Abstract: In a method for transporting a large milling machine self-propelled by ground-engaging units and comprising a machine frame adjustable in height by means of lifting devices using a tractor unit with a fifth-wheel coupling for a semi-trailer couplable behind the tractor unit as seen in the direction of travel, the following steps are specified: a.) positioning the machine frame of the large milling machine for coupling the large milling machine to the fifth-wheel coupling of the tractor unit or to a trailer using the ground-engaging units and/or the lifting devices of the large milling machine, b.) coupling and supporting the machine frame on the fifth-wheel coupling of the tractor unit or on the trailer, c.) repeating steps a) and b) to establish a mechanical connection between the tractor unit and the trailer by means of coupling the tractor unit and the trailer via the machine frame of the large milling machine, d.

Abstract: An adapter for mounting an accessory to a fixed feature positioned below a load bed of a vehicle is described. The adapter may include a mounting member, an aperture positioned on the mounting member, and a locking member capable of being inserted through the aperture, where the locking member is capable of selectively engaging the fixed feature. The adapter may also include at least one rail attached to the mounting member, and an accessory securing member positioned on the rail, the accessory securing member capable of selectively engaging an accessory.

Abstract: A cargo container system is provided having selectively deployable and retractable support and/or wheel assemblies. The wheel assemblies are capable of being retracted upwardly while the landing assembly is capable of being deployed downwardly and/or retracted upwardly, e.g., during storage or shipment of the cargo container system (e.g., during sea travel or rail travel). At an appropriate time (e.g., the cargo container system is about to placed onto the ground or other surface by a crane or other suitable device), the wheel assemblies are then selectively deployed downwardly while the landing gear assembly is capable of being retracted upwardly and/or deployed downwardly, e.g., to provide a fully functional cargo container system/trailer/chassis combination that may be immediately capable of being engaged to a truck/tractor/chassis and driven away.

Abstract: An articulated coupler permits vertical displacement of a towed vehicle relative to a towing vehicle while preventing lateral or horizontal displacement of the towed vehicle relative to the towing vehicle. Multiple linkage arms provide coupling for special configuration towed vehicles such as short wheel-mounted lifts that experience torsional forces due to the presence and absence of loads on the lift.

Abstract: An industrial tank transport system used to transport an industrial tank without the use of a trailer. The industrial tank transport system is comprised of four components; a semi-tractor truck, a removable lift system, a dolly, and a tank. When these four components are combined together, the tank can be transported without the use of a conventional semi-tractor trailer. Various combinations of these four components are used to practice the various methods of raising and lowering the tank between a horizontal position and vertical position using the semi-tractor truck, transporting the dolly using the removable lift system and semi-tractor truck, attaching and removing the removable lift system to the semi-tractor truck, and attaching and removing the dolly to and from the tank using the removable lift system and semi-tractor truck.

Abstract: In one example, mobile industrial equipment for coupling to a truck for on highway transportation is provided. The mobile industrial equipment includes a frame to connect to the truck, a plurality of wheels connected to the frame, and a track assembly connected to the frame. In another example a method for using mobile equipment is provided. The method includes transporting mobile industrial equipment over the highway with a plurality of wheels connected to a frame of the mobile industrial equipment. The frame of the mobile industrial equipment is separated from the truck. The mobile industrial equipment is moved while separated from the truck using a track connected to the frame of the mobile industrial equipment.

Abstract: A trailer system or trailer includes a trailer body having one or more wheel axle assemblies underlying the trailer body at a rear portion. In the trailer system embodiment, included is a detachable trailer neck that has at least one swivel wheel assembly located at a rear portion of the neck. The swivel wheel assemblies can be lifted or lowered using hydraulic or air cylinders. The neck or tongue has a transversely oriented pivot joint with an adjustable tongue weight assembly using springs and an air or hydraulically operated cylinder to adjust tongue weight.

Abstract: A front wheel arrangement on a bicycle trailer is provided. The connecting hook is arranged to be rotated on the connecting axis that comprises a locking arrangement for locking the front wheel in an in-use position and in a rest position.

