IP Library Granted Patent US 7,287,780
Granted Patent B2
US 7,287,780 · App. 10/979,351 · Granted Oct 30, 2007

Trailer frame

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,287,780
App. No.
10/979,351
Granted
Oct 30, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A trailer frame for use on a trailer including at least one pair of main support frame members that extend in a longitudinal direction of the trailer frame. The main support frame members have a deck side and a bottom side. In one embodiment, the trailer frame also includes a plurality of cross frame members extending between the main support frame members; and a plurality of extension frame members converging to a hitch point at a front extension of the trailer frame. The extension frame members are attached to respective main support frame members with one end of each extension frame member being notched so that upper sides of the extension frame members are flush with the deck side of the main support frame members while a portion of lower sides of the extension frame members overlap the bottom sides of the main support frame members. The main support frame members include I-beams and plate members extending between and attached to flanges on each of the I-beam main support frame members. The extension frame members have a rectangular tubular cross section.

Claims (59)

1. A trailer frame for use on a trailer comprising:

at least one pair of main support frame members extending in a longitudinal direction of the trailer frame, said main support frame members having a deck side and a bottom side;

at least one pair of wheels mounted to an axle to provide rolling movement to the trailer frame from a tow vehicle;

a plurality of cross frame members extending between said main support frame members; and

a plurality of extension frame members converging to a hitch point at a front extension of the trailer frame, said extension frame members being attached to respective main support frame members, and one end of each extension frame member being notched so that upper sides of said extension frame members are flush with said deck side of said main support frame members while a portion of lower sides of said extension frame members overlap said bottom sides of said main support frame members.

2. The trailer frame as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said main support frame members include I-beams.

3. The trailer frame as set forth in claim 2 , further including plate members extending between and attached to flanges on each of the I-beam main support frame members.

4. The trailer frame as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the plate members are attached at inward edges of said flanges and said extension frame members are mounted to respective said plate members.

5. The trailer frame as set forth in claim 4 , wherein at least one of said cross frame members is also mounted to said plate members.

6. The trailer frame as set forth in claim 5 , wherein said cross frame member mounted to said plate members is notched and mounted so that an upper side is flush with said deck side of said main support frame members while a portion of a lower side overlaps said bottom sides of said main support frame members.

7. The trailer frame as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said pair of extension frame members extend in a diagonal direction from said main support frame members to said hitch point and further including a third extension frame member extending between said pair of diagonally extending extension frame members.

8. The trailer frame as set forth in claim 7 , wherein said extension frame members have a rectangular tubular cross section.

9. The trailer frame as set forth in claim 8 , wherein at least one of said cross frame members also has a rectangular tubular cross section, and one end of said third extension frame member is mounted thereto.

10. The trailer frame as set forth in claim 9 , further including plate members mounted between flanges on each of the main support frame members, and one end of each of said diagonally extending extension frame members is mounted to a respective plate member.

11. A trailer frame comprising:

at least one pair of main support frame members extending in a longitudinal direction of the trailer frame, said main support frame members each including an upper flange and a lower flange and a plate member extending between and attached to said upper and lower flanges on each of said main support frame members;

at least one pair of wheels mounted to an axle to provide rolling movement to the trailer frame from a tow vehicle;

a plurality of cross frame members extending between said main support frame members; and

a plurality of diagonal frame members converging to a hitch point at a front extension of the trailer frame, one end of each of said diagonal frame members mounted to a respective said plate member on said main support frame members.

12. The trailer frame as set forth in claim 11 , wherein said main support frame members include I-beams.

13. The trailer frame as set forth in claim 11 , wherein said main support frame members have a deck side and a bottom side, and said diagonal members are mounted so that upper sides thereof are flush with said deck side of said main support members while a portion of lower sides of said diagonal frame members extend below said bottom sides of said main support frame members.

14. The trailer frame as set forth in claim 11 , wherein said diagonal frame members are notched at one end where attached to said plate members, and a portion of said diagonal members overlaps respective said lower flanges on each of said main support members.

15. The trailer frame as set forth in claim 14 , wherein at least one of said cross frame members is notched at both ends, and a portion of each end of said notched cross frame member overlaps said lower flange on each of said main support frame members.

16. The trailer frame as set forth in claim 15 , wherein an upper side of said notched cross frame member is flush with said deck side of said main support frame members.

