Abstract: A tractor trailer having an adjustable wheel assembly, the trailer comprising at least two laterally spaced frame members. A plurality of openings are located in the frame members, with each opening having a flange section structured to receive a wheel assembly locking-pin. The flange section increases the load-bearing area of each frame member opening.

Abstract: A number of improved ways of connecting a slider to a trailer frame are disclosed. In one general type of solution, a wedge-shaped locking surface is formed on both the slider and the trailer. The wedged surfaces provide a very secure connection. In another general way of describing the embodiments, several of the embodiments have a plurality of locking surfaces which again provide a more secure connection.

Abstract: A number of improved ways of connecting a slider to a trailer frame are disclosed. In one general type of solution, a wedge-shaped locking surface is formed on both the slider and the trailer. The wedged surfaces provide a very secure connection. In another general way of describing the embodiments, several of the embodiments have a plurality of locking surfaces which again provide a more secure connection.

Abstract: A operating system for slider locking pins includes an air compressor connected to an air supply tank. An air pressure protection valve is connected to the air tank to protect the brake system of the trailer. A flipper valve is connected to the air pressure protection valve and provides selective fluid communication between the air tank and a plurality of locking pin driver assemblies. Each locking pin driver assembly is adapted to move a locking pin to a disengaged position when in fluid communication with the air tank while being adapted to move the locking pin to the engaged position when not in fluid communication with the air tank. Each driver assembly is configured to substantially provide protection to each of its elements from adverse weather conditions and articles thrown up from the road. In one embodiment, the driver assembly includes a fixed bracket attached to the frame of the sliding undercarriage. A traveling bracket is connected to a locking pin.

Abstract: A wheel suspension system for a vehicle such as a truck trailer. Wheels of the suspension system are attached to stub axles supported by pivoting trailing arm wheel supports. The wheel supports are arranged on a sub-frame which can be slidingly coupled to the underneath of the trailer. Each wheel support is urged apart from the sub-frame by a spring such as an air spring. In one embodiment the air springs are pressurized under the control of an electronic controller. The rotational axes of the wheels are staggered or spaced apart, such that the rotational axes of the wheels on one side of the sub-frame are not coincident with the rotational axes of the wheels on the other side of the sub-frame.

Abstract: A slider pin release mechanism for a slider suspension system of a semi-trailer which includes a trailer body and a slider suspension which is movable longitudinally forwardly and rearwardly relative to the trailer body. Locking pins carried on the slider suspension are movable laterally into and out of locking engagement with the slider suspension and the trailer body. A longitudinally extending pivot rod connects to the locking pins. A ratchet gear is affixed to the forward end of the pivot rod. A handle is mounted on the pivot rod for rotation relative to the ratchet gear. A drive pawl is mounted on the handle and engages the ratchet gear to drive the ratchet gear upon rotation of the handle. A holding pawl is engageable with said ratchet gear. A drive pawl release rod is connected to the drive pawl. The drive pawl includes a release tooth which is moved into contact with the holding pawl to disengage the holding pawl from the ratchet gear.

Abstract: The trailer has a deck assembly that includes a level main deck portion and a tail hinged to the main deck for vertical swinging movement between a level transport position, a downwardly and rearwardly inclined ground-loading position, and an upwardly and rearwardly inclined dock-loading position. Raising and lowering of the tail between such positions is carried out by fore-and-aft movement of the shiftable undercarriage of the trailer, such undercarriage being located under the tail and generally behind the hinge when the trailer is in its roading position with the tail in its transport position. When the undercarriage is shifted forwardly beyond a lost motion segment of travel, the tail is allowed to progressively descend by gravity to its ground-loading position. Returning the undercarriage to its roading position beneath the tail causes the tail to be raised back to its transport position.

Abstract: A trailer slider pin control system is provided including a vehicle body and a rail supported along the body. The rails are moveable between a plurality of positions defined by a plurality of holes in the rail. A pin assembly is supported on the vehicle body and includes a pin moveable between unlocked and locked positions. The pin is disposed in the hole locking the rail to the vehicle body in the locked position. Conversely, the rail is free to move along the vehicle body in the unlock position. A sensor senses a location of a portion of the pin assembly, which corresponds to the unlock position. A vehicle speed control device, such as an engine, transmission, or braking system, is actuatable to limit the speed of the vehicle. A controller is connected to the sensor and the vehicle speed control device to actuate the vehicle speed control device to limit the speed of the vehicle in response to the sensors sensing the unlocked position.

Abstract: A portable combination tool for use by truckers provides several functions in a single device. The present tool essentially comprises a telescoping tubular assembly, with the smaller diameter tube or rod being adjustably positionable within the larger tube. The smaller rod or tube attaches to the structure of an adjustably positionable tandem axle unit on a semitrailer, with the tool providing for the release of the lock pin handle of the tandem unit. A spring extends from the larger diameter handle portion of the tool, and is secured to the release pin handle of the tandem unit. The handle portion of the tool is extended to apply a tensile force to the release handle through the spring, with the driver then moving the truck and trailer slightly to release any shear frictional loads on the release pins, causing the release handle to release due to the spring tension of the tool.

Abstract: An apertured track and brace system for mounting a slider for adjusting the weight distribution of a semi-trailer. The apertured track is adapted to be mounted to both a semi trailer and to a carriage carrying a rear axle tandem, while a single type of brace is adapted to link the apertured track to other elements operable to slidably longitudinally position the axle tandem relative to the semi trailer itself.

