Monolithic dual-purpose trailer

• US 20070096537A1
• Filed: 11/02/2005
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Randall Hicks
• Original Assignee: Randall Hicks
• Inventors: Hicks, Randall
• Granted Patent: US 7,306,291 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 298/33
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/56 the load-transporting element having bottom discharging openings

Abstract

A monolithic dual-purpose trailer for transporting cargo includes a frame including two longitudinally extending side rails and a central reinforcing member in the form of an engineered truss is located between the two side rails. Wheels are mounted to the frame. A deck including a load bearing surface with a grate is formed on the frame. Hoppers are positioned below the grate. The frame is formed as one solid welded unit. The deck has a portion formed of flat aluminum. A perimeter frame rail is located around the deck. The trailer can transport multiple types of loads and does not have to be converted from one mode to another and additionally has reduced longitudinal flexing.

Claims

1. A monolithic dual-purpose trailer for transporting cargo comprising:

a frame including two longitudinally extending side rails and a longitudinally extending central reinforcing member located between the two side rails;

wheels mounted to the frame;

a deck including a load bearing surface with a grate formed therein; and

a hopper positioned below the grate.

2. The trailer according to claim 1, wherein the frame is formed as one solid welded unit.

3. The trailer according to claim 1, wherein the deck has a portion formed of flat aluminum.

4. The trailer according to claim 1, further comprising:

a perimeter frame rail.

5. The trailer according to claim 1, further comprising:

a second hopper and wherein the grate includes a front portion and a rear portion and the hopper is located below the front portion and the second hopper is located below the rear portion.

6. The trailer according to claim 5, further comprising:

a hopper divider located between the hoppers and attached to the frame.

7. The trailer according to claim 5, further comprising:

actuators for opening and closing the hoppers.

8. The trailer according to claim 1, further comprising:

a perimeter and lateral rails extending between the side rails, the lateral and side rails being located along the perimeter.

9. The trailer according to claim 1, wherein the central reinforcing member is an engineered truss.

10. The trailer according to claim 9, further comprising:

an upper cross beam and a lower cross beam, each beam extending between the side rails and connected to the truss.

11. The trailer according to claim 9, wherein the hoppers each have two sides and the truss extends between the two sides of each hopper.

12. A monolithic dual-purpose non-convertible trailer for transporting cargo comprising:

a frame including two longitudinally extending side rails and two laterally extending beams welded to the side rails;

wheels mounted to the frame;

a deck attached to the frame and including a load bearing surface with a front flat solid portion and a rear flat solid portion and a grate formed there between;

a first hopper and a second hopper both hoppers extending in a longitudinal direction and being positioned below the grate; and

a hopper divider welded between the first and second hoppers whereby the hoppers are able to transport commutated cargo and the deck is able to carry solid cargo simultaneously or sequentially without any structural alterations to the trailer.

13. The trailer according to claim 12, wherein the deck has a portion formed of flat aluminum.

14. The trailer according to claim 12, further comprising:

a perimeter frame rail.

15. The trailer according to claim 12, wherein the grate includes a front portion and a rear portion and the first hopper is located below the front portion and the second hopper is located below the rear portion.

17. The trailer according to claim 15, further comprising:

actuators for opening and closing the hoppers.

18. The trailer according to claim 12, further comprising:

a perimeter and lateral rails extending between the side rails, the lateral and side rails being located along the perimeter.

19. The trailer according to claim 12, further comprising:

an engineered truss and an upper cross beam and a lower cross beam, each beam extending between the side rails and connected to the truss.

20. The trailer according to claim 19, wherein the hoppers each have two sides and a gate on each side for selectively closing the hopper, the truss extends between the two sides of each hopper and a seal is mounted on the truss to prevent cargo from falling out of each hopper.

16. (canceled)

21. A trailer comprising:

a frame including two longitudinally extending side rails and two laterally extending beams attached to the side rails;

wheels mounted to the frame;

a deck attached to the frame and including a load bearing surface with a front flat solid portion and a rear flat solid portion and a grate formed there between;

a first hopper and a second hopper both hoppers extending in a longitudinal direction and being positioned below the grate; and

a hopper divider attached between the first and second hoppers whereby the hoppers are able to transport commutated cargo and the deck is able to carry solid cargo simultaneously or sequentially without any structural alterations to the trailer.