Abstract: A trailer construction includes first and second spaced apart trailer side walls. A bottom wall is provided between the side walls and includes a forward sloping portion, a rear sloping portion and an intermediate portion therebetween. The forward and rear sloping portions of the bottom wall are curved in cross section, and the intermediate portion includes a continuous wall which is curved when viewed in a horizontal cross section and is also curved when viewed in a vertical cross section. A discharge opening is provided in the intermediate portion of the bottom wall.

Abstract: A vehicle load weighing system of the present invention is used to display the weight of a load on a vehicle from within the cab of the vehicle. The system includes a number of air pressure sensors which sense the air pressure in the air bladders mounted between the frame and axle of a trailer. The air pressure sensors include a processor for converting the measured air pressure into a weight value. The weight values from the sensor units are received and displayed by the display unit in the cab of the vehicle. The display unit can be used with any type of sensor module regardless of the type of air bladder sensed since the sensors send generic weight data rather than air pressure data.

Abstract: A cargo tie down device includes a winch having a mounting bracket, a winch shaft support and a winch shaft. The mounting bracket is secured to a vehicle, and the winch shaft support is rotatably mounted to the mounting bracket. The winch shaft is rotatable within the winch shaft support and is connected to a flexible member which is either attached to or extends over the cargo on the trailer. Tightening of the belt by the winch causes the winch to align relative to the belt in a position wherein the axis of the winch shaft is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the belt, regardless of the angle at which the belt is disposed.

Abstract: An improved tractor-trailer assembly utilizes a trailer bottom wall having a drop center portion which is located rearwardly of the longitudinal midpoint of the trailer. The bottom wall of the cargo container is attached to and suspended from the upper edges of the sidewalls of the trailer. In one form of the invention, the bottom wall has a rectangular cross-sectional configuration, and in another form of the invention, the bottom wall has an arcuate U-shaped cross-sectional configuration.

Abstract: A coupling device for coupling a trailer to a vehicle includes a first channel adapted to be connected to the tongue of the trailer and a second channel adapted to be connected to a hitch member. The hitch member is adapted to be connected to the hitch of a vehicle. The first and second channels are joined together by a pair of links which are pivoted about two spaced apart vertical axes. The hitch member can swing about the links so as to permit alignment of the hitch member with the hitch on the vehicle.

Abstract: A top closure for a rectangular box includes a tarpaulin having one edge connected to one top edge of the box, and having the opposite edge wound around an elongated shaft. A reversible motor is connected to the shaft for winding and unwinding the tarpaulin to open and close the top closure. A remote transmitter is adapted to send either a wind or an unwind signal to a receiver which is connected through solenoids to the reversible motor. By pressing one button on the remote transmitter it is possible to rotate the motor in one direction, and by pressing the other button on the remote transmitter it is possible to rotate the motor in the opposite direction.

Abstract: An improved tractor-trailer assembly utilizes a trailer bottom wall having a drop center portion which is located rearwardly of the longitudinal midpoint of the trailer. The bottom wall of the cargo container is attached to and suspended from the upper edges of the side wall of the trailer. In one form of the invention, the bottom wall has a rectangular cross-sectional configuration, and in another form of the invention, the bottom wall has an arcuate U-shaped cross-sectional configuration.