Abstract: A floor frame assembly for modular housing units that includes longitudinally extending floor support beams, an outer end beam comprised of a pair of generally parallel angled members, and transverse supports that have a first end attached to and extending outwardly from an outer one of the longitudinal floor support beams and a second end attached to the angled members to support an edge section of the floor assembly. The second end has a height less than the height of the first end. For further support, the floor frame assembly includes vertical first stabilizing members installed at the second end of the transverse supports to keep the transverse supports from buckling.

Abstract: A lightweight metal automobile framework having a hollow, impact-absorbing member, wherein the impact-absorbing member absorbs any impact by axial plastic deformation and has inner ribs passing through a center axis thereof. The impact-absorbing member may also have an axial end face partially removed to lessen an area on which a load is imposed at an instant of impact, thereby raising the average stress of the impact and lowering peak deceleration. Also, automobile framework members forming a front-end portion of the automobile framework may be detachably coupled to the automobile framework.

Abstract: A self-propelled grain combine head is transported on a wheel supported trailer having an elongated lower support bar on which is mounted a pair of slidable head support units each having a bracket supporting a repositionable support member. Each support member has peripherally spaced different support surfaces for receiving frame members of different combine heads, and each bracket and corresponding head support member have a plurality of sets of alignable holes for receiving a pair of removable cross pins. A pair of hold down units are also slidably mounted on the lower support bar, and each unit carries a manually actuated ratchet winch having a flexible hold down strap. Each strap is connected to a combine head by a hook which may also receive a claw-type hook and a cross pin.

Abstract: A floor frame assembly for facilitating the construction of buildings including mobile homes and modular homes. The floor frame assembly includes longitudinally extending structural support beams which are arranged side by side. The structural support beams are rigidly connected by a plurality of cross members extending therebetween. A plurality of one-piece outriggers are separately secured to the longitudinal beams and transversely extend laterally outward therefrom. The outriggers are substantially rectangular in shape.

Abstract: A peripheral beam system for a manufactured home comprising a multiplicity of transverse beams secured perpendicular to plural longitudinally extending beams. Plural peripheral beams are secured to the multiplicity of transverse beams to extend parallel to the plural longitudinally extending beams. The peripheral beams extend downwardly from the manufactured home for resting on a foundation to support the manufactured home relative to a foundation. The downwardly extending peripheral beams enabling the manufactured home to be mounted onto a foundation at a permanent home site through the use of simple lifting jacks and without the use of lifting cranes.

Abstract: An improved modular support assembly is disclosed for reinforcing an end of a transverse beam disposed upon a longitudinally extending beam of a manufactured home. The modular support comprises a truss portion comprising an upper member, a depending member and a brace. The upper member is positioned to be supported by the longitudinally extending beam. The depending member is connected to extend downwardly from the upper member. The brace interconnects the upper member and the depending members. The truss portion is connected to the transverse beam for enabling the brace to coact with the longitudinally extending beam of a manufactured home for providing a bracing between the upper member and the longitudinally extending beam for supporting the end of the transverse beam thereby.

Abstract: An improved trailer for transporting large round coil stock. The trailer includes a platform having opposed front and rear portions and a pair of opposed sides, and a frame fastened to the platform and cooperatively supported by axles, wheels and suspension equipment. The frame has at least two parallel beams interconnected by cross beams and a plurality of brackets attached at spaced intervals along the length of the parallel beams. Each bracket includes a support member having an opening adapted to receive a removable post. A cross piece block is positioned between the coil stock and two or more removable posts which are inserted within the opening at equal distances from a front portion of the trailer to restrain forward movement of the coil stock.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stacking two or more trailers that are used for transporting containers. Each of the trailers has recesses positioned directly over the rear wheels for receiving the rear wheels of a trailer stacked thereon. Smaller recesses are provided adjacent a front end of the trailer for receiving a wheel carried on the lower end of a landing gear of the trailer stacked thereon. The trailers can be stacked one upon the other for storage.

