초록 ▼

A fifth-wheel trailer having a forward section comprising an adjustable-height floor. The floor being capable of moving up to a raised position to provide sufficient clearance for a towing vehicle to attach to the trailer for towing. The floor also being capable of moving down to a lowered position

A fifth-wheel trailer having a forward section comprising an adjustable-height floor. The floor being capable of moving up to a raised position to provide sufficient clearance for a towing vehicle to attach to the trailer for towing. The floor also being capable of moving down to a lowered position to provide a trailer with an approximately even floor and a full-height ceiling throughout. The present adjustable-height floor does not interfere with the structural stability of the trailer's main frame including its pin box.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A trailer capable of being towed using a fifth-wheel hitch system comprising: a forward section of the trailer comprising an adjustable forward section floor;a main section of the trailer connected to the forward section, the main section comprising a fixed main section floor; andan adjustable fl

1. A trailer capable of being towed using a fifth-wheel hitch system comprising: a forward section of the trailer comprising an adjustable forward section floor;a main section of the trailer connected to the forward section, the main section comprising a fixed main section floor; andan adjustable floor assembly connected to the forward section floor configured to adjust a height of the adjustable forward section floor to a raised position relative to the main section floor to allow a towing vehicle to operate below the adjustable floor assembly and to a lowered position which is approximately level with the main section floor. 2. A trailer as described in claim 1, wherein the adjustable floor assembly is further configured to be actuated by one or more electric motors rotating one or more threaded lift shafts. 3. A trailer as described in claim 2, wherein the electric motor further comprises a safety clutch. 4. A trailer as described in claim 1, further comprising one or more sensors to detect obstacles located above or below the adjustable floor assembly. 5. A trailer as described in claim 4, wherein the sensors detect motion. 6. A trailer as described in claim 1, wherein the adjustable floor assembly is further configured to be actuated by one or more hydraulic motors rotating one or more threaded lift shafts. 7. A trailer as described in claim 1, wherein the adjustable floor assembly is further configured to be actuated by one or more pneumatic motors rotating one or more threaded lift shafts. 8. A trailer as described in claim 1, wherein the adjustable floor assembly is further configured to be actuated by one or more hydraulic cylinders. 9. A trailer as described in claim 1, wherein the adjustable floor assembly is further configured to be actuated by manually rotating one or more threaded lift shafts. 10. A trailer as described in claim 1, wherein the adjustable floor assembly further comprises one or more walls. 11. A trailer as described in claim 1, wherein the adjustable floor assembly is rectangular in shape. 12. A trailer as described in claim 4, wherein the one or more sensors detects force. 13. A trailer as described in claim 1, further comprising a main frame capable of supporting the forward section and the main section. 14. A trailer as described in claim 13, wherein the main frame also comprises a pinbox and towing hitch. 15. A trailer as described in claim 13, wherein the adjustable floor assembly is moveable between its raised and lowered positions through an opening in the main frame. 16. A trailer as described in claim 1, further comprising a hatch to seal an opening into the interior of the trailer created when the adjustable floor assembly is in its raised position. 17. A trailer as described in claim 16, wherein the hatch is a fold-down hatch pivotably connected to the trailer. 18. A trailer capable of being towed using a fifth-wheel hitch comprising: a main frame;the main frame supporting a forward section of the trailer comprising a nonmoving upper forward section and an adjustable forward section floor;the main frame also supporting a main section of the trailer connected to the nonmoving upper forward section, the main section comprising a fixed main section floor;an adjustable floor assembly connected to the forward section floor configured to adjust a height of the adjustable forward section floor to a raised position relative to the main section floor to allow a towing vehicle to operate below the adjustable forward section floor and to a lowered position which is approximately level with the main section floor; andthe main frame comprising an opening through which the adjustable floor assembly is configured to move the forward section floor between its raised and lowered positions. 19. A trailer as described in claim 18, wherein the nonmoving upper forward section comprises a lip and the adjustable floor assembly comprises a ledge capable of being supported by the lip. 20. A method for using a trailer capable of being towed using a fifth-wheel hitch: providing a trailer comprising:a forward section of the trailer comprising an adjustable forward section floor;a main section of the trailer connected to the forward section, the main section comprising a fixed main section floor;an adjustable floor assembly connected to the forward section floor configured to adjust a height of the adjustable forward section floor to a raised position relative to the main section floor to allow a towing vehicle to operate below the adjustable floor assembly and to a lowered position which is approximately level with the main section floor;transporting the trailer by a user using a towing vehicle in the raised position relative to the main section floor;parking the trailer and detaching it from the towing vehicle; andlowering, by the user, the adjustable forward section floor to the lowered position which is approximately level with the main section floor.