초록 ▼

An apparatus and method for stabilizing a stationary trailer. One embodiment of the device comprises a jack and a stabilizing member. The jack attaches to the bottom of the trailer, such that when the jack is extended, a base component of the jack engages the ground. A stabilizing member attaches at

An apparatus and method for stabilizing a stationary trailer. One embodiment of the device comprises a jack and a stabilizing member. The jack attaches to the bottom of the trailer, such that when the jack is extended, a base component of the jack engages the ground. A stabilizing member attaches at one end to the base of the jack and attaches at the other end to the bottom of the trailer. The length of the stabilizing member adjusts such that the stabilizing member has one length when the jack is in the raised position, and a second length when the jack is in the lowered position. The length of the stabilizing member may be locked such that the stabilizing member retains a particular length.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A device for stabilizing a stationary trailer, the trailer having a top and a bottom defining a vertical axis, a front and a back defining a longitudinal axis, a first side and a second side defining a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and ground engagin

What is claimed is: 1. A device for stabilizing a stationary trailer, the trailer having a top and a bottom defining a vertical axis, a front and a back defining a longitudinal axis, a first side and a second side defining a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and ground engaging wheels attached to the bottom, the device comprising: a first jack comprising a first trailer engagement means, a first base, and a first extension means disposed between the first trailer engagement means and the first base, wherein the first trailer engagement means is attached to the bottom of the trailer and wherein the first extension means causes the first base to extend from a raised position generally adjacent to the bottom of the trailer to a first extended position; a stabilizing member comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises means for attachment to the first base, wherein the means for attachment to the first base comprises an enclosure which generally conforms to the shape of the first base and encloses the first base wherein the stabilizing member is pivotally attached to the enclosure, and the second end comprises means for attachment to the bottom of the trailer, the stabilizing member further comprising length adjustment means wherein the stabilizing member has a first length when the first jack is in the raised position and the stabilizing member has a second length when the first jack is in the first extended position; and the stabilizing member further comprising length locking means. 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for attachment to the first base comprises a first plate pivotally attached to the first end of the stabilizing member, wherein the first plate is affixed to the first base. 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for attachment to the bottom of the trailer comprises a second plate pivotally attached to the second end of the stabilizing member, wherein the second plate is affixed to the bottom of the trailer. 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the first trailer engagement means comprises a first engagement plate. 5. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for attachment to the first base comprises a plate attached to the first base, wherein the stabilizing member is pivotally attached to the plate. 6. The device of claim 1 wherein the first extension means comprises scissor arms extended by operation of a turn-screw. 7. The device of claim 1 wherein the length adjustment means comprises the stabilizing member having a first sub-member and a second sub-member, the first sub-member slidably inserted within the second sub-member. 8. The device of claim 7 wherein the length locking means comprises a locking nut. 9. The device of claim 1 wherein the length adjustment means comprises the stabilizing member having an integral piston and cylinder, wherein the piston retracts into the cylinder when the stabilizing member is adjusted to a shorter length and the piston extends from the cylinder when the stabilizing member is adjusted to a longer length. 10. The device of claim 9 wherein the length locking means comprises a spring biasing the piston in an extended position. 11. The device of claim 9 wherein the length locking means comprises hydraulic fluid biasing the piston in an extended position. 12. A device for stabilizing a stationary trailer, the trailer having a top and a bottom defining a vertical axis, a front and a back defining a longitudinal axis, a first side and a second side defining a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and ground engaging wheels attached to the bottom, the device comprising: a first jack comprising a first trailer engagement means, a first base, and a first extension means disposed between the first trailer engagement means and the first base, wherein the first trailer engagement means is attached to the bottom of the trailer and wherein the first extension means causes the first base to extend from a raised position generally adjacent to the bottom of the trailer to a first extended position; and a stabilizing member comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises means for attachment to the first base and the second end comprises means for attachment to the bottom of the trailer, wherein the means for attachment to the bottom of the trailer comprises an extension member comprising a slotted plate pivotally attached to the second end, the stabilizing member further comprising length adjustment means wherein the stabilizing member has a first length when the first jack is in the raised position and the stabilizing member has a second length when the first jack is in the first extended position. 13. The device of claim 12 wherein a plate is attached to the first base, wherein the stabilizing member is pivotally attached to the plate. 14. The device of claim 12 wherein the first trailer engagement means comprises a first engagement plate. 15. The device of claim 12 wherein the first extension means comprises scissor arms extended by operation of a turn-screw. 16. The device of claim 12 wherein the length adjustment means comprises the extension member having a axially aligned slot, wherein the extension member is attached to a receiving bracket attached to the bottom of the trailer wherein the extension member is located at a first position with respect to the receiving bracket when the first jack is in the raised position and the extension member is located at a second position with respect to the receiving bracket when the first jack is in the first extended position. 17. The device of claim 12 wherein the length adjustment means comprises the stabilizing member having an integral piston and cylinder, wherein the piston retracts into the cylinder when the stabilizing member is adjusted to a shorter length and the piston extends from the cylinder when the stabilizing member is adjusted to a longer length. 18. The device of claim 17 wherein the length locking means comprises a spring biasing the piston in an extended position. 19. The device of claim 17 wherein the length locking means comprises a fluid biasing the piston in an extended position. 20. A device for stabilizing a stationary trailer, the trailer having a top and a bottom defining a vertical axis, a front and a back defining a longitudinal axis, a first side and a second side defining a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and ground engaging wheels attached to the bottom, the device comprising: a first jack comprising a first trailer engagement means, a first base, and a first extension means disposed between the first trailer engagement means and the first base, wherein the first trailer engagement means is attached to the bottom of the trailer and wherein the first extension means causes the first base to extend from a raised position generally adjacent to the bottom of the trailer to a first extended position; and a stabilizing member comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises means for attachment to the first base and the second end comprises means for attachment to the bottom of the trailer, wherein the means for attachment to the bottom of the trailer comprises an extension member comprising a slotted plate pivotally attached to the second end, the stabilizing member further comprising length adjustment means wherein the stabilizing member has a first length when the first jack is in the raised position and the stabilizing member has a second length when the first jack is in the first extended position; wherein the means for attachment to the first base comprises an enclosure which generally conforms to the shape of the first base and encloses the first base, wherein the enclosure is pivotally attached to the stabilizing member. 