17. The trailer frame as set forth in claim 16 , wherein said diagonal frame members and said notched cross frame members have a rectangular tubular cross section.

18. The trailer frame as set forth in claim 15 , further including a longitudinal extension frame member extending between said diagonal frame members.

19. The trailer frame as set forth in claim 18 , wherein one end of said longitudinal extension frame member is attached to said notched cross frame member, and the other end extends to said hitch point.

20. A trailer frame comprising:

at least one pair of main support frame members extending in a longitudinal direction of the trailer frame, said main support frame members having a deck side and a bottom side;

a plurality of cross frame members extending between said main support frame members; and

a plurality of extension frame members converging to a hitch point at a front extension of the trailer frame, said extension frame members and at least one of said cross frame members being mounted with upper sides thereof flush with said deck sides of said main support frame members, and lower sides of said extension frame members and said one cross frame members extending lower than said bottom sides of said main support frame members.

21. The trailer frame as set forth in claim 20 , wherein one end of each of at least two of said extension frame members is notched.

22. The trailer frame as set forth in claim 21 , wherein a portion of each notched end of said extension frame members overlaps respective said bottom sides of said main support frame members.

23. The trailer frame as set forth in claim 21 , wherein said cross frame member having an upper side mounted flush with said deck side also has notched ends, and a portion of each notched end overlaps respective said bottom sides of said main support frame members.

24. The trailer frame as set forth in claim 23 , wherein said pair of main support frame members each include an I-beam, and said extension frame members and said at least one cross frame member have a rectangular tubular cross section.

25. The trailer frame as set forth in claim 20 , wherein said main support frame members have an upper flange and a lower flange and a plate attached to and extending between inner edges of said flanges on each of said main support frame members.

26. The trailer frame as set forth in claim 25 , including three extension frame members with one of said extension frame members attached to said at least one cross frame member and extending therefrom in a longitudinal direction.

27. The trailer frame as set forth in claim 26 , wherein ends of said at least one cross frame member and one end of each of said other two extension frame members are mounted to respective plate members on said main support frame members.

28. A towable trailer comprising:

at least one pair of wheels mounted to an axle to provide rolling movement to the trailer from a tow vehicle;

a trailer deck; and

a trailer frame supporting said trailer deck including,

at least one pair of main support frame members extending in a longitudinal direction of the trailer, said main support members having a deck side and a bottom side,

a plurality of cross frame members extending between said main support frame members, at least one of said cross frame members having notched ends with the notched ends mounted to respective main support frame members, and an upper side of said notched cross frame member being flush with said deck side of said main support frame members, and

a plurality of diagonal frame members converging to a hitch point at a front extension of the trailer frame, one end of each diagonal frame member being notched and mounted to respective said main support frame members with upper sides of said diagonal members being flush with said deck sides.

29. The trailer as set forth in claim 28 , wherein portions of said ends of said notched cross frame member and said diagonal frame members overlap said bottom sides of said main support frame members.

30. The trailer as set forth in claim 29 , wherein said notched cross frame member and said diagonal frame members have a rectangular tubular cross section, and said main support frame members include I-beams.

31. The trailer as set forth in claim 28 , further including a longitudinal extension frame member extending between said diagonal frame members, and one end of said longitudinal extension frame member is attached to said notched cross frame member and the other end extends to said hitch point.

32. The trailer as set forth in claim 28 , wherein said main support frame members each include an upper flange and a lower flange and a plate member extending between and attached to said upper and lower flanges on each of said main support members, and a portion of said notched ends being mounted to said plate members.

33. A towable trailer comprising:

at least one pair of wheels mounted to an axle providing rolling movement to the trailer frame from a tow vehicle;

a trailer deck; and

a trailer frame including,

at least one pair of main support frame members extending in a longitudinal direction of the trailer frame, said main support frame members each including an upper flange and a lower flange and a plate member extending between and attached to said upper and lower flanges on each of said main support frame members,

a plurality of cross frame members extending between said main support frame members, at least one of said cross frame members being notched at the ends thereof with a portion of said notched ends being attached to said plate members, and

a plurality of extension frame members attached at one end thereof to respective main support frame members and converging to a hitch point at a front extension of the trailer frame.