Abstract: A squatdown axle and suspension system for vehicles used to haul cargo provides a frame, a cargo bed attached to the frame, at least two wheels, and an adjustable suspension system for suspending the frame on the wheels between a transport position in which the frame and cargo bed are generally parallel to the road surface and a load position in which the cargo bed is lowered to the road surface. In one embodiment the suspension system includes at least one air bag which can be alternately inflated or deflated to adjust the position of the cargo bed and frame with respect to the road surface. A removable pulley for use with a winch and cable and an adjustable axle assembly are also provided.

Abstract: An improved vehicle chassis for motor homes and busses is provided. According to the invention, the chassis has a front frame chassis subcomponent, a rear chassis subcomponent and a center floor rail system. Each subcomponent has contained within it the appropriate subcomponents associated with the chassis; the front subcomponent, for example, has a suspension unit and steering apparatus while the rear subcomponent has transmission, motor and suspension.The front and rear frame chassis subcomponents have longitudinally extending frame rails which connect to one another via a plurality of longitudinally extending floor rails and perpendicular steel plates found in the center floor rail system.The inventive device integrates the chassis and superstructure. Incorporating the superstructure into the chassis lowers vehicle height, and therefore, the center of gravity. This results in better handling and ride characteristics for the finished vehicle.

Abstract: A improved trailer for transporting large round coil stock. The trailer includes a platform having opposed front and rear portions and a pair of opposed sides, and a frame fastened to the platform and cooperatively supported by axles, wheels and suspension equipment. The frame has at least two parallel beams interconnected by cross beams and a plurality of brackets attached at spaced intervals along the length of the parallel beams. Each bracket includes a support member having an opening adapted to receive a removable post. A cross piece block is positioned between the coil stock and two or more removable posts which are inserted within the opening at equal distances from a front portion of the trailer to restrain forward movement of the coil stock.

Abstract: A trailerable, mobile motor vehicle service unit is especially equipped to realign wheels and axles of a motor vehicle driven onto the unit. The unit provides a track on which a motor vehicle is driven and a track ramp portion that can be lowered to the ground to facilitate loading of a motor vehicle. Once loaded the ramp is once again raised to a horizontal position. The unit is lifted from its wheels by 4 fixed-length support legs positioned under the wheel position of the loaded motor vehicle which pivot by action of hydraulic cylinders which draw the respective legs to or extend them from the unit. The unit may also be lowered to the ground by first hydraulically relocating its wheels mounted on a slidable axle frame into a wheel storage area of the unit body frame before lowering the unit on its support legs.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly for use in hauling a motorcyle behind a motorcyle which includes a wheel cradle for positioning the front wheel of the motorcyle in front of the hitch. Such arrangement allows for the use of a lighter weight trailer and provides for greater stability as the front wheel is held in-plane with the vehicle during travel.

Abstract: A floor frame assembly for facilitating the construction of buildings including mobile homes and modular homes. The floor frame assembly includes longtitudinally extending structural support beams which are arranged side by side. The structural support beams are rigidly connected by a plurality of cross members extending therebetween. A plurality of one-piece outriggers are separately secured to the longtitudinal beams and transversely extend laterally outward therefrom The outriggers are substantially rectangular in shape.

Abstract: A flat bed off-road trailer has a rigid planar frame supporting the bed. frame has transverse members at the forward and rear edges of the bed, and has longitudinal members at lateral edges of the bed. A rigid undercarriage fixed to the trailer's axle is hinged to the frame via journal connections between forward outboard zones of the frame and forward outboard zones of the undercarriage. The trailer has springs for absorbing road shocks, the springs being located between rear outboard zones of the frame and rear outboard zones of the undercarriage. The trailer has a tiltable tractive subassembly which comprises walking beams journalled to the axle, wheels mounted at either end of the walking beams, a band wrapped around the wheels and structure to limit tilting of the subassembly.

