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A trailer frame assembly for a fifth wheel trailer frame in which at least a portion of the frame is torsionally stiffened with a rectangular closed section in a transverse cross section. The rectangular closed section is formed by longitudinal, parallel spaced vertical side plates, a top pan extend

A trailer frame assembly for a fifth wheel trailer frame in which at least a portion of the frame is torsionally stiffened with a rectangular closed section in a transverse cross section. The rectangular closed section is formed by longitudinal, parallel spaced vertical side plates, a top pan extending between top portions of the side plates, and a bottom pan between bottom portions of the side plates. Overlap joints between the side plates and the top and bottom pans allow for connection with threaded or rivet fasteners. An end dump semi trailer is also provided with a double acting lift cylinder on each side of the trailer. Also provided is a latch lift assembly for a dump gate using a linkage assembly to impart vertical upward movement to dump gate to unlatch the dump gate from a cradle catch.

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1. A trailer frame assembly for a fifth wheel trailer frame, the trailer frame being adapted to be pulled by a tractor, and having a longitudinal axis, a front portion adapted for connecting to the tractor, and a rear portion adapted to accommodate a connection to ground engaging wheels, the trailer

1. A trailer frame assembly for a fifth wheel trailer frame, the trailer frame being adapted to be pulled by a tractor, and having a longitudinal axis, a front portion adapted for connecting to the tractor, and a rear portion adapted to accommodate a connection to ground engaging wheels, the trailer frame assembly comprising: a pair of longitudinal, parallel spaced vertical side plates extending at least a portion of a length between the front portion and the rear portion of the trailer frame assembly, each side plate having a top portion and a bottom portion;a top pan extending generally horizontally between the top portions of the spaced side plates, the top pan having opposed side edge portions;a right angled top connecting wall formed on each of the side edge portions of the top pan to provide opposed top overlap joints parallel to the side plate and extending longitudinally along each of the side plates, the top overlap joints being formed at inwardly facing top portions of the side plates, and wherein the opposed side edge portions of the top pan each form a first right angled bend to provide the top connecting wall and a second right angled bend to provide a top flange extending horizontally above and outwardly from the side plates;a bottom pan extending generally horizontally between the bottom portions of the spaced side plates, the bottom pan having side edge portions;a right angled bottom connecting wall formed on each of the side edge portions of the bottom pan to provide opposed bottom overlap joints parallel to the side plate and extending longitudinally along each of the side plates, the bottom overlap joints being formed at inwardly facing bottom portions of the side plates;a plurality of top fasteners extending through the top overlap joints to connect the top pan and the spaced side plates;a plurality of bottom fasteners extending through the bottom overlap joints to connect the bottom pan and the spaced side plates;one or more vertical pan support plates connected between the top pan and the bottom pan; andthe top fasteners and the bottom fasteners being threaded or rivet fasteners, and the one or more vertical pan support plates being connected to the top pan and the bottom pan with threaded or rivet fasteners;such that the connected spaced side plates, the top pan and the bottom pan together form at least a portion of the trailer frame assembly, and provide a rectangular closed section in a transverse cross section. 2. The trailer frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the side plates, the top pan, the bottom pan and the vertical pan support plates are formed from steel or aluminum plates or sheets. 3. The trailer frame of assembly claim 1, wherein the side plates, the top pan, the bottom pan and the vertical pan support plates are formed from steel plates or sheets, wherein each of the top pan and the bottom pan are formed in a plurality of longitudinally spaced sections, and wherein the vertical pan support plates extend transversely across at least a portion of a distance between the spaced side plates. 4. The trailer frame assembly of claim 3, wherein: the vertical pan support plates extend a portion of the distance between the spaced side plates and are centrally located between the side plates; andthe vertical pan support plates are formed with right angled top and bottom flanges for connecting between the top pan and the bottom pan with threaded or rivet fasteners. 5. The trailer frame assembly of claim 3, wherein one or both of the top pan and the bottom pan is formed with cut out portions between the opposed side edge portions. 6. The trailer frame assembly of claim 5, wherein the cut out portions are generally triangular or diamond shaped. 7. The trailer frame assembly of claim 5, wherein the side plates are formed with cut out portions. 8. The trailer frame assembly of claim 7, which further comprises: the side plates having a reduced height at the front portion of the trailer frame to accommodate the tractor;a king pin assembly connected with threaded or riveted fasteners between the side plates at the front portion of the trailer frame;a rear axle and suspension assembly connected to the rear portion of the trailer frame;ground engaging wheels mounted on the rear axle and suspension assembly; anda retractable landing gear leg connected to each of the side plates between the front portion and the rear portion of the trailer frame. 9. The trailer frame assembly of claim 8, which further comprises an upper longitudinal support members connected at the top portion of each of the side plate at the front portion of the side plates having a reduced height. 