Vehicle transport apparatus
DCFirst Claim
1. A vehicle transport apparatus comprising:
- a beam providing a kingpin on each a proximal and distal end thereof;
a single and only axle in vertical and horizontal sliding support of the beam, wherein the beam adjusts vertically relative to the axle, and the axle adjusts horizontally relative to the beam, and wherein the beam is unsupported by the single and only axle during at least one operating mode of the beam;
a guide post attached to the axle;
a vertical slide member attached to the beam and in sliding contact with the guide post; and
a vertical position control apparatus interposed between the vertical slide member and the axle, the vertical position control apparatus controlling the vertical position of the beam relative to the axle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle transport apparatus and method for attaching vehicles to the transport apparatus are provided. The vehicle transport apparatus preferably includes: a beam providing a kingpin on each a proximal and distal end; and an axle in vertical and horizontal sliding support of the beam, the axle providing selectable vertical and horizontal positioning of the beam relative to the axle. The method includes: collapsing a rear suspension of a first vehicle; lashing a rear axle of the first vehicle to a frame of the first vehicle; coupling a first kingpin of a vehicle transport apparatus to a fifth wheel of the first vehicle; lashing the first vehicle to a frame of the vehicle transport apparatus; elevating the vehicle transport apparatus with an axle of the vehicle transport apparatus; and coupling a second kingpin of the vehicle transport apparatus to a fifth wheel of a second vehicle.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A vehicle transport apparatus comprising:
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a beam providing a kingpin on each a proximal and distal end thereof; a single and only axle in vertical and horizontal sliding support of the beam, wherein the beam adjusts vertically relative to the axle, and the axle adjusts horizontally relative to the beam, and wherein the beam is unsupported by the single and only axle during at least one operating mode of the beam; a guide post attached to the axle; a vertical slide member attached to the beam and in sliding contact with the guide post; and a vertical position control apparatus interposed between the vertical slide member and the axle, the vertical position control apparatus controlling the vertical position of the beam relative to the axle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A vehicle transport apparatus comprising:
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a beam providing a kingpin on each a proximal and distal end thereof, in which the beam comprises a plurality of vehicle support members extending between the proximal and distal ends of the vehicle transport apparatus, a plurality of cross members interconnecting the plurality of vehicle support members, and a pair of respective kingpin support members interconnecting the plurality of vehicle support members, wherein the kingpin on each the proximal and distal end of the beam are secured to their respective kingpin support members; an axle in vertical and horizontal sliding support of the beam, wherein the beam adjusts vertically relative to the axle, and the axle adjusts horizontally relative to the beam, and wherein the beam is unsupported by the axle during at least one operating mode of the beam; a horizontal slide member attached to the axle and in sliding contact with the beam; a horizontal position control apparatus interposed between the horizontal slide member and the beam, the horizontal position control apparatus controlling the horizontal position of the beam relative to the axle; a guide post attached to the axle; a vertical slide member attached to the beam and in sliding contact with the guide post; and a vertical position control apparatus interposed between the vertical slide member and the axle, the vertical position control apparatus controlling the vertical position of the beam relative to the axle. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification