Abstract: A pair of elongate attachment members, or “Z-rails” for attaching an end of a trailer crossmember to a flanged beam each include a first end section, an L-shaped portion comprising a horizontal leg and a vertical leg extending from the first end section, and a second end section extending from the vertical leg. The horizontal leg has a bottom surface with a width equal to the distance between the web of the flanged beam and the end of the flange. The vertical leg has an outer surface with a width equal to the width of the end of the flange. The Z-rails are attached to opposite ends of the crossmember to form a subassembly. The subassembly is fixed to and between the flanged beams by welding the first end sections to the web of the corresponding beam, with the horizontal leg on the flange, without directly heating the flange, thereby not diminishing the toughness of the flange.

Abstract: A pair of elongate attachment members, or “Z-rails” for attaching an end of a trailer crossmember to a flanged beam each include a first end section, an L-shaped portion comprising a horizontal leg and a vertical leg extending from the first end section, and a second end section extending from the vertical leg. The horizontal leg has a bottom surface with a width equal to the distance between the web of the flanged beam and the end of the flange. The vertical leg has an outer surface with a width equal to the width of the end of the flange. The Z-rails are attached to opposite ends of the crossmember to form a subassembly. The subassembly is fixed to and between the flanged beams by welding the first end sections to the web of the corresponding beam, with the horizontal leg on the flange, without directly heating the flange, thereby not diminishing the toughness of the flange.

Abstract: A pair of elongate attachment members, or “Z-rails” for attaching an end of a trailer crossmember to a flanged beam each include a first end section, an L-shaped portion comprising a horizontal leg and a vertical leg extending from the first end section, and a second end section extending from the vertical leg. The horizontal leg has a bottom surface with a width equal to the distance between the web of the flanged beam and the end of the flange. The vertical leg has an outer surface with a width equal to the width of the end of the flange. The Z-rails are attached to opposite ends of the crossmember to form a subassembly. The subassembly is fixed to and between the flanged beams by welding the first end sections to the web of the corresponding beam, with the horizontal leg on the flange, without directly heating the flange, thereby not diminishing the toughness of the flange.

Abstract: A post assembly is suitable for use with a curtain side trailer having a side rail and a top rail disposed above the side rail. The post assembly has a post and a clamping assembly for selectively coupling the lower end of the post to the side rail. The clamp assembly includes first and second clamp fittings. The first clamp fitting is coupled to the post to engage a lower surface of the side rail. The second clamp fitting slidably coupled to the post and to engage an upper surface of the side rail. A linkage is coupled to the post and to the second clamp fitting. Movement of the linkage reciprocates the second clamp fitting between a clamped position and an unclamped position. In the clamped position, the second clamp fitting and the first clamp fitting cooperate to apply a clamping force to the side rail.

Abstract: A post assembly is suitable for use with a curtain side trailer having a side rail and a top rail disposed above the side rail. The post assembly has a post and a clamping assembly for selectively coupling the lower end of the post to the side rail. The clamp assembly includes first and second clamp fittings. The first clamp fitting is coupled to the post to engage a lower surface of the side rail. The second clamp fitting slidably coupled to the post and to engage an upper surface of the side rail. A linkage is coupled to the post and to the second clamp fitting. Movement of the linkage reciprocates the second clamp fitting between a clamped position and an unclamped position. In the clamped position, the second clamp fitting and the first clamp fitting cooperate to apply a clamping force to the side rail.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and apparatus for pre-bunking cut timber and transporting cut timber. A plurality of portable U-shaped bunks or cradles are first releasably attached to a portable skid, and logs are loaded onto the cradles. In an embodiment, the cradles are collapsible. This step may be performed before a transportation trailer is on site. The load of logs, with the portable cradles are then moved as a unit and attached to the trailer. The trailer is provided with attachment hardware adapted to releasably engage the portable bunks. In an embodiment of the invention the trailer attachment hardware is removably attachable to the trailer, permitting the trailer to be used for other purposes. The present system permits improvements in efficiency by permitting logs to be pre-bunked while the trailer is in use elsewhere.