10. The trailer frame assembly of claim 9, which further comprises a bottom longitudinal support member connected at the lower portion of each of the side plates below the king pin assembly. 11. The trailer frame assembly of claim 9, wherein: the opposed side edge portions of the top pan each form the top flange as the second right angle bend extending horizontally above and outwardly from the side plates; andthe upper longitudinal support members are U-rails extending over the top flange and being connected to the top flange with threaded or rivet fasteners. 12. The trailer frame assembly of claim 7, wherein the side plates extend from the front portion to the rear portion of the trailer frame, and wherein the trailer frame further comprises: the side plates having a reduced height at the front portion of the trailer frame to accommodate the tractor;a king pin assembly connected with threaded or riveted fasteners between the side plates at the front portion of the trailer frame;a rear axle and suspension assembly connected with threaded or rivet fasteners between the side plates at the rear portion of the trailer frame;ground engaging wheels mounted on the rear axle and suspension assembly; anda retractable landing gear leg connected to each of the side plates between the front portion and the rear portion of the trailer frame. 13. The trailer frame assembly of claim 12, which further comprises a bottom longitudinal support member connected at the lower portion of each of the side plates below the king pin assembly. 14. The trailer frame assembly of claim 1, adapted for an end dump trailer having a dump body, and which further comprises: a pair of parallel spaced, downwardly extending side plate extensions, each of the side plate extensions being connected to the lower portion of one of the side plates at an outer surface of the side plate at a position between the front portion and the rear portion of the trailer frame assembly;a lower lift cylinder mounting assembly connected to each side plate extension, and adapted to provide a pivotal mount to an end of a lifting cylinder;a cross member extending between the side plate extensions;a rear hinge assembly connected at the rear portion of the trailer frame assembly adapted to connect to a rear end of the dump body. 15. The trailer frame assembly of claim 14, wherein the side plate extensions are connected to the side plates with threaded or rivet fasteners. 16. The trailer frame assembly of claim 14, which further comprises: the dump body including a closed front end, an open rear end, a floor, opposed side walls, and an upper rail connected at a top end of each of the side walls and extending longitudinally along each of the side walls and laterally outwardly beyond the side plates, the dump body being hinged to the rear portion of the trailer frame at the rear end to the frame for pivotal movement between a lowered position for loading and transporting bulk material and a raised position for dumping the bulk material from Ws the open rear end;a dump gate including an upper portion and a lower portion, the dump gate being horizontally pivotally connected at the upper end portion across the rear end of the dump body through a hinge assembly for movement between a closed position, wherein the dump gate closes the open rear end of the dump body, and an open position wherein the dump gate is swung rearwardly away from the open end of the dump body;a pair of lift cylinders connected between the trailer frame and the dump body for raising and lowering the dump body on the frame; a lower end of each of the lift cylinders being pivotally connected to one of the lower lift cylinder mounting assemblies, and an upper end of each of the lift cylinders being pivotally connected to the upper rail of the dump body at a point rearwardly of the lower lift cylinder mounting assemblies such that each of the lift cylinders is angled generally rearwardly and upwardly from the lower end to the upper end. 17. The trailer frame assembly of claim 1, adapted for an end dump trailer, and which further comprises: the trailer frame assembly adapted as the fifth wheel trailer frame with the ground engaging wheels;each of the side plates having opposed ends, and a lower lift cylinder mounting assembly connected to an outer surface of each of the side plates forwardly of a midpoint between the opposed ends;a dump body including a closed front end, an open rear end, a floor, opposed side walls, and an upper rail connected at a top end of each of the side walls and extending longitudinally along each of the side walls and laterally outwardly beyond the side plates, the dump body being hinged at the rear end to the frame for pivotal movement between a lowered position for loading and transporting bulk material and a raised position for dumping the bulk material from the open rear end;a dump gate including an upper portion and a lower portion, the dump gate being horizontally pivotally connected at the upper end portion across the rear end of the dump body through a hinge assembly for movement between a closed position, wherein the dump gate closes the open rear end of the dump body, and an open position wherein the dump gate is swung rearwardly away from the open end of the dump body;a pair of lift cylinders connected on opposed sides of the dump body between the frame and the dump body for raising and lowering the dump body on the frame; anda lower end of each of the lift cylinders being pivotally connected to one of the lower lift cylinder mounting assemblies, and an upper end of each of the lift cylinders being pivotally connected to the upper rail of the dump body at a point rearwardly of the lower lift cylinder mounting assembly such that each of the lift cylinders is angled generally rearwardly and upwardly from the lower end to the upper end. 18. The trailer frame assembly of claim 17, wherein the lift cylinders are two or three stage double acting hydraulic cylinders, and have a length sufficient to raise the dump body to an angle which is at least 40 degrees to horizontal. 19. The trailer frame assembly of claim 18, wherein the dump body has a length to width ratio between 2.5:1 and 6:1, or between 3.5:1 and 4.5:1. 