21. The device of claim 20 wherein the enclosure comprises stabilizer attachment plates. 22. A device for stabilizing a stationary trailer, the trailer having a top and a bottom defining a vertical axis, a front and a back defining a longitudinal axis, a first side and a second side defining a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and ground engaging wheels attached to the bottom, the device comprising: a first jack comprising a first trailer engagement means, a first base, and a first extension means disposed between the first trailer engagement means and the first base, wherein the first trailer engagement means is attached to the bottom of the trailer and wherein the first extension means causes the first base to extend from a raised position generally adjacent to the bottom of the trailer to a first extended position; a stabilizing member comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises means for attachment to the first base and the second end comprises a pivotally attached extension member, the bottom of the trailer comprising a receiving bracket; wherein the extension member comprises a slotted plate which attaches to the receiving bracket with fastening means wherein the extension member is located at a first position with respect to the receiving bracket when the first jack is in the raised position and the extension member is located at a second position with respect to the receiving bracket when the first jack is in the first extended position. 23. The device of claim 22 wherein the means for attachment to the first base comprises a first plate pivotally attached to the first end of the stabilizing member, wherein the first plate is affixed to the first base. 24. A device for stabilizing a stationary trailer, the trailer having a top and a bottom defining a vertical axis, a front and a back defining a longitudinal axis, a first side and a second side defining a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and ground engaging wheels attached to the bottom, the device comprising: a first jack comprising a first trailer engagement means, a first base, and a first extension means disposed between the first trailer engagement means and the first base, wherein the first trailer engagement means is attached to the bottom of the trailer and wherein the first extension means causes the first base to extend from a raised position generally adjacent to the bottom of the trailer to a first extended position; a stabilizing member comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises means for attachment to the first base and the second end comprises a pivotally attached extension member, the bottom of the trailer comprising a receiving bracket; wherein the extension member comprises a slotted plate which attaches to the receiving bracket with fastening means wherein the extension member is located at a first position with respect to the receiving bracket when the first jack is in the raised position and the extension member is located at a second position with respect to the receiving bracket when the first jack is in the first extended position. wherein the means for attachment to the first base comprises an enclosure which generally conforms to the shape of the first base and encloses the first base, wherein the enclosure is pivotally attached to the stabilizing member. 25. The device of claim 22 wherein a plate is pivotally attached to the first base, wherein the stabilizing member is pivotally attached to the plate. 26. The device of claim 22 wherein the first trailer engagement means comprises a first engagement plate. 27. The device of claim 22 wherein the first extension means comprises scissor arms extended by operation of a turn-screw. 28. The device of claim 24 wherein the enclosure comprises stabilizer attachment plates. 29. A device for stabilizing a stationary trailer, the trailer having a top and a bottom defining a vertical axis, a front and a back defining a longitudinal axis, a first side and a second side defining a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and ground engaging wheels attached to the bottom, the device comprising: a first jack comprising a first trailer engagement means, a first base, and a first extension means disposed between the first trailer engagement means and the first base, wherein the first trailer engagement means is attached to the bottom of the trailer and wherein the first extension means causes the first base to extend from a raised position generally adjacent to the bottom of the trailer to a first extended position; a second jack comprising a second trailer engagement means, a second base, and a second extension means disposed between the second trailer engagement means and the second base, wherein the second trailer engagement means is aft ached to bottom of the trailer and wherein the second extension means causes the second base to extend from a raised position generally adjacent to the bottom of the trailer to a second extended position; a stabilizing member comprising a first end and a second end wherein the first end comprises means for attachment to the first base and the second end comprises an extension member attached thereto, the extension member comprising a slotted plate pivotally attached to the second end; a receiving bracket attached to the second trailer engagement means, wherein the receiving bracket is adapted to slidably engage the extension member, the receiving bracket configured such that the extension member is located at a first position with respect to the receiving bracket when the first jack is in the raised position and the extension member is located at a second position with respect to the receiving bracket when the first jack is in the first extended position; and the receiving bracket comprising locking means for retaining the extension member in the second position. 30. A method of stabilizing a stationary trailer, the trailer having a top and a bottom defining a vertical axis, a front and a back defining a longitudinal axis, a first side and a second side defining a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and ground engaging wheels attached to the bottom, the method comprising the steps of: positioning the trailer at a desired location; manipulating a first jack, wherein the first jack comprises a first trailer engagement means, a first base, and a first extension means disposed between the first trailer engagement means and the first base, wherein the first trailer engagement means is attached to the bottom of the trailer and wherein manipulating the first jack engages the first extension means causing the first base to extend from a raised position generally adjacent to the bottom of the trailer to a first extended position; locking the length of a stabilizing member, wherein the stabilizing member comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises means for attachment to the first base and the second end comprises means for attachment to the bottom of the trailer, wherein the means for attachment to the first base comprises an enclosure which generally conforms to the shape of the first base and encloses the first base wherein the stabilizing member is pivotally attached to the enclosure, the stabilizing member further comprising length adjustment means wherein the stabilizing member has a first length when the first jack is in the raised position and the stabilizing member has a second length when the first jack is in the first extended position, and wherein the stabilizing member comprises length locking means.