Abstract: A system for controlling a vehicle. The vehicle has a steerable front axle and at least one further steerable axle. The system determining the path of a reference lead point at the front of the vehicle and determining the path of a follow point at the rear of the vehicle. A controller for driving the at least one further steerable axle of the vehicle such that the deviation between the path of the lead point of the vehicle and the follow point is within a predetermined range while the vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: A gooseneck hitch attachable to a cross member secured to a frame below a load bed of a vehicle, the cross member having a width is shown and described. The gooseneck hitch may include a beam selectively attachable to the cross member below the load bed and a rail monolithically formed with the beam and extending from the beam. The gooseneck hitch may also include a receptacle monolithically formed with the rail, where the receptacle is capable of selectively securing a hitch ball.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a Disaster Evacuation Cart that can be handled by one or two people or may be towed by a bicycle, off road motorcycle or an all-terrain vehicle into and out of areas of difficult passage, may be converted into a stretcher carrier and may be stored in an upright position. Handles on the lower surface support the device in the upright position and can be used when transporting in difficult areas. The device is equipped with hand brakes for absolute control. The sides and back will have a load bearing fabric material covering that accommodates MOLLE gear and accessories which may include, but are not limited to storage bags, pouches, and utility items like knives, machetes, hatchets and shovels along with a variety of defensive items like mace and fire arms. Additional accessories will include extension handle bars, a vehicle tow bar and fabric stretcher material.

Abstract: A heavy duty wheeled trailer for use in towing the trailer behind a vehicle. The trailer includes an adjustable height tow connection point to adjust and connect to different types of tow vehicles while maintaining the front deck substantially parallel to the trailer main deck. The trailer further includes a modular support frame allowing the trailer to be easily scaled in length and performance capabilities through removal or addition of modular frame cells.

Abstract: An intermodal transportation system having interconnected railcars adapted for transporting interconnected freight trailers where the freight trailers remain connected while being transported on the railcars. Individual trailers are assembled into trailer assemblies at an assembly area. Trailers containing freight are assembled into trailer assembles using specialized dollies. A preferred embodiment includes using a self-powered dolly having tires and mounting a fifth-wheel pickup plate and a ring coupler for engaging the kingpin of a trailer. Multiple dolly-trailer assemblies are connected together to form a trailer assembly. A self-powered movable ramp is positioned at an end of the railcar assembly and a tractor pulls the trailer assembly onto a railcar assembly by driving up a self-powered movable ramp and across the top of the railcars.

Abstract: A folding deck assembly is provided which is mounted on a fifth wheel truck rearwardly of the cab of the truck. The folding cargo deck assembly may be selectively moved from a stowed position rearwardly of the cab of the truck to a position which extends rearwardly from the cab so that the cargo deck assembly may support cargo thereon when the truck is not being used to pull a trailer.

Abstract: A system and method for removing frozen precipitation that has accumulated on a surface of a road vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a heating array attached to the surface and a power source. When energized by the power source, the heating array generates heat that melts the frozen precipitation from the surface.

Abstract: A precision, light weight, high strength hitch for coupling a trailer or other vehicle to a towing vehicle. The hitch includes a mounting ball attached to a portion of the trailer or other vehicle and a ball socket attached to the towing vehicle. The mounting ball and the ball socket have compatible surfaces that permit seating of the two components regardless of the axial, transverse or longitudinal angular or rotational orientation of the two vehicles.

Abstract: A truck tractor and removable body unit system selectively configurable as a tractor and freight box or an articulated truck-trailer combination includes a truck tractor having a frame supporting a drive axle and a steer axle with a fifth wheel mounted on the frame, and a body unit having a body mounted on a frame, the frame supported by a wheeled axle and having a king pin for releasably engaging the fifth wheel on the truck tractor. The body unit includes a coupling mechanism for releasably coupling the truck tractor frame to constrain lateral movement between the truck tractor and the body unit while allowing relative vertical pivoting movement between the truck tractor and body unit about the king pin and fifth wheel. An adjustable spring mounted to one of the truck tractor and body unit to act between the truck tractor frame and the body unit frame to adjust a loading between the truck tractor frame and body unit.

Abstract: A load coupling apparatus for a wheeled vehicle includes load linkage members that pivotally suspend the vehicle and load weight below the axles of the vehicle, allowing limited relative displacement of the axles and the load in the direction of vehicle travel. The load is displaced by moving the axles in the desired direction of travel, whereafter the suspended load follows the axles in a swinging motion as the effects of gravity overcome the load inertia. The effort required to initiate movement of the load is significantly reduced due to the relative displacement of the axles and the load, and the mechanical advantage afforded by the load linkage members. Once in motion, the load continues to track the axles in the direction of travel, providing continued reduction in motive effort even when the load reaches a constant forward speed.

Abstract: A converter apparatus for connecting a fifth wheel-type trailer to a towing vehicle having a ball hitch extending above a bed thereof, the apparatus including a horizontal first body member; a clamping mechanism releasably securing the first body member to the ball hitch; a mounting member having a horizontal second body member fixedly secured perpendicularly to and above the first body member, a pair of horizontal arm members perpendicular to and extending adjustably outwardly from opposing ends of the second body member, and a pair of horizontal arm extension members extending adjustably outwardly from opposing ends of each of the arm members; a fifth wheel hitch mechanism; and securing mechanisms releasably securing the fifth wheel hitch mechanism to the arm extension members of the arm members.

