IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
UP-0209460
(2005-08-23)
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등록번호 |
US-7572022
(2009-08-25)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
22 인용 특허 :
53 |
초록
▼
A safety trailer has semi-tractor hitches at both ends and a safety wall that is fixed to one side of the trailer. That side, however, can be changed to the right or left side of the road, depending on the end to which the truck attaches. A caboose can be attached at the end of the trailer opposite
A safety trailer has semi-tractor hitches at both ends and a safety wall that is fixed to one side of the trailer. That side, however, can be changed to the right or left side of the road, depending on the end to which the truck attaches. A caboose can be attached at the end of the trailer opposite the tractor to provide additional lighting and impact protection. Optionally, the trailer can be equipped with overhead protection, lighting, ventilation, onboard hydraulics, compressors, generators and other equipment, as well as related fuel, water, storage and restroom facilities and other amenities.
대표청구항
▼
I claim: 1. A safety trailer assembly, comprising: (a) first and second platforms, the first platform comprising a hitch member to removably attach to a motorized vehicle; (b) a rigid wall defined by at least a first side of each of the first and second platforms, the rigid wall enclosing a work ar
I claim: 1. A safety trailer assembly, comprising: (a) first and second platforms, the first platform comprising a hitch member to removably attach to a motorized vehicle; (b) a rigid wall defined by at least a first side of each of the first and second platforms, the rigid wall enclosing a work area and being configured to withstand an impact from motorized traffic; wherein: a side of the enclosed work area is open to enable vehicular and personnel access to the enclosed work area and to permit personnel to access a road surface underlying the enclosed work area; and the rigid wall further comprises at least one panel extending between and attached to the first and second platforms, wherein the at least one panel does not rotate relative to the first and second platforms. 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one panel is fixed relative to the first and second platforms and the at least one panel does not shift or articulate relative to the first and second platforms. 3. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of: a crash attenuator; on-board hydraulics; a compressor; a power generator and power hookups for equipment; a portable restroom facility; a heating and cooling system; and a ventilation system. 4. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a crash attenuator on an end of the assembly opposite the motorized vehicle hitch member and onboard directional lighting to illuminate the work area. 5. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising first and second hitch members, respectively, at the first and second platforms and a wheeled caboose configured to removably engage the first and second hitch members, wherein, in a first mode, the motorized vehicle is attached to the first hitch member and caboose to the second hitch member and, in a second mode, the motorized vehicle is attached to the second hitch member and a caboose to the first hitch member, whereby the right wall can open to the first or second side of a road. 6. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a counterbalancing weight to counterbalance a weight of the rigid wall. 7. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a caboose removably attached to the second platform, the caboose comprising at least one axle, wheels, brakes, a crash attenuation unit, and wherein the caboose is fixed in place to function like the rear wheels of a standard semi-trailer. 8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least a first and second sides of the first and second platforms comprises additional wall sections positioned between the first and second platforms and wherein the first side is substantially planar to direct a motorized vehicle impacting the first side away from the work area. 9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one wall panel comprises a heavily constructed rigid lower portion to provide a barrier to traffic, and is engaged with an upper portion to provide a visual barrier to motorists and wherein the lower portion extends from at or near ground level to a height at least as high as a hood of a car, pickup or sports utility vehicle. 10. The safety trailer assembly of claim 1, wherein a height of the rigid wall extends from at or near ground level to a height at least as high as a hood of a pickup and/or sports utility vehicle. 11. The safety trailer assembly of claim 1, wherein, when the at least one panel is deployed between the first and second platforms, the at least one panel is not in direct physical contact with a stand positioned on a surface supporting the safety trailer assembly. 12. A method comprising: (a) providing a safety trailer, the safety trailer comprising first and second platforms; (b) at least one of erecting and extending a rigid wall between the first and second platforms, the rigid wall being attached to a first side of each of the first and second platforms, the first and second platforms enclosing a protected area; (c) stabilizing the trailer to withstand a vehicular impact on the rigid wall, wherein stabilization is performed by leveling substantially the trailer and a second side of the first and second platforms is open to enable personnel and/or vehicles to access the protected area; and wherein the stabilizing step comprises locating counterbalancing weights to offset a weight of the rigid wall, wherein the safety trailer shields a work area protected from motorized traffic, and wherein the rigid wall is substantially planar to direct a motorized vehicle impacting the rigid wall away from the work area. