Log trailer load adjustment assembly
View Patent ↗A log trailer load adjustment assembly includes a bolster and a plurality of links. The bolster has a crossbar. The plurality of links is at a first end pivotably coupled to a trailer frame and at a second end pivotably coupled to the crossbar such that the bolster can be moved forward or rearward.
1 . A log trailer load adjustment assembly comprising:
a trailer frame comprising a plurality of lower link bases;
a bolster having a crossbar and a plurality of upper link bases;
a plurality of links comprising a right set of links and a left set of links;
wherein each of the plurality of links comprises a first end having a lower hole and a second end having an upper hole;
wherein the first end of each link is pivotably coupled to one of the plurality of lower link bases via a lower link pin traveling through the lower hole, and the second end of each link is pivotably coupled to one of the plurality of upper link bases via an upper link pin traveling through the upper hole, such that the bolster can be moved forward or rearward; and
wherein the right set of links and the left set of links each comprise two parallel links.
2 . The log trailer load adjustment assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the bolster further comprises a pair of bolster uprights extending from opposing ends of the crossbar.
3 . The log trailer load adjustment assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the trailer frame comprises a forward horizontal section, a rearward horizontal section, and a transition section between the forward horizontal section and the rearward horizontal section, the plurality of lower link bases being located at the transition section.
4 . The log trailer load adjustment assembly as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the forward horizontal section is higher than the rearward horizontal section, and the rearward horizontal section comprises at least one bunk having a plurality of bunk uprights, wherein when moved forward, the bolster rests on the forward horizontal section, and when moved rearward, the bolster abuts against the plurality of bunk uprights.
5 . The log trailer load adjustment assembly as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the plurality of bunk uprights each comprises a support block that is adapted to support the bolster when the bolster is moved rearward.
6 . A log trailer load adjustment assembly comprising:
a bolster having a crossbar;
a plurality of links;
the plurality of links being at a first end pivotably coupled to a trailer frame and at a second end pivotably coupled to the crossbar such that the bolster can be moved forward or rearward;
a locking mechanism that comprises:
a lock frame having a distal end and a proximal end;
a hook portion beneath the lock frame and adjacent to the proximal end of the lock frame;
a pivotal connecting portion arranged between the hook portion and the lock frame and connected to the crossbar of the bolster via a plurality of lock mounting plates such that the locking mechanism pivots about a first axis;
wherein each of the plurality of links comprises a lower hole at the first end and an upper hole at the second end, the bolster comprises a plurality of upper link bases, and the trailer frame comprises a plurality of lower link bases, the plurality of links being at the first end pivotably coupled to the plurality of lower link bases via a plurality of lower link pins traveling through the lower hole and at a second end pivotably coupled to the plurality of upper link bases via a plurality of upper link pins traveling through the upper hole;
wherein the trailer frame comprises a forward horizontal section, a rearward horizontal section, and a transition section between the forward horizontal section and the rearward horizontal section, the plurality of lower link bases being located at the transition section;
wherein the forward horizontal section is higher than the rearward horizontal section, and the rearward horizontal section comprises at least one bunk having a plurality of bunk uprights, wherein when moved forward, the bolster rests on the forward horizontal section, and when moved rearward, the bolster abuts against the plurality of bunk uprights;
wherein the plurality of bunk uprights each comprises a support block that is adapted to support the bolster when the bolster is moved rearward; and
wherein when the distal end of the lock frame is lowered, the hook portion engages a cross-brace of the trailer frame, and when the distal end of the lock frame is raised, the hook portion disengages from the cross-brace.
7 . A log trailer load adjustment assembly comprising:
a bolster having a crossbar;
a plurality of links;
the plurality of links being at a first end pivotably coupled to a trailer frame and at a second end pivotably coupled to the crossbar such that the bolster can be moved forward or rearward;
a locking mechanism that comprises:
a lock frame having a distal end and a proximal end;
a hook portion beneath the lock frame and adjacent to the proximal end of the lock frame;
a pivotal connecting portion arranged between the hook portion and the lock frame and connected to the crossbar of the bolster via a plurality of lock mounting plates such that the locking mechanism pivots about a first axis;
wherein each of the plurality of links comprises a lower hole at the first end and an upper hole at the second end, the bolster comprises a plurality of upper link bases, and the trailer frame comprises a plurality of lower link bases, the plurality of links being at the first end pivotably coupled to the plurality of lower link bases via a plurality of lower link pins traveling through the lower hole and at a second end pivotably coupled to the plurality of upper link bases via a plurality of upper link pins traveling through the upper hole;
wherein the trailer frame comprises a forward horizontal section, a rearward horizontal section, and a transition section between the forward horizontal section and the rearward horizontal section, the plurality of lower link bases being located at the transition section;
wherein the forward horizontal section is higher than the rearward horizontal section, and the rearward horizontal section comprises at least one bunk having a plurality of bunk uprights, wherein when moved forward, the bolster rests on the forward horizontal section, and when moved rearward, the bolster abuts against the plurality of bunk uprights;
wherein the plurality of bunk uprights each comprises a support block that is adapted to support the bolster when the bolster is moved rearward;
wherein when the distal end of the lock frame is lowered, the hook portion engages a cross-brace of the trailer frame, and when the distal end of the lock frame is raised, the hook portion disengages from the cross-brace; and
wherein the lock mechanism further comprises a lever having a distal end and a proximal end, the lever being pivotable about a second axis that travels through the proximal end of the lock frame, the proximal end of the lever comprising a weight that rests against the plurality of lock mounting plates and is received in a space between the crossbar of the bolster and the proximal end of the lock frame to prevent the lock frame from being lifted.