Abstract: A trailer may include a connection assembly. The connection assembly may include an arm sized and configured to be connected to a vehicle to allow the vehicle to tow the trailer. The towing arm may be movable between extended and retracted positions. The trailer may also include a handle assembly, which may be movable between extended and retracted positions relative to the towing arm. The trailer may be easily towed by the vehicle when, for example, the towing arm is extended and the handle assembly is retracted. The trailer may also be used as a wheelbarrow when, for example, the towing arm is retracted and the handle assembly is extended. The connection assembly, the handle assembly, and/or other components of the trailer may include openings that may be aligned to receive fasteners to secure the towing arm and/or the handle assembly in the extended and/or retracted positions.

Abstract: A computer readable medium for instructing the steps of a method for providing stability, control and management of a prime mover connected to an auxiliary vehicle is disclosed. A plurality of computer instructions is stored on a computer readable medium and executed by a processor to perform the steps of connecting the auxiliary vehicle to the prime mover with an electronic stability enhancing system and an auxiliary stability enhancing system, including the processor and memory. The computer instructions instruct communication between the processor and a plurality of sensors regarding forces, motions, and combinations thereof, and communications with a database storage containing specifications representing the prime mover and auxiliary vehicle for comparisons to preset threshold values.

Abstract: A main beam of a container semi-trailer provided with the joint, and the connecting method thereof. The joint is used to connect a main beam and has a first connecting plate connected to the main beam; a second and a third connecting plate secured to the same side of the first connecting plate and spaced apart to each other; and a fourth connecting plate slantingly connected between the second and third connecting plates.

Abstract: A load coupling apparatus for a wheeled vehicle includes load linkage members that pivotally suspend the vehicle and load weight below the axles of the vehicle, allowing limited relative displacement of the axles and the load in the direction of vehicle travel. The load is displaced by moving the axles in the desired direction of travel, whereafter the suspended load follows the axles in a swinging motion as the effects of gravity overcome the load inertia. The effort required to initiate movement of the load is significantly reduced due to the relative displacement of the axles and the load, and the mechanical advantage afforded by the load linkage members. Once in motion, the load continues to track the axles in the direction of travel, providing continued reduction in motive effort even when the load reaches a constant forward speed.

Abstract: A load coupling apparatus for a wheeled vehicle includes load linkage members that pivotally suspend the vehicle and load weight below the axles of the vehicle, allowing limited relative displacement of the axles and the load in the direction of vehicle travel. The load is displaced by moving the axles in the desired direction of travel, whereafter the suspended load follows the axles in a swinging motion as the effects of gravity overcome the load inertia. The effort required to initiate movement of the load is significantly reduced due to the relative displacement of the axles and the load, and the mechanical advantage afforded by the load linkage members. Once in motion, the load continues to track the axles in the direction of travel, providing continued reduction in motive effort even when the load reaches a constant forward speed.

Abstract: A fifth wheel mounting frame can be used to convert a conventional vehicle having a fifth wheel, such as the semi-tractor, into a tow truck. The fifth wheel mounting frame advantageously mounts to the tow vehicle's fifth wheel assembly to provide stability and other advantages. Additionally, various coupling members having selectably adjustable lengths and having various coupling mechanisms are used for variable placement of the coupling mechanisms and coupling members to the frame of the fifth wheel vehicle to accommodate such things as obstructions found on the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A trailer system that includes a main chassis assembly including a detachable, trailer tongue assembly that is assembled from multiple trailer tongue assembly parts; a pair of detachable ramp members each detachably connectable to the main chassis assembly; multiple fasteners; and a multi-panel enclosure assembly attachable to the main chassis assembly. The fasteners are used to secure the multiple trailer tongue assembly parts together, the multi-panel enclosure assembly together and the assembled trailer tongue assembly and the assembled multi-panel enclosure assembly to the main chassis assembly.

Abstract: In a transporting vehicle provided with a trailer hauled by a tractor, the trailer is constructed by a first trailer unit connectable with the tractor and a second trailer unit detachably connectable with the first trailer unit. At mutually opposed connecting sections of the first and second trailer units is provided a connecting mechanism for integrally connecting the first and second trailer units with the rear end of the first trailer unit held in contact with the front end of the second trailer unit. The transporting vehicle can transport cargoes on roads other than main roads while being allowed to have a relatively simple construction and an improved loading capacity.

Abstract: An adapter includes connector elements for releasably coupling to a quick-connect coupling of a loader or other off-road vehicle, and a fifth-wheel for releasably coupling to a fifth-wheel king pin equipped trailer. The adapter is adapted for connecting to the coupling from either a resting position on the ground, or a hanging position from the fifth-wheel king pin of the trailer.