Abstract: A trailer (100) is disclosed having a trailer bed (106) that may be a drop center type trailer and a frame structure extending, including a forward frame (120), rearward frame (122) and upper beam (124) therebetween. Pivotable bunk assemblies (150, 160) having left and right portions are pivotably mounted to the trailer side rails (105), the bunk portions pivotable between a deployed position extending over the trailer and a non-deployed position. A top frame (130) is hingedly attached to the upper beam and engages the bunk assemblies when it is in the closed position. Deployable, load-bearing sidewalls (102) are also optionally provided. The trailer is easily convertible between a configuration suitable for hauling logs in the deployed bunk assemblies and a configuration suitable for hauling other product—for example, wood chips or the like—with the bunk assemblies non-deployed, and the sidewalls deployed.

Abstract: A side rail (10) mounts on the load carrying deck of a transport vehicle to facilitate securing loads to the deck and includes an upright abutment wall (20) that intersects a support surface extension (30). The abutment wall 20 has an inner surface (22) that faces the load carrying deck and an outer surface (24) that faces away from the load carrying deck. An upwardly and outwardly angling winch mount (50) connects the outer surface (24) of the abutment wall (20) to the support surface extension (30). Upper and lower attachment flanges (26) and (28) project inwardly from the abutment wall (20) for mountably engaging the load carrying deck. The support surface extension (30) is bifurcated by a longitudinally disposed channel (32), creating an inner extension portion (36) and an outer extension portion (38). An outwardly disposed hook notched lip (42) is formed along the inner edge of the channel (32) to produce a chain tie-down securing location.

Abstract: A truck-trailer-trailer combination including an intermediate trailer that has two load carrying bunk assemblies. The intermediate trailer carries the rearward end of a first set of elongate objects and the forward end of a second set of elongate objects. The forward end of the first set of elongate objects is carried by the truck and the rearward end of the second set of elongate objects is carried by a rear trailer. The truck-trailer-trailer combination carries such loads in a manner that complies with existing highway regulations and allows the user to reduce the number of trips required in order to transport a given number of elongate objects.

Abstract: A conveyor for bulk goods of the endless-chain type including a bin having a longitudinal floor and upwardly extending and divergent sidewalls; at least two laterally spaced, sprocket mounted and driven, endless chains defining a working flight above the floor and a return flight below the floor; and a plurality of flexible load supporting flaps, each of the flaps having a leading edge attached to the laterally spaced chains by separate brackets to permit flexing of the flap in case of obstruction and a free trailing edge operable to overlap the leading edge of an adjacent and rearwardly spaced flap. Each of the flaps may also include a flexible scraper adjacent its leading edge operable to engage the upper surface of the floor for cleaning the floor.

Abstract: Roll-up cover apparatus for an open sided trailer box including a top rail, a flexible cover downwardly depending from the top rail, a torque tube for winding or unwinding the cover thereon, a plurality of laterally spaced straps, and one or more winches engaging the straps for placing selective tension thereon. In one embodiment the torque tube is contained below a bottom rail for placing tension on the cover itself and in a second embodiment the torque tube rest on the bottom rail with the cover defining an apron overlapping the bottom of the side opening for placement on the floor of the trailer box when hauling bulk goods and for placement over the outside of the bottom rail when hauling non-bulk goods.

Abstract: A hopper discharge device including a hopper with discharge opening, a pair of door support guides, a door slidingly engaging the guides for opening and closing the hopper discharge opening and a rotatable shaft with one or more sprocket wheels adapted to engage the door in rack and pinion manner for opening and closing the door. The door is provided on its undersurface with one or more longitudinally extending channel members, each channel member containing a section of roller chain therein. The sprocket wheels mesh with the rollers of the flexible roller chain to prevent build-up of ice, dirt, grain particles, and other debris in the sprocket wheel's contact with the chain. A wear strip of anti-friction material on the door facilitates the opening and closing of the door.