IP Library Granted Patent US 8,869,705
Granted Patent B2
US 8,869,705 · App. 14/173,035 · Granted Oct 28, 2014

Rail-supported trailer apparatuses, systems, and methods

Inventor: Thomas L. Hutchinson (Fairmont, WV)
Assignee: Swanson Industries, Inc.
B61B3/00F16M13/022
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,869,705
App. No.
14/173,035
Granted
Oct 28, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for a trailer that hangs when not in use and on which material may be transported. The apparatuses include a trailer having a single wheel bracket attached to at least one wheel and a trailer body. The trailer body has a first end and a second end and is attached to the single wheel bracket near the first end. The trailer body has a first coupler at the first end and a second coupler at the second end, the first coupler to attach the trailer to a second trailer and the second coupler to attach the trailer to a third trailer such that the trailer hangs by only the single wheel bracket from the first rolling surface of the beam-type rail when the trailer is not attached to the third trailer.

Claims (23)

1. A trailer for a beam-type rail, the trailer comprising:

a single wheel bracket attached to at least one wheel to support the trailer on the beam-type rail; and

a trailer body having a first end and a second end and attached to the single wheel bracket near the first end, the trailer body having a first coupler at the first end and having a second coupler at the second end, the first coupler to attach the trailer to a second trailer and the second coupler to attach the trailer to a third trailer such that the trailer hangs by only the single wheel bracket from a first rolling surface of the beam-type rail when the trailer is not attached to the second trailer and is not attached to the third trailer.

2. The trailer of claim 1 , further comprising a travel-way formed on the trailer so that a transport may hang from the trailer and move along the travel-way and onto a travel-way of the second trailer when the trailer is attached to the second trailer.

3. The trailer of claim 1 , wherein the trailer is attached to the single wheel bracket by a connecting element.

4. The trailer of claim 3 wherein the connecting element is a pin.

5. The trailer of claim 4 wherein the trailer rotates about the pin.

6. The trailer of claim 5 wherein the trailer rotates to a substantially horizontal position for attachment to the second trailer and the trailer rotates downwardly to hang from the single wheel bracket.

7. The trailer of claim 1 , wherein the trailer body includes a transport way extending from the first end to the second end of the trailer body.

8. The trailer of claim 7 , wherein the trailer body further comprises a second transport way extending from the first end to the second end of the trailer body.

9. The trailer of claim 7 , wherein a transport is supported by the transport way.

10. The trailer of claim 9 , wherein the transport is to roll along the transport way.

11. The trailer of claim 9 , wherein the transport is to slide along the transport way.

12. The trailer of claim 1 , wherein at least one of a conduit, a hose, and a cable is supported by a cable support bracket that is removably attached to the trailer.

13. The trailer of claim 1 , the trailer further comprising a second wheel attached to the wheel bracket.

14. The trailer of claim 13 , wherein the at least one wheel is attached to the wheel bracket by a first axle and a second wheel is attached to the wheel bracket by a second axle such that the trailer is rotatable about the first axle and the second axle.

15. The trailer of claim 1 , wherein the wheels are opposite one another.

16. The trailer of claim 1 , wherein the first axle and the second axle are coaxial.

17. The trailer of claim 1 , wherein the trailer has a length from the first end to the second end and the trailer is substantially parallel to the beam-type rail when the first coupler is attached to the second trailer and the second coupler is attached to the third trailer.

18. A trailer rotatably attached to a beam-type rail, the trailer comprising:

a first wheel having a first axle attached to a single wheel assembly to support the trailer on the beam-type rail;

a second wheel having a second axle attached to the single wheel assembly to support the trailer on the beam-type rail; and

a trailer body hanging from the beam-type rail only by the single wheel assembly, the trailer body having a first end and a second end and attached to the wheel assembly near the first end, the trailer body having a first coupler at the first end and having a second coupler at the second end, the first coupler to attach the trailer to a second trailer and the second coupler to attach the trailer to a third trailer such that the second end of the trailer rotates down away from the beam-type rail when the trailer is not attached to the second trailer and is not attached to the third trailer.

Assignments (5)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 7, 2024
From: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
To: SWANSON INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 067659/0571 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 5, 2024
From: SWANSON INDUSTRIES INC.
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 067636/0612 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 15, 2022
From: ANTARES CAPITAL LP
To: SWANSON INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 061780/0028 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 31, 2016
From: SWANSON INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: ANTARES CAPITAL LP, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 038162/0365 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 5, 2014
From: HUTCHINSON, THOMAS L
To: SWANSON INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 032143/0084 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 13647121 · Oct 8, 2012
Related Publication 20140150684A1 · Jun 5, 2014