Patents Assigned to Dakota Manufacturing Co., Inc.
  • Patent number: 7658587
    Abstract: A hydraulic tail trailer comprising a main deck having a main tail assembly pivotally connected to the rearward end thereof with the pivotal connection therebetween being located forwardly of the centerline of the rear axle of the trailer suspension system. The location of the hinge between the main deck and the main tail assembly, by being located forwardly of the centerline of the rear axle, provides a main tail having an increased length thereby providing a lower loading angle without increasing the overall length of the trailer. The forward end of the main deck is pivotally connected to the rearward end of an upper deck so that the main deck may be raised which further reduces the angle between the rearward end of the main deck and the forward end of the main tail for loading and unloading purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Dakota Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Dale Dierks, A. Dean Oehlerking, Ray Paradis, Brent Hohman, Cynthia Bjerrum, Don Huber, Steve Koch
  • Patent number: 5215426
    Abstract: A trailer comprising a main trailer portion having a ramp tail hingedly secured to the rearward end thereof. A first axle and suspension system is positioned beneath the main portion of the trailer forwardly of the hinge point of the ramp tail. A second axle and suspension system is positioned rearwardly of the first axle and is located beneath the hinge point of the ramp tail when it is desired to pivotally move the ramp tail. During highway usage, the second axle may be slidably moved beneath the ramp tail so as to increase the distance between the two axles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: Dakota Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph W. Bills, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5094583
    Abstract: A main tail lock for a hydraulic tail trailer comprising a pair of spaced-apart locks which are pivotally secured to the frame of the tail and which are pivoted between locked and unlocked positions by a lock cylinder. When the locks are in their unlocked position, the tail cylinders for the tail may raise or lower the tail of the trailer. When the locks are in their locked position, the tail cylinders are prevented from retracting thereby preventing the lowering of the tail with respect to the main frame of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Dakota Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Bills, Jr., William K. Hunt, Harry E. Voelzke
  • Patent number: 4943106
    Abstract: An equipment trailer having swing-out side extensions provided at each side thereof to enable the overall width of the trailer to be increased when over-width loads are to be carried. Each of the side extensions comprises a plurality of elongated arms pivotally mounted at their inner ends to a side frame member of the trailer and having a vertically disposed rail member pivotally secured to the outer ends thereof. All of the extension arms may be pivotally moved to their outer position by simply grasping the rail member and pivotally moving the same between its inner and outer positions. Locks are provided for locking the side extensions in their inner and outer positions. A modified form of the invention is also shown wherein a hydraulic cylinder is utilized to pivotally move the side extensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: Dakota Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: William K. Hunt
  • Patent number: 4568235
    Abstract: A low-angle tilt trailer comprising a forward frame section which is adapted to be connected to a prime mover and having a rear frame section selectively longitudinally slidably mounted thereon. A wheel assembly is mounted at the rearward end of the rear frame section. A hydraulic cylinder interconnects the forward frame section and the rear frame section to enable the rear frame section and the wheel assembly mounted thereon to be moved between rearward and forward positions relative to the front prime section. The trailer bed is pivotally connected to the rear frame section to enable the trailer bed to be tilted so that the rearward end of the trailer bed can be brought into ground engagement. The rear frame section may be moved forwardly relative to the front frame section and the trailer bed tilted upwardly to approximately an 81/2.degree. angle to facilitate the loading and unloading of equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Assignee: Dakota Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph W. Bills, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4372727
    Abstract: A multiple fold ramp tail for a trailer is described comprising a wheeled frame having rearward and forward ends with the forward end of the frame being suitable for connection to a prime mover such as a truck or the like. A multiple fold ramp tail is pivotally connected to the rearward end of the frame and comprises a main ramp portion, first stage ramp portion and a second stage ramp portion. The forward end of the main ramp portion is pivotally connected to the rearward end of the frame and the forward end of the first stage ramp portion is pivotally connected to the rearward end of the main ramp portion. The second stage ramp portion is pivotally connected at its forward end to the rearward end of the first stage ramp portion. The first and second stage ramp portions are normally in a stored position wherein they are folded upon themselves beneath the lower rearward end of the main ramp portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Assignee: Dakota Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald G. Fredrickson, Joseph W. Bills, Jr.