20. The trailer frame assembly of claim 19, wherein: each of the lift cylinders is angled generally rearwardly, upwardly and outwardly from the lower end to the upper end;wherein the pivotal connections at the upper and lower ends of each of the lift cylinders allow for pivotal movement in at least two planes; andthe upper rails include rail stiffening members at the point of connecting the upper end of the lift cylinder to each of the upper rails. 21. The trailer frame assembly of claim 20, wherein the upper end of the lift cylinder is connected to the upper rail at a point which is in a middle three quarters or a middle one half of the length of the dump body. 22. The trailer frame assembly of claim 21, wherein the floor of the dump body has a radiused cross section. 23. The trailer frame assembly of claim 21, wherein the side walls are integral with, or connected to, the floor; and the side walls are tapered, curved or vertical relative to the floor. 24. The trailer frame assembly of claim 21, wherein the floor is formed from a single sheet of steel, without a transverse seam. 25. The trailer frame assembly of claim 21, which further comprises a cross member extending between the side plates adjacent the lower ends of the lift cylinders for structural strength. 26. The trailer frame assembly of claim 25, wherein the pivotal connections at the upper and lower ends of each of the lift cylinders are spherical ball joints to allow for pivotal movement in at least two planes. 27. The trailer frame assembly of claim 1, adapted as an end dump trailer, and further comprising: the trailer frame assembly adapted as the fifth wheel trailer frame with the ground engaging wheels;a dump body including a closed front end, an open rear end, a floor and opposed side walls, the dump body being supported on the frame and hinged at the rear end to the frame for pivotal movement between a lowered position for loading and transporting bulk material and a raised position for dumping the bulk material from the open rear end;one or more lift cylinders between the frame and the dump body for raising and lowering the dump body on the frame;a dump gate including an upper portion and a lower portion, the dump gate being horizontally pivotally connected at its upper end portion across the rear end of the dump body through a hinge assembly for movement between a closed position, wherein the dump gate closes the open rear end of the dump body, and an open position, wherein the dump gate is swung rearwardly away from the open end of the dump body; anda pair of latch lift assemblies, each connected at opposing sides of the dump body between the dump body and the dump gate, for latching the dump gate in the closed position, each latch lift assembly including; a horizontal latch pin connected to the side of the dump gate;an upwardly opening cradle catch connected to the side of the dump body to receive the latch pin, the cradle catch forming a rearwardly and upwardly inclined ramp portion to retain the latch pin in a latched position;a linkage assembly pivotally mounted between the dump body and the hinge assembly such that rotation of the linkage assembly imparts a vertical upward movement to the dump gate sufficient for the latch pin to clear the ramp portion of the cradle catch for unlatching, while also permitting the horizontal pivotal movement to the dump gate; andan actuator connected between the dump body and the linkage assembly for rotating the linkage assembly. 28. The trailer frame assembly of claim 27, wherein: the dump body includes a body rear panel assembly connected to the opposing sides of the dump body;the linkage assembly and the actuator are enclosed in the body rear panel assembly to remain out of contact with the bulk material; andthe cradle catch is connected to a side of the body rear panel assembly to receive the latch pin. 29. The trailer frame assembly of claim 28, wherein: the actuator includes a pressure activated cylinder and a driven rod connected to the cylinder; andthe linkage assembly includes a link plate and a tie rod, the tie rod having an upper end pivotally connected to the hinge assembly and a lower end pivotally connected to the link plate, the link plate having triangularly arranged first, second and third pivot points to provide a first pivot connection to the body rear panel assembly, a second pivot connection to the driven rod and a third pivot connection to the lower end of the tie rod, such that rotation of the link plate around the first pivot connection, and vertical upward movement to the dump gate, may be caused by extending the driven rod or retracting the driven rod. 30. The trailer frame assembly of claim 29, wherein the driven rod is positioned generally horizontally when the dump body is in the lowered position, and wherein the cylinder is air actuated. 31. The trailer frame assembly of claim 30, wherein: the hinge assembly comprises a lift link arm extending generally horizontally between a fixed hinge mount on the body rear panel assembly and the upper portion of the dump gate, the lift link arm having a front pivotal connection to the fixed hinge mount and a rear pivotal connection to the dump gate, the rear pivotal connection being located more rearwardly than the front pivotal connection; andthe tie rod is pivotally connected at its the upper end to the lift link arm such that extension of the driven rod or retraction of the driven rod causes rotation of the link plate and the vertical upward movement to the dump gate. 32. The trailer frame assembly of claim 31, wherein the dump gate moves between the open and closed positions by gravity as the lift cylinder moves the dump body between the lowered and raised positions, and wherein the weight of the dump gate holds the latch pin in the cradle catch when the dump gate is in the closed position. 33. The trailer frame assembly of claim 32, wherein the air actuated cylinder is single acting to impart the vertical movement to the dump gate during opening by extending the driven rod. 34. The trailer frame assembly of claim 32, wherein the air actuated cylinder is double acting to impart the vertical movement to the dump gate during opening and closing by extending and retracting the driven rod.