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 integrated trailer suspension and platform lifting system for a trailer comprising: a. at least one platform airbag storage tank receives pressurized air from an air brake or air suspension system of said trailer;b. a control valve connected to said at least one platform airbag storage tank;c.
1. An integrated trailer suspension and platform lifting system for a trailer comprising: a. at least one platform airbag storage tank receives pressurized air from an air brake or air suspension system of said trailer;b. a control valve connected to said at least one platform airbag storage tank;c. a conduit having a proximal end connected to said control valve; andd. at least one airbag for lifting a rear platform, said at least one airbag is connected to a distal end of said conduit, and positioned under said rear platform, wherein said at least one airbag is operable to pivot and raise said rear platform without assistance from additional lifting devices. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, 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. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising 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 form said at least one airbag. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one platform airbag is positioned under said rear platform at about 3 to about 7 feet from a distal end of said trailer. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least two storage tanks for storing a pressurized fluid, at least one connecting conduit provided in series between each of said tanks, and a check valve provided on each connecting conduit. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the last of said series of fluid storage tanks is connected to said conduit, and another of said fluid storage tanks is connected to an air brake system of said vehicle or trailer. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pressurized air received in said at least one platform airbag storage tank is prevented from backflowing into said air brake or air suspension system of said system. 8. 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. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second platform and at least one second platform airbag for positioning said second platform, said second platform being located at a front end of said trailer, and said at least one second platform airbag being connected to said source of pressurized fluid via a second control valve. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a second conduit, said second conduit having a proximal end connected to said second control valve, and a distal end connected to said at least one second platform airbag. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one platform airbag includes two platform airbags and said two platform airbags are operable to pivot and raise the entire weight of the rear platform. 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one platform airbag receives pressurized air from an air brake or air suspension system when a pressure in said air brake or air suspension system exceeds a pre-determined threshold. 13. An integrated trailer suspension and platform lifting system for a trailer comprising: a. at least one platform airbag storage tank for storing a pressurized fluid, wherein said platform airbag storage tank receives pressurized air from an air brake or suspension system of said integrated system, and said platform airbag storage tank does not supply pressurized air to airbrakes or air suspension in said integrated system;b. a delivery conduit attached at a first end to said air brake or suspension system and having a second end that supplies air to said at least one platform airbag storage tank;c. at least one first platform airbag connected to said at least one platform airbag storage tank by a first platform airbag conduit, wherein said at least one first platform airbag is positioned under a first lifting platform hingedly attached to a distal end of said trailer such that said platform pivots as the at least one airbag inflates or deflates, wherein said at least one first platform airbag is operable to pivot and raise said first platform without assistance from additional lifting devices; andd. a control valve for controlling the flow of a pressurized fluid from said at least one platform airbag storage tank to said at least one first platform airbag. 14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a second platform and at least one second platform airbag for lifting said second platform of said trailer, said second platform being located at a front end of said trailer, and said at least one second platform connected to said delivery conduit system by a second control valve. 15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a control unit for operating said control valve and said second control valve, said control unit being operable to open and close said control valve and said second control valve. 16. The trailer of claim 14, wherein said trailer has an upper front-end deck and a lower deck, and a pivoting end of said second platform lies on a same substantially horizontal plane as the lower deck. 17. The trailer of claim 16, wherein said at least one second platform airbag is operable to rotate said second platform on said pivoting end and raise a swinging end of said second platform, said swinging end being opposite to said pivoting end of said second platform. 18. The system of claim 13, wherein said at least one platform airbag includes two platform airbags and said two platform airbags are operable to pivot and raise the entire weight of the lifting platform. 19. The system of claim 13, wherein said at least one platform airbag receives pressurized air from an air brake or air suspension system when a pressure in said air brake or air suspension system exceeds a pre-determined threshold. 20. An integrated trailer suspension and platform lifting system for a trailer comprising: a. at least one air bag storage tank for storing a pressurized fluid, wherein said at least one storage tank receives pressurized fluid from an air brake or suspension system of a trailer, and said at least one air bag storage tank does not supply pressurized fluid to said air brake or suspension system;b. a delivery conduit attached at a first end to an extrinsic said air brake or suspension system and having a second end that supplies air to said at least one air bag storage tank;c. a rear platform pivotally attached to a rear end of said trailer; andd. 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 is positioned under said rear platform, wherein said at least one rear platform airbag operable to pivot and raise the entire weight of the rear platform. 21. The trailer of claim 20, 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. 22. The trailer of claim 20, 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. 23. The trailer of claim 20, further comprising a control unit for operating a control valve for controlling the flow of a pressurized fluid from said at least one storage tank to said at least one airbag, said control unit being operable to open and close said control valve. 24. The trailer of claim 20, further comprising a second platform, said second platform being located at a front end of said trailer. 25. The trailer of claim 24, further comprising at least one second platform airbag for lifting said second platform, said at least one second platform airbag connected to said delivery conduit system by a second control valve. 26. The trailer of claim 25, further comprising a control unit for operating said control valve and said second control valve, said control unit being operable to open and close said control valve and said second control valve. 27. The trailer of claim 24, wherein said trailer is has an upper front-end deck and a lower deck, and a pivoting end of said second platform lies on a same substantially horizontal plane as the lower deck. 28. The trailer of claim 17, wherein said at least one second platform airbag is operable to rotate said second platform on said pivoting end and raise a swinging end of said second platform, said swinging end being opposite to said pivoting end of said second platform. 29. The trailer of claim 28, wherein said at least one second platform airbag is operable to raise said swinging end of said second platform to meet a distal end of said upper deck, thereby positioning said second platform as a ramp between said lower deck and said upper front-end deck. 30. The trailer of claim 20, 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. 31. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising at least two storage tanks for storing a pressurized fluid, at least one connecting conduit provided in series between each of said tanks, and a check valve provided on each connecting conduit. 32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the last of said series of fluid storage tanks is connected to said conduit, and another of said fluid storage tanks is connected to an air brake system of said vehicle or trailer. 33. The system of claim 20, wherein said at least one platform airbag includes two platform airbags and said two platform airbags are operable to pivot and raise the entire weight of the rear platform. 34. The system of claim 20, wherein said at least one platform airbag receives pressurized air from an air brake or air suspension system when a pressure in said air brake or air suspension system exceeds a pre-determined threshold.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (7)
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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