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one of erecting and engaging is extending, wherein the rigid wall comprises at least first and second panels, wherein the at least first and second panels comprise an extendable housing and inner core, and wherein, when being extended, the at least first and second panels are supported by a roller brace in contact with a surface of the protected area. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the rigid wall is substantially planar to direct a motorized vehicle impacting the rigid wall away from the work area. 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one of erecting and extending is erecting and wherein step (b) comprises the substeps: (b1) removing at least first and second panels of the rigid wall from at least one of the first and second platforms; (b2) disengaging the first and second platforms from each other; (b3) attaching the first panel to first platform; (b4) attaching the second panel to the at least one of the second platform and first panel; and (b5) engaging at least one of the first and second panels to each other and the first panel to the second platform, whereby at least the first and second panels define at least part of the rigid wall. 16. The method of claim 12, wherein a height of the rigid wall extends from at or near ground level to a height at least as high as a hood of a pickup and/or sports utility vehicle. 17. The safety trailer of claim 12, wherein the rigid wall comprises at least a first panel positioned between the first and second platforms and wherein, when the at least one panel is deployed between the first and second platforms, the first panel is not in direct physical contact with a stand positioned on a supporting surface. 18. A trailer, comprising: (a) an axle assembly having wheels and a hitch engaging member; (b) a trailer having: (b1) opposing first and second platforms; (b2) a rigid wall defined by the first and second platforms and along only one side of the trailer to define a protected work area, the protected work area being open on the opposing side of the trailer to enable vehicular and/or personnel access to the protected area; and (c) first and second hitch members, each of the first and second hitch members being positioned at an opposing end of the trailer, for removable attachment to the hitch engaging member, whereby the trailer can be parked with the wall on either side with the axle assembly facing traffic and whereby either end of the trailer can be reversibly hitched between a truck and the axle assembly for transportation. 19. The trailer of claim 18, wherein the axle assembly comprises a crash attenuator and wherein the axle assembly is fixed in place to function like the rear wheels of a standard semi-trailer. 20. The trailer of claim 18, further comprising a counterbalancing weight to counterbalance a weight of the rigid wall and wherein the rigid wall is substantially planar to direct an impacting vehicle away from the protected area. 21. The trailer of claim 18, wherein a height of the rigid wall extends from at or near ground level to a height at least as high as a hood of a pickup and/or sports utility vehicle. 22. A method, comprising: (a) providing a trailer having first and second hitch members at opposing first and second ends of the trailer and a wheeled axle assembly, the axle assembly comprising a hitch engaging member, wherein a first side of the trailer defines a rigid wall and a second side of the trailer defines a protected work area, the protected work area being open to enable vehicular access to the protected area; (b) in a first mode, securing a hitch engaging member of a motorized vehicle to the first hitch member and the hitch engaging member of the axle assembly to the second hitch member, whereby the first side is positioned in a first orientation to protect a first protected work area from vehicular traffic; and (c) in a second mode, securing the hitch engaging member of the motorized vehicle to the second hitch member and the hitch engaging member of the axle assembly to the first hitch member, whereby the first side is positioned in a second orientation to protect a second protected work area from vehicular traffic, wherein, in the first and second orientations, the motorized vehicle faces differing directions. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the axle assembly comprises a hitch connection operable to engage a hitch engaging member of the motorized vehicle to reposition the axle assembly when disengaged from the trailer. 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising: (i) disengaging the first panel from the first platform, the second panel from the second platform, and the first and second panels from each other; (j) connecting the first and second platforms to one another; (k) positioning the first and second panels on top of the trailer; and (g) transporting, by the trailer, the first and second panels to another physical location. 25. The method of claim 22, wherein the axle assembly comprises at least one axle, wheels, brakes, a crash attenuation unit, and wherein the axle assembly is fixed in place to function like the rear wheels of a standard semi-trailer. 