The application discloses integrated air suspension and platform lifting systems that utilize an existing air supply for lifting one or more platforms installed in a trailer or hauling vehicle. An apparatus for lifting a rear gate or platform of a trailer or a hauling vehicle is disclosed that inclu
The application discloses integrated air suspension and platform lifting systems that utilize an existing air supply for lifting one or more platforms installed in a trailer or hauling vehicle. An apparatus for lifting a rear gate or platform of a trailer or a hauling vehicle is disclosed that includes an actuating mechanism operable to pivot the platform between a lowered position (e.g., where the end of the platform is in contact with the ground) and a range of raised positions (e.g., where the platform is raised to meet an elevated platform such as a loading dock). The lifting mechanisms for raising and lowering the platform(s) may utilize a pressurized gas supply from a compressor. In some embodiments, the lifting mechanism may be supplied with pressurized air from a compressor of a brake system of a tractor. In some embodiments a separate locking mechanism is provided to hold the platform in place after the lifting system has moved it into a desired position.
대표청구항▼
1. An apparatus for positioning a rear platform of a trailer comprising: a. a control valve connected to a source of pressurized fluid;b. a conduit having a proximal end connected to said control valve;c. at least one airbag for lifting said rear platform, said at least one airbag connected to a dis
1. An apparatus for positioning a rear platform of a trailer comprising: a. a control valve connected to a source of pressurized fluid;b. a conduit having a proximal end connected to said control valve;c. at least one airbag for lifting said rear platform, said at least one airbag connected to a distal end of said conduit, and positioned under said rear platform, wherein a proximal end of said rear platform is hingedly attached to a distal end of a deck of said trailer such that said rear platform pivots as the at least one airbag inflates or deflates and a distal end of the rear platform can be lowered to meet the ground when the trailer is on substantially flat, horizontal ground; andd. a position locking system for holding said rear platform at one of multiple positions relative to said deck of said trailer, including positions in which said rear platform is angled below said deck, and positions in which said rear platform is angled above said deck, wherein said locking system is operable to support the weight of said rear platform without support from said at least one airbag. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a control unit for operating said control valve, said control unit being operable to open and close said control valve. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said control unit is inoperable when said trailer is in motion. 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said control unit includes a user interface that allows an operator to open and close said control valve using the user interface to inflate and deflate said at least one airbag. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said source of pressurized fluid is at least one platform airbag storage tank of said trailer, wherein said at least one platform airbag storage tank is isolated from storage tanks for supplying pressurized air to brake and air suspension systems of said trailer, and said platform airbag storage tank does not supply pressurized air to said airbrakes or said air suspension in said trailer. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said at least one platform airbag storage tank is operable to be connected to a compressor of a truck, from which said at least one platform airbag storage tank receives pressurized fluid. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one stationary support member below said rear platform to which a base of said at least one airbag is attached. 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a top of said at least one airbag is attached to an anchoring point on a bottom side of said rear platform. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is operable to position said rear platform in alignment with said deck. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is operable to lift said rear platform with a load of up to about 12,000 lbs. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said apparatus is operable to lift said rear platform with a load of up to about 24,000 lbs. positioned on said rear platform. 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes at least two airbags arranged bilaterally beneath said rear platform. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said at least two airbags rotate said rear platform upward as said pressurized fluid flows into said at least two airbags. 14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one support beam below said rear platform on which said at least one airbag is positioned, wherein said at least one support beam and said at least one airbag are positioned such that they do not obstruct said rear platform as said distal end of said platform is lowered to the ground. 