Abstract: A pin retractor operator is provided for use on a trailer having a movable bogie secured to the trailer frame with pins which are retractable by pulling on a handle of a pin retractor. The pin retractor operator includes a case for engaging the bogie, a handle engager coupled to a spring both of which are within the case. A tensioner extends through the case and is coupled to the spring so that linear movement of the tensioner stores energy within the spring when the handle of the pin retractor is received in the handle engager. A regulator coupled to the case controls movement of the tensioner. Tension stored in the spring pulls on the handle of the pin retractor while urging the case against the bogie allowing the trailer to be moved relative to the bogie with the pin retractor operator attached to the bogie. Components of the tensioner are adapted to serve as a positioning mechanism.

Abstract: A operating system for slider locking pins includes an air compressor connected to an air supply tank. An air pressure protection valve is connected to the air tank to protect the brake system of the trailer. A flipper valve is connected to the air pressure protection valve and provides selective fluid communication between the air tank and a plurality of locking pin driver assemblies. Each locking pin driver assembly is adapted to move a locking pin to a disengaged position when in fluid communication with the air tank while being adapted to move the locking pin to the engaged position when not in fluid communication with the air tank. Each driver assembly is configured to substantially provide protection to each of its elements from adverse weather conditions and articles thrown up from the road. In one embodiment, the driver assembly includes a fixed bracket attached to the frame of the sliding undercarriage. A traveling bracket is connected to a locking pin.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a movable subframe of a semi-trailer includes at least a pair of transversely spaced pins. Each pin is extendable into and retractable from an opening formed in its respective longitudinally extending main member of the subframe and a selected aligned one of a plurality of openings formed in its respective longitudinally extending rail of the trailer main frame. An elastomeric bladder is disposed between the pins and is operatively connected to one or more cables and/or linkage members which in turn are operatively connected to the pins. When the bladder is voided of air and is in its collapsed state, sufficient slack exists in the bladder, cables and/or linkage members to enable the bias force of a coil spring disposed about each of the pins to independently cause the pins to extend through their respective aligned openings to lock the subframe in a selected longitudinal position with respect to the trailer main frame.

Abstract: A release device for a tandem axle of a semi-truck is a compressible piston and cylinder, with the piston rod extending out of one end of the cylinder and biased into an extended position by a biasing mechanism such as compressed gas in the cylinder. A latch on the cylinder is releasably engageable with an indent on the piston rod to hold it in a retracted position. A hook on the cylinder engages over the handle of a manual release rod for a truck tandem axle, with an enlarged head on the end of the piston rod bearing against part of the frame adjacent the release rod with the piston rod in the latched, retracted position. Release of the latch puts biasing force on the piston rod, urging the cylinder outwardly away from the frame to pull out the release rod.

Abstract: A dual trailer assembly (10) is provided which provides for operating two end dump trailers (12, 14) with a single cab (16). The operation is possible by use of a moveable pedestal (30) having a fifth wheel mounted on the forward end dump trailer (12). The pedestal (30) is in the rearward, trailing position to attach the rearward end dump trailer (14) at the fifth wheel (110) on the pedestal for towing. Upon arrival at the dump site, the rearward end dump trailer (14) can be dumped and then detached from the forward end dump trailer (12). The pedestal (30) mounting the fifth wheel will move forward to a forward, dumping position, permitting the contents of the forward end dump trailer (12) to be dumped.

Abstract: A movable subframe or slider for a semi-trailer is modified to provide a storage bay between the slider and semi-trailer for accommodating a walk ramp and its carrier hardware. A reinforced elongated spacer cap is mounted on the uppermost surface of each main member and associated cross members of the slider. The spaced-apart parallel caps provide sufficient clearance between the bottom surface of the trailer body and the uppermost surface of the slider cross members, for mounting a walk ramp and its carrier hardware on the underside of the trailer body. The pins and coil springs of the retractable locking pin mechanism of the slider are relocated upwardly into the spacers. Rail guides and low frictions strips also are relocated from the slider main members to the spacer caps. This relocation enables the modified slider to be mounted on standard body rails of a semi-trailer, which are mounted on and depend from the underside of the trailer body.

Abstract: An axle support system for supporting an axle for a wheelchair drive wheel includes an elongated wheelchair frame member. A portion of the surface of the elongated frame member is a frame contact surface, and a portion of the surface of the elongated frame member is an indexing section defined by a series of grooves separated by lands. A bracket is mounted for movement along the elongated wheelchair frame member. The bracket has an orifice for receiving a wheelchair drive wheel axle, a bracket contact surface, and a connector for securing the bracket to the elongated frame member. The frame contact surface of the elongated frame member is aligned with the bracket contact surface, thereby preventing rotation of the bracket with respect to the elongated frame member. The connector is engagable with a selected groove of the series of grooves of the elongated frame member to fix the position of the bracket along the elongated frame member.

Abstract: A operating system for slider locking pins includes an air compressor connected to an air supply tank. An air pressure protection valve is connected to the air tank to protect the brake system of the trailer. A flipper valve is connected to the air pressure protection valve and provides selective fluid communication between the air tank and a plurality of locking pin driver assemblies. Each locking pin driver assembly is adapted to move a locking pin to a disengaged position when in fluid communication with the air tank while being adapted to move the locking pin to the engaged position when not in fluid communication with the air tank. Each driver assembly is configured to substantially provide protection to each of its elements from adverse weather conditions and articles thrown up from the road. In one embodiment, the driver assembly includes a fixed bracket attached to the frame of the sliding undercarriage. A traveling bracket is connected to a locking pin.