26. The method of claim 22, wherein the trailer comprises first and second removably attached platforms, wherein the rigid wall comprises at least first and second panels removably attached to one another and to the first and second platforms, wherein the first and second panels are transported by the trailer, and further comprising: (d) removing the first and second panels from the trailer; (e) disengaging the first and second platforms from each other; (f) attaching the first panel to first platform; (g) attaching the second panel to at least one of the second platform and first panel; and (h) attaching the second panel to the other of at least one of the second platform and first panel, whereby at least the first and second panels define at least part of the rigid wall. 27. The method of claim 22, wherein a height of the rigid wall extends from at or near ground level to a height at least as high as a hood of a pickup and/or sports utility vehicle. 28. A safety trailer assembly, comprising: (a) first and second platforms, the first platform comprising a hitch member to removably attach to a motorized vehicle; (b) a rigid wall defined by at least a first side of each of the first and second platforms, the rigid wall enclosing a work area and being configured to withstand an impact from motorized traffic; wherein: a second side of the first and second platform is open to enable vehicular and/or personnel access to the work area, and the work area is open to permit personnel to access a road surface underlying the work area; and wherein the safety trailer assembly further comprises a plurality of: a crash attenuator; on-board hydraulics; a compressor; a power generator and power hookups for equipment; a portable restroom facility; a heating and cooling system; and a ventilation system. 29. The safety trailer assembly of claim 28, wherein the rigid wall is further defined by at least one panel extending between and attached to the first and second platforms and is fixed relative to the first and second platforms and wherein a height of the rigid wall extends from at or near ground level to a height at least as high as a hood of a pickup and/or sports utility vehicle. 30. The assembly of claim 29, comprising the crash attenuator. 31. The assembly of claim 29, comprising the on-board hydraulics. 32. The assembly of claim 29, comprising the compressor. 33. The assembly of claim 29, comprising the power generator and power hookups. 34. The assembly of claim 29, comprising the portable restroom facility. 35. The assembly of claim 29, comprising the heating and cooling system. 36. The assembly of claim 29, comprising the ventilation system. 37. The safety trailer assembly of claim 28, wherein the rigid wall comprises a first panel positioned between the first and second platforms and wherein, when the first panel is deployed between the first and second platforms, the first panel is not in direct physical contact with a stand positioned on a surface supporting the safety trailer assembly. 38. A safety trailer assembly, comprising: (a) first and second platforms, the first platform comprising a hitch member to removably attach to a motorized vehicle; (b) a rigid wall defined by at least a first side of each of the first and second platforms, the rigid wall enclosing a work area and being configured to withstand an impact from motorized traffic; (c) a crash attenuator on an end of the assembly opposite the motorized vehicle hitch member and onboard directional lighting to illuminate the work area; wherein: a second side of the first and second platform is open to enable vehicular and/or personnel access to the work area, the rigid wall extends from at or near ground level to a height at least as high as a hood of a pickup and/or sports utility vehicle; and the work area is open to permit personnel to access a road surface underlying the work area. 39. A safety trailer assembly, comprising: (a) first and second platforms, the first platform comprising a hitch member to removably attach to a motorized vehicle; (b) a rigid wall defined by at least a first side of each of the first and second platforms, the rigid wall enclosing a work area and being configured to withstand an impact from motorized traffic; and (c) first and second hitch members, respectively, at the first and second platforms and a wheeled caboose configured to removably engage the first and second hitch members, wherein, in a first mode, the motorized vehicle is attached to the first hitch member and caboose to the second hitch member and, in a second mode, the motorized vehicle is attached to the second hitch member and a caboose to the first hitch member, whereby the right wall can open to the first or second side of a road; wherein: a second side of the first and second platform is open to enable vehicular and/or personnel access to the work area, and the work area is open to permit personnel to access a road surface underlying the work area. 40. A safety trailer assembly, comprising: (a) first and second platforms, the first platform comprising a hitch member to removably attach to a motorized vehicle; (b) a rigid wall defined by at least a first side of each of the first and second platforms, the rigid wall enclosing a work area and being configured to withstand an impact from motorized traffic; and (c) a counterbalancing weight to counterbalance a weight of the rigid wall, the counterbalancing weight being positioned off-center relative to a longitudinal center axis of the safety trailer assembly and on a side opposite the rigid wall; wherein: a second side of the first and second platform is open to enable vehicular and/or personnel access to the work area, and the work area