Abstract: An improved tilt-bed trailer constructed of light weight and durable materials is disclosed. A trailer frame with an associated rotatably interconnected tongue is affixed with a tongue release and retention mechanism that slidably engages a portion of the tongue and a portion of the frame to hold them in a fixed position when engaged and to allow the frame to pivot with respect to the tongue when disengaged. The mechanism utilizes gripping members to cooperate with ridges on the tongue. An adjustable axle mount has a pair of parallel support member having a predetermined configured channel in the lower surface of each, that slidably engage mating axle mount members therein. A locking mechanism allows positioning of the axle mount members selectably along the length of the channels.

Abstract: An improved trailer structure constructed of light-weight material and especially adapted for hauling snowmobiles is described. An improved tongue structure, having a pair of opposed channels extending longitudinally, is shown arranged to cooperate with a hitch structure on a vehicle to allow an enhanced turning radius between the trailer and the vehicle. The improved tongue works in cooperation with an integrally formed tongue support channel for vertical and lateral support. An improved rear frame member protects associated lights and has a ramp member to protect the deck of the trailer when objects are slid onto the trailer from the rear. Side panel members and support beams support the trailer deck and can support associated stake holders for mounting auxiliary removable sides and ends on the trailer frame around the trailer deck. Each of the components is integrally formed by extruding a light-weight material, and cut to length for assembly.

Abstract: A unibeam chassis with at least two longitudinal unibeam members and two lateral unibeam members each of which members being joined the one to the other by a single contiguous uniflange, wherein each of the two longitudinal unibeams comprises a longitudinal web, a longitudinal flange, and the uniflange, each of the two lateral unibeams comprises a lateral web, a lateral flange, and the uniflange, and the single contiguous uniflange is fastened in a perpendicular orientation to each of the longitudinal and lateral webs, and the longitudinal and lateral flanges are fastened in a perpendicular orientation to each of the longitudinal and lateral webs.

Abstract: A trailer with easy change axles is disclosed. Such trailer comprises a frame fabricated of tubular steel having parallel side rails and parallel front and rear rails with a transverse stabilizing rail extending from side rail to side rail adjacent to the rear rail. The frame also has a forwardly extending triangular coupling component extending forwardly from the front rail. Arcuate leaf springs extend downwardly from the frame and are coupled thereto on opposite sides of the stabilizing rail. A tubular rear axle support with a hollow rectangular configuration and opposite ends is secured at upper extents to lower extents of the leaf springs. The rear axle support has horizontal apertures extending therethrough adjacent to the opposite ends. A forwardly extending hitch member with a rearward end is secured to the front rail of the frame. A rearward region is secured to the forwardmost portion of the coupling component with a forward end with a vertical aperture extending therethrough.

Abstract: A vehicle extender is connected to a towing vehicle by way of a towing beam bolted to the normal tow hitch and presenting two ball and socket joints so that the vehicle extender can pitch upwardly and downwardly but cannot yaw from left to right nor roll clockwise or anti-clockwise relative to the vehicle. The vehicle extender has a single castor mounted wheel set so located that even in reversing mode in which by castor action the wheel set swivels to a forward located position the center of gravity of a load in the vehicle extender such as sand still remains forwardly of the horizontal axis of rotation of the wheels of the wheel set providing for security and stability in use. The vehicle extender is very adaptable to different applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a unique composite trailer and van type container for the transport and management of bulk freight utilizing steel and aluminum components to take advantage of the durability and light weight of aluminum components and the proven strength and fabrication ease of structural steel. More particularly, the composite trailer and container comprises the integration of two dissimilar metals secured together by using a bi-metal intermediate element. The bi-metal intermediate element provides for the welding of different metals together thereby forming a superior bond between the intermediate element and dissimilar metals. This construction also makes it possible to eliminate the galvanic corrosion so often experienced with contact between different metals.

