Abstract:
A winch for a cargo restraining strap includes a frame having a base and first and second parallel spaced sidewalls. The first and second sidewalls define respective first and second apertures. A protective wall extends from the base and is spaced from the first sidewall. The first sidewall and the protective wall cooperate to define a clevis structure including a channel. A pawl is movably secured to the frame, with an inner end thereof located in the clevis channel. A spool extends between the first and second sidewalls and is rotatably supported in the first and second apertures of the first and second sidewalls. A ratchet wheel is connected to the spool and is located adjacent the first sidewall. The ratchet wheel is selectively engaged by the pawl. The frame, spool and ratchet wheel can be defined from aluminum alloy. The frame can be extruded as a one-piece construction. The spool and ratchet wheel can be extruded as a one-piece construction.
Abstract:
A cargo well configuration that significantly increases the strength of the neck area of the trailer by providing a novel cargo well attachment providing superior strength and load carrying capacity. The improved cargo well of the present invention comprises a first I-beam and a second I-beam positioned generally parallel to each other. Each of the I-beams comprises a web portion, a chord portion generally perpendicular to the web portion, and an extension portion at an end of the chord portion positioned generally parallel to the web portion. The cargo well further comprises a metal plate extending between and fixably attached to the web portion of the first I-beam and the web portion of said second I-beam. The metal plate is fixably attached to the extension portion of the first I-beam and the extension portion of the second I-beam.
Abstract:
A dump trailer for the transportation of containers including a frameless trailer frame to receive and hold a rail transportable container for overland transport. A support system engageable on a fifth wheel of a tractor having a telescopically extensible hoist assembly and interconnected draft arms contains support and locking flanges to secure the container to the trailer and a pair of container contents transport guides extending over the trailer's frame to its free end during dumping.
Abstract:
A load-carrying floor for a truck or trailer includes a plurality of extruded aluminum hollow floor panels wherein each panel includes spaced apart inside and outside walls connected to each other by spaced apart first and second end walls. A primary cross-member is located between and extends parallel to the first and second end walls and interconnects the inside and outside walls. The panels are abutted with each other to define a floor section including: (i) an inner load-carrying surface; (ii) an outer surface; (iii) a plurality of seams; and, (iv) opposite left and right edge regions. One-piece extruded aluminum left and right rails are connected by welding to the left and right edge regions of the floor section, respectively.
Abstract:
A smooth side trailer or body structure comprised of a plurality of extruded panel members positioned adjacent one another. The extruded panels are arranged perpendicular to the floor of a trailer. The panels are held to the floor by a bottom rail. A top rail portion may be used to hold the panels together to form a more rigid wall.
Abstract:
A method of fabricating a contoured contiguous I-beam from an extruded aluminum I-beam shape. The beam fabrication method reshaped an extruded aluminum I-beam over a contoured web insert defining a continuous load dispensing beam shaped transition within the curved portion of the beam for use in high load capacity trailer frame construction.
Abstract:
A flat bed trailer formed of a pair of horizontally spaced longitudinally extending I-beams and a plurality of longitudinally spaced transversely extending tubular members positioned in longitudinally spaced apertures in the I-beams inwardly of their upper portions with the sides of the tubular members being welded to the portions of the I-beams defining the apertures and with the uppermost portions of the tubular members positioned in abutting relation under the upper portions of said I-beams.
Abstract:
A pusher plate for a horizontally discharging semi-trailer is formed with a forwardly and downwardly extending support on the material engaging face thereof arranged to slidably engage the floor of the semi-trailer so as to hold the pusher plate in a vertical position in the semi-trailer body in which it is movably positioned.
Abstract:
A smooth side trailer body or body structure comprised of a plurality of extruded panel members positioned adjacent one another. The extruded panels are arranged perpendicular to the floor of a trailer. The panels are held to the floor by a bottom rail. A top rail portion may be used to hold the panels together to form a more rigid wall.
Abstract:
A trailer suspension subassembly includes an extruded aluminum mounting plate. An extruded aluminum hanger is connected to a lower face of the mounting plate. The hanger includes a trailing arm channel and a shock absorber channel. The mounting plate includes an open channel adapted to receive a trailer beam flange and a platform adjacent the open channel. The subassembly can be incorporated into a suspension assembly including a first and second hangers connected to first and second mounting plates which are connected to the lower flanges of first and second trailer beams. One or more cross plates extend between the trailer beams and are connected to the first and second mounting plates. Thee suspension assembly includes trailing arms that are optionally defined from aluminum, e.g., two or more aluminum extrusions that are interconnected by welding.