34. The trailer as set forth in claim 33 , wherein said extension frame members are also notched at said ends attached to said main frame support members, and a portion of said notched ends of said extension frame members and said notched cross frame member overlaps respective bottom sides of said main support frame members.

35. The trailer as set forth in claim 34 , wherein in upper sides of said extension frame members and said notched cross frame member are flush with deck sides of said main support frame members.

36. The trailer as set forth in claim 35 , wherein said main support frame members include I-beams, and said extension frame members and said notched cross frame members have a rectangular tubular cross section.

Assignments (18)
MERGER Recorded Oct 13, 2022
From: TRAILER BRANDS INC.
To: AMERICAN CARGO GROUP TRAILERS, LLC
Reel/Frame 061407/0046 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 30, 2019
From: AMERICAN CARGO GROUP, INC.
To: TRAILER BRANDS, INC.
Reel/Frame 049037/0043 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 18, 2019
From: UNIVERSAL TRAILER CARGO GROUP, INC.; UNIVERSAL TRAILER HOLDINGS CORP.
To: AMERICAN CARGO GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 048923/0401 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 21, 2019
From: UNIVERSAL TRAILER CARGO GROUP, INC.; UNIVERSAL TRAILER HOLDINGS CORP.
To: AMERICAN CARGO GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 048398/0770 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 8, 2018
From: KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: UNIVERSAL TRAILER HOLDINGS CORP.; UNIVERSAL TRAILER CORPORATION; UNIVERSAL TRAILER CARGO GROUP, INC.; EXISS SOONER, LLC; FEATHERLITE, INC.; UNIVERSAL TRAILER ACCEPTANCE CORP.; SOONER TRAILER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC; UNIVERSAL TRAILER OF INDIANA, LLC; UNIVERSAL TRAILER OF OKLAHOMA, LLC; UNIVERSAL TRAILER OF PENNSYLVANIA, LLC; UNIVERSAL TRAILER OF PENNSYLVANIA, LP; UNIVERSAL TRAILER SALES COMPANY, LLC; INTERNET TRAILER, INC.; UNIVERSAL FREIGHT EXPRESS, LLC
Reel/Frame 046588/0364 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 1, 2017
From: UNIVERSAL TRAILER HOLDINGS CORP.; UNIVERSAL TRAILER CORPORATION; UNIVERSAL TRAILER CARGO GROUP, INC.; EXISS SOONER, LLC; FEATHERLITE, INC.; UNIVERSAL TRAILER ACCEPTANCE CORP.; SOONER TRAILER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC; UNIVERSAL TRAILER OF INDIANA, LLC; UNIVERSAL TRAILER OF OKLAHOMA, LLC; UNIVERSAL TRAILER OF PENNSYLVANIA, LLC; UNIVERSAL TRAILER OF PENNSYLVANIA, L.P.; UNIVERSAL TRAILER SALES COMPANY, LLC; INTERNET TRAILER, INC.; UNIVERSAL FREIGHT EXPRESS, LLC
To: KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 044277/0177 →
PATENT AND TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 16, 2012
From: UNIVERSAL TRAILER CARGO GROUP, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 027876/0119 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 7, 2012
From: CP II UT COINVESTORS, LLC
To: UNIVERSAL TRAILER CARGO GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 027819/0566 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 7, 2012
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: UNIVERSAL TRAILER CARGO GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 027820/0807 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 26, 2009
From: HAULMARK INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: UNIVERSAL TRAILER CARGO GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 023419/0336 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 15, 2009
From: DYMAS FUNDING COMPANY, LLC
To: CP II UTC LLC
Reel/Frame 022960/0071 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 29, 2009
From: HAULMARK INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 022162/0689 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 26, 2009
From: HAULMARK INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: DYMAS FUNDING COMPANY, LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 022151/0251 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 22, 2009
From: HAULMARK INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: CP II UTC LLC
Reel/Frame 022137/0465 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2006
From: HAULMARK INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 018476/0630 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 23, 2006
From: HAULMARK INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: DYMAS FUNDING COMPANY, LLC
Reel/Frame 017356/0355 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 12, 2005
From: HAULMARK INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: DYMAS FUNDING COMPANY, LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 015893/0584 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 2, 2004
From: REESE, KENT W.; BRADY, MICHAEL P.; MCMILLEN, JOE H.; EVANS, RODERICK L.
To: HAULMARK INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 015954/0859 →