Abstract: A two wheeled trailer is provided including an upwardly opening body which is generally V-shaped in cross section. The trailer includes a forward end, a forwardly projecting towing tongue and the forward end of the towing tongue incorporates a towing coupler mounted from the towing tongue for at least 90.degree. angular displacement, in either direction, relative to the towing tongue about an axis paralleling the towing tongue.

Abstract: A floor frame assembly for modular housing units that includes longitudinally extending floor support beams and transverse supports that are attached to and extend outwardly from an outer one of the longitudinal floor support beams to support an edge portion of the floor assembly. The transverse supports have an outer end substantially less than the height of the end that is secured to the outer beam. A hanger is secured to the outer edge of each of the transverse supports. The height of the hanger is greater than the height of the outer end edge so that a gap is created between the bottom of the outer end and the bottom of the hanger to facilitate the attachment of the hanger to a sill plate of a foundation.

Abstract: A unibeam chassis with at least two longitudinal unibeam members and two lateral unibeam members each of which members being joined the one to the other by a single contiguous uniflange, wherein each of the two longitudinal unibeams comprises a longitudinal web, a longitudinal flange, and the uniflange, each of the two lateral unibeams comprises a lateral web, a lateral flange, and the uniflange, and the single contiguous uniflange is fastened in a perpendicular orientation to each of the longitudinal and lateral webs, and the longitudinal and lateral flanges are fastened in a perpendicular orientation to each of the longitudinal and lateral webs.

Abstract: A field trailer including a chassis (20) supported by a plurality of wheels (120) having an underlying framework that communicates with the wheels (120) via a swing arm assembly (40) and a vertically disposed wheel plate (80). One wheel plate supports one wheel. Interposed between the swing arm and the wheel plate is a damper (60) that controls the movement of the swing arm (40) about a pivot (28). The structure associated with this support mechanism provides a box-shaped void between the wheels and under the suspension and provides a high clearance free from suspension projections so that produce can run under the trailer when the trailer is used for agricultural transportation from a field to a subsequent area via public roads.

Abstract: A folding trailer is disclosed for carrying a motorcycle including a front deck with a rear edge extending generally transversely of the trailer, a rear deck with a front edge extending generally transversely of the trailer and generally parallel to the front deck rear edge, hinge means including a pivot axis connecting the front deck to the rear deck so that the trailer folds around the pivot axis between an extended position in which the front and rear decks are generally co-extensive and a folded position in which the front and rear decks are positioned generally facing one another, an axle mounted generally transversely of the trailer to the rear deck rearwardly of the hinge means including a first and a second end, and a road wheel attached to the axle first end and a road wheel attached to the axle second end, so that the trailer is designed to move generally normal to the axle.

Abstract: A trailer for hauling vehicles includes a central frame with a pair of longitudinal tubular members and a plurality of transverse tubular cross-members interconnecting the longitudinal members to form an open frame. A pair of ladder frames are affixed along the longitudinal outward faces of the longitudinal members and project transversely therefrom in opposite directions. Each transverse ladder frame includes an outer rail extending parallel to the longitudinal members, and a plurality of rungs connecting the outer rails to the longitudinal members. A pair of tread plates are supposed on the ladder frames and extend from the forward to the rearward end of the frame, the tread plates spaced-apart a distance to support the wheels of a vehicle thereon. A wheel assembly is mounted on the frame to permit transport of the trailer, and a hitch is mounted on the forward end of the frame to permit connection to a pickup or other prime mover.

Abstract: A trailer attachable to an all terrain vehicle (ATV) and being particularly suited for use in off-road environments. The trailer has a main frame assembly and two wheels each supported from an independent axle support assembly having a substantially open gap extending therebetween. Each axle support assembly includes a skid component slidably engagable with off-road obstacles. Extending under and outwardly from the main frame assembly is a hitch arm having an end portion couplable to the ATV. The hitch arm includes a skid portion also slidably engagably with off-road objects. Both passengers and cargo may be simultaneously transported from a container housing. This container housing is supported upon the main frame assembly and defines a rearwardly extending cavity for cargo and a seat for passengers. A front shield extends vertically from the main frame assembly and provides a protective safety wall between passengers and the ATV.