is open to permit personnel to access a road surface underlying the work area. 41. A safety trailer assembly, comprising: (a) first and second platforms, the first platform comprising a hitch member to removably attach to a motorized vehicle; (b) at least a first panel positioned between and connected to the first and second platforms; (c) a rigid wall defined by at least a first side of each of the first and second platforms and the at least a first panel, the rigid wall enclosing a work area and being configured to withstand an impact from motorized traffic; wherein: the at least a first panel and first and second platforms are not supported by a stand when the safety trailer assembly is deployed to protect the work area from a potential impact from a motor vehicle; a second side of the first and second platform is open to enable vehicular and/or personnel access to the work area, and the work area is open to permit personnel to access a road surface underlying the work area. 42. The safety trailer assembly of claim 41, wherein the rigid wall has a height extending from at or near ground level to a height at least as high as a hood of a pickup and/or sports utility vehicle. 43. The safety trailer assembly of claim 41, wherein, when deployed for impact by a motor vehicle, a tractor is hitched to the safety trailer assembly. 44. A safety trailer assembly, comprising: (a) first and second platforms, the first platform comprising a hitch member to removably attach to a motorized vehicle; (b) a rigid wall defined by at least a first side of each of the first and second platforms, the rigid wall enclosing a work area and being configured to withstand an impact from motorized traffic; (c) a caboose removably attached to the second platform, the caboose comprising at least one axle, wheels, brakes, a crash attenuation unit, and wherein the caboose is fixed in place to function like the rear wheels of a standard semi-trailer; wherein: a second side of the first and second platform is open to enable vehicular and/or personnel access to the work area, and the work area is open to permit personnel to access a road surface underlying the work area. 45. The assembly of claim 44, wherein the caboose comprises a hitch connection operable to engage a hitch engaging member of the motorized vehicle to reposition the caboose when disengaged from the second platform. 46. The method of claim 44, wherein the rigid wall is further defined by at least one rigid panel extending between and attached to the first and second platforms and is fixed relative .to the first and second platforms, wherein the at least one panel does not rotate relative to the first and second platforms, and wherein a height of the rigid wall extends from at or near ground level to a height at least as high as a hood of a pickup and/or sports utility vehicle. 47. A safety trailer assembly, comprising: (a) first and second platforms, the first platform comprising a hitch member to removably attach to a motorized vehicle; and (b) a rigid wall defined by at least a first side of each of the first and second platforms, the rigid wall enclosing a work area and being configured to withstand an impact from motorized traffic; wherein: a second side of the first and second platform is open to enable vehicular and/or personnel access to the work area, and the work area is open to permit personnel to access a road surface underlying the work area; and wherein at least first and second sides of the first and second platforms comprise additional wall sections positioned between the first and second platforms and wherein the first side is substantially planar to direct a motorized vehicle impacting the first side away from the work area. 48. The method of claim 47, wherein the at least one rigid panel does not shift, articulate, or rotate relative to the first and second rigid panels. 49. The method of claim 48, wherein the at least one rigid wall panel comprises a heavily constructed rigid lower portion to provide a barrier to traffic, and is engaged with an upper portion to provide a visual barrier to motorists and wherein the lower portion extends from at or near ground level to a height at least as high as a hood or a car, pickup or sports utility vehicle. 50. The method of claim 47, wherein a height of the rigid wall extends from at or near ground level to a height at least as high as a hood of a pickup and/or sports utility vehicle. 51. The safety trailer assembly of claim 47, wherein, when deployed between the first and second platforms, the additional wall sections are not in direct physical contact with a stand positioned on a surface supporting the safety trailer assembly. 52. A method comprising: (a) providing a safety trailer, the safety trailer comprising first and second platforms; (b) at least one of erecting and extending a rigid wall between the first and second platforms, the rigid wall being attached to a first side of each of the first and second platforms, the first and second platforms enclosing a protected area; (c) stabilizing the trailer to withstand a vehicular impact on the rigid wall, wherein a second side of the first and second platforms is open to enable personnel and/or vehicles to access the protected area; and (d) wherein the at least one of erecting and engaging is extending, wherein the rigid wall comprises at least first and second panels, wherein the at least first and second panels comprise an extendable housing and inner core, and wherein, when being extended and/or when extended, the at least first and second panels are supported by a roller brace engaging a surface supporting the safety trailer. 