15. A trailer having an integrated trailer suspension and platform lifting system comprising: a. at least one storage tank for storing a pressurized fluid;b. a delivery conduit attached at a first end to an extrinsic air supply and having a second end that supplies air to said at least one storage tank;c. a rear platform pivotally attached to a rear end of said trailer;d. at least one rear platform airbag for lifting said rear platform of said trailer, said at least one rear platform airbag connected to said at least one platform airbag storage tank by a rear platform conduit, and said at least one rear platform airbag being positioned under said rear platform, wherein said rear platform pivots as the at least one rear platform airbag inflates or deflates, such that when the trailer is on substantially flat, horizontal ground, the distal end of the rear platform can be lowered to meet the ground; ande. a control valve for controlling the flow of a pressurized fluid from said at least one storage tank to said at least one airbag. 16. The trailer of claim 15, further comprising a control unit for operating said control valve, said control unit being operable to open and close said control valve. 17. The trailer of claim 15, further comprising a rear platform ramp hingedly attached to a distal end of said rear platform, and an actuator for pivoting said rear platform ramp with respect to said rear platform. 18. The trailer of claim 15, wherein said at least one storage tank is isolated from air brake and suspension storage tanks for supplying pressurized fluid to air brake and suspension systems of said integrated trailer suspension and platform lifting system, and said at least one storage tank does not supply pressurized fluid to said air brake and suspension systems. 19. The trailer of claim 15 further comprising a locking mechanism for holding the rear platform in a pre-determined position after the at least one rear platform airbag moves said rear platform to said pre-determined position. 20. The trailer of claim 15 further comprising a movable distal ramp hingedly attached to a distal end of said rear platform, a fluid controlled actuator attached to said distal ramp for moving said distal ramp, an actuator conduit between said at least one platform airbag storage tank and said actuator, and an actuator control valve connected to said actuator conduit to control the flow of fluid to said actuator. 21. The trailer of claim 20 wherein providing or removing fluid from said actuator causes said distal ramp to pivot about said hinge. 22. The trailer of claim 15, further comprising at least one support beam below said rear platform on which said at least one rear platform airbag is positioned, wherein said at least one support beam and said at least one rear platform airbag are positioned such that they do not obstruct said rear platform as said distal end of said platform is lowered to the ground. 23. An apparatus for operating a movable platform attached to the end of a trailer comprising: a. at least one airbag positioned below said platform, wherein said platform is hingedly attached to a rear end of a deck of said trailer such that said platform pivots as the at least one airbag inflates or deflates;b. an external source of pressurized fluid in communication with at least one platform airbag storage tank, wherein said at least one platform airbag storage tank is isolated from storage tanks for supplying pressurized air to air brake and air suspension systems of said trailer, and said platform airbag storage tank does not supply pressurized air to said air brake and air suspension systems;c. a fluid conduit connected at one end to one of said at least one platform airbag storage tank and having an opposite end that supplies air to said at least one airbag; andd. a control valve on said conduit for controlling the flow of fluid from said tank to said at least one airbag for moving said platform upward or downward as said airbag is inflated or deflated, wherein said platform pivots as the at least one rear platform airbag inflates or deflates, such that when the trailer is on substantially flat, horizontal ground, the distal end of the platform can be lowered to meet the ground; ande. a position locking system operable to hold said platform at multiple positions relative to a deck of said trailer, including positions in which said platform is angled below said deck, and positions in which said platform is angled above said deck. 24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said locking mechanism is operable to support the weight of the platform without support from said at least one airbag. 25. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein a pair of airbags are provided under said platform. 26. The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising a movable distal ramp hingedly attached to a distal end of said platform, a fluid controlled actuator attached to said distal ramp for moving said distal ramp, an actuator conduit between said at least one platform airbag storage tank and said actuator, and an actuator control valve connected to said actuator conduit to control the flow of fluid to said actuator. 27. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising at least one support beam below said rear platform on which said at least one rear platform airbag is positioned, wherein said at least one support beam and said at least one rear platform airbag are positioned such that they do not obstruct said rear platform as said distal end of said platform is lowered to the ground.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (6)
Ehrlich Rodney P. (1903 Tippecanoe Springs Rd. Monticello IN 47960), Drop frame trailer construction.
McHugh Edward L. (Langhorne PA) McHugh James C. (Penndel PA) McHugh Gerard J. (Langhorne PA) Gallagher William (Levittown PA) Schmidt David (Langhorne PA), Trailer for carrying large vehicles.
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