Transportable satellite communication station including double-expandable trailer

• US 6,783,164 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2002
• Issued: 08/31/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MDA Information Systems LLC (Galileo Parent, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Veridian Erim International Inc.
• Inventors: Bortell, J. Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): PAPE, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US10/187,530
• Publication Number:
  US 20040094983A1
• Time in Patent Office: 791 Days
• Field of Search: 296/24.3, 296/24.32, 296/24.33, 296/24.34, 296/24.36, 296/24.38, 296/24.39, 296/26.13, 296/26.14, 296/26.15, 455/517
• US Class Current: 296/24.33
• 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 frame 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.

Claims

1. A transportable satellite communication station comprising:

an expandable trailer having a central portion comprising a support frame defining a floor and a pair of spaced apart upwardly extending side walls defining an interior transport area therebetween, each of said side walls having an opening defined therein;

an expansion module supported in each of said openings for movement between a closed position and an expanded position, each expansion module comprising a front panel and a rear panel and a side panel extending between said front and rear panels, each of said side panels being generally aligned with one of said side walls when said expansion modules are in said closed position and being outwardly spaced from said side walls when said expansion modules are in said expanded position;

satellite communication related electronic components being supported on said floor and filling substantially all of the space between said side walls, said electronic components having outwardly facing control panels which are adjacent said side panels when said expansion modules are in said closed position, said control panels being accessible by a human operator only when said expansion modules are in said expanded position wherein said side panels are spaced from said control panels so as to define a working space.

2. The expandable trailer according to claim 1, further comprising a removable work surface detachably connected to electronic equipment.

3. The expandable trailer according to claim 1, wherein an open aisle is defined through said interior transport area interconnecting said expansion modules.