck engine, coupled to said rear wheels is mounted on said pair of horizontal beams supported by said oblique beams.

12. The transport device of claim 11 comprising a pair of hanger columns, each having an upper end secured to the respective end of said yoke, with a bottom end of each column attached to a respective horizontal beam 54 of said rear cantilever means for supporting said engine whereby further support to hanging said engine is provided.

13. The transport device of claim 12 wherein said control means further comprises:

four pressure sensors, each one of said sensors mounted on one of said hydraulic cylinders respectively for sensing hydraulic pressure in each one of said cylinders;

computer means for displaying tilt of said transport device from said sensors sensing hydraulic pressure in each one of said cylinders.

14. The transport device of claim 11 wherein said rear cantilever structure comprises:

a horizontal shear plate secured along one edge to one of said horizontal parallel beams opposite another edge secured to another one of said horizontal parallel beams whereby said shear plate improves the rigidity of the cantilever structure supporting the engine.

15. The transport device of claim 14 wherein said cab means is a cab module attachable to a front end of said carrier.

16. The transport device of claim 14 wherein said cab module is selectable from a group of cab modules having a range of sizes.

17. The transport device of claim 10 which further comprises:

a bar extending from a top forward end of one said yoke to a top forward end of another said yoke;

a pair of strap hangers, each having one end attached to said bar and another end attached to another side of said engine opposite said one side.

18. The transport device of claim 10 comprising a hood for said engine secured to said oblique beams and extending from over a top of said engine;

around a rear end of said transport device to underneath said engine operably arranged to scoop air when said transport device is moving in a forward direction and direct said air through a region occupied by said engine and out through vents in said hood.

19. The transport device of claim 10 wherein said cab means is selectable from a group of cab means having a range of sizes.

20. The transport device of claim 10 wherein said front cantilever means comprises:

a pair of horizontal beams, one of said horizontal beams having one end secured to said front axle adjacent one of said wheels on said front axle and another one of said horizontal beams secured to said front axle adjacent another one of said wheels on said front axle;

a pair of oblique beams, one of said oblique beams having one end secured to a front end of one of said pair of yokes and another end secured to an extending end of one of said horizontal beams and another one of said oblique member having one end secured to a front end of another one of said pair of yokes and another end secured to an extending end of another one of said horizontal beams

said pair of horizontal beams and oblique beams extending in a forward direction from said front axle;

said cab arranged in operable combination with said horizontal and oblique pairs of beams to provide that said cab structure be mounted on said horizontal beams supported by said oblique beams.

21. The transport device of claim 20 wherein said cab means is selectable from a group of cab means having a range of sizes.

22. The transport device of claim 10 wherein said cab means is a cab module selectable from a group of cab modules having a range of sizes.

23. The transport device of claim 10 wherein said control means comprises:

a steering wheel mounted in said cab and coupled to said front wheels for enabling one of said at least one operators to steer said transport device.

24. The transport device of claim 10 comprising:

two arms 92 pivotally attached to both ends of said front axle;

said arms joined at an apex to form a boom;

a cable having one end attached to said apex of said boom

a pulley 98 axially mounted between extending ends of said yokes;

a clutch having a shaft engaging said cable on one end and engaging said motor shaft on another end in operable arrangement to raise and lower said boom by winding and unwinding said cable from said shaft of said clutch.

25. The device of claim 10 wherein:

said means for supportively securing an extending of each said ram to said respective axle comprises;

a collar mounted on said axle;

said extending end of said ram attached to said collar;

a link rod having one end attached to said collar and another end attached to an adjacent lower edge of a respective yoke.

26. The transport device of claim 1 wherein said motor means is a truck engine and said transport device comprises:

a front cantilever structure secured to said pair of yokes and said front axle and extending forward from said front axle configured for mounting a cab means for transporting at least one operator in said cab means in said cab means,

control means accessible to said at least one operator coupled to said engine for controlling motion of said engine.

27. The transport device of claim 1 wherein said load and container means has a center of gravity and said center of gravity is below said pair of yokes.

33. The transport device of claim 22 wherein said motor means comprises a truck engine mounted on said transport device.

34. The transport device of claim 22 wherein said load and container means has a center of gravity and said center of gravity is below said pair of yokes.

28. A transport device for hauling a fluid load which comprises:

a cylindrical tank adapted for containing said load;

a front axle with a pair of wheels;

one of said pair of wheels mounted on one end of said front axle and another one of said wheels mounted on an opposite end of said axle;

a rear axle with another pair of wheels;

one of said another pair of wheels mounted on one end of said rear axle and another one of said another pair of wheels mounted on an opposite end of said rear axle;

said cylindrical tank having a horizontal axis oriented parallel to said front and rear axles;

four hydraulic cylinders, each cylinder having a top end and a bottom end and having a ram extending out of said top end;

a first one of said four cylinders supported by its bottom end mounted on said front axle adjacent one wheel and a second one of said four cylinders supported by its bottom end mounted on said front axle adjacent said another wheel;

a third one of said four cylinders supported by its bottom end mounted on said rear axle adjacent said one of another pair of wheels and a fourth one of said four cylinders supported by its bottom end mounted on said rear axle adjacent said another one of said another pair of wheels;

a pump means coupled to said four cylinders for maintaining hydraulic

pressure in said hydraulic cylinders;

a pair of yokes, each yoke being a panel arranged substantially parallel to one another;

each said panel having a cutout shaped to provide that said panel straddles said tank wherein a cutout edge of each said panel abuts against and is welded to an outside surface of said tank proximal to one end of said tank opposite said other panel welded to said tank proximal to an opposite end of said tank;

