Hydraulic actuated trailer flip-axle
A system for moving a flip axle assembly relative to a trailer, includes a trailer pivotally connected to a flip axle assembly, where a rotation assembly moves the flip axle assembly between a ground-engaging position and a stowed position. The rotation assembly includes a first linkage connected to the flip axle assembly, and a second linkage pivotally connected to the first linkage, forming a second pivot connection. A hinge is connected to the trailer, with the hinge being pivotally connected to the second linkage forming a third pivot connection. A rotation mechanism is operably connected to the rotation assembly for moving the flip axle assembly between the ground-engaging position and the stowed position.
1. An apparatus for moving a flip axle assembly relative to a trailer, comprising:
a first mounting bracket connected to the trailer;
a first attachment bracket pivotally connected to the first mounting bracket forming a first pivot connection, wherein the first attachment bracket is connected to the flip axle assembly;
a rotation assembly, comprising:
a first linkage connected to the first attachment bracket;
a second linkage pivotally connected to the first linkage, forming a second pivot connection; and
a hinge connected to the trailer, wherein the hinge is pivotally connected to the second linkage forming a third pivot connection; and
a rotation mechanism operably connected to the rotation assembly.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second mounting bracket connected to the trailer;
a second attachment bracket pivotally connected to the second mounting bracket, wherein the second attachment bracket is connected to the flip axle assembly;
a crossbar connected to the first attachment bracket and the second attachment bracket; and
wherein the first linkage is connected to the first attachment bracket by the crossbar.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
wherein the third pivot connection is below and rearward of the first pivot connection.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
wherein the first linkage comprises:
an arm extending from a leg;
wherein the leg extends from the second pivot connection; and
wherein the arm and the leg connect at an angle.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
wherein the rotation mechanism operably connected to the flip axle assembly.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising:
wherein the rotation mechanism is an actuator;
wherein extension of the actuator moves the flip axle assembly to a stowed position; and
wherein retraction of the actuator moves the flip axle assembly to a deployed position.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a crossbar hinge operably connected to the first attachment bracket;
wherein the crossbar hinge forms a fourth pivot connection between the first linkage and the first attachment bracket; and
wherein an operable connection between the first linkage and the first attachment bracket is the fourth pivot connection.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising:
a second mounting bracket connected to the trailer;
a second attachment bracket pivotally connected to the second mounting bracket, wherein the second attachment bracket is connected to the flip axle assembly;
a crossbar connected to the first attachment bracket and the second attachment bracket; and
wherein the crossbar hinge is connected to the crossbar.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising:
wherein the crossbar hinge forms a crescent-shaped upper edge.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
wherein the trailer includes wheels rotatable on an axle for supporting the trailer upon a surface; and
wherein the flip axle assembly includes wheels rotatable on an axle for supporting the flip axle assembly upon the surface.
11. An apparatus for moving a flip axle assembly relative to a trailer, comprising:
a first mounting bracket connected to the trailer;
a first attachment bracket pivotally connected to the first mounting bracket forming a first pivot connection, wherein the first attachment bracket is connected to the flip axle assembly;
a rotation assembly, comprising:
a first linkage, comprising:
a first side plate adjacent a second side plate; and
wherein the first linkage is connected to the first attachment bracket;
a second linkage pivotally connected to the first linkage, forming a second pivot connection, wherein the second linkage is received between the first linkage first side plate and second side plate; and
a hinge connected to the trailer, wherein the hinge is pivotally connected to the second linkage forming a third pivot connection; and
a rotation mechanism operably connected to the rotation assembly.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:
wherein the second linkage comprises a first side plate adjacent a second side plate.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising:
wherein the hinge is connected to the second linkage between the second linkage first side plate and second side plate.
14. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:
wherein the third pivot connection is below and rearward of the first pivot connection.
15. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:
wherein the first linkage forms:
an arm extending from a leg;
wherein the leg extends from the second pivot connection; and
wherein the arm and the leg connect at an angle.
16. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:
wherein the rotation mechanism operably connected to the flip axle assembly and rotation assembly.
17. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:
a crossbar hinge operably connected to the first attachment bracket;
wherein the crossbar hinge forms a fourth pivot connection between the first linkage and the first attachment bracket; and
wherein an operable connection between the first linkage and the first attachment bracket is the fourth pivot connection.
18. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:
wherein the trailer includes wheels rotatable on an axle for supporting the trailer upon a surface; and
wherein the flip axle assembly includes wheels rotatable on an axle for supporting the flip axle assembly upon the surface.
19. A trailer, comprising:
a flip axle assembly;
a first mounting bracket connected to the trailer;
a first attachment bracket pivotally connected to the first mounting bracket forming a first pivot connection, wherein the first attachment bracket is connected to the flip axle assembly;
a rotation assembly, comprising:
a first linkage, comprising:
a first side plate adjacent a second side plate; and
wherein the first linkage is connected to the first attachment bracket;
a second linkage pivotally connected to the first linkage, forming a second pivot connection, wherein the second linkage is received between the first linkage first side plate and second side plate; and
a hinge connected to the trailer, wherein the hinge is pivotally connected to the second linkage forming a third pivot connection;
wherein the third pivot connection is below and rearward of the first pivot connection; and
a rotation mechanism operably connected to the rotation assembly.
20. The trailer of claim 19 , further comprising:
wherein actuation of the rotation mechanism moves the flip axle assembly.