Material or article handling – Self-loading or unloading vehicles – Separable load rack
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-23
2001-06-26
Bratlie, Steven A. (Department: 3652)
Material or article handling
Self-loading or unloading vehicles
Separable load rack
C280S414100, C414S494000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250872
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a trailer hitchable to a passenger car, a van or the like, comprising a separate chassis element equipped with wheels, and an interchangeable platform mountable thereon, said chassis element being provided with means for hauling the platform on top of the chassis element.
The recommended beam weight for a trailer towed by a car or a van is about 30-40 kg, i.e. the fluctuation range is quite narrow. In commercially available light-duty trailers, the balance problem can only be solved by loading the trailer properly. If the beam weight is too heavy or light, the load must be shifted and secured to another position. It is required that the platform of an interchangeable-platform trailer can also be loaded when lowered down from the top of the chassis. Thus, the center of gravity of a platform is set in various positions, depending on the amount, weight, and position of a load. One object of the present invention is to provide such a car- or van-pulled trailer that is suitable for a multitude of applications by readily replacing the platform and wherein the beam weight can be set at an optimal level without rearranging the loading, even though the center of gravity of a loaded platform cannot be known in advance. Another object is to provide an interchangeable-platform trailer, wherein the beam weight can be maintained during the course of lifting and lowering the platform at such a level that the chassis can be worked with even when disconnected from the tractor vehicle without the load urging to wrench the beam vigorously upright.
In addition, it is necessary that the interchangeable platform can be secured to the chassis in various locations, which is why the locking must be simple and absolutely reliable in operation, nor can it be releasable in any conditions by itself. Hence, still another object of the present invention is to provide a sufficiently user-friendly locking system, which is readily and conveniently securable. Yet another further object of the invention is to provide an interchangeable-platform trailer, wherein the platform can be brought on top of the chassis, even if the chassis and the platform were not absolutely in line or register with each other. A further object of the invention is to provide a solution, which is operable also in soft terrain and in the case of a platform frozen to the ground.
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Bratlie Steven A.
Mika Marko Rahijärvi
Van Dyke Gardner, Linn & Burkhart, LLP
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