each panel comprising one of said yokes being substantially parallel to said other panel;

a pair of baffles, each baffle having an edge;

said edge of one of said baffles welded to an inside surface of said tank coplanar with one of said panels;

said edge of another one of said baffles welded to said inside surface of said tank coplanar with another one of said panels;

each one of said baffles having at least one opening to permit flow of any fluid load inside said tank;

one of said pair of yokes being said pair of panels and having one end secured to a free end of said ram extending from said first hydraulic cylinder and another end secured to a free end of said ram extending from said third hydraulic cylinder;

another one of said pair of yokes having one end secured to a free end of said ram extending from said second hydraulic cylinder and another end secured to a free end of said ram extending from said fourth hydraulic cylinder;

a rear cantilever structure secured to said pair of yokes and said rear axle and extending rearward from said rear axle;

said rear cantilever structure adapted for supporting a truck engine coupled to said rear axle;

a front cantilever structure secured to said pair of yokes and said front axle and extending forward from said front axle configured for mounting a cab means for transporting at least one operator in said cab means;

control means accessible to said at least one operator coupled to said engine for controlling motion of said engine;

four pressure sensors, each one of said sensors mounted on one of said hydraulic cylinders respectively for generating a pressure signal responsive to hydraulic pressure in each one of said hydraulic cylinders;

computer means for computing tilt of said transport device from said pressure signals.

29. A transport device for hauling a load which comprises:

a container means adapted for containing said load;

a front axle with a pair of wheels;

one of said pair of wheels mounted on one end of said front axle and another one of said wheels mounted on an opposite end of said axle;

a rear axle with another pair of wheels;

one of said another pair of wheels mounted on one end of said front axle and another one of said another pair of wheels mounted on an opposite end of said rear axle;

four hydraulic cylinders, each cylinder having a top end and a bottom end and having a ram extending out of said top end;

a first one of said four cylinders having means for supportively securing its bottom end to said front axle adjacent one wheel and a second one of said four cylinders supportively securing its bottom end to said front axle adjacent said another wheel;

a third one of said four cylinders having means for supportively securing its bottom end to said rear axle adjacent said one of another pair of wheels and a fourth one of said four cylinders having means for supportively securing its bottom end to said rear axle adjacent said another one of said another pair of wheels;

said four cylinders adapted for coupling to a pump means for pressurizing said hydraulic cylinders;

a pair of yokes arranged substantially parallel to one another;

one of said pair of yokes having one end secured to a top end of said first hydraulic cylinder and another end secured to a top end said ram said third hydraulic cylinder;

another one of said pair of yokes having one end secured to a top end of said second hydraulic cylinder and another end secured to a top end of said fourth hydraulic cylinder;

means for hanging said container means from said pair of yokes;

means adapted for coupling said transport device to a motor means for moving said transport device.

30. The transport device of claim 29 wherein said motor means is a truck tractor.

31. The transport device of claim 30 wherein said load is any one of a liquid, and a granulated compound.

32. A transport device for hauling a load which comprises:

a container means adapted for containing said load;

a front axle with a pair of wheels;

one of said pair of wheels mounted on one end of said front axle and another one of said wheels mounted on an opposite end of said axle;

a rear axle with another pair of wheels;

one of said another pair of wheels mounted on one end of said rear axle and another one of said another pair of wheels mounted on an opposite end of said rear axle;

a pair of yokes arranged substantially parallel to one another;

one of said pair of yokes having one end supported on said front axle adjacent one said wheel of said pair of wheels mounted on said front axle and another end supported on said rear axle adjacent another wheel of said pair of wheels on said rear axle;

another one of said pair of yokes having one end supported on said front axle adjacent another wheel of said pair of wheels mounted on said front axle and another end supported on said rear axle adjacent another wheel of said pair of wheels on said rear axle;

means for hanging said container means from said pair of yokes;

means adapted for coupling said transport device to a motor means for moving said transport device.

35. A transport device for hauling a load which comprises:

a container means adapted for containing said load;

at least one front axle, each said at least one front axle having a pair of wheels;

one of said pair of wheels mounted on one end of said at least one front axle and another one of said wheels mounted on an opposite end of said a least one front axle

at least one rear axle, each said at least one rear axle having another pair of wheels;

one of said another pair of wheels mounted on one end of said at least one axle and another one of said wheels mounted on an opposite end of said at least one rear axle;

a plurality of hydraulic cylinders, two cylinders for each of said at least one front axle and for each of said at least one rear axle;

each cylinder having a ram extending out of a bottom end of said cylinder;

means for supportively securing an extending end of each said ram to its respective axle adjacent one of said wheels;

a pair of yokes arranged substantially parallel to one another;

each one of said pair of yokes having each end supportively secured to a top end of said at least one hydraulic cylinder;

means for hanging said container means from said pair of yokes;

a pump system coupled to each one of said plurality of hydraulic cylinders for maintaining hydraulic pressure in said hydraulic cylinders;

means adapted for coupling said transport device to a motor means for moving said transport device.

36. The transport device of claim 35 wherein said pump system comprises:

a pump;

a valve assembly communicating with said pump and having a plurality of valves, one valve for each cylinder and communicating with said each cylinder;

a plurality of pressure and position sensors, one pressure sensor for each cylinder arranged to generate pressure and position signals responsive in pressure in and extension of said each cylinder respectively;

a computer arranged to receive said pressure and position signal and adjust a pressure in a corresponding cylinder whereby pressure distribution in said plurality of cylinders is accommodated to road conditions of said transport device.