53. The method of claim 52, wherein a height of the rigid wall extends from at or near ground level to a height at least as high as a hood of a pickup and/or sports utility vehicle. 54. The safety trailer assembly of claim 52, wherein, when deployed between the first and second platforms, the first and second panels are not in direct physical contact with a stand positioned on a surface supporting the safety trailer assembly. 55. The method of claim 52, wherein, when supported by the first and second platforms, the first and second panels are not in direct physical contact with a stand positioned on a surface supporting the safety trailer. 56. The method of claim 52, wherein a traffic-facing surface of the first and second platforms and rigid wall is substantially planar to direct a motorized vehicle impacting the rigid wall away from the protected work area. 57. A method comprising: (a) providing a safety trailer, the safety trailer comprising first and second platforms; (b) at least one of erecting and extending a rigid wall between the first and second platforms, the rigid wall being attached to a first side of each of the first and second platforms, the first and second platforms enclosing a protected area; and (c) stabilizing the trailer to withstand a vehicular impact on the rigid wall, wherein a second side of the first and second platforms is open to enable personnel and/or vehicles to access the protected area; and wherein the stabilizing step comprises the substep of positioning a counterbalance on a side of a longitudinal axis of the trailer opposite from the rigid wall, and wherein the safety trailer shields a work area protected from motorized traffic. 58. The method of claim 57, wherein the rigid wall has a height extending from at or near ground level to a height at least as high as a hood of a pickup and/or sports utility vehicle. 59. The method of claim 57, wherein the rigid wall is substantially planar to direct a motorized vehicle impacting the rigid wall away from the work area. 60. A method comprising: (a) providing a safety trailer, the safety trailer comprising first and second platforms; (b) at least one of erecting and extending a rigid wall between the first and second platforms, the rigid wall being attached to a first side of each of the first and second platforms, the first and second platforms enclosing a protected area; and (c) stabilizing the trailer to withstand a vehicular impact on the rigid wall, wherein a second side of the first and second platforms is open to enable personnel and/or vehicles to access the protected area; and wherein the at least one or erecting and extending is erecting; and wherein step (b) comprises the substeps: (b1) removing at least first and second panels of the rigid wall from at least one of the first and second platforms; (b2) disengaging the first and second platforms from each other; (b3) attaching the first panel to the first platform; (b4) attaching the second panel to the at least one of the second platform and first panel; and (b5) engaging at least one of the first and second panels to each other and the first panel to the second platform, whereby at least the first and second panels define at least part of the rigid wall. 61. The method of claim 60, further comprising: (d) disengaging the first panel from the first platform, the second panel from the second platform, and the first and second panels from each other; (e) connecting the first and second platforms to one another; (f) positioning the first and second panels on top of at least one of the first and second platforms; and (g) transporting, by the first and second platforms, the first and second panels to another physical location. 62. The method of claim 60, wherein, when supported by the first and second platforms, the first and second panels are not in direct physical contact with a stand positioned on a surface supporting the safety trailer. 63. A safety trailer assembly, comprising: (a) first and second platforms, the first platform comprising a hitch member to removably attach to a motorized vehicle; (b) a rigid wall defined by at least a first side of each of the first and second platforms, the rigid wall enclosing a work area and being configured to withstand an impact from motorized traffic; wherein: a second side of the first and second platform is open to enable vehicular and/or personnel access to the enclosed work area; and the work area is open to permit personnel to access a road surface underlying the enclosed work area; and the rigid wall is further defined by at least one rigid panel extending between and attached to the first and second platforms and is fixed relative to the first and second platforms; and the at least one rigid wall panel comprises a heavily constructed rigid lower portion to provide a barrier to traffic, and is engaged with an upper portion to provide a visual barrier to motorists and wherein the lower portion extends from at or near ground level to a height at least as high as a hood of pickup and/or sports utility vehicle. 64. The safety trailer assembly of claim 63, wherein the at least one panel does not rotate relative to the first and second platforms. 65. The safety trailer assembly of claim 63, wherein a height of the rigid wall extends from at or near ground level to a height at least as high as a hood of a pickup and/or sports utility vehicle. 66. The safety trailer assembly of claim 63, wherein the at least one rigid panel is not in direct physical contact with a stand positioned on a surface supporting the safety trailer assembly.
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