Abstract: A weight transfer subframe for a tandem steer tractor having a tractor frame has a longitudinal subframe member having forward and rearward ends, the longitudinal subframe member pivotally mounted at the rearward end to the tractor frame and the forward end of the longitudinal subframe member vertically engaging a weight bearing member of the tractor for transferring weight to an opposed pair of front wheels of the tractor, a load transfer trailer coupling device mountable on the longitudinal subframe member between the forward and rearward ends.

Abstract: An expandable hay bale carrier and feeder and flexible vehicle for feeding livestock include a wheeled chassis with a bed thereon for supporting the bales, a pair of spaced end walls and a pair of spaced side walls. The side walls are mounted by a telescopically slidable assembly to move transversely of the bed between a first maximum width position spaced from the end walls and a second minimum width position adjacent the end walls. As the livestock feed and reach for more hay the force which they exert against the side walls automatically moves the side walls toward the minimum width position as the hay is consumed, and the respective ends of the side walls may move independently of each other to compensate for unequal consumption of the hay. The side walls may be opened to permit the loading and unloading of the hay bales and the livestock may feed from all sides of the feeder.

Abstract: Composite of trailer construction utilizing steel and aluminum components to take advantage of the durability and light weight of aluminum components and the proven strength and fabrication ease of structural steel. More particularly, the process of the present invention is directed towards an apparatus and method of securing two dissimilar metals together in a trailer construction by using a bi-metal intermediate element which is provided for the welding of the like materials to form a superior bond between the bi-metal and the respective dissimilar materials.

Abstract: A low deck trailer comprising of a rigid frame adapted to be towed by a motor vehicle, the frame having a front, back and sides with upper and lower surface. Tires are secured to and disposed under the frame, each tire having a diameter of between about 14 and 15 inches with its center beneath the frame and its upper extent beneath the upper surface of the frame, the tires being located closer to the rear end than the front end. An axle has two ends coupled beneath the sides of each end having a tire coupled thereto the frame for supporting the axle. A step has a horizontal long leg coupled to the rear end of the frame extending away from the frame at an elevation beneath the frame.

Abstract: A portable (removable) tongue for connecting a house trailer to a towing vehicle for towing the trailer from one location to another with the tongue being adapted for easy and rapid disconnection from the towing vehicle and trailer. The tongue is adapted to be attached to, and removed from, the frame which supports a house trailer and includes a coupler and hitch lock, a pair of arms connected to and diverging from the coupler and hitch lock, a first pair of coupling members associated with the free ends of each arm, and a second pair of coupling members adapted to be secured to the frame of the trailer, and a fastener for locking each first coupling member to a respective second coupling member. The tongue is adapted to be readily secured to the frame of the trailer for towing purposes and easily removed from the frame of the trailer while the trailer is parked in a trailer court for living purposes.

Abstract: A pair of main beams, a plurality of diagonal cross braces and transverse beams having a beam height of about 75% of prior art main beam heights provide a relatively flexible chassis. A clamp assembly central of the chassis clamps a cubicle cargo container central region to the chassis to rigidify the chassis. The cargo container is connected to the chassis front and rear by conventional bolster pin and twist lock assemblies. An upper container casting has an opening for receiving an interbox twist lock connector aligned on an axis closely spaced to the side panels of upper and lower containers on a rail car to minimize bending loads on lower container intermediate support posts. Lower castings at the base of each of the intermediate posts mate with a lower container upper castings in a stacked arrangement on a rail car. The chassis has a bogie assembly receiving channel for slidably receiving a bogie locked to the chassis by a conventional retractable pin mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high mobility suspension system for vehicles travelling in a harsh off-road environment. In particular, the suspension system can be mounted on a trailer and consists of a cam mounted on a cam shaft for variably deflecting a leaf spring that is mounted to the frame of the trailer. A swing arm is connected between the axle of the wheel and the cam shaft, such that when the trailer is loaded the wheel is deflected which in turn pivots the swing arm and causes the cam shaft to rotate. As the cam shaft rotates the cam deflects the leaf spring based on a ratio of the actual direct trailer loading. The load rate of the suspension system can be customized by modifying the configuration of the cam member and the swing arm to achieve either a linear, progressive or digressive load rate, or any combination of these rates. The present invention enables the trailer to have a compliant load rate yet maintain a compact suspension design by reducing the spring deflection requirements.

Abstract: A trailer brake system including a releasably latching hand lever, a series of cables interconnecting the lever and mechanically energized brakes capable of locking an opposing road wheel pair. The trailer brake system attaches to an existing travel or boat trailer and is employed to enable a user to secure a trailer when parked thereby preventing inadvertent movement between uses.

Abstract: An improved trailer structure constructed of light-weight material and especially adapted for hauling snowmobiles is described. An improved tongue structure, having a pair of opposed channels extending longitudinally, is shown arranged to cooperate with a hitch structure on a vehicle to allow an enhanced turning radius between the trailer and the vehicle. The improved tongue works in cooperation with an integrally formed tongue support channel for vertical and lateral support. An improved rear frame member protects associated lights and has a ramp member to protect the deck of the trailer when objects are slid onto the trailer from the rear. Side panel members and support beams support the trailer deck and can support associated stake holders for mounting auxiliary removable sides and ends on the trailer frame around the trailer deck. Each of the components is integrally formed by extruding a light-weight material, and cut to length for assembly.

Abstract: A lightweight, stable, maneuverable tractor trailer having a frame with a front end, a rear end and two side rails. The rear end of the frame is about twice the width of the front end and the side rails each lie in a vertical plane that is disposed at an acute angle relative to the central longitudinal axis of the frame. Single tire mount wheel and axle subassemblies are mounted to the frame. These subassemblies reduce the tare weight of the tractor trailer and additionally permit the wider frame to be utilized.

Abstract: Trailer having a main frame with a horizontally extending deck and a pair of longitudinally extending rails spaced a predetermined distance apart for receiving flanged wheels of railroad equipment, and a laterally extensible rear subframe assembly connected to the main frame for movement between different widths for different loads. The subframe assembly has a pair of longitudinally extending rail members which can be aligned with the rails on the main frame to form an extension of those rails.

Abstract: The machinery transport trailer (10) includes a main frame (12) with a pair of fore and aft extending parallel beams (34 and 36). A pair of axle assemblies (14) support the rear of the main frame (12) transverse beams (22) are attached to the bottom of the main frame (12) to provide a support platform. A torque tube (48) is attached to the front ends of the parallel beams (34 and 36) of the main frame (12). A goose neck (16) with right and left beam assemblies and a transverse frame member 58 are connected to the torque tube (48). The goose neck (16) defines an open area (66) which is sufficiently wide to allow the elevator of a combine harvester separator 24 that is being transported to pass between the right and left beam assemblies and to allow the front wheels 30 of a combine harvester separator to move forward to a position at the front of the main frame 12.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combine header transport having a wheeled chassis with front and rear axle units, at least one longitudinally extended rail interconnecting the axle units, and a second rail spaced transversely from the first rail to support the combine header during transport, the improvement comprising interconnecting at least one end of the first rail to one of the axles in a manner to allow the one axle to oscillate relative to the first rail thereby allowing the wheels to be more evenly loaded when the unit is traversing uneven roads.

Abstract: A trailer to be towed behind a motor vehicle for transporting a motorcycle. The trailer has a frame with a U-shaped opening in the rear which supports a tilting frame which is hinged to the middle of the trailer. A long guide rail is held on a floor supported by the tilting frame. This permits the user to ride a motorcycle up the tilting trailer floor until it passes the center of gravity at which time the tilting floor and guide rail tilt forward so that the floor and guide rail are horizontal with the trailer floor.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving a stamping press or the like having a die opening, comprising a beam structure including a pair of elongated, laterally spaced, generally parallel beams. The beam structure is extended through the die opening with the ends of the beams projecting beyond the front and rear of the stamping press. Wheeled trucks disposed beneath the projecting ends of said beams support the beam structure at an elevation sufficient to raise the stamping press above the factory floor so that it may be moved to a new location.

Abstract: Two parallel main steel beams extend from front to rear of a trailer which beams terminate at their upper web edges with aligned aluminum-extruded H-shaped beams having a depending leg which is bolted to a steel beam web. A plurality of aluminum-extruded upper floor sections including a floor member and depending beams are interlocked and welded to one another at their edges to form a floor assembly. Side rails extend from front to rear of the trailer and have an upper leg interlocked with and welded to the upper floor assembly. A lower side rail leg is glued to a bottom aluminum sheet skin member. A rigid polyurethane foam layer is within each of the volumes formed by the bottom skin layers, the side rails, the H-beams and the upper floor assembly to form a composite platform structure which resists bending and shear loads. Braces further support the steel beams and platform assembly.

Abstract: A grain or silage box is mounted on a trailer frame and kept low to the ground through the addition of a step frame at the forward end of the trailer side frame members. The step frame includes a fifth wheel king pin for engagement with the fifth wheel plate of a semi-tractor. The step frame is hidden between the downwardly extending elongated box frame members when the box is in a lowered position. The box frame members are laterally stabilized by the step frame with the box in its lowered position on top of the trailer side frame members.

Abstract: A transport for transporting combine headers and a support bracket therefor, wherein the support bracket includes a first support member to receive thereon and support the lower edge of the header when the lower edge defines a first geometric configuration, and a second support member having a different configuration than the first support member to receive thereon and support the lower edge of the header when the lower edge defines a second different geometric configuration. The second support member is pivotally mounted relative to the first support member to rotate between a first position away from the first support member to permit the first support member to receive and support the lower edge of the object having the first geometric configuration, and a second position in overlying relationship to the first support member to permit the second support member to receive and support the lower edge of the object having the second geometric configuration.

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 thin gooseneck assembly is provided for use in the chassis of a semi-trailer intended for hauling freight containers. The gooseneck assembly is formed by a fabricated tube extending longitudinally to define substantially the entire length of the gooseneck. The fabricated tube includes a lower plate having a pair of upstanding side defining flanges. A rearward portion of the lower plate includes a pair of longitudinal slots for receiving in fixed relation the web of a longitudinal beam which extends from the gooseneck to the rearward end of the semi-trailer. The top flange of each longitudinal beam is fixed to an upper surface of the lower plate so that a lower surface of each top flange is in surface-to-surface contact with the lower plate upper surface. An upper plate is positioned parallel to the lower plate and fixed to upper portions of the side-defining flanges. A kingpin for coupling the chassis to a tractor fifth wheel projects downward through the lower plate of the fabricated tube.

Abstract: A trailer for transporting an environmentally safe modular storage unit caining hazardous materials over the highways at speeds approaching about fifty five miles per hour. The trailer has a rectangular shaped frame and a hitch assembly extending longitudinally forward from front end of the rectangular shaped frame. The hitch assembly is coupled to a tow truck or other suitable vehicle to allow the trailer and the modular storage unit to be towed from a hazardous material site to a collection or storage site. The trailer is a tandem axle trailer equipped with electrical brakes and a lighting system. The underframe of the trailer includes a tandem axle wheel system which has four wheels and